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Latest news in Benefits Canada News

How the coronavirus pandemic continues to shape benefits plans

In the five years since the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus pandemic, Canadian benefits plan sponsors have adapted their offerings and continue to apply…

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Ottawa launching $6.5 billion business aid package, EI changes amid Trump tariffs

The federal government has put together a $6.5-billion aid package and is making temporary changes to the employment insurance program to support Canadian businesses and…

Institutional investors turning to equities, global markets in 2021

Institutional investors navigating new challenges, global uncertainty in post-pandemic era

While the coronavirus pandemic is in the world’s rearview mirror, institutional investors are continuing to navigate a post-recovery period rife with uncertainty. Indeed, five years…

Rio Tinto appointing Ayman Alvi general manager, benefits

Rio Tinto Group is appointing Ayman Alvi as general manager of benefits. Alvi was previously vice-president of global pension and benefits at Scotiabank. Prior to…

  • By: Staff
  • March 10, 2025 March 7, 2025
  • 15:00

Ontario Teachers’ leads US$175M investment round for AI firm, sells seniors’ residence operator

The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan’s venture growth arm is leading a US$175 million Series F investment round for artificial intelligence, data and analytics software company…

  • By: Staff
  • March 10, 2025 March 6, 2025
  • 15:00
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Quebec’s approach to remote workers’ rights holds lessons for other provinces: lawyer

Quebec’s approach to legislation impacting remote workers’ rights holds lessons for the rest of Canada, says Geneviève Beaudin, a Montreal-based partner in Lavery de Billy…

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WISE Trust returns 11.3% in fiscal 2024

The Workplace Insurance and Safety Employee Trust is reporting a net return of 11.3 per cent for fiscal 2024, with the WSIB Employees’ Pension Plan’s…

  • By: Staff
  • March 10, 2025 March 7, 2025
  • 09:00

Coverage of the 2025 Chronic Disease at Work conference

For the past 10 years, Benefits Canada’s Chronic Disease at Work conference has examined the current trends in chronic disease in Canada and what they mean for…

Growing share of plan members with chronic diseases experiencing multiple co-morbidities

Chronic disease rates are rising and cases are becoming more complex, with a higher share of plan members experiencing multiple co-morbidities. This growing trend necessitates…

Addressing the root cause of chronic diseases by treating obesity

Obesity is one of the most misunderstood diseases, with stigma and judgement contributing to the misconceptions, said Lisa Schaffer, executive director at Obesity Canada, during…

What plan sponsors need to know about chronic kidney disease

When a 49-year-old woman attended Dr. Phil McFarlane’s multi-care kidney clinic with polycystic kidney disease, she had multiple health issues, including chronic flank pain and…

How insulin pumps can improve insulin adherence for plan members with type one diabetes

Most people, while standing in line at a cafe, contemplate whether to get their regular drip coffee or treat themselves to a latte, and whether…

Treating early Alzheimer’s disease for optimal results and cost mitigation

Alzheimer’s disease should be an urgent health-care priority because it robs individuals of their autonomy, dignity and quality of life and takes a mental, physical…

Employers urged to consider workplace vaccine clinics in chronic disease management

Chronic illnesses are strongly linked to worse outcomes from vaccine-preventable diseases. Given the rising rate of chronic conditions in the workplace, employers should consider implementing…

More than hot flashes: Women raise awareness about menopause symptoms and work

It took five years for Crystal Burke to put a name to the symptoms that haunted her. Heart palpitations. Insomnia so severe she slept only…

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Survey finds 85% of employers believe workplace friendships support increased employee retention

Friendship among employees can yield several benefits for employers, including supporting their attraction and retention strategies, according to a new survey by the Harris Poll…

  • By: Staff
  • March 7, 2025 March 6, 2025
  • 15:00

55% of Canadian women reporting expanded work opportunities due to hybrid working: survey

More than half (55 per cent) of Canadian women employees say hybrid working has given them opportunities at work they wouldn’t have otherwise had, according…

  • By: Staff
  • March 7, 2025 March 6, 2025
  • 09:00

Editorial: Sleep is the best medicine in an increasingly foreboding world

It’s been nearly two years since I slept through the night — my 15-month-old daughter is still waking up to nurse and I wasn’t sleeping…

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Top 5 HR, benefits, pension and investment stories of the week

An article on how employers can prepare their benefits plans amid U.S. tariffs was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com this past week. Here are the…

  • By: Staff
  • March 7, 2025 March 6, 2025
  • 09:00

Head to head: Do mental-health first aiders do more harm than good?

While research so far indicates being a mental-health first aid trainee is neither clearly beneficial or harmful, it’s also important to consider potential risks and…

How 5 employers are designing mental-health benefits that cater to a diverse workforce

Most Canadian benefits plan sponsors (89 per cent) and members (73 per cent) agree their workplace environment supports mental wellness, according to the 2024 Benefits…

Psychological safety, DEI rising considerations in workplace mental-health support

While the conversation around mental-health benefits is typically focused on coverage levels, it’s important for employers to unpack the entire mental-health bucket and consider the…

Institutional investors keeping events in perspective in 2025

In the social media age, it’s easier than ever to lose perspective on events and even institutional investors are susceptible to overreaction amid the avalanche…

Review leads to structural changes at NAV Canada

Natasha Trainor has overseen the pension strategy at NAV Canada for nearly half a decade and she’s made her imprint by adding a novel review…

Back to basics on sleep

Even though humans spend a third of their lives asleep, it’s often taken for granted, but people are waking up to how sleep — or…