Globally, 10 per cent of mining companies’ tailings dams have experienced stability issues, according to an analysis by a group of global institutional investors representing US$13.5 trillion in assets. The investor group, which includes pension funds and other institutional investors led by the Church of England Pensions Board and the Council of Ethics of the […]
With the introduction of Bill 132 in the Ontario legislature last week, pension plan sponsors should be aware of a number of amendments coming to the Pension Benefits Act. If passed, the changes will affect sections of the act that cover electronic communications, missing plan members and the conversion of single-employer pensions into a jointly […]
While private equity’s original advantage was taking over a firm to revamp its governance and operations, private equity companies are now finding fewer underperforming firms to fix and the private equity model is changing, according to a new paper by Elisabeth de Fontenay, a professor of law at Duke University. The paper, which is set […]
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario has appointed members to its stakeholder advisory committee for the pension sector. The committee, which was introduced in July 2019, will provide advice and feedback to the regulator on sector-related matters and will form part of its stakeholder engagement process going forward. The committees members represents a cross-section of views and backgrounds. Read: FSRA […]
Maximum pensionable earnings under the Canada Pension Plan are rising from $57,400 to $58,700 for 2020. The increase takes into account the growth in average weekly wages and salaries in Canada, according to a press release. The basic exemption amount, at $3,500, will remain unchanged for 2020. Read: Feds update appeals process for EI, CPP and OAS Meanwhile, […]
Pensions have been imperilled by corporate insolvency before, but three new amendments to federal laws may create stronger protections for employees and retirees. Changes to the Canada Business Corporations Act went into immediate effect after receiving royal assent in June, and amendments to the Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act and the Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act take effect today. Further […]
Defined contribution plan sponsors have a tough job. “Every day that goes by, DC is getting harder and harder to solve for,” said Lorie Latham, senior defined contribution strategist at T. Rowe Price during a session at Benefits Canada’s 2019 Defined Contribution Investment Forum in Toronto on Sept. 27. Looking to lessons learned in the […]
Proxy voting played a major role in the Alberta Investment Management Corp.’s responsible investment strategy during the past year, according to its newly released annual responsible investment report for 2018-19. During the 2018/19 proxy voting season the AIMCo reviewed and approved more than 30,000 ballot items and voted on 99 per cent of 3,324 meetings […]
The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario is prioritizing pension plan flexibility, reviewing prudential framework and focusing on burden reduction for 2020-21. In its consultation document for its 2020-21 priorities and budget, the FSRA also said new investments in its human capital resources will improve pension relationship management. And, as it announced in July 2019, […]
The guiding document outlining best practices for fiduciaries practicing corporate engagement is in for a major update. As of January 2020, the U.K. Stewardship Code will include new expectations on how those investing on behalf of savers and pensioners integrate the activities of investment and stewardship, including on environmental, social and governance issues. The code, as […]