Latest news in Governance/legislation

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FSRA introducing whistleblower program to identify misconduct in pensions, financial services sectors

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario is introducing a whistleblower program to more effectively identify misconduct in the pensions and non-securities financial services sectors.…

  • By: Staff
  • May 5, 2022 May 4, 2022
  • 09:00
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PIAC urging feds to allow tax-free mergers of target-date funds

The Pension Investment Association of Canada is urging the federal government to allow for tax-free mergers of maturing target-date funds. In a letter to the…

  • By: Staff
  • May 4, 2022 May 4, 2022
  • 09:00
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Provincial governments yet to complete review of Atlantic Lottery pension plan: auditors general

Despite a recommendation made by the four Atlantic provinces in 2016, a review of the Atlantic Lottery Corp.’s underfunded defined benefit pension plan has yet…

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Top 5 HR, benefits and pension stories of the week

A ruling by the Supreme Court of British Columbia on the B.C. Credit Union Employers’ Pension Plan’s normal retirement date was the most-read story on…

  • By: Staff
  • April 29, 2022 April 28, 2022
  • 09:00

Ontario’s budget proposing framework for target-benefit pension plans

In its 2022 budget on Thursday, the Ontario government said it’s implementing a permanent target-benefit pension plan framework in 2023. The budget noted specified Ontario…

  • By: Staff
  • April 29, 2022 April 29, 2022
  • 09:00

B.C. court upholds pension plan’s decision to increase retirement age

The Supreme Court of British Columbia has upheld the B.C. Credit Union Employers’ Pension Plan’s decision to increase its normal retirement date to age 65…

  • By: Staff
  • April 26, 2022 April 25, 2022
  • 09:00

A closer look at the feds’ proposed borrowing flexibility rule for DB pensions

Last week’s federal budget proposed more borrowing flexibility for registered defined benefit plans. The proposal would replace the historical 90-day term limit on short-term borrowing…

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Canadian pension funds top global transparency ranking: report

Canadian pension plans are the most transparent in the world, according to a new report by Top1000funds.com and CEM Benchmarking Inc. The report, which uses…

  • By: Staff
  • April 14, 2022 April 13, 2022
  • 09:00
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What’s in the federal budget for DB pension plans, institutional investors?

The federal government’s 2022 budget is addressing long-standing rules preventing defined benefit plan sponsors from borrowing in most circumstances. In the $56-billion budget, which is…

  • By: Staff
  • April 12, 2022 April 12, 2022
  • 13:00
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Calculation for commuted pension values confusing to some plan members: actuary

Changes to the calculation of commuted pension values in Canada are making it more challenging for defined benefit pension plan members to determine an optimal…

Caisse exposure to fraud, corruption risks exacerbated by investment strategy: Quebec auditor general

While Quebec’s Auditor General Guylaine LeClerc says the Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec’s exposure to international and private markets is increasing fraud and corruption…

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Ontario Liberals promising portable drug, dental and mental-health services

Ahead of the upcoming provincial election, Ontario Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca is promising several benefits for employees and employers in his economic platform. The platform,…

  • By: Staff
  • March 29, 2022 March 28, 2022
  • 09:00

Idaho looking to pass bill banning pension investments in ESG-conscious businesses

Idaho lawmakers are calling for a ban on investments in environmental, social and governance compliant companies by its state pension funds. Proposed by Republican State…

  • By: Staff
  • March 24, 2022 March 24, 2022
  • 11:00

ACPM calling on PEI to allow automatic features in workplace pension plans

The Association of Canadian Pension Management is calling on Prince Edward Island’s pension regulator to amend the Employment Standards Act to facilitate auto-enrolment and auto-escalation…

  • By: Staff
  • March 22, 2022 March 21, 2022
  • 09:00

Head to Head: Should the U.S. ESOP structure be brought to Canada?

Canadian employers should consider the pros and cons of employee share ownership plans on both sides of the border. Loren Rodgers, executive director of the…

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Ontario judge cautions FSRA in certification of Brewers Retail pension class action

In certifying a pension class action by Brewers Retail Inc., an Ontario Superior Court judge denounced the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario for defying…

New report backs up calls to bring employee ownership to Canada

Developing a made-in-Canada approach to employee ownership trusts will address multiple public policy challenges, according to a new report by non-profit Social Capital Partners. Employee-owned…

  • By: Staff
  • March 7, 2022 March 4, 2022
  • 09:00

Top 5 HR, pension and benefits stories of the week

An article on British Columbia’s paramedics and their need for enhanced mental-health benefits was the most read story over the past week on BenefitsCanada.com. Here…

  • By: Staff
  • March 4, 2022 March 4, 2022
  • 09:00
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Report finds disconnect between how target-benefit plans are regulated, managed

Target-benefit plans are being hampered by a disconnect between how they’re regulated and how they’re managed, according to a new report for the C.D. Howe Institute.…

  • By: Staff
  • March 3, 2022 March 3, 2022
  • 09:00
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Ontario’s DB pension plans should take steps to maintain strong funded status: FSRA

With Ontario’s defined benefit pension plans in their best financial shape since 2009, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario is advising plan sponsors and…

AIMCo, BCI to divest Russian holdings

In response to the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the Alberta Investment Management Corp. and the British Columbia Investment Management Corp. are divesting from…

  • By: Staff
  • March 1, 2022 March 3, 2022
  • 15:30
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Canadian pension plans overcoming legislation, governance challenges: webinar

Representatives from a few of Canada’s most progressive pension plans weighed in on topics ranging from plan design to the various challenges posed by legislation…

  • By: Blake Wolfe
  • February 28, 2022 February 28, 2022
  • 09:00
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CAPSA establishes committee to develop risk management guidelines for pension plans

The Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities is establishing a new committee with a mandate to develop a risk management guideline for pension plans. The…

  • By: Staff
  • February 18, 2022 February 18, 2022
  • 15:00
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Equities, inflation, legislative changes push annuity transaction volume to record highs

The strength of equities was among the factors pushing the transaction volume of Canada’s group annuities market to a record high in 2021, according to…

Majority of Ontario’s DB pension plans more than fully funded: report

The average Ontario defined benefit pension plan is in the best funded position since December 2009, according to the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario’s…

  • By: Staff
  • February 17, 2022 February 17, 2022
  • 12:00