Latest news in Benefits Canada Archive

OPTrust returns 11.2% in 2019, lowers discount rate

OPTrust returns 11.2% in 2019, lowers discount rate

The OPSEU Pension Trust saw a strong 2019, ending the year with an 11.2 per cent net investment return and maintaining its fully funded status.…

Caisse buys more shares in Indian solar provider, CPPIB backs Spanish real-estate debt

Caisse buys more shares in Indian solar provider, CPPIB backs Spanish real-estate debt

The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is acquiring 717,701 additional shares of Azure Power Global Ltd., bringing its total holdings in the company to…

  • By: Staff
  • March 9, 2020 November 11, 2020
  • 16:00
Half of Canadians working from home regularly: survey

Half of Canadians working from home regularly: survey

More than half (56 per cent) of Canadians work from home on a regular basis, according to a new survey by Epson Canada Ltd. Among this group, 61…

  • By: Staff
  • March 9, 2020 November 12, 2020
  • 15:15
Aon and Willis Towers Watson set to merge

Aon and Willis Towers Watson set to merge

Aon and Willis Towers Watson are set to join forces in an all-stock deal for a combined implied value of about $80 billion. The new company…

  • By: Staff
  • March 9, 2020 November 11, 2020
  • 09:02
How did Canadian employers mark International Women’s Day?

How did Canadian employers mark International Women’s Day?

At Hydro Ottawa Ltd.’s third annual International Women’s Day event, employees were invited to solve 15 large puzzles around the room — and think about…

Canadian employers lagging in implementing equality measures: survey

Canadian employers lagging in implementing equality measures: survey

Around International Women’s Day, many Canadian employers are once again talking about the importance of equality in the workplace.  However, a new survey by Mercer, which polled…

  • By: Staff
  • March 9, 2020 November 12, 2020
  • 09:00
DC pension plan members want to take risks, but lack knowledge

DC pension plan members want to take risks, but lack knowledge

Back in 1709, the poet Alexander Pope wrote that a little learning is a dangerous thing and a new study of defined contribution pension plan members finds this…

  • By: Staff
  • March 6, 2020 November 30, 2020
  • 15:30
North American employers taking steps to protect staff from coronavirus

North American employers taking steps to protect staff from coronavirus

Amid growing concern over the coronavirus, North American employers are taking steps to protect their employees, according to a new survey by Willis Towers Watson.…

  • By: Staff
  • March 6, 2020 November 12, 2020
  • 15:15
Exploring aviation leasing as an asset class

Exploring aviation leasing as an asset class

While pension funds may own traditional asset classes such as buildings, bridges or toll roads, aviation leasing is another asset class available to sophisticated investors.…

Canadian DB plan solvency drops off coronavirus scare: reports

Canadian DB plan solvency drops off coronavirus scare: reports

The solvency levels of Canadian defined benefit pension plans are down off the back of roiling equity and bond markets in the wake of the…

  • By: Staff
  • March 6, 2020 November 12, 2020
  • 09:00
Men offered flexible working options more often than women: survey

Men offered flexible working options more often than women: survey

Not only are female workers in the technology industry earning less than their male counterparts, but a new survey by Mason Frank International found women are less…

  • By: Staff
  • March 6, 2020 November 12, 2020
  • 08:45
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Phase one China trade deal: Key issues unresolved until after U.S. election

The phase one trade deal between the U.S. and China was presented by the Trump administration as an “historic and enforceable” agreement that “begins rebalancing…

  • By: Katie Deal
  • March 5, 2020 December 13, 2020
  • 15:21

Canada Life to make virtual health care standard in group benefits plans

Canada Life is working with Dialogue Technologies Inc. to make virtual health care a standard benefit for its group benefits plans with up to 400 plan…

  • By: Staff
  • March 5, 2020 November 23, 2020
  • 15:15
‘Substantial’ gender wage gap persists in Canada: study

‘Substantial’ gender wage gap persists in Canada: study

A substantial wage gap between men and women continues to exist in Canada, according to a new study commissioned by ADP Canada Co. Based on…

  • By: Staff
  • March 5, 2020 November 11, 2020
  • 15:15
PSP subsidiary starts development consultations for Toronto property

PSP subsidiary starts development consultations for Toronto property

Northcrest Developments, a real estate subsidiary of the Public Sector Pension Investment Board, is launching a development project in Toronto, alongside the Canada Lands Co. The site, known…

  • By: Staff
  • March 5, 2020 November 12, 2020
  • 15:00
Mining companies’ social risks important but difficult to measure: panel

Mining companies’ social risks important but difficult to measure: panel

The most material and least quantifiable risks for mining companies lie in the social component of environmental, social and governance issues — and that’s where…

Animal rights group changes pension’s default fund after fracas with ethical vegan

Animal rights group changes pension’s default fund after fracas with ethical vegan

The League Against Cruel Sports is now acknowledging it dismissed an ethical vegan employee after he raised concerns over the organization’s pension plan. The employee, Jordi…

  • By: Staff
  • March 5, 2020 November 30, 2020
  • 09:00
Employers urged to step up equality, culture efforts: survey

Employers urged to step up equality, culture efforts: survey

Corporate leaders often talk about equality, empowerment and culture, but that doesn’t mean their employees feel their organizations are actually walking the walk. Indeed, a significant…

  • By: Staff
  • March 5, 2020 November 12, 2020
  • 08:45
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COVID-19 worries possible drag on otherwise strong Canadian structured finance market: report

While not as strong as 2018, combined new term asset-backed securities, asset-backed commercial paper and covered bond issuances closed out 2019 hitting $81.3 billion, according…

  • By: Staff
  • March 5, 2020 December 13, 2020
  • 08:24

IKEA Canada rolls out wellness days for employees’ personal needs

IKEA Canada is giving wellness days to its employees to support their work-life balance. The wellness days, introduced in January, can be used for when employees…

  • By: Staff
  • March 4, 2020 November 23, 2020
  • 15:15
Central banks have pulled the trigger. Now what?

Central banks have pulled the trigger. Now what?

After a week that saw coronavirus worries wallop equity markets into correction territory, the U.S. Federal Reserve announced a 0.5 per cent rate cut on…

B.C. introducing legislation for paid domestic, sexual violence leave

British Columbia is tabling legislation that would grant up to five days of paid leave for workers affected by domestic or sexual violence. The leave…

  • By: Staff
  • March 4, 2020 November 23, 2020
  • 09:45
IBM Canada investing in local CSR programs

IBM Canada investing in local CSR programs

In the war for talent, corporate social responsibility programs are another weapon companies can wield to attract and retain staff, says Jennifer Roynon, corporate social…

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Does block ownership by pension service firms impact corporate governance?

Will a company’s expansion of its pension plan increase the likelihood of pension service providers buying up its shares? A new paper, which is set…

Institutional investors planning to allocate more to private assets: survey

Institutional investors planning to allocate more to private assets: survey

Close to a quarter (23 per cent) of institutional investors said they plan to reduce their cash balances, according to a new survey by BlackRock…

  • By: Staff
  • March 3, 2020 November 12, 2020
  • 15:45