The majority of Canadians said they’d either be reluctant to admit (48 per cent) or wouldn’t admit (27 per cent) to a boss or co-worker that they’re suffering from a mental illness, according to a new survey by RBC Insurance. Furthermore, the proportion (27 per cent) who said they wouldn’t admit they’re suffering from a […]
The Liberal Party of Canada is promising a number of health-care reforms in its election platform, including a national pharmacare program and improved access to mental-health services. According to a backgrounder document, the Liberals are aiming to “strengthen the Canada Health Act to make sure the full range of mental-health services required by Canadians are available in every […]
Contract talks between the United Auto Workers and General Motors Company showed some signs of progress this week as a strike by more than 49,000 employees extended into a second day. The walkout brought more than 50 factories and parts warehouses to a standstill in the union’s first strike against the U.S. automaker in over […]
Morneau Shepell Ltd. is acquiring U.S.-based MorningStar Health Inc. The acquisition will allow Morneau Shepell to enhance its U.S. presence in absence management, including leaves, disability, absence reporting and accommodation. MorningStar Health’s plan sponsor clients and employees, including its leadership team, will join Morneau Shepell but will remain based in Grand Rapids, MI. Read: Morneau Shepell closes acquisition of some of Mercer’s […]
With the federal election about a month away, Canada’s political parties are rolling out their election platforms, making a host of promises to improve health care, employment insurance, the minimum wage and pension legislation. If elected, the Liberal Party of Canada, New Democratic Party and Green Party of Canada are all promising to implement a national pharmacare program. […]
Pacific Blue Cross and Blue Cross Life Insurance Co. of Canada are forming an alliance in British Columbia, effective Jan. 2, 2020. The alliance is aimed at enhancing Pacific Blue Cross’ capabilities in underwriting, pricing, reserving, actuarial and medical underwriting, according to a press release. It will remain the primary contact for all sales, services […]
An Alberta court has ruled that employees receiving disability payments during the reasonable notice period can’t “double-dip” by receiving payments for lost wages. “The decision affirms the principle that employees are entitled only to what they would have received had they been working during the notice period,” says Sheena Owens, an employment lawyer at Stikeman […]
The cost of employer-provided health benefits in Canada is forecasted to rise six per cent in 2020, outpacing general inflation by 1.9 per cent, according to a 2020 trend rates report by Aon. The increase is due to higher costs from the rising spend on drugs in general, noted a press release. Globally, costs for employer-sponsored medical plans in 2020 are expected to increase […]
The Health Association of Nova Scotia, which has a number of different employers in its benefits plan, cites rheumatoid arthritis medications as its top drugs in terms of cost. “Chronic disease, in terms of inflammatory disease — not just for rheumatoid, but for Crohn’s disease as well — those are what we’re seeing from a […]
Prescription drug costs for public drug plans covering most of Canada increased 7.4 per cent in 2017/18 to reach $11.4 billion, according to a new report by the Patented Medicine Prices Review Board. It’s a significant increase compared to the more modest 1.9 per cent growth in prescription drug costs from 2016/17. The board looked at data […]