NB bulletins

Closing the gap: British Columbia passes pay transparency legislation

On May 11, 2023, British Columbia passed the Pay Transparency Act, also known as Bill 13. This new legislation aims to address systemic discrimination in the workplace by fostering transparency in pay practices.

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July 2023

Normandin Beaudry Pension Plan Financial Position Index, June 30, 2023

The average pension plan funded ratio changed little in Q2 2023 and year-to-date.

The average pension plan funded ratio, excluding the effect of asset smoothing, is 119% as at June 30, 2023, down 1% over the second quarter and at the same position as at the beginning of the year.

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July 2023

Quebec drug insurance plan: New rates starting July 1, 2023

Every year on July 1, the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) adjusts the rates for the public prescription drug insurance plan to take into account changes in plan costs.

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July 2023

Accounting standards applicable to future group benefits:
Assumptions used by Canadian organizations and latest updates

Many private-sector organizations must include in their financial statements the recognition of their obligations toward defined benefit pension plans (DB pension plans) and other post-employment benefit plans, such as medical care plans offered to retirees (other benefits).

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June 2023

Normandin Beaudry Pension Plan Financial Position Index, March 31, 2023

After a quarter marred by market and interest rate volatility, the average pension plan funded ratio at the end of Q1 2023 remained consistent with that as at December 31, 2022.

The average pension plan funded ratio, adjusted to exclude the effect of asset smoothing, is 120% as at March 31, 2023, up 1% over the quarter.

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April 2023

Ontario joins the shift to biosimilars

On December 20, the Ontario government announced that it will shift from biologics to biosimilars for everyone covered by the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB) program. By expanding the use of biosimilar drugs, Ontario is following in the footsteps of British Columbia, Alberta, New Brunswick, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and the Northwest Territories.

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April 2023

A Permanent Framework for Target Benefits

The Ministry of Finance of Ontario recently published a consultation document on proposed regulations for implementing a permanent target benefit framework in Ontario. Since 2007, over 50 Multi-Employer Pension Plans (MEPPs) that can reduce accrued benefits have been eligible for a temporary exemption from solvency funding requirements until 2024. These plans are also known as Specified Ontario MEPPs (SOMEPPs). The new proposed regulations will be implemented with the objective of continuing this exemption for SOMEPPs, while ensuring proper governance and funding of these plans and increasing member transparency and equity.

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April 2023

The 2023 federal budget and your total rewards offering

The federal budget released on March 28, 2023, contains some measures that could have a direct or indirect impact on an organization’s total rewards offering. Our experts have put together a watch list in light of the available information.

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March 2023

Announced Changes to the Québec Pension Plan

In tabling its budget on March 21 (Budget 2023-2024), the Quebec government took the opportunity to also announce its planned changes to the Québec Pension Plan (QPP). These changes come on the heels of the recent public consultation that took place in February. Our experts have analyzed the announced changes based on the available information.

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March 2023

Salary increases, inflation and labour shortages

In recent months, organizations have been under mounting pressure to raise employee pay. In an already complex environment marked by the current labour shortage, another much-talked-about economic issue has influenced salary increase decisions: inflation.

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March 2023

2022 tax credit for medical expenses and special rule for office supplies and computer equipment

The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Revenu Québec have set out that an employer may pay for or reimburse up to $500 for the purchase of computer or office equipment for the purposes of working from home without it being a taxable benefit for the employee. However, this amount must not exceed $500 for purchases made between March 15, 2020 and December 31, 2022.

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March 2023

Four pillars of total rewards

In addition to a robust total rewards strategy with a clear and strong positioning, Normandin Beaudry proposes four pillars of total rewards to help organizations shine and attract and retain talent.

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February 2023

The Top 10 Developments in Drug Insurance of 2022

A look back at the highlights of a challenging year. Here is the eighth edition of our top prescription drug developments of the past year.

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February 2023

A boost from the government to help your employees buy their first home

As of April 1, 2023, the federal government will introduce the Tax-Free First Home Savings Account (FHSA) to help Canadian residents age 18 to 71 save a downpayment for their first home. To be eligible, they must be Canadian residents who have not owned homes and haven’t lived with a spouse or common-law partner who owns a home during the part of the year before the FHSA is opened or in the preceding four years.

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February 2023

Regulations Amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (Temporary Foreign Workers): Are you compliant?

The Government of Canada recently adopted Regulations Amending the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (Temporary Foreign Workers). The new provisions came into force on September 26, 2022 and are aimed at reinforcing the protection of foreign workers through various new regulations, including those related to health.

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January 2023

Public consultation on the Québec Pension Plan

As it does every six years, the Quebec government is currently holding a public consultation on the Québec Pension Plan (QPP). This consultation aims to explore various solutions to address the challenges facing the Quebec pension system. Read on to learn more about this process.

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January 2023

Normandin Beaudry Pension Plan Financial Position Index

Today we are launching the Normandin Beaudry Pension Plan Financial Position Index. Our specialists closely monitor the financial position of our clients’ defined benefit pension plans and will present this index to you on a quarterly basis.

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January 2023