Nova Scotia seeks input on pensions; Women make little progress on boards; Ontario increasing minimum wage; New licensing rules for security guards, investigators
Nova Scotia seeks input on pensions
Halifax — The Nova Scotia government has released a discussion paper on private sector pension reform and is looking for input from employers, employees, unions and industry. The government wants input on the Nova Scotia Pension Review Panel’s proposed funding formula and whether there should be more flexibility for private sector pension plans, based on risk, funding arrangements and governance. “Currently, we work under a one-size-fits-all system of regulation,” said Minister of Labour and Workforce Development Marilyn More. “We want to move to a system that supports improved governance and accountability of private sector pension plans.” The deadline for submissions is April 15. The discussion paper is available on the department’s website at www.gov.ns.ca/lwd.
Women make little progress on boards
Toronto — The proportion of women on boards of directors of Canada’s largest companies has only increased by one percentage point in the last two years, according to the 2009 Catalyst Census: Financial Post 500 Women Board Directors. Women hold 14 per cent of director positions in the FP500, up from 13 per cent in 2007, found the study. Moreover, nearly 45 per cent of public companies have no women board directors at all. Private companies saw the biggest growth in the representation of women, where the percentage of women board directors increased from 12 per cent in 2007 to 16 per cent in 2009, found Catalyst, while crown companies had the highest representation of women on their boards and public companies had the lowest.
Ontario increasing minimum wage
Toronto — Ontario is raising the minimum wage to $10.25 per hour on March 31. Since 2003, the minimum wage has increased seven times from $6.85 to $9.50 an hour in 2009. The increase at the end of March will mean the minimum wage has increased by 50 per cent since 2004. Prior to 2004, the minimum wage was unchanged since 1995. The major industries employing minimum wage earners are: accommodation and food, retail trade and agriculture.
New licensing rules for security guards, investigators
Toronto — Ontario is introducing new requirements for the training and testing of security guards and private investigators. Changes to the Private Security and Investigative Services Act, 2005, will require those applying to become security guards or private investigators as of April 15 to undergo a mandatory training program and pass a test before they can be licensed. As of July 16, security guards or private investigators who are already licensed also have to pass the test in order to renew their license.
