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Standing Technical Advisory Committee for Multi-Employer Defined Benefit Pension Plans

Meeting Summary

Date: Tuesday, June 4, 2020
Time: 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Location: Teleconference

This summary sets out the key points discussed at the June 4, 2020 meeting.

Purpose of Committee

The committee will review issues related to the administration and regulation of defined benefit/target benefit multi-employer pension plans (MEPPs).  It will respond to FSRA requests to provide advice on technical issues and proposed legislation and regulations and will participate in the development of guidance, regulatory processes, and communication initiatives.  The committee will also identify possible ways to reduce regulatory burden and improve regulatory effectiveness of MEPPs.

MEPP Review

The committee discussed FSRA’s recent review of a sample of MEPPs, selected to ensure proportionate representation from different industries, administration (internal and third-party) and actuarial services.   The review brought together the results of desktop reviews of information from FSRA’s internal database with the results of on-site examinations.  The purpose of the review was for FSRA to examine the funding, investment and governance practices among defined benefit MEPPs.

The committee will establish two working groups that will review FSRA’s findings and provide feedback with the objectives of identifying best practices, key challenges and opportunities.

Recent FSRA Initiatives

The discussion focused on FSRA’s Information Guidance entitled Pension Sector Emergency Management Response, which outlines information for pension sector stakeholders and plan members during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Payment of Commuted Values

The committee reviewed FSRA’s Approach Guidance entitled Limitations on Commuted Value Transfers and Annuity Purchases (DB Pension Plans).  Committee members were given the opportunity to ask questions and receive clarification.

Next Meeting

The next meeting of the committee is scheduled for October 29, 2020.

Attendance Record

Invited/Attended

Company Name

Attendance Status
(A)ttended; (R)egrets; (S)ubstitute; (TC)Teleconference

Paul Martiniello

FSRA –Director, Relationship Management and Special Pension Services and Committee Co-Chair

TC

Susan Bird

Multi-Employer Benefit Plan Council of Canada and Committee Co-Chair

TC

Alain Malaket

InBenefits

TC

Alex McKinnon

United Steelworkers

TC

Bob Tangney

N/A

TC

Cameron McNeill

Segal

TC

Domenic Barbiero

Eckler Ltd.

TC

Doug LeFaive

GoldBlatt Partners

TC

James Pierlot

Blue Pier

TC

Joan Tanaka

Prudent Benefits Administration Services Inc.

TC

Kim MacPherson

TEIBAS

TC

Kimberly Houston

The McAteer Group of Companies

TC

Laura Brownell

CUPE

TC

Lindsay McLeod

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

TC

Luc Girard

Mercer

TC

Michael Mazzuca

Koskie Minsky

R

Mike Neheli

Manion, Wilkins & Associates Ltd.

TC

Michael Palozzi

FSRA

TC

Lester Wong

FSRA

TC

Andrew Fung

FSRA

TC

Mark Eagles

FSRA

TC

David Bartucci

FSRA

TC

Lynn Barron

FSRA

TC

Available in French upon request.