Sun Life Financial Inc. has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Dialogue Health Technologies Inc. for roughly $365 million. The insurer initially invested in the virtual-care platform in 2020 and subsequently expanded the relationship as a large shareholder and partner. Dialogue will maintain its head office in Montreal and will continue to operate as a […]
The growth of gene and cell therapies are raising significant questions among private payers about who bears the responsibility for the costs of these treatments, says Tim Clarke, president at TC Health Consulting Inc. “One issue is whether this is going to be paid for by public health or if it’s an employer health issue. […]
An article on how global pension funds compare in terms of transparency was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com over the last week. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. Five Canadian pension funds receive top scores for transparency: benchmark 2. How plan sponsors, insurers are considering coverage of weight-loss drugs amid rising use […]
Canadian plan sponsors and insurers are revisiting how they classify obesity drugs under their benefits plans, amid plan members’ rising demand for Ozempic as a weight-loss treatment. Ozempic, also known under the generic name semaglutide, is a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes. However, the medication has also been credited as a weight-loss treatment, […]
The majority (88 per cent) of Canadians employees say the coronavirus pandemic changed how they work in one or more ways, a percentage that increases among employees who work remotely (91 per cent) and those in a hybrid work arrangement (96 per cent), according to a survey conducted by RKI Inc. this spring. The results […]
Canadian employers say competition for talent (84 per cent) is the No. 1 issue influencing their benefits strategies, according to a new survey by WTW. The survey, which polled around 130 employers, found rising mental-health issues (63 per cent), a focus on inclusion and diversity (48 per cent) and rising costs (40 per cent) are […]
Nearly a quarter (22 per cent) of U.S. employees say they’ve experienced harm to their mental health or experienced harassment at work in the past 12 months, compared to 14 per cent in 2022, according to a new survey by the American Psychological Association. The survey, which polled more than 2,500 employees, found 19 per […]
An article on the Canada Post Corp. pension plan’s 2022 results was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com over the last week. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. Canada Post pension plan down 6.7% in 2022 2. Survey finds employees seeking more control over workday through flexible hours, remote working 3. Fidelity supporting young […]
The union representing employees at Montreal-based Canadian Aviation Electronics Ltd. has ratified a five-year agreement that includes retirement and benefits gains. The new agreement includes an early retirement program that allows employees to retire without penalty at the agreed upon time in the second and fourth year, starting at age 58 and meeting the factor […]
Canadian employers are investing in innovative financial, physical and mental-health benefits to drive their attraction and retention efforts, according to a new survey by Mercer. The survey, which polled more than 300 employers, found 59 per cent said they’ve invested in employee discount programs, followed by budgeting and other financial wellness education and supports (51 […]