The coronavirus pandemic has significantly increased plan members’ willingness to seek help for their mental-health concerns and to access video or telephone counselling, said Julie Gaudry, senior director of group insurance for RBC Insurance, during Benefits Canada’s 2020 Mental Health Summit on Nov. 12. An RBC Insurance survey of plan members found two-thirds (67 per cent) […]
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. employers are embracing flexible working arrangements and considering adopting a hybrid model for rewards and pay, said a report by Willis Towers Watson. The report showed a majority (59 per cent) of employers surveyed have workers who are currently telecommuting, including 25 per cent who are able […]
Employee benefits and total rewards planning have always been a critical element of business planning, but never more so than during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Mercer Canada conducted a recent client poll which showed that unlike previous years, most Canadian organizations still had not set their salary adjustment budget for 2021 as of early November. While […]
SSQ Life Insurance Co. Inc. and la Capitale Insurance and Financial Services are rebranding as Beneva, a mutual insurance company with more than $20 billion in assets under its management. In January 2020, the two companies announced they were merging operations in a bid to grow their presence from coast to coast, noted a press release. “By joining together, […]
Maximus Rose Living Benefits Inc. is partnering with Medical Marijuana Consultants to offer virtual consulting services and access to medical cannabis to plan sponsors and their members. “We want to offer our [plan sponsor] clients and their employees a variety of pharmaceutical and relief options and that includes a holistic approach to health care through […]
With the coronavirus pandemic affecting plan sponsors in different ways, they can return to the basics and use data to manage their benefits spend, according to a webinar hosted by the Canadian Pension and Benefits Institute on Tuesday. “It’s helpful for companies to pivot and take the conversation back to the basics, which is discussing the […]
The federal government has published revised draft legislation for the Income Tax Act that would facilitate the conversion of existing health and welfare trusts into employee life and health trusts by 2022. The latest draft legislation follows an initial proposal in the government’s 2018 budget and draft legislative proposals released in May 2019. It noted that the […]
In Monday’s fall economic statement, the federal government proposed changes to employee stock option rules and offered additional support for essential workers. The statement provided an overview of the government’s approach to combating the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, while offering details on additional measures moving forward. The changes to employee stock option tax rules include an annual […]
The Green Shield Benefits Association, part of the Green Shield Canada group of companies, is acquiring Benecaid Health Benefit Solutions Inc. The company’s current leadership team will continue to operate the business under the Benecaid brand, according to a press release. “Benecaid’s track record of service excellence, growth and innovation, including its Honeybee digital platform, […]
EQ Care is appointing Rosalie Croteau as director of disability management support services. As the company extends further into this area, Croteau will be assisting case managers in ensuring employees on disability return to functionality and are able to contribute fully to the success of the organization. She joins EQ Care with more than 13 […]