Pension amendment notification rules in each part of Canada

After attempts to accommodate his mental disability failed, an employer fired an employee for engaging in violent and erratic behaviour. The arbitrator refused to reinstate him, citing his history of physical violence and “brief psychotic outbursts,” including one episode of showing up to work with …

The following new and revised WSIB policies on non-work-related disabilities took effect on Dec. 1, 2012:

Adjusting Benefits Due to Post-accident, Non-work-related Change in Circumstances
Work Reintegration Principles, Concepts, and Definitions
Determining Suitable Occupation
Work Transition Plans.

Reminder: All pension filings with a prescribed due date of Jan. 1, 2013 or later must be filed electronically via FSCO’s Pension Services Portal (PSP), including Annual  Info Returns, Investment Info Summaries, Pension Benefits Guarantee Fund Assessment Certificate, Actuarial Info Summary and Fund Financial Statements.

On Oct. 22, 2012, the government proposed important changes to workers’ comp benefits under the WSI Act:

Current Rules

Proposed Change

Loss of Earnings benefits “locked in” after 72 months even if worker improves and returns to work

WSIB to review Loss of Earnings benefits after 72 months

Survivor benefits …

October 2012 was a busy month for Ontario OHS reform. First, the brand new Prevention Council met for the first time. Then, in a long anticipated move, the MOL issued revised versions of its guidance on both the OHS Act and Joint Health & Safety …

Just having a privacy policy isn’t enough; employers need to establish a privacy culture. So concludes the Ontario Privacy Commissioner in its Sept. 5, 2012 guidance, which lists 7 things organizations must do:

Implement written privacy policy based on privacy impact assessment
Link each requirement of the …

On Oct. 1, 2012, pension changes affecting joint and survivor pension benefits took effect. Key rule: If spouse of retired member dies first, the pension payable to the member must be at least 60% of pension paid to member during the couple’s joint lives. The …

On Oct. 1, 2012, comments closed on the WSIB’s proposal to modify its procedures for resolving workers’ comp appeals, scheduled to take effect on Jan. 2, 2013, including adoption of a simplified Intent to Object Form, faster processing of appeals and reconsiderations and reduced access …

On Sept. 28, 2012, Ontario’s brand new Prevention Council met for the first time and decided to focus on key recommendations in the Dean Report, including:

Vulnerable workers
Supports for small business
The underground economy
“High hazard” sectors.

On Oct. 1, 2012, government inspectors began handing out OHS violations to employers that fail to post a copy of the MOL’s new Health and Safety Awareness poster. The poster which comes in 17 languages, including Chinese, Spanish, Hindi and Arabic, is available for free …

On Sept. 20, 2012, Ontario proposed freezing the salaries of public sector officials:

3-year freeze on Ontario Public Service managers
2-year freeze on managers eligible for performance pay
Permanent $418,000 cap on executive pay.

On Oct. 1, 2012, the MOL began providing free grievance mediation through the Dispute Resolution Services during the month of October. DRS mediators help management and unions work through grievances without a full blown hearing in exchange for a fee. Free mediation will be limited …

On Sept. 17, 2012, the MOL announced plans to hire 18 more officers to beef up ESA enforcement over the next 2 years. And that’s just the beginning. Taking a page out of its OHS “Blitz” playbook, the MOL will carry out a series of …