Latest news in Benefits Canada Archive

Air Canada maintains ‘significant pension solvency surplus’ amid coronavirus pandemic

Air Canada maintains ‘significant pension solvency surplus’ amid coronavirus pandemic

Air Canada’s domestic registered defined pension plans are expected to maintain a “significant pension solvency surplus,” according to a press release. On Monday, the Montreal-headquartered…

  • By: Staff
  • March 16, 2020 November 11, 2020
  • 15:00
U.S. Fed cuts rates to zero in bid to quell coronavirus impacts

U.S. Fed cuts rates to zero in bid to quell coronavirus impacts

In a historic move, the U.S. Federal Reserve lowered its target range for the federal funds rate to between zero and 0.25 per cent on…

Green Shield Canada launches benefits plan analytics tool

Green Shield Canada launches benefits plan analytics tool

Green Shield Canada is launching a benefits plan analytics tool to help plan sponsors take a closer look at their offerings. The tool, DATAleap, looks to provide…

  • By: Staff
  • March 16, 2020 November 12, 2020
  • 09:30
Considerations around employee safety, privacy, leave during the coronavirus crisis

Considerations around employee safety, privacy, leave during the coronavirus crisis

As employers prepare to prevent against the spread of the coronavirus, issues of workplace and public safety will likely take precedent over privacy concerns. Employers…

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Fed takes emergency steps to slash rates and ease bank rules

The Federal Reserve took massive emergency action Sunday to try to help the economy withstand the coronavirus by slashing its benchmark interest rate to near…

Canadian pension plans see modest growth in value of assets in third quarter of 2019

Canadian pension plans see modest growth in value of assets in third quarter of 2019

Canadian employer pension plans saw the market value of their assets increase 1.6 per cent in the third quarter of 2019, up from the previous quarter, according…

  • By: Staff
  • March 13, 2020 November 12, 2020
  • 15:15
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Bank of Canada cuts rate target to 0.75% in response to COVID-19

The Bank of Canada is cutting its overnight rate target by half a percentage point to 0.75 per cent in response to COVID-19. The central…

A refresher on Canada’s leave policies as coronavirus escalates

A refresher on Canada’s leave policies as coronavirus escalates

With coronavirus fears escalating, employers are adjusting their leave policies while labour groups are urging governments to reconsider paid leave provisions. This week, Walmart Inc.…

Letters to the Editor: Alternative views on paramedical coverage

Since the point of an editorial is to create a discussion on the trends and issues affecting our industry, I was glad to see my…

  • By: Staff
  • March 13, 2020 December 3, 2020
  • 09:00
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The mighty bull market falls victim to a tiny virus

In the end, the mighty bull was slayed by a tiny virus. The longest bull market in U.S. history can now be said to have…

  • March 13, 2020 December 13, 2020
  • 07:45
80% of U.S. employers set to have financial wellness program by 2023: survey

80% of U.S. employers set to have financial wellness program by 2023: survey

While fewer than half (42 per cent) of U.S. employers are currently offering financial wellness programs, that number is set to almost double to 80 per…

  • By: Staff
  • March 12, 2020 November 11, 2020
  • 15:30
Caisse buying North American infrastructure developer

Caisse buying North American infrastructure developer

The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is purchasing infrastructure developer and operator Plenary Americas, the North American branch of Plenary Group Ltd. As…

  • By: Staff
  • March 12, 2020 November 11, 2020
  • 15:15
How are insurers working with plan sponsors amid coronavirus pandemic?

How are insurers working with plan sponsors amid coronavirus pandemic?

The Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association has been conducting weekly calls with its members since mid-January to discuss issues around the ongoing coronavirus crisis,…

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CalSTRS, GPIF and USS Investment Management highlight importance of long-term sustainable growth

The California State Teachers’ Retirement System, together with the Japan’s Government Pension Investment Fund and the USS Investment Management Ltd., which manages funds for the…

  • By: Staff
  • March 12, 2020 December 13, 2020
  • 07:20
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CAAT sees slight dip in funded status, lowers discount rate

The Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology pension plan’s funding status dipped slightly in 2019, to 118 per cent on a going-concern basis from 120…

  • By: Staff
  • March 12, 2020 December 13, 2020
  • 07:06
CAAT’s funded status dips slightly, lowers discount rate

CAAT’s funded status dips slightly, lowers discount rate

The Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology pension plan’s funding status dipped slightly in 2019, to 118 per cent on a going-concern basis from 120…

  • By: Staff
  • March 11, 2020 November 11, 2020
  • 15:45
Feds loosening restrictions on EI as number of coronavirus cases rise

Feds loosening restrictions on EI as number of coronavirus cases rise

The federal government is rolling out a $1 billion funding package to help provincial health-care systems cope with the increasing number of new coronavirus cases…

Institutional investors urged not to overlook Canadian real estate opportunities

Institutional investors urged not to overlook Canadian real estate opportunities

While Canadian pension plans are looking further afield for real estate opportunities, are there fresh buys on the home front? Rental apartments are one subset…

How will Ontario’s new CBT offerings impact benefits plan sponsors?

Ontario’s new publicly funded cognitive behavioural therapy program is likely to complement, not replace, the CBT offerings that are currently available through group benefits plans, say experts. …

Where should institutional investors target engagement in 2020?

Where should institutional investors target engagement in 2020?

Corporate governance, climate change and human rights in the digital economy are primary focuses for Northwest & Ethical Investments in 2020. The Canadian firm’s annual corporate engagement…

Pension funds set to increase private equity allocations: survey

Pension funds set to increase private equity allocations: survey

The majority (79 per cent) of pension fund and private equity professionals expect their passive private equity allocations to either stay the same or increase…

HOOPP names veteran Jeff Wendling new president and CEO

HOOPP names veteran Jeff Wendling new president and CEO

The Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan’s board of trustees has named Jeff Wendling the new president and chief executive officer, effective April 1, 2020. Since…

How can plan sponsors help pension members during volatile times?

How can plan sponsors help pension members during volatile times?

Once again, we’re experiencing volatile markets. During these times, it’s common to hear the following statements: It isn’t time to panic. This has happened before. Make sure the…

  • March 10, 2020 November 30, 2020
  • 08:30
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CPPIB CEO bullish on oil despite price crash, emissions debate

The chief executive officer of the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board says Monday’s oil price crash and stock market selloff will hurt Canadian energy companies…