They assert that this discrimination with respect to benefits contravenes the Ontario Human Rights Code and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Group life and long term disability are also provided, though those plans are administered by different insurance carriers. These benefits are commonly considered a part of the total wage package of employees. Since 1992, Metro has provided insured benefits in respect of same-sex relationships. It includes over 1,100 municipalities providing pension benefits to approximately 200,000 employees and 60,000 pensioners.
Eligible spouses are the opposite-sex partners of employees, either married or common law.
Pensions are commonly recognized as a form of employee compensation, in effect, as deferred wages. A pension plan which provides such benefits is subject to deregistration under the ITA and the loss of significant tax advantages. Since 1988, the PBA has required that pension plans provide benefits for surviving spouses in the form of a lump sum death benefit or a survivor pension. A same-sex partner may be eligible for a lump sum death benefit if he or she is named as beneficiary in the pension plan. It operates like a registered pension plan but without the significant tax advantages to the employee and the employer.