There’s no question that Canadians value their private health benefits, even with pharmacare discussions back on the table. In a recent Abacus Data study, 78 per cent of respondents said they feel group benefits plans increase the availability and affordability of health services in Canada, as opposed to undermining universal health coverage. Furthermore, 92 per […]
When it comes to communicating with employees, it can be challenging for employers to create subject matter that’s engaging enough to ensure staff properly absorb all of the information. In 2021, the City of Toronto decided to try a new strategy by adding an animated video to its benefits communications campaign. “People are busy. We […]
While the latest stage of the coronavirus pandemic is heralding a gradual return to relative calm, plan sponsors are stepping out of the frying pan and into the fire. The pandemic accelerated the ongoing evolution in the relationship between plan sponsors and plan members, with employees now looking to their employers to help them manage […]
During a session at Benefits Canada‘s 2022 DC Plan Summit, Simon Cabral, Scotiabank’s director of global defined contribution plans, shared how the organization ties employees’ financial wellness into their broader well-being. A few years ago, the bank rebranded its benefits offering, linking its benefits, retirement savings and employee share ownership plans. The new strategy includes […]
3M Canada’s benefits specialist discusses absence management, the ‘Great Resignation’ and rock painting. Q: What new programs or initiatives are you looking to implement? A: We recently launched an absence management platform that serves as a one-stop shop for our leaders to refer employees regarding disability leave and to stay informed on the status of […]
While the 2022 federal budget proposed funding for national dental care, the plan, as currently understood, lacks universality, would disrupt existing public and private dental care and threatens single-tier health care. According to a recent article in the Harm Reduction Journal, thousands of Canadians needlessly suffer from largely preventable oral conditions, mostly tooth decay and […]
When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, it triggered a flurry of questions — and some confusion — from employers on how they could continue to provide abortion coverage in their health benefits plans while complying with various state laws, says Sarah Raaii, a lawyer and senior associate with McDermott Will & Emery […]
The union representing more than 200 employees at Arconic Corp. in Lethbridge, Alta. has ratified a four-year collective agreement that protects the defined benefit pension plan currently in place. “Local 99 members showed great commitment to fairness in the face of [threats to] their pension plan,” said Justin Araki, Local 99 president, in a press […]
The union representing nearly 800 employees at Calgary and Vancouver airports has ratified a first contract that includes retirement and benefits gains. The contract cements the continuation of the airline’s employee savings plan, which permits contributions to either a cash savings plan, a group registered retirement savings plan or a group tax-free savings account. Employee contributions […]
Scotiabank has promoted Ayman Alvi to vice-president of global pension and benefits. Alvi joined the bank in 2019 as director of global benefits. Previously, he was a senior manager and consulting actuary at KPMG in Canada, a manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers, an actuarial associate at Willis Towers Watson (now WTW) and a senior pension specialist at […]