Laws & Regulations

• "Five minutes about changes to the Medical Expense Tax Credit" with Mercer's Marcel Théroux

  In this week's podcast, Mercer principal and lawyer Marcel Théroux discusses draft amendments to the tax regulations that may further complicate -- rather than clarify -- the situation for group benefit plans currently covering over-the-counter drugs.

• METC rule changes: Muddying the waters for employer drug plans

  This Watson Wyatt InfoFlash discusses implications of draft regulations intended to clarify the eligibility of medications for the medical expense tax credit. Unfortunately, the draft legislation considerably complicates matters for employers with private health services plans that cover over-the-counter drugs, especially those covering Quebec residents.

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• Featured podcast: "Five minutes about the class action against Nortel" with employees' lawyer Steven Levitt

  Have you converted your defined benefit plan to a defined contribution plan recently? If so, you will not want to miss this week's featured podcast in which Steven Levitt of the Ottawa law firm of Nelligan O'Brien Payne discusses his application for certification of a class action on behalf of former employees of Nortel.

• Ontario consults on work through temporary help agencies.

  The Ontario government is asking for a response by July 7, 2008 to this consultation paper. Issues raised include:

• Insurer, beverage company partner in unique wellness program

  In a unique partnership, foodservice business Bunn-o-matic and La Capitale Insurance and Financial Services are raising employee health awareness and spurring people towards better lifestyle habits with a pre-packaged wellness program.

• Employers must be careful how they terminate older workers

  Based on a number of Québec decisions – where mandatory retirement was abolished in 1982 – employers who do not effectively manage the performance of older workers could be ordered to pay large awards in cases of involuntary termination.

• Alberta eliminates health care premiums; Manitoba's new pharmacare deductibles

  This Aon InfoFlash discusses the implications of two recent changes in Western Canada: elimination of health care premiums in Alberta and new deductible rates for Manitoba pharmacare.

• Ontario to consult on pension credit-splitting

  The Law Commission of Ontario has issued a Consultation Paper on the division of pensions upon marriage breakdown. It is seeking public input on how the law in this area should be reformed.

• Ontario Budget health and welfare provisions for 2008

  Ontario Budget 2008 provisions relating to health care and benefits are discussed in a recent Aon InfoFlash.

• What Does the METC Budget Change Mean for Employer Drug Plans?

  This Watson Wyatt InfoFlash discusses recent federal budget changes Income Tax Act provisions governing the medical expense tax credit. Information is required from the Canada Revenue Agency on how its policy regarding private health services plans will or will not change in light of the change to the METC. They have yet to rule on this issue.

Most Forwarded

• Salary budgets in Canada, U.S. continue to climb

• Mental health stigma still widespread in Canada

• Are you getting bangs for your tuition reimbursement bucks?