Federally Regulated DB Pension Plans Given Temporary Relief as a Result of COVID-19

On April 15, 2020, the federal government announced that, effective immediately, it is providing temporary relief to sponsors of federally regulated defined benefit (DB) pension plans, in light of the pandemic’s negative effect on the economy and the resulting financial constraints faced by many sponsors. For the remainder of 2020, there will be a moratorium…

Federal Post – First Edition

Dear Friends, We are excited to bring to you our first edition of the Federal Post, a newsletter designed exclusively for federally regulated employers. The Federal Post discusses issues that are topical, timely and important. It will cover the gamut of matters which impact your workplace, from human rights to minimum standards to labour relations…

Natasha Monkman featured in Benefits and Pensions Monitor

Benefits and Pensions Monitor featured Hicks Morley’s Natasha Monkman in their September 26, 2014 Daily News Alerts. The article features Natasha’s recent presentation at the Canadian Pension & Benefits Institute’s Atlantic regional annual conference, and summarizes her presenation as follows: “Fees, selection of default funds, and imprudent selection of investments are the leading causes of legal action in the U.S….

Benefits Canada Publishes an Article by Natasha Monkman

An article co-authored by Hicks Morley’s Natasha Monkman was published in the August 6, 2014 edition of Benefits Canada. Many employers are concerned with the volatile funding of defined benefit pension plans. On the other hand, there is concern that defined contribution pension plans will not provide adequate retirement income for employees. The article entitled, “The future of workplace…

Pension Asset Transfers Made Easier

Long-awaited amendments to the Ontario Pension Benefits Act (“PBA”) regarding the transfer of assets between pension plans became effective on January 1, 2014. New supporting Regulations under the PBA[1] (the “Asset Transfer Regulations”) also came into force on January 1, 2014. This FTR Now provides a high-level overview of the new asset transfer regime. The…

Update on Ontario’s Retirement Reforms and Initiatives

On Thursday, November 7, 2013, Ontario’s minority government released its economic outlook and fiscal review, titled Creating Jobs and Growing the Economy (the “Economic Outlook”). The Economic Outlook updates and also expands upon legislative and other reform initiatives that had previously been announced. In this FTR Now, we review the key retirement-related updates and developments…

Financial Services Tribunal Interprets the Accrued Benefit Protections of the Pensions Benefits Act (Ontario)

On August 15, 2013, the Ontario Financial Services Tribunal (“FST”) issued its decision in Royal Ontario Museum Curatorial Association v. Ontario (Superintendent Financial Services), concerning an amendment made to The Royal Ontario Museum Pension Plan (“Plan”). The Plan is a defined benefit (“DB”) pension plan. At issue before the FST was whether an amendment to…