Latest news in Governance/legislation

Ontario to release phase one of pension reform in November

Ontario Finance Minister Dwight Duncan has announced a two-stage pension reform agenda, the first of which will commence in November. Duncan told reporters on Wednesday…

  • By: Jody White
  • October 29, 2009 September 13, 2019
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The next step in pension administration outsourcing

While pension administration outsourcing is common practice for a number of medium- to large size plan sponsors, or those that do not have the in-house…

Federal pension reforms analyzed

As the details of federal finance minister Jim Flaherty’s proposed pension reforms are parsed, experts are weighing in on what it means for plan sponsors…

  • By: Jody White
  • October 28, 2009 September 13, 2019
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Funding at a crossroads

It’s not easy being a Canadian plan sponsor these days. Volatile equity markets, increasing longevity, and the questionable notion of risk management have conspired to…

  • By: Jody White
  • October 26, 2009 September 13, 2019
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New tax rules for pension plans explained

The federal department of finance has released amendments to the Goods and Services Tax/Harmonized Sales Tax (GST/HST) legislation. These amendments should be reviewed by Canadian…

  • By: Jody White
  • October 21, 2009 September 13, 2019
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Retirement programs get extra attention

Canadian organizations are spending a significant amount of time on their retirement programs this year, particularly in the areas of risk management and plan members’…

  • By: Jody White
  • October 8, 2009 September 13, 2019
  • 00:00

Multi-employer pension plans and IFRS standards: Who holds the risk?

When Canada moves to the international accounting standards (IFRS) the rules for multi-employer pension plans (MEPPs) will change. There are about 1.5 million Canadians who…

  • By: Dan Clark
  • October 1, 2009 September 13, 2019
  • 00:00

Pension reform options plentiful

There has been much discussion about the state of the Canadian pension system. Many defined benefit (DB) plans are underfunded, most defined contribution (DC) plan…

  • September 29, 2009 September 13, 2019
  • 00:00

Two winning pension plan communication strategies

Struggling to engage your plan members? Michele Leroux, manager of pensions and benefits with McMaster University, and Tracey Riccardi, manager of compensation and benefits with…

Why the CPP can weather the storm

Despite the global recession and major decline in financial markets, the Canada Pension Plan is on a solid footing, says the chief actuary of Human…

  • By: Jody White
  • September 16, 2009 September 13, 2019
  • 00:00

OSFI gets high marks

A recent survey conducted by the Office of the Superintendent for Financial Institutions (OSFI) has found the regulator enjoys relatively high status in the minds…

  • By: Jody White
  • September 15, 2009 September 13, 2019
  • 00:00

Former Nortel workers call for amendment to BIA

A petition has been organized by a former Nortel employee seeking change in Canada’s bankruptcy laws. Melanie Johannink, who was dismissed by Nortel earlier this…

  • By: Jody White
  • September 14, 2009 September 13, 2019
  • 00:00

Trustees, employers guarding against insolvency risk

Employers and trustees in the U.K. are heeding the advice of The Pensions Regulator, according to Mercer. The consultant’s annual SFO Valuations Survey of 257…

  • By: Jody White
  • September 9, 2009 September 13, 2019
  • 00:00

Table for Two

Across the country, the position of employers in the process of bargaining a new collective agreement is remarkably similar: they’re seeking concessions on pensions. The…

Hide and Seek

Following a pension plan windup, a plan administrator may soon find itself in a game of hide and seek. The administrator may be holding funds…

Discriminating Views

In many respects, a pension plan represents the archetype of age discrimination. By its very definition, a pension plan consists of contractual and trust arrangements…

Another Piece of the Puzzle

Now more than ever, Canadians—especially the baby boomers and others who are nearing retirement—are concerned about their financial prospects. Weathering the worst financial crisis since…

  • By: Ian Dale
  • September 1, 2009 September 13, 2019
  • 00:00

Leaving a Legacy

Pension planning these days often involves managing the past as well as the future. Pension plans are inherently long-term creations, and the promises of our…

Best-laid Succession Plans

It has been proclaimed that our aging population will be of great concern for many employers because Canada will experience a significant talent and labour…

Kerry’s legacy

The ramifications of the recent Supreme Court decision regarding Elaine Nolan et al. v. Kerry (Canada) Inc., (known as the Kerry case) was the subject…

  • By: Jody White
  • August 27, 2009 September 13, 2019
  • 00:00

Untying the regulatory pension knot

National single-employer pension plans are at a very fragile juncture, and the current patchwork of pension legislation discourages organizations from providing pension coverage in multiple…

  • By: Jody White
  • August 26, 2009 September 13, 2019
  • 00:00

Why we should care about Kerry

On August 7, the Supreme Court of Canada released its long-awaited decision in the Elaine Nolan et al. v. Kerry (Canada) Inc., better known as…

Following Kerry? Watch your language

Employers planning to shift staff from a defined benefit (DB) pension to a defined contribution (DC) plan need to keep a careful eye on the…

Kerry decision a relief to plan sponsors

The first voices of what is sure to be a torrent of discussion on the Supreme Court of Canada’s ruling on Elaine Nolan et al.…

  • By: Jody White
  • August 7, 2009 September 13, 2019
  • 00:00

FTSE 100 pensions post record deficit

Despite the recent lift in equity markets, the financial crisis has plunged FTSE 100 companies U.K. pension plan into a £96 billion deficit, more than…

  • By: Jody White
  • August 5, 2009 September 13, 2019
  • 00:00