Latest news in Benefits Canada Archive

Canadian workers resilient in face of pandemic, but lack new skills training, finds research

Canadian workers resilient in face of pandemic, but lack new skills training, finds research

Canadians workers are proving resilient in the face of the hardships caused by the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report by the Environics Institute for Survey Research…

  • By: Staff
  • May 22, 2020 November 12, 2020
  • 08:45
OMERS closes investment in German fibre technology company

OMERS closes investment in German fibre technology company

The Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System is closing its previously announced investment in fibre technology company Deutsche Glasfaser Holding. The German company is a provider…

  • By: Staff
  • May 21, 2020 November 12, 2020
  • 15:00

Could coronavirus delay DC plan members’ expected retirements?

Defined contribution pension plan sponsors may face workforce planning challenges coming out of the coronavirus pandemic as older plan members whose account balances were hard…

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What shape might the economic recovery take?

With some jurisdictions gently reducing coronavirus-imposed restrictions, institutional investors are beginning to lay out possible scenarios for economic recovery. The terms V- and U-shaped recovery,…

OMERS considering shared-risk indexing, expanded eligibility to non full-time workers

Annual inflation rate turned negative in April, Statistics Canada reports

Canada’s inflation rate turned negative in April as the economy came to a standstill in the first full month of the pandemic as part of…

Communication key in pension risk management through coronavirus and beyond

Communication can be a challenge for pension plan sponsors and trustees when trying to remain focused on the long term, said Matthew Leatherman, director at…

70% of institutional investors expect ESG integration to become standard practice: survey

70% of institutional investors expect ESG integration to become standard practice: survey

The vast majority (96 per cent) of institutional investors feel they have an important role to play in addressing the world’s most pressing challenges, including climate…

  • By: Staff
  • May 20, 2020 November 11, 2020
  • 15:30

Competitive total rewards critical part of Canadian HR, corporate strategies: survey

Competitive total rewards programs are a critical component of Canadian organizations’ human resources and corporate strategy, according to a new survey by WorldatWork. The survey,…

  • By: Staff
  • May 20, 2020 November 24, 2020
  • 15:15
IMCO committing US$250 million to credit fund

IMCO committing US$250 million to credit fund

The Investment Management Corp. of Ontario is committing US$250 million to Apollo Global Management Inc.’s new Accord Fund III series B. The fund is focused on acquiring credits…

  • By: Staff
  • May 20, 2020 November 12, 2020
  • 15:00
What shape might economic recovery take?

What shape might economic recovery take?

With some jurisdictions gently reducing coronavirus-imposed restrictions, institutional investors are beginning to lay out possible scenarios for economic recovery. The terms V- and U-shaped recovery,…

40% of employers to recall staff to workplace when restrictions ease: survey

40% of employers to recall staff to workplace when restrictions ease: survey

Only eight per cent of Canadian employers said they’re fully prepared to reopen their workplaces when provincial governments lift restrictions, according to a new survey by the…

  • By: Staff
  • May 20, 2020 November 11, 2020
  • 09:00
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Opportunities in secondary market in aftermath of coronavirus crisis

In times of crisis, many pension plan sponsors pull back on investing in private equity, including the secondary market, because they’re trying to assess their…

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Consumer staples, health care expected to provide downside protection in medium term

Health care and consumers staples are sectors that typically perform well, even in moments of market stress. But during the coronavirus crisis, these sectors have…

Half of institutional investors concerned about fixed income liquidity: survey

Half of institutional investors concerned about fixed income liquidity: survey

Even before the coronavirus began affecting capital markets, fixed income investors were becoming more risk averse, according to Invesco’s latest survey. Close to half (43 per cent)…

  • By: Staff
  • May 19, 2020 November 12, 2020
  • 15:25

Home Depot expanding paid time off, doubling overtime pay

The Home Depot Inc. has taken a number of steps to support its employees during the coronavirus pandemic. In its annual earnings report, the global…

  • By: Staff
  • May 19, 2020 April 15, 2021
  • 15:15
AIMCo board undertaking third-party review of volatility trading strategy

AIMCo board undertaking third-party review of volatility trading strategy

The Alberta Investment Management Corp.’s board of directors has released a statement outlining its response to the poor performance of its volatility trading strategy. In the wake…

  • By: Staff
  • May 19, 2020 November 11, 2020
  • 15:00
Dividend opportunities for institutional investors amid coronavirus crisis

Dividend opportunities for institutional investors amid coronavirus crisis

Public companies are deferring long-term capital expenditure, pausing share repurchase programs and cutting dividends to deal with the economic fallout of the coronavirus crisis. But companies…

How are pension plan sponsors’ fiduciary duties evolving in the time of coronavirus?

How are pension plan sponsors’ fiduciary duties evolving in the time of coronavirus?

While the coronavirus pandemic certainly doesn’t change pension plan sponsors’ fundamental fiduciary duty to their plan members, the crisis is creating circumstances that will test how that responsibility…

Market corrections and the retirement savings withdrawal dilemma

Market corrections and the retirement savings withdrawal dilemma

A retiree whose retirement savings are primarily in a registered savings plan, such as a life income fund or registered retirement income fund, already faces…

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MSCI releases new indexes focused on disruptive innovations

The MSCI Inc. is launching a new set of indexes focusing on disruptive innovation, building on the index provider’s megatrend index suite. The new indexes…

  • By: Staff
  • May 19, 2020 December 6, 2020
  • 07:10
Amazon extending increased hourly pay through May

Amazon extending increased hourly pay through May

Amazon.com Inc. is extending its increased hourly pay for all global employees and its double overtime pay for employees in Canada and the U.S. through…

  • By: Staff
  • May 15, 2020 November 11, 2020
  • 15:15
Employers making plans for return-to-work processes: survey

Employers making plans for return-to-work processes: survey

The majority (93 per cent) of Canadian employers plan to favour a government-based approach when it comes to bringing their employees back to work, according…

  • By: Staff
  • May 15, 2020 November 12, 2020
  • 15:00

Legal considerations for employers as pandemic drags on

With the coronavirus pandemic set as the backdrop for the foreseeable future, employers are getting mixed signals about the best way to function safely and…

IMCO focusing on liquidity, cost-efficiency amid coronavirus crisis

IMCO focusing on liquidity, cost-efficiency amid coronavirus crisis

The extent of fiscal and monetary intervention in the economy in response to the coronavirus crisis is likely to lead to deficits unlike anything seen before…

U.S. employers changing health, retirement offerings due to coronavirus

U.S. employers changing health, retirement offerings due to coronavirus

The coronavirus pandemic has prompted U.S. employers to make several changes to their health and retirement offerings, according to a new survey by the International Foundation…

  • By: Staff
  • May 15, 2020 November 30, 2020
  • 09:05