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Canadian Legal and Legislative Update

Wednesday, May 17 - Thursday, May 18, 2023
The Westin Nashville, Nashville, TN
#IFCanLegal


 

Skip Navigation LinksIFEBP > Education > Schedule > Canadian Legal and Legislative Update

​Are your pension and benefit plans fine-tuned to serve your members’ most urgent needs?

Attend the Canadian Legal and Legislative Update and learn about the most important developments and trends to help protect your plan members and position your plan for a brighter future. Relevant for trustees, plan sponsors, public employees and service providers—You will not want to miss the conference providing the latest updates on need-to-know information from Parliament Hill.

This premier legal conference will address your plan members' most pressing concerns.



Topics/Agenda

  • Available in person
  • Available virtually
  • Health
  • Retirement
  • Canadian
  • General
You must be a logged in registrant to access session handouts.
Wednesday May 17, 2023
8:30-9:30 a.m. CT
Cross-Country Benefits Check-Up
8:30-9:30 a.m. CT
This session will provide an overview of legislative and case law developments of importance to benefit plans, including the impact of recent changes to EI Sickness Benefits, the new Canada Dental Benefit, an ELHT status update and recent case law developments (including regarding age discrimination).
Category: Legal/Legislative Update
Megan Kaneen
Co-Speaker
Megan Kaneen
Partner
Lawson Lundell LLP
Michael Mazzuca
Co-Speaker
Michael Mazzuca
Managing Partner
Koskie Minsky LLP
9:45-10:45 a.m. CT
Cross-Country Pensions Update
9:45-10:45 a.m. CT
This update will include a discussion of Bill C228 plus other new regulations and cases. It will also provide a look at target benefit rules across the country. Finally, there will be a discussion of the Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities’ recent best practices and consultations.
Category: Legal/Legislative Update
Scott Sweatman, LL.B.
Co-Speaker
Scott Sweatman, LL.B.
Partner
Dentons Canada LLP
Stephanie Kalinowski
Co-Speaker
Stephanie Kalinowski
Partner
Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie LLP
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. CT
Managing Member Expectations in a Changing Legal and Social Environment—Recent Developments in Member Communications
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. CT
In this session, you will learn about:
  • Family law issues—Who can you speak with?
  • FSCO and FSRA—A new standard in communicating with members?
  • The movement of workers—Reciprocal agreements
  • Member input in investments—Good idea or bad?
  • Maintaining confidentiality in today’s social media context
  • Trustee disagreements—Do you publicize?
  • Best practices on how to handle beneficiary complaints.
Category: Fiduciary Responsibility
Michael C.P. McCreary, LL.B.
Speaker
Michael C.P. McCreary, LL.B.
Lawyer
1:00-2:00 p.m. CT
Moving On! Legal Changes and Lessons Learned From the Pandemic
1:00-2:00 p.m. CT
As the world adapts and adjusts to life post-pandemic, workplaces are called upon to adapt to the new demands of the post-pandemic workforce. Join us for a review of some of the latest cases in labour law on hot topics and trends including:
  • Workplace policies—Where are we now with:
    • Vaccine policies
    • Hybrid and remote work policies
    • Electronic monitoring and disconnecting from work
    • Four-day work weeks
  • Health, wellness and safety implications arising from these new workplace policies
  • Legislated sick leave—Paid and unpaid benefits for COVID-19.
Category: Legal/Legislative Update
Kiersten N. Amos
Co-Speaker
Kiersten N. Amos
Counsel
McInnes Cooper
Shaun Parker
Co-Speaker
Shaun Parker
Partner
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
2:15-3:15 p.m. CT
A Case Study: The Economic Mobility Pathway and Its Impact on Health Care Recruitment in Nova Scotia
2:15-3:15 p.m. CT
In Fall 2021, in collaboration with the Nova Scotia Department of Seniors and Long-Term Care (DSLTC), igility, a subsidiary of Health Association Nova Scotia, launched a dedicated program focused on the recruitment and retention of health care workers to the continuing care sector. One of the primary focuses of the program is to recruit skilled health care workers to the province, both domestically and internationally. In an effort to address shortages with a different approach, one of the first international missions was to Kenya, where the organization participated in a recruitment mission focused on hiring skilled refugees via the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP). EMPP combines refugee resettlement and economic immigration. It’s a pathway that helps skilled refugees immigrate to Canada through existing economic programs, giving employers access to a new pool of qualified candidates to fill jobs. This session will focus on the process as well as the legal and legislative components that facilitated the program.
