On Oct. 17, 2018, it will be legal to purchase and consume recreational cannabis in Canada. In a recent survey of Mercer’s employer clients and Canadian employees, we found 78 per cent of respondents believe the legalization of recreational cannabis is a concern for human resources leaders. In addition, nearly half (45 per cent) of respondents believe it’s a concern for […]
The vast majority (87 per cent) of physicians said the knowledge that a patient has private drug coverage affects their prescribing behaviour, according to a survey by Merck Canada Inc. More specifically, the survey found 26 per cent of general practitioners and 28 per cent of specialists believe this knowledge widens the treatment options available to the patient. Other effects […]
One-third of Canadian employers feel prepared for the impending legalization of cannabis, according to a new survey by Mercer Canada. The survey, which polled 366 Canadian employers and more than 1,000 employees, found another third feels somewhat prepared and 27 per cent of employees feel their employer is ready. Among leadership, 78 per cent of human resources leaders, […]
Mercer is acquiring the investment consulting, alternatives consulting and wealth management operations of Pavilion Financial Corp. Pavilion, a global investment services firm with about 300 employees, is headquartered in Winnipeg with offices across North America, in London, England and in Singapore. “In only a few years, we have assembled one of the industry’s top consulting […]
Conduent Inc. has completed the sale of its human resources consulting business to a fund managed by private equity investment firm H.I.G. Capital. The business, which was formerly known as Buck Consultants, has relaunched under that name. It will offer global integrated HR consulting, benefits administration and technology services. The deal, as reported in May 2018, included the […]
Digital human resources company Rise People Inc. is partnering with Cowan Insurance Group to launch an integrated product that includes human resources, payroll and insurance services. In December 2017, Rise People launched a national sponsorship program aimed at combining its technological expertise with advice from consultants, such as Surrey, B.C.-based Davis Benefits and Pensions Ltd. and […]
Pharmacare and flexible annuity options top the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association’s list of recommendations for the upcoming 2019 federal budget. In its submission, the association stated it’s supportive of the work being done through the federal government’s advisory council on the implementation of pharmacare, introduced in last year’s budget. However, it also said it’s important to […]
How do the following sound as headlines for the cover of Benefits Canada? Are they likely to make the cut any time soon? • “My boss is 89” • “Remember when we went to the doctor’s office?” • “On-the-job diagnosis” • “Machines don’t need benefits” • “Artificial benefits” • “Shareholders elect first AI CEO (actuary’s […]
The job of a pension consultant has evolved considerably over Bita Jenab’s 30-year career in the field. The mid-1990s saw a greater focus on governance and the arrival of the investment consultant, while the 2000s featured a mass move to defined contribution plans and significant changes to pension legislation. Through all of that, plan sponsors […]
Quebec-based insurance broker Lussier Dale Parizeau Inc. is acquiring employee benefits advisor Trinome Conseils. Following the acquisition, Lussier Dale Parizeau will have nearly 800 employees located in 28 branch offices and serving more than 155,000 employer clients. Trinome Conseils provides group insurance, pension, human resources and occupational health and safety services for employers. Read: Hub International […]