Canada’s defined benefit pension plans experienced flat performance in the first quarter of 2021, with the median plan’s returns declining by 0.2 per cent in the first three months of 2021 after rising 10 per cent through 2020, according to Northern Trust Canada’s pension universe. Read: Canada’s DB pension plans post 5% return in Q4, […]
The Nova Scotia Teachers’ Pension Plan returned 6.78 per cent in 2020, increasing net assets to $5.519 billion, but falling short of the policy benchmark of 7.96 per cent. The plan did outperform the actuarial assumed rate of return of 5.70 per cent. “Like many pension plans across the country impacted by COVID-19, we saw […]
While the debate over paid sick days intensifies across Canada, only two provinces currently offer this benefit on a permanent basis. On April 30, Ontario passed a three-day sick leave policy — to be administered through the Workplace Insurance and Safety Board — retroactive to April 19 and ending on Sept. 25. Employers will be […]
Workers in Ontario will soon be able access three paid sick days to help them self-isolate during the coronavirus pandemic, but critics said the policy announced April 28 falls far short of what’s required to curb the spread of the coronavirus. Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s government had for months resisted intense pressure from health experts and advocates […]
Alberta will begin offering coronavirus vaccines to thousands of meat-packing employees across the province starting this week, but a union leader says some workers are reluctant to receive a shot from the government or an employer they don’t trust. The provincial government says starting Tuesday, vaccines will be offered to more than 15,000 workers at 136 […]
The Alberta Investment Management Corp. is reporting a total fund return of 2.5 per cent net of all fees for 2020, approximately 5.4 per cent below that of its benchmark. The total represents approximately $3 billion in net investment income, with assets under management reaching $118.6 billion, according to a press release, which noted the […]
The Investment Management Corp. of Ontario, which provides investment management services to broader public sector institutions in the province, is reporting a 5.4 per cent weighted average return for its clients’ funds (net of all fees) in 2020. Returns ranged from 0.2 per cent to 7.1 per cent based on asset mix, risk tolerance and […]
Inflation break-evens at multi-year highs and higher nominal yields are putting some upward pressure on real yields in Canada, according to a new report by FTSE Russell. The firm found first-quarter 2021 performance returns showed a sell-off in government bonds, led by longer U.K., U.S. and Canadian government bonds, as the reflation trade gained momentum. […]
The exceptional rise of U.S. equity markets over the past year has been difficult for many institutional investors to watch because their long-term focus meant they couldn’t fully participate in it. But the rally truly was exceptional and there are indications it may not last. As the S&P 500 Index approached the one-year anniversary of […]
Staples Canada Inc. is the latest Canadian employer to provide employees with paid leave to receive a coronavirus vaccination. The company will provide up to three hours of paid leave as well as access to educational resources and information sessions with a medical professional about vaccines, according to a press release. Read: Canada Goose offering […]