Table:
| As at December 31, | 2019 | 2018 |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Pension benefits | $8,566 | $10,905 |
| Other post-employment benefits | 23,508 | 21,330 |
| Accrued benefit liabilities | $32,074 | $32,235 |
Paragraphs:
In October 2013, the Company ceased to allow new employees to join certain defined benefit plans, except under certain circumstances, and commenced a defined contribution pension plan for new employees.
The Company made contributions of $1.2 million for various defined contribution arrangements during 2019 (December 31, 2018 — $0.9 million).
The Company’s funding policy is to make contributions to its defined benefit pension funds based on actuarial cost methods as permitted and required by pension regulatory bodies. Contributions reflect actuarial assumptions concerning future investment returns, salary projections and future service benefits. Plan assets are represented primarily by Canadian and foreign equity securities, fixed income instruments and short-term investments.
The Company provides certain health care and life insurance benefits for some of its retired employees and their dependents. Participants are eligible for these benefits generally when they retire from active service and meet the eligibility requirements for the pension plan. These benefits are funded primarily on a pay-as-you-go basis, with the retiree generally paying a portion of the cost through contributions, deductibles and coinsurance provisions.
The balance sheet obligations, distributed between pension and other post-employment benefits, included in other long-term liabilities (Note 23) were as follows:
Question:
When did the company crease to allow new employees to join certain defined benefit plans, except under certain circumstances?
Answer: October 2013