Latest news in Benefits Canada Archive

Head to head: Is telemedicine the right route to employee health care?

Head to head: Is telemedicine the right route to employee health care?

Dr. Jennifer Wild, consultant clinical psychologist and associate professor at the University of Oxford When we’re feeling ill, we want to be seen quickly by…

How Rocky Mountain Soap supports staff with fitness classes

An important part of a workplace wellness program is supporting employees’ physical fitness, but Rocky Mountain Soap Co. isn’t just encouraging its employees to be…

A look at how five DC plan members are approaching decumulation

A look at how five DC plan members are approaching decumulation

Sometimes, the best way to explore the unknown is by following in the footsteps of someone who’s been there first. When it comes to in-plan…

How institutional investors weigh energy transition risks, opportunities

If climate change represents one of the largest systemic risks the global economy has ever faced, dealing with its ramifications is going to move a…

2020 Drug Plan Trends Report: Developments, data and design

2020 Drug Plan Trends Report: Developments, data and design

Taking a look at private drug plans in 2020, a number of trends are converging: spending on specialty drugs is continuing its upward trajectory, advancements…

What dental benefits topics should plan sponsors be considering?

What dental benefits topics should plan sponsors be considering?

With prescription drugs and paramedical benefits taking up an increasingly large portion of employers’ benefits spend, dental benefits often avoid the spotlight. But consultants and…

Strength in unity for the CPPIB’s credit functions

Strength in unity for the CPPIB’s credit functions

Historically, the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board’s credit functions were scattered across the organization. But in 2018, the pension fund consolidated its credit investments into…

How employers can help staff take care of aging parents

How employers can help staff take care of aging parents

Nola Miller remembers the day she received 19 calls from her mother at work. As a group home co-ordinator for Winnipeg Child and Family Services,…

Lessons for Canada from the U.K.’s cap on DC investment fees

In 2016, when Aon’s Calum Mackenzie departed the U.K. for Canada, he left behind a pension industry still reeling from the introduction, a year earlier,…

Q&A with IBM Canada’s Katherine Faichnie

IBM Canada Ltd.’s director of HR talks data and analytics, holistic employee health and playing the piano Q. What top challenges do you face in…

Supreme Court to rule on how unionized workforces deal with human rights issues

Supreme Court to rule on how unionized workforces deal with human rights issues

The Supreme Court of Canada will hear an appeal on a Manitoba court case that could have implications for employers dealing with a human rights issue…

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Managing defined contribution pension plan fees (Part 2)

In a recent expert column, I broke down the different components of fees for defined contribution plans. And now, I will explore the key fee…

Starbucks serving up free mental-health benefits to U.S. staff

Starbucks serving up free mental-health benefits to U.S. staff

Starbucks Coffee Co. is offering eligible employees in the U.S. access to 20 free mental-health sessions per year beginning April 6. Through provider Lyra Health…

  • By: Staff
  • March 19, 2020 November 12, 2020
  • 09:00
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How will coronavirus impact private markets compared to the GFC?

As public capital markets roil in the turbulence caused by the coronavirus pandemic, private markets aren’t immune from challenges, said a recent report from PitchBook…

  • By: Staff
  • March 19, 2020 December 13, 2020
  • 06:49
U.S. employers maintaining health benefits, considering other cost-cutting measures: survey

Coronavirus pandemic means ‘new normal’ for employers, employees

All Canadian employers should assume at least one employee will test positive for the coronavirus, said Dr. Wendy Smeltzer, medical director at virtual health-care company…

Feds introduce $82 billion in coronavirus emergency support for workers, businesses

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced an $82 billion stimulus package to underpin several new policies aimed at supporting Canadian workers and employers during the coronavirus…

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Managing a capital accumulation plan through COVID-19

In this time of global pandemic, the coronavirus is shaking up everything, with high market volatility and changing work arrangements. Everyone is worried — not…

Lower income workers likely to see least paid time off as pandemic swirls: report

Lower income workers likely to see least paid time off as pandemic swirls: report

Paid leave from work is the first financial line of defence during a crisis preventing employees from coming to work. For one, it guards against…

  • By: Staff
  • March 18, 2020 November 12, 2020
  • 09:15

APTN introducing counselling with Indigenous elders into EAP

The Aboriginal Peoples Television Network is working to make counselling from Indigenous elders available to employees in several provinces through its employee assistance program. The…

Ontario, Alberta providing new leaves for employees impacted by coronavirus

Ontario and Alberta are making changes to provincial employment legislation to protect workers who are affected by the coronavirus. In Ontario, Premier Doug Ford and…

How are Canadian pension plans responding to coronavirus?

How are Canadian pension plans responding to coronavirus?

Across the country, public pension plans are releasing statements to assure members that their defined benefit pensions are secure and that they’re taking measures to…

CPPIB completes purchase of stake in renewable energy company

CPPIB completes purchase of stake in renewable energy company

The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board has completed its purchase of all outstanding common shares of Pattern Energy Group Inc. Pattern is no longer traded on the NASDAQ…

  • By: Staff
  • March 17, 2020 November 12, 2020
  • 15:15
Survey shows strong support for flexible, remote working post-coronavirus

Employers moving to remote work to help ‘flatten the coronavirus curve’

Canadian politicians, public health officials and chief executive officers have all urged Canadians to practice social distancing in a bid to “flatten the curve” of…

Emerging markets value investing not about catching falling knives: expert

When it comes to emerging markets equities, it’s important to look for compounders that will create value over time, says Andrew Miller, chief investment officer…

Canadian public pension heads call on employers to focus on coronavirus

Canadian public pension heads call on employers to focus on coronavirus

The chief executive officers of several major Canadian pension funds have joined forces with several other CEOs to ask Canadian business leaders to make the…

  • By: Staff
  • March 16, 2020 November 12, 2020
  • 16:00