Category: Health and Welfare
Frank Fuchs
Co-Speaker
Frank Fuchs
Immigration Consultant
igility/Health Association Nova Scotia (HANS)
Mary Lee
Co-Speaker
Mary Lee
Executive Consultant
3:30-4:30 p.m. CT
It's Not Brain Surgery: How to Design and Sustain Evidence-Based Mental Health Coverage
3:30-4:30 p.m. CT
Comprehensive benefit plans are, increasingly, an expected aspect of worker compensation packages and may be an important factor in the recruitment and retention of quality employees. Coverage for mental health services to address posttraumatic stress, depression, anxiety, substance abuse and other mental illnesses quickly adds to the costs of such plans. This session will address the elements essential to cost-managed mental health coverage—For example, plans should insist on access to evidence-based treatment approaches, including those that may involve new strategies (such as the use of psychedelics). To be sustainable, mental health programs must also consider limits to coverage, with predictably enhanced costs when including children of plan subscribers or retired members. Finally, the session will also address the challenges of providing treatment in collaboration with government workplace injury programs and in compliance with other legal requirements.
Category: Health & Wellness
Dr. Robert Tanguay, M.D., FRCPC, CISAM, CCSAM
Co-Speaker
Dr. Robert Tanguay, M.D., FRCPC, CISAM, CCSAM
Co-Founder, Developer, Vice President of Business Development and Chief Medical Officer
The Newly Institute
Patrick Baillie, Ph.D., LL.B.
Co-Speaker
Patrick Baillie, Ph.D., LL.B.
Psychologist and Lawyer
Calgary Police Service
Thursday May 18, 2023
8:30-9:30 a.m. CT
OCIO: Is It Right for You?
8:30-9:30 a.m. CT
Following this session, attendees can expect to have a fuller understanding of the role of an outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO), the circumstances in which transition to an OCIO model may be most advantageous, and potential benefits and pitfalls associated with engaging an OCIO. This session will also address a fiduciary’s key ongoing obligations vis-à-vis the maintenance of an OCIO relationship.
Category: Investments
Bradley N. Rowe, M.B.A., CFA
Co-Speaker
Bradley N. Rowe, M.B.A., CFA
Principal
Eckler Ltd.
John Prezioso
Co-Speaker
John Prezioso
Partner
Brown Mills Klinck Prezioso LLP
9:45-10:45 a.m. CT
A Perfect Storm: Protecting Legitimate Beneficiaries From Imposters
9:45-10:45 a.m. CT
A pension plan member, conspiring with an accomplice posing as the rightful pension beneficiary, sought relief before the British Columbia Supreme Court. This action resulted in a court order annulling a marriage and changing the survivor beneficiary designation to the pension member’s new spouse. A review of this case summary will underscore:
  • Why early detection and rapid response is so important
  • The process and probing of problem court orders
  • Learning the importance of clear and documented communications
  • Navigating competing interests between beneficiaries and fiduciary duties to plan members
  • The strategy and process to set aside an improperly obtained court order.
Category: Legal/Legislative Update
David A. Paul, K.C., B.GS., LL.B., LL.M
Co-Speaker
David A. Paul, K.C., B.GS., LL.B., LL.M
Senior Associate Counsel
Paul & Company LLP
Lee Riggs
Speaker/Moderator
Lee Riggs
Administrator, Benefits and Pension Plans
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 115
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. CT
Information Management, Privacy and Security in the Digital Age
11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. CT
Technology is great, except when it isn’t—New opportunities also bring new challenges. Attend this session to ensure you’re up to speed on best practices for the use of technology in the administration of your plan, including:
  • Privacy and security considerations
  • Electronic beneficiary designations
  • E-signatures
  • An overview of recent regulatory guidance you need to know.
Category: Legal/Legislative Update
Andrew Buck
Co-Speaker
Andrew Buck
Partner
Pitblado Law LLP
