Reminder: Code 84 Public Transit Pass Tax Credit Eliminated Effective July 1, 2017

The 2017 federal budget ended the public transit tax credit as of July 1, 2017. As a result, employers should only enter the cost of eligible transit passes that were used for public transit services from January 1 to June 30, 2017 and include these amounts under code 84 on the T4 slip.

Since an employee may be able to claim a tax credit for the cost of eligible transit passes for the period January 1, 2017 to June 30, 2017 on their 2017 income tax return code 84 will continue to be available for this purpose for the 2017 tax year.

Employers may access additional information at Public Transit Tax Credit Questions and Answers.

National Aboriginal Day Act Legislation Passed In Yukon Legislature

On May 8, 2017, Yukon Bill 2, the National Aboriginal Day Act to amend the Employments Standards Act received Royal Assent to create National Aboriginal Day as an annual statutory (public) holiday in the territory beginning on June 21, 2017.

The Northwest Territories is the only jurisdiction in Canada that currently celebrates National Aboriginal Day as a territorial statutory holiday.

Alberta Government Seeking Feedback To Review Workplace Legislation

The Alberta government is in the process of reviewing some of its legislative measures which could result in changes to the Employment Standards Code.

The Employment Standards Code and Regulation establish the minimum standards for all employment relationships under provincial jurisdiction and apply to the majority of workers in Alberta. This Code provides working Albertans with rights and protections through standards on hours of work, overtime, general holidays, special leaves, vacation and more.

What will the review cover?

The review will cover workplace legislation that governs the minimum standards for employers and the collective bargaining system.

The survey on employment standards will seek feedback on the following topics:

• Maternity, parental and compassionate care leaves
• Introducing leave for the care of critically ill children
• Other job-protected leaves in relation to the federal Employment Insurance program
• Improving enforcement and administration

How employers can participate

The government wants to hear from employers about how they can improve workplace rules. Employers are encouraged to share their ideas by completing the online survey on employment standards. Employers can also send in their comments.

Feedback will be accepted until April 18, 2017.

Online

Provide your feedback by completing the online survey below.

Start Employment Standards Code Review Survey

Written Submissions

Additional feedback on employment standards and labour relations can also be submitted to:

Workplace Legislation Feedback
c/o Workplace Policy and Legislation
Alberta Labour
7th Floor, 10808–99 Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5K 0G5
Email

How does Alberta compare?

British Columbia Medical Premiums

Effective January 1, 2017, the British Columbia Medical Services Plan premiums (MSP) will have a new rate structure to reflect premium charges for adults only. Children under 19 years of age will be exempt from premiums.

On September 15, 2016 the Government of BC also announced that a planned 4% increase to the monthly premiums was cancelled. The adult premium will remain at the 2016 rate of $75 per month.

For example, a household with one parent and two children will be charged a single adult rate, rather than the previous family of three or more rate.