GOVERNMENT INTRODUCES LEGISLATION TO END MANDATORY RETIREMENT

The government of Saskatchewan is proposing legislative amendments which would end mandatory retirement and would give our older citizens the ability to choose whether to retire or to continue to work beyond the age of 65.

The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code Amendment Act, 2006 responds to the concerns of those members of our society who object to being forced to retire before they are ready by removing the age definition that permits mandatory retirement policies.

"This legislation recognizes that our older citizens can continue to make meaningful contributions in the work force," Justice Minister Frank Quennell said. "It also recognizes that senior, experienced employees are a valuable resource, especially in work environments where labour shortages are a current or future concern."

This Bill will change the definition of age in the Code to include persons over 65 years, effectively removing the protection for mandatory retirement policies. Employers will no longer be able to require employees to quit working simply because they have reached a certain age, and collective agreements will not be able to specify a retirement age.

This Bill will maintain the current exception for those occupations, such as fire fighters and police, where advancing age relates to the ability to perform the duties required for the job.

As a result of this Bill, a number of other Acts and regulations will be amended to remove or prohibit mandatory retirement provisions. These include The Public Employees Pension Plan Act, The Municipal Employees' Pension Act, The Superannuation (Supplementary Provisions) Act and The Public Service Regulations, 1999.

The amendments will not come into force until one year after Royal Assent. This gives employers and employees time to make the necessary changes to ensure compliance with the Code, which may include renegotiating collective agreements and the revision of human resource policies.

In most other provinces and all territories, provisions permitting mandatory retirement have been removed from human rights legislation.

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For More Information, Contact:

Andrew Dinsmore Justice Regina Phone: 306-787-8606 Email: adinsmore@justice.gov.sk.ca