Skip to main content
Ross Gascho Toronto Lawyer

Ross A. Gascho *

Counsel Fasken
The move from DB to DC trades the financial risk of DB for the legal risk of DC.
Jurisdiction Ontario, 1990
Language(s) English
Office(s) Toronto
Contact
*practising through a professional corporation
Share
  • LinkedIn

Overview

Ross Gascho practices exclusively in the area of pensions and employee benefits. He advises clients on all aspects of the implementation, administration, funding, communication, investment, governance and wind-up of pension, group benefit and profit-sharing plans.

Working with administrators, financial institutions, plan sponsors and trustees, Ross advises on issues in federally and provincially regulated defined benefit and defined contribution plans across the private and public sectors, for both union and non-union employees.

A recognized leader in his field, Ross frequently assists employers who are redesigning their broad-based plans, both registered and unregistered, to better fit their business objectives. He also advises clients on pension and benefit issues in corporate transactions.

Ross is recognized by the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory, Best Lawyers, Acritas Star and Chambers and Partners for his pensions and employee benefits work.

Achievements

  • Recognized nationwide as a Leading Partner in Pensions, The Legal 500 Canada 2022 to 2026
  • Recognized in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as Consistently Recommended in Pensions & Employee Benefits, Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2021 to 2026
  • Recognized nationwide in Pensions & Benefits, Chambers Canada 2018 to 2026
  • Recognized in Employee Benefits Law in Toronto, The Best Lawyers in Canada 2018 to 2026
  • Recognized as a Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyer (formerly known as Acritas Star™ lawyer), Thomson Reuters stand-out lawyers 2017 to 2022
  • Recognized in the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory for Pensions & Employee Benefits, Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2017 to 2018

Experience

  • SCI Capital Partners and Reddy Ice acquire Arctic Glacier, [Deal - SCI Capital Partners and Reddy Ice], Investment advisory firm and ice products manufacturer acquire Canadian ice products provider
  • United Rentals of Canada, Inc. completes the acquisition of Direct Equipment, [Deal - United Rentals, Inc.], North American equipment rental company completes acquisition of Canadian distributor
  • Alphi Capital acquires RedBlue HeatPumps & Refrigeration Inc., [Deal - Alphi Capital], Alphi Capital Expands Portfolio with Strategic HVAC Acquisition in British Columbia
  • Hoya Vision Care completes acquisition of Centennial Optical Limited, [Deal - Hoya Lens Canada Inc.], A global vision care company acquired a Canadian distributor of ophthalmic frames, lenses, and optical accessories.
  • Accenture acquires Ascendient Learning from Alpine Investors, [Deal - AlpineX OpCo, LLC], Ascendient Learning brings Accenture a wealth of experience and a proven track record in the IT-training industry in North America.
  • Student Transportation of Canada Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, Pacific Western Transportation Ltd. and Diversified Transportation Ltd., completes sale of motorcoach and transit divisions, [Deal - Student Transportation of Canada Inc.], Student Transportation of Canada Inc. completes sale of motorcoach and transit divisions.
  • Concurrent sale of each of Yvon Building Supply Inc., Yvon Insulation Corporation, Yvon Insulation Windsor, Laminated Glass Technologies, Inc., and Right Fit Foam Insulation Ltd for C$196 M to GMS Inc., a notable North American specialty building products distributor listed on the New York Stock Exchange., [Deal - Yvon Building Supply Inc., Yvon Insulation Corporation, Yvon Insulation Windsor, Laminated Glass Technologies Inc. and Right Fit Foam Insulation Ltd.], Sale of Yvon Building Supply to GMS.
  • Building Controls & Solutions completes add-on investment through the acquisition of Yorkland Controls Limited, [Deal - Building Controls & Solutions and LKCM Headwater Investments], Private investment firm completes add-on investment for its portfolio company.
  • Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. completes US$660 million acquisition of Buck, [Deal - Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.], Global insurance brokerage acquires a leading provider of HR, pensions, and employee benefits consulting, technology, and administration services.

