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Article 41 : university of ottawa pension plan

41.1 The University agrees to provide employees and retired employees with the benefits provided for under the University of Ottawa Pension Plan as described in the 1969 University of Ottawa by-law and as amended from time to time. The text and a copy of the most recent text of the University Pension Plan is available from the Office of the Vice-President, Governance of the University, and revisions shall be forwarded to the Bargaining Unit after they have been approved.

41.2 Change in benefits: A Pension Plan Committee shall continue to exist in accordance with 41.3. All potential changes to the benefits to which an employee is entitled under the University of Ottawa Pension Plan is submitted to the committee for its consideration and recommendations. The committee makes its recommendations to the Board of Governors with a copy to the Bargaining Unit, it being understood that:

  • no change in benefits shall be decided by the Board of Governors until one (1) month has elapsed since the committee's recommendations have been received by the Bargaining Unit, in order to permit the latter to review these recommendations and submit its own comments before any decision is made; and
  • the Board shall not reduce the benefits to which members are entitled under the pension plan without the prior consent of the Bargaining Unit.

41.3 Committees: The Pension Plan Committee was established by Board of Governors By-law no. 4, 1969 (Article 41.4). The Pension Fund Investment Committee was established by Board of Governors resolution no. 2002.5. Changes in the structure or function of either committee shall be by mutual consent of the parties to the Agreement.

41.4 The Pension Plan Committee has been delegated all the powers necessary for the interpretation of the pension plan and the administration of the pension fund, save and except the powers

  • to appoint members of the committee;
  • to modify the pension plan,
  • to appoint the trustee(s) and investment managers of the pension fund, which are under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Board of Governors.

41.5 With respect to the appointment, reappointment or replacement of the three (3) Bargaining Unit members, the Bargaining Unit forwards the names of the three (3) appointees. The Bargaining Unit gives proper consideration to any evaluation of a member's performance done by the Committee Governance of the Board.

41.6 Term of office to the Pension Plan Committee: The term of office of the members appointed to the Pension Plan Committee is one (1) calendar year and can be renewed indefinitely by those responsible for the appointments.

41.7 Meetings: The Committee meets at the call of the Office of the Vice-President, Governance. The chair convenes the Committee upon request of three (3) members of the Pension Plan Committee or two (2) members of the Pension Fund Investment Committee. A period of five (5) working days shall be allowed between the date of the notice calling a meeting and the date of the meeting. If required, an urgent meeting may be called with less than five (5) working days of notice and may be declared legal by a majority vote of the members of the committee.

41.8 The University will make its best efforts to obtain and provide to the Bargaining Unit information and general data, other than individual salary histories, which are required for the computation of pension benefits to which a member is entitled. The University, upon written consent from an employee, provide to the Bargaining Unit information regarding that employee's earnings history, as required for the computation of pension benefits to which the employee is entitled.

41.9 Presentations concerning the Pension Plan: Where there is any recommendation originating from the Pension Plan Committee (PPC) or any matter concerning the University of Ottawa Pension Plan or the Pension Plan Committee, and if the PPC wishes a presentation to be made to the Board of Governors, the Board shall not discuss the matter until a member of the Pension Plan Committee, selected by its non-management members, has made the presentation and answered any questions.

41.10 The chair of the PPC, as well as one (1) employee representative chosen by the non-management members of the PPC, shall be invited to any meeting called for or arranged with any external regulatory authority on matters concerning the Pension Plan, except where the Plan actuary attends the meeting alone or where the University is being required by a regulatory body to appear before it by virtue of being an employer.

41.11 The members required contribution rate to the pension plan shall not exceed the employer contribution (50/50). The employer acknowledges that by increasing the employee’s pension contribution amounts to 50/50, the members are not assuming any additional liability for the pension plan.