Krista Tartaglia, CPA, CA
Co-Speaker
Krista Tartaglia, CPA, CA
Partner
BDO Canada LLP
1:00-2:00 p.m. CT
Professional Trustees—Who Needs Them?
1:00-2:00 p.m. CT
Choosing trustees from the union or membership has its advantages, but is there a place for independent/professional trustees?
  • What are professional trustees?
  • Does your trust allow for professional trustees?
  • Is hiring a professional trustee right for your trust?
    • The value of a skills matrix
  • How to manage a professional trustee
  • Pros and cons of a professional trustee
Category: Legal/Legislative Update
Alex D. McKinnon, CEBS
Panelist
Alex D. McKinnon, CEBS
Research Director
United Steelworkers Union (USW) Canadian National Office
Gary A. Goddard, FCIA, FSA
Panelist
Gary A. Goddard, FCIA, FSA
Board Chair
CUPE Education Workers' Benefits Trust
Martha M. Henrickson, CEBS
Panelist
Martha M. Henrickson, CEBS
Attorney
Management Guidance, LLP
2:15-3:15 p.m. CT
Negotiating on the Inside
2:15-3:15 p.m. CT
Arriving at a plan benefits decision as a fiduciary on a board of trustees is different from negotiating a collective agreement. In this session, you will hear from two experienced benefits mediators on what it means to “win” around the board table. Topics include:
  • Moving from positions to interests
  • Leading from any seat
  • Communication strategies
  • Trustee wellness and resilience.
Category: Legal/Legislative Update
Ari Kaplan, LL.B., LL.M., Q.Med
Co-Speaker
Ari Kaplan, LL.B., LL.M., Q.Med
Principal
Kaplan Law
Marg Romanow, R.N., CEBS, MTMS, ICD.D, Q.Arb, Q.Med
Co-Speaker
Marg Romanow, R.N., CEBS, MTMS, ICD.D, Q.Arb, Q.Med
Pension Board Trustee on two Jointly Sponsored Pension Boards
3:30-4:30 p.m. CT
Open Forum
3:30-4:30 p.m. CT
Bring your questions and join us for an open Q&A session with a group of our speakers.
Category: General Topics
Alex D. McKinnon, CEBS
Panelist
Alex D. McKinnon, CEBS
Research Director
United Steelworkers Union (USW) Canadian National Office
Ari Kaplan, LL.B., LL.M., Q.Med
Panelist
Ari Kaplan, LL.B., LL.M., Q.Med
Principal
Kaplan Law
Bradley N. Rowe, M.B.A., CFA
Panelist
Bradley N. Rowe, M.B.A., CFA
Principal
Eckler Ltd.
David A. Paul, K.C., B.GS., LL.B., LL.M
Panelist
David A. Paul, K.C., B.GS., LL.B., LL.M
Senior Associate Counsel
Paul & Company LLP
Gary A. Goddard, FCIA, FSA
Panelist
Gary A. Goddard, FCIA, FSA
Board Chair
CUPE Education Workers' Benefits Trust
John Prezioso
Panelist
John Prezioso
Partner
Brown Mills Klinck Prezioso LLP
Krista Tartaglia, CPA, CA
Panelist
Krista Tartaglia, CPA, CA
Partner
BDO Canada LLP
Lee Riggs
Panelist
Lee Riggs
Administrator, Benefits and Pension Plans
International Union of Operating Engineers Local 115
Marg Romanow, R.N., CEBS, MTMS, ICD.D, Q.Arb, Q.Med
Panelist
Marg Romanow, R.N., CEBS, MTMS, ICD.D, Q.Arb, Q.Med
Pension Board Trustee on two Jointly Sponsored Pension Boards
Martha M. Henrickson, CEBS
Panelist
Martha M. Henrickson, CEBS
Attorney
Management Guidance, LLP

I have always felt that this program helps me to meet my compliance and regulatory obligations. And the program introduced me to the "new" best practices.

Laurie Caforio Senior Manager Pensions and Benefits ATB Financial

​Benefits of Attending

  • Focus on the critical information you need to know now with fresh and relevant topics.
  • Gain a deeper understanding of the issues affecting the pensions and benefits industry and their impact on your funds.
  • Take advantage of opportunities to network with your peers.

Who Should Attend

This program is especially designed for labour and management trustees, public service trustees, professional advisors and corporate plan sponsors.

Speakers

Speakers

Speakers for the 2020 conference will be announced in fall of 2019. Please check back soon

Continuing Education

Continuing Education (CE) credit for professions and designations MAY be available for attendance at live sessions. You must register for the program and request CE credit at least 60 days prior to the beginning of the program so that the Foundation can seek preapproval from the governing agency.

Note: Requests made for CE credit do not guarantee administration of credit. For further information on CE credit, please call (262) 786-6710, option 2. 


Policies
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Registration Information

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Registration Information
  Member Nonmember


Through 4/5/2023 C $1,475.00 C $1,695.00
After 4/5/2023 C $1,775.00 C $1,995.00
 
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