Career & Education

Education

  • MBA University of Toronto
  • LLB University of Toronto
  • BA Wilfrid Laurier University

Memberships & Affiliations

  • Member, Executive, Canadian Bar Association – Pension & Benefits Section
  • Member and Past Chair, Ontario Bar Association – Pension & Benefits Section
  • Member, National Policy Committee, Association of Canadian Pension Management
  • Member, Regulatory Affairs Committee, International Pension and Employee Benefits Lawyers Association
  • Member, American Bar Association
  • Past Member, Canada Revenue Agency – Pension Advisory Committee
  • Past Member, Financial Services Commission of Ontario – Legal Advisory Committee

Events

  • A LOOK ACROSS THE BORDER: Similarities and differences between U.S. and Canadian law with respect to key issues in M&A transactions, 9/3/2025
  • Pension and Benefits Look Forward and Look Back, 2/5/2025
  • Pension and Benefits Year in Review, 12/13/2023
  • 2023 Federal Sector Update, 11/21/2023
  • Alternative Retirement Plans for the Health Sector, 9/15/2022
  • Hot Topics and Managing Risks in Pension Litigation, 1/25/2018
  • Pensions and Benefits: Key Issues and Strategies, 10/18/2017
  • Pensions and Benefits: Key Issues and Strategies, 9/12/2017
  • What's New in Pensions, 10/25/2016
  • What's New In Pensions, 9/13/2016

News

  • The Lawyers Daily quotes Clarke Barnes, Robert Maxwell and Ross Gascho in an article on Michael Wolpert joining the Firm, 2/6/2019
  • Fasken Gains Experienced Pensions and Benefits Partner, 1/29/2019
  • Droit-inc mentions 13 lawyers from the firm in an article on an important transaction, 11/8/2018
  • Fasken Wins Labour and Employment Law Firm of the Year in the 2019 Best Lawyers in Canada Guide, 8/21/2018
  • The 2018 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory recognizes 200 Fasken lawyers, 4/12/2018
  • Fasken Martineau Wins Mining Law Firm of the Year in the 2018 edition of Best Lawyers in Canada Guide, 8/22/2017
  • Benefits and Pensions Monitor quotes Ross Gascho in an article on Ontario pension benefit reductions, 10/1/2014
  • A major player: Fasken Martineau involved in three of Lexpert’s Top 10 Deals of 2013, 1/8/2014

Publications

  • The Latest Details on Ontario’s Pension Plan, 10/5/2015
  • Re Indalex Limited: Fiduciary Duty, Deemed Trusts and Constructive Trusts, 12/1/2011
  • Pension Standards Reform and SERPs, 10/29/2010
  • Recent Developments in Individual Pension Plans, 11/30/2009
  • Solvency Funding Relief in Context, 5/28/2009
  • Solvency Funding Relief in Context, 3/3/2009
  • Fasken Martineau Provides Overview of 2009 Federal Budget, 1/27/2009
  • Non-Pension Covenants, 11/21/2008
  • Defined Benefit Pension Plans Face Trouble, 11/19/2008
  • Reducing Pensions & Benefits Cost in Response to Challenging Times, 11/15/2008
Article The Latest Details on Ontario’s Pension Plan Canadian HR Reporter
Article Re Indalex Limited: Fiduciary Duty, Deemed Trusts and Constructive Trusts Pension Planning, Volume XVI, No. 2
Article Pension Standards Reform and SERPs Taxation of Executive Compensation and Retirement, v.22, no.3 & 4, Federated Press

Speaking Engagements

  • The Modern Retirement Saving Envelope, 11/4/2021
  • Impact of Covid-19 on Employer Retirement Plans, 10/28/2020
  • The Regulatory Power: Seeking Regulatory Assistance and Responding to Regulatory Queries, 10/28/2015
  • Rethinking Solvency, 10/17/2014
  • The Regulator’s Power: Seeking Assistance and Responding to Queries, 10/15/2014
  • Government Measures to Assist Pension Plan and Expand Pension Coverage, 6/18/2012
  • Pension Benefits Act Year in Review, 5/2/2012
  • Rethinking SERPs, 4/18/2012
  • Legal Issues in Communicating Pension and Benefits, 3/12/2012
  • Kerry: What Does It Really Mean?, 3/17/2010
The Modern Retirement Saving Envelope Northwind Institute
Impact of Covid-19 on Employer Retirement Plans Northwind Institute
The Regulatory Power: Seeking Regulatory Assistance and Responding to Regulatory Queries Federated Press, 28th Essential Skills for Presentation Committee Members location location Toronto