The Expert Commission on Pensions ended on October 31, 2008.

PUBLIC HEARINGS

The Ontario Expert Commission on Pensions was appointed in late 2006 to review the province’s Pension Benefits Act, the rules governing the funding, deficits and surpluses of defined benefit pension plans, and other issues relating to the security, viability and sustainability of the pension system in Ontario.

The Commission will hold public hearings across Ontario in October and November 2007, and invites written and oral submissions from stakeholders in the pension system including plan sponsors, plan members and pensioners, unions and other representative organizations, plan administrators, pension professionals, academic, community and other groups, and employers, workers, retirees and other interested Ontarians.

Unless the submitter has requested otherwise, all written submissions to the Commission will be posted on the website after November 21, 2007."

Schedule of Public Hearings

Select from the list below for more information on public hearings dates, locations and presenters:

The Scope and Content of Submissions

The Commission is concerned particularly with the importance of maintaining and encouraging defined benefit pension plans, with their legal, social and economic context and consequences, and with safeguarding the security of pension benefits, and balancing the rights and obligations of plan sponsors, plan members and pensioners. The Commission’s findings and recommendations will be addressed to the Ontario Minister of Finance.

Persons and organizations considering making a submission should first consult the terms of reference on the Commission’s website at www.pensionreview.on.ca to ensure that their submission is relevant to the Commission’s work.

The Commission has produced an initial discussion paper which poses some of the detailed questions which might be addressed in submissions. This discussion paper can be found on the Commission’s website. The Commission is also prepared to consider submissions relating to any matter within its mandate.

It would be very helpful to the Commission if briefs were submitted well in advance of its public hearings. Briefs should also be supported by evidence and analysis and restricted to matters within the Commission’s mandate. All written submissions to the Commission will be posted on its website, unless the submitter requests otherwise.

Participation in the Public Hearings

If you would like to participate in the public hearings you must arrange a time for your appearance and provide a written submission no later than October 15, 2007. Each participant will be allocated a maximum of 45 minutes. If time is available at the end of any scheduled hearing day, participants who have not provided a written submission or arranged a time for their appearance may be given an opportunity to participate briefly and informally in the hearing.

The Commission’s final hearing schedule may differ from the tentative schedule listed above. Any changes to the schedule will be communicated as far in advance as is possible.

Briefs, Submissions and Letters

The Commission would be pleased to receive formal written briefsand submissions at any time prior to October 15, 2007. Informal letters or emails to the Commission are also invited. However, submissions received after November 21, 2007 may not be considered by the Commission. Please ensure that your submission contains your full name and contact information.


For further information,
to register for the public hearings or submit your views
please contact the Commission at:

Ontario Expert Commission on Pensions
777 Bay St. PO Box 102
Toronto ON
M5G 2C8

Tel: 416.325.7523

Email: info@pensionreview.on.ca