Canadian Payroll Reporter

Payroll Reporter R adian a www.payroll-reporter.com February 2015 February 2015 Ontario decides to move ahead Ontario decides to move ahead with its own pension plan proposal with its own pension plan proposal Consultation paper asks for Consultation paper asks for feedback on design of ORPP feedback on design of ORPP BY SHEILA BRAWN THE ONTARIO GOVERNMENT is moving ahead with its pro- posal to implement a mandatory pension plan in the province in 2017. In December, it tabled the first of its planned bills to set up the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (ORPP). In January, it began consultations on the plan. In February, feedback on a recently released consultation paper is due. The government announced its intention to establish the ORPP in last year's budget, say- ing the plan is necessary to help provincial residents save more for their retirement since the federal government has so far re- fused enhancements to the Can- ada Pension Plan (CPP). In 2012, 34 per cent of all Ontario work- ers were covered by a workplace pension plan, down from 40 per cent in 1985. In the private sec- tor, only 28 per cent had a work- place pension plan, according to the Ontario government. Participation in the ORPP would be obligatory for em- ployees and their employers if the individuals are employed in eligible employment in Ontario, are 18 to 70 years old and do not take part in a comparable work- place pension plan. All employ- ment in the province (excluding federally regulated workplaces) Federal New CLC holiday pay rules coming in March Next month, Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) will implement new Canada Labour Code rules governing the way federally regulated employers compensate employees for statutory holidays. Effective March 16, employees will no longer be required to work at least 15 of the 30 days before a holiday to qualify for statutory holiday pay. see LEGISLATIVE ROUNDUP on page 7 PM #40065782 Legislative Roundup Changes in payroll laws and regulations from across Canada News In Brief pg. 4 Panel releases report on employee caregivers; PaySavvy has T4 guide; 2015 auto-related rates; average weekly earnings; unemployment rate Ask an expert pg. 5 Increasing income tax source deductions; decreasing income tax source deductions; replacing T4s, RL-1s Nova Scotia adds holiday Nova Scotia adds holiday Seven provinces now require Seven provinces now require paid holiday in February paid holiday in February BY SHEILA BRA WN THIS MONTH, employees in Nova Scotia will have a statu- tory holiday in February for the first time. It joins six other prov- inces in establishing a February holiday. A decade ago, only Al- berta had one. Here is an overview of gen- eral holiday requirements in jurisdictions with a February holiday. For specific industries or types of work, different rules may apply. Check the legislation for the applicable jurisdiction. Nova Scotia: Heritage Day, Feb. 16 Eligibility: Employees are eli- gible for a paid holiday if they are entitled to receive pay for a minimum of 15 of the 30 calen- dar days before the holiday and see CALCULATING on page 6 see BROADEN on page 2 Credit: Christinne Muschi Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne is pushing ahead with a provincial pension plan after Ottawa declined to enhance the Canada Pension Plan. Recent stats show one-third of Ontario workers are covered by a pension plan, down from 40 per cent in 1985. When employees get more than they deserve pg. 3 Payroll departments must follow rules for handling, recovering overpayments

• Cover