On February 5, 2014, the Ontario government published proposed amendments to Regulation 909 under the Pension Benefits Act that would, if adopted, exempt investments in securities issued and fully guaranteed by the government of the United States of America (“U.S.”) from the so-called “10% rule” in respect of the quantitative investment limits applicable to registered…
Tag: Legislative Initiative
Ontario Minimum Wage Increasing to $11 on June 1, 2014
On January 30, 2014, the Ontario government announced that the general minimum wage will increase from $10.25 to $11 per hour, effective June 1, 2014. This regulatory change is intended to reflect the increase in the Consumer Price Index (“CPI”) since the last minimum wage increase, which occurred in 2010. A list of the new minimum…
Federal Government Proposes Transitional Pension Funding Relief Regulations (Canada Post)
On December 21, 2013, the federal government published proposed transitional pension funding relief regulations that would temporarily relieve Canada Post Corporation from the requirement to make special payments to its defined benefit employee pension plan, as ordinarily required under the Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 (“PBSA”), for a period of four years. The proposed amendments…
Ontario to Conduct Review of Health and Safety in Mining Sector
The Ontario government has announced that beginning in early 2014 the Chief Prevention Officer (Ministry of Labour) will be leading an advisory group in conducting a comprehensive health and safety review on a wide range of areas in the mining sector. Among other things, the review will include assessing existing health and safety regulations and…
Ontario Introduces New Healthcare Legislation to Enhance Patient Care, Pharmacy Safety
On October 10, 2013, the Ontario government introduced Bill 117, Enhancing Patient Care and Pharmacy Safety (Statute Law Amendment) Act, 2013. If passed, this legislation would, among other things: amend the Drug and Pharmacies Regulation Act to allow premises associated with hospitals and health and custodial institutions to be considered “pharmacies” for the purposes of…
Manitoba Passes Private Sector Privacy Legislation
On September 12, 2013, Bill 211 The Personal Information Protection and Identity Theft Prevention Act, a Private Member’s Bill, passed Third Reading in the Manitoba Legislature. It received Royal Assent on September 13, 2013. Subject to specified exemptions, Bill 211 will apply to all organizations in the province (including private sector organizations) and will govern…
Québec Publishes Private Sector Solvency Deficiency Draft Regulation for Comment
On July 10, 2013, the Québec government published a draft regulation made under the Supplemental Pension Plans Act (“Act”) entitled “Pension plans in the private sector – New relief measures for the funding of solvency deficiencies” (“Draft Regulation”). The Draft Regulation offers relief measures for the funding of deficiencies in private sector defined benefit plans…
Draft Regulation under Sections 80 and 81 of the PBA Posted for Comment
On July 2, 2013, the Ontario government posted a draft regulation made under the Pension Benefits Act (“Act”) regarding pension transfers under sections 80 and 81 of the Act. A summary of the draft regulation has also been posted. Approval of the draft regulation is required before the amendments to sections 80 and 81 of…
Time Period for Filing Solvency Funding Relief Reports Extended
On June 20, 2013, the Ontario government filed O. Reg. 186/13 amending O. Reg. 177/11 (as amended by O. Reg. 330/12) which amended Regulation 909 (General) made under the Pension Benefits Act. As previously reported, the definition of “solvency concerns” sets out the circumstances under which defined benefit pension plans are required to file annual actuarial…
Employment Standards Blitzes Announced for Ontario Workplaces
The Ontario Ministry of Labour has announced that it will conduct province-wide blitzes under the Employment Standards Act, 2000 (“Act”) as a proactive enforcement measure to ensure compliance with the Act. From May 2013 to August 2013, the blitzes will focus on vulnerable workers in certain sectors including manufacturing and distribution, construction and recreation. From October…