Michel Benoit

Michel Benoit, Partner, Pensions & Benefits

Contact Information

  • tel: 514.904.8110
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Areas of Expertise

Bar Admission

Québec, 1970

Education

  • McGill University, B.C.L.
  • Université de Montréal, B.A.

Office

Montréal

Language(s)

English, French

Biography

Michel has more than 35 years of experience in the field of pensions and employee benefits. He advises employers, pension funds and financial institutions on numerous issues including surplus entitlement, contribution holidays, plan administration expenses and governance. Michel appears regularly before pension regulators, arbitrators, tribunals and the Courts.

Notable Matters

  • Successfully defending Hydro-Québec in landmark class action proceedings commenced by the Retiree Association claiming benefit improvements of $377 Million to be funded from the Pension Plan surplus.
  • Vivendi Canada Inc. in the review of post retirement health benefits for retirees of the Seagram Company Limited.
  • The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in the drafting and implementation of a surplus sharing and health care cost agreement entered into with certain unions and the retiree association.
  • Domtar Inc. in the implementation of the governance structure for its Canadian and US Pension Plans.
  • A group of 6 major federally regulated corporations (Bell Canada, CN, CP, Nav Canada, Canada Post and MTS/Allstream) in their lobbying efforts to obtain from the federal government permanent improved funding relief measures for their defined benefit pension plans.

Affiliations

  • Ad Hoc Group on Private Pensions of the Business and Industry Advisory Committee (BIAC) to the OECD (Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development), Chair
  • Quebec Bar Association Advisory Committee on Pensions, Chair
  • Association of Canadian Pension Management (ACPM)
  • Canadian Pension and Benefits Institute (CPBI)
  • International Pension and Employee Benefits Lawyers Association (IPEBLA)

Industry Recognition

  • The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2010: Pensions & Benefits
  • The 2009 Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada
  • The Best Lawyers in Canada 2010: Employee Benefits Law
  • Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business 2010: Employment Law
  • Practical Law Company’s Which Lawyer? Yearbook 2009

Publications/Events/Education

  • Michel is a frequent speaker at conferences sponsored by a number of national and international organizations, including the College of Corporate Directors (Québec).

Downloadable Profile

Michel Benoit

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