Halifax Herald Limited v. Superintendent of Pensions
The Halifax Herald Limited
Law Firm / Organization
Stewart McKelvey
Superintendent of Pensions
Law Firm / Organization
NS Department of Justice
Lawyer(s)

Katie Roebothan

Halifax Typographical Union, Local 30130
Law Firm / Organization
Cavalluzzo LLP
Lawyer(s)

Balraj Dosanjh

Nova Scotia Labour Board
Law Firm / Organization
NS Department of Justice

Background:

  • The Herald was required to pay $2,656,656 into its employee pension plan for 2018 and 2019 under the Pension Benefits Act and Regulations but failed to do so, anticipating regulatory changes.

Key Amendments:

  • Pre-2020: 100% solvency funding required.
  • 2020 Amendments: Reduced solvency funding standard to 85%, effective April 1, 2020, for valuation reports dated on or after December 31, 2019.

Issue:

  • Whether the 2020 Amendments retroactively absolved The Herald of the 2018-2019 payment obligations.

Arguments:

  1. The Herald: Argued that the new 85% standard should retroactively relieve them from prior payments.
  2. Superintendent: Claimed the amendments were not retrospective, and obligations under the old standard remained due.
  3. Labour Board: Upheld that pre-2020 obligations were still payable.

Court's Decision:

  • Standard of Review: Correctness for statutory interpretation and palpable and overriding error for mixed questions.
  • Findings:
    • The 2020 Amendments did not indicate retrospective application.
    • Obligations calculated under the 100% standard before December 31, 2019, remained due.
    • The presumption against retrospectivity applied.

Conclusion:

  • The Halifax Herald Ltd. must pay the $2,656,656 due for 2018 and 2019.
  • The court dismissed The Herald’s appeal, affirming the Superintendent’s and Labour Board’s decisions.
Supreme Court of Nova Scotia
523381
Employment law
$ 2,656,656
Respondent