On August 14, 2012, the Ministry of Finance published new legislative proposals relating to the Income Tax Act and Regulations for public commentary. The proposals, which are designed to implement a range of Budget-related initiatives announced by the federal government earlier this year, include measures that would, if adopted, include an employer’s contributions to a…
Tag: Legislative Initiative
Ontario Releases Proposed Amendments to Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation
On August 15, 2012, the Ontario government published proposed amendments to the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (IAS) (Ontario Regulation 191/11) under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005 for public consultation. The amendments, once finalized, are expected to come into force the later of January 1, 2013, or the day they are filed. The…
Pay Equity Guide Now Available
The Pay Equity Commission has published “A Guide to Interpreting Ontario’s Pay Equity Act” (August 2012). The Guide provides an overview of the interpretation by the Pay Equity Office of the minimum requirements of the Pay Equity Act, and is primarily intended to provide employers with guidance as to their obligations under that legislation.
Ontario Government Publishes Integrated Accessibility Standards Guide and Compliance Tool
The Ontario Ministry of Community and Social Services has published “A Guide to the Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation” dated July 2012. The Integrated Accessibility Standards (IAS) Regulation was made under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005. It came into force on July 1, 2011 and affects nearly all organizations in Ontario. The Guide…
Letters of Credit Regulation Proposed to Implement Pension Reform Measures
On July 30, 2012, the Ontario Ministry of Finance posted details of a proposed, supporting regulation to implement the new framework for letters of credit under the yet to be proclaimed section 55.2 of the Pension Benefits Act (“PBA”). As noted in our “Pension Reform Measures in Ontario Have Arrived” FTR Now of July 27,…
Regulatory Amendments Proposed to Allow CPPIB/PSPIB to Rely on Prudent Person Standard
On June 23, 2012, the federal government published a proposed amendment to the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board Regulations which would repeal section 12 of the Regulations. That section establishes quantitative investment limits in respect of Canadian resource and real properties. Repeal of this section would align the Regulations with the Pension Benefits Standards Regulation,…
MOL Safety Blitz Targets Construction Sites and Surface Mines
The Ontario government has announced that during the months of July and August 2012, the Ministry of Labour (“MOL”) will perform safety blitzes of construction sites and surface mines across Ontario. MOL inspectors will: check construction sites for hazards involving tower and mobile cranes; target activities involving the transportation of stone, sand, gravel and other…
Changes to WSIB Insurance Fund to Come into Force January 2013
The Ontario government has proclaimed subsections 1(2), 2(2), 3(2) and 5(1) of Schedule 21 of the Helping Ontario Families and Managing Responsibly Act, 2010, which amends the Workplace Safety and Insurance Act, 1997, into force on January 1, 2013. Among other things, the amendments provide for changes to the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board’s insurance…
ESA Compliance Blitz to Target Temporary Workers, Agencies
Throughout June, July and August of 2012, the Ontario government will be conducting targeted inspections of temporary employee agencies across the province to ensure compliance with the Employment Standards Act, 2000. The blitz will focus on the following: minimum wage; vacation pay; public holidays, including time off and public holiday pay; and rules related to…
Ontario Announces Consultations to Enhance BPS Pension Fund Investment Efficiencies
Further to initiatives first announced in its 2012 Budget, the Ontario government has appointed a special Pension Investment Advisor, Bill Morneau, to develop recommendations for the government’s consideration through a public consultation process in anticipation of a new legislative framework that will facilitate the pooling of pension fund assets in the broader public sector (“BPS”)….