Latest news in Governance/legislation

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New stock option rules raising questions for employers, says consultant

Canada’s new employee stock option tax rules are raising a number of questions for employers, says David Crawford, a partner at Hugessen Consulting Inc. The…

2021 Top 100 Pension Funds Report: DB plans shining bright amid pandemic clouds

If there was a Hall of Fame for catastrophic years, 2020 would be a certainty for admission, with Canada among many nations around the globe…

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Transfer of assets to N.B.’s unclaimed property program could reduce burden on pension plans

The Association for Canadian Pension Management is urging New Brunswick’s Financial and Consumer Services Commission to ensure unclaimed entitlements from ongoing pension plans are eligible…

  • By: Staff
  • June 23, 2021 June 23, 2021
  • 15:00
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PIAC warns of ‘unintended consequences’ of pension super-priority bill

There could be “unintended consequences” if a bill conferring preferred creditor status to defined benefit pension plan members during bankruptcies passes through Canada’s House of Commons,…

  • By: Staff
  • June 23, 2021 June 24, 2021
  • 13:00
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BCI, CPPIB and OTPP investments tied to human rights abuses in China, finds watchdog

A report from the U.K.-based watchdog group Hong Kong Watch is criticizing three major Canadian pension funds for investing in Chinese businesses involved in human rights…

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Pride Month: CN Rail dispute ‘catalyst’ for same-sex pension plan policy reviews

While a recent dispute between the Canadian National Railway Co. and the surviving same-sex partner of a deceased plan member will likely inspire other plan…

Canada’s largest pension funds come together at inaugural climate change event

Representatives from eight of Canada’s largest pension funds — known as the Maple Eight — participated in the first meeting of the Sustainable Finance Action…

  • By: Staff
  • June 16, 2021 June 17, 2021
  • 09:00

Financial market regulators highlighting focus on DC investment fees

Investment fees led the agenda at the Joint Forum of Financial Market Regulators’ annual meeting last week. This year, the forum engaged externally on investment fees,…

  • By: Staff
  • June 15, 2021 June 14, 2021
  • 15:00

U.S. public sector pension retains top executives despite trustee revolt

Two executives at the Pennsylvania-based Public School Employees Retirement System have survived an effort by trustees to oust them from their positions due to investment…

  • By: Staff
  • June 15, 2021 June 15, 2021
  • 11:00

Canadian pension funds calling for co-ordinated world response to climate crisis

A number of Canadian institutional investors, including the British Columbia Investment Management Corp., the British Columbia Municipal Pension Plan, the Caisse de dépôt et placement…

  • By: Staff
  • June 15, 2021 June 15, 2021
  • 09:00
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Nova Scotia providing residents with early access to retirement savings

Nova Scotia is allowing residents to apply directly to their financial institution to access their retirement savings when facing financial challenges. Under amendments to provincial…

  • By: Staff
  • June 15, 2021 June 16, 2021
  • 09:00

Sears Canada retirees’ group says bankruptcy laws unjust for pensioners

Canada’s bankruptcy laws should be changed to avoid future financial hardship for members of other underfunded pension plans, said a court-appointed representative for Sears Canada…

Bankruptcy and insolvency bill will negatively affect struggling DB pensions, says ACPM president

The Association of Canadian Pension Management is urging parliamentarians to vote down the final version of a new bankruptcy and insolvency bill. If passed, Bill…

  • By: Staff
  • June 8, 2021 June 11, 2021
  • 09:00

University of Waterloo aiming to reach full carbon neutrality of pension, endowment investments by 2040

The University of Waterloo is committing to reducing the carbon footprint of its pension and endowment investment portfolios by 50 per cent by 2030, with…

  • By: Staff
  • June 2, 2021 June 2, 2021
  • 09:00

FSRA three-year plan includes pension flexibility, transparency and innovation

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario has unveiled its priorities for the next three years, including plans to reshape its supervisory role for the…

  • By: Staff
  • May 31, 2021 May 31, 2021
  • 09:15
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Pension sponsors have fiduciary responsibility to consider climate change: webinar

Canada’s pension plan sponsors have a fiduciary responsibility to consider climate change in their financial decisions, according to Randy Bauslaugh, counsel for pensions and benefits…

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Feds extending pension plan relief by one year to help employers, employees through pandemic

The federal government is extending its relief to registered pension plans and deferred salary leave plans by one year to help employers manage and maintain…

  • By: Staff
  • May 21, 2021 May 25, 2021
  • 15:30

Head to head: Should plan sponsors buy annuities via insurers or go DIY?

Two experts weigh in on the merits and drawbacks of taking the traditional annuities route versus opting for the newer do-it-yourself option. Marco Dickner, retirement…

Pension solvency measures helping plan sponsors through pandemic and beyond

While solvency funding relief helped Canada’s pension funds withstand the turbulence of 2020, a long-term vision with an eye to a more robust funding framework…

NL’s College of Physicians and Surgeons latest employer to join DBplus pension

Newfoundland and Labrador addressing $8.18BN unfunded pension, employee benefits liabilities

At the end of March 2020, Newfoundland and Labrador had $4.89 billion in unfunded pension liabilities, including unfunded liability and promissory notes, according to a…

More clarity needed in pension rules following marriage breakdown: ACPM

The Association of Canadian Pension Management is calling for increased clarity regarding Ontario’s rules for the valuation and division of pension payments following a marriage…

  • By: Staff
  • May 12, 2021 May 13, 2021
  • 09:00
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CN Rail amending pension policy for same-sex couples

The Canadian National Railway Co. is amending its pension policy after awarding benefits to a widower who was initially denied because of an outdated rule…

  • By: Staff
  • May 7, 2021 May 6, 2021
  • 09:00
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Federal budget promising relief for DC pension plan under, over contributions

Tucked away in the federal budget are proposals that will lighten the load for defined contribution pension plan administrators confronted with historical under and over…

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Federal budget fails to support pension reform, says retiree group, politicians

The Canadian Federation of Pensioners is calling for amendments to federal insolvency laws to protect members of defined benefit pensions if the employer is insolvent.…

Head to head: Should Canadian policy-makers facilitate a workplace emergency savings benefit?

With many employees struggling with finances since the coronavirus pandemic started last March, two experts weigh in on the viability of offering a workplace emergency…