While a recent dispute between the Canadian National Railway Co. and the surviving same-sex partner of a deceased plan member will likely inspire other plan sponsors to ensure pension benefits are correctly distributed, the amount of new claimants coming forward will likely be relatively small, says Jill Wagman, managing principal at Eckler Ltd. “It may […]
When Mercer Canada recently partnered with a vendor on an employee well-being initiative, the human resources team noticed the images included in the materials reflected a stereotypical idea of the traditional family — a heterosexual couple with two children, all Caucasian. “It wasn’t reflective of our population,” says Julie Duchesne, Mercer’s health business leader in […]
To build on its efforts in support of the LGBTQ2S+ community, TD Bank is embedding diversity, equity and inclusion into the framework of the organization at every level. In 2020, the bank launched a gender identity and expression initiative for its 90,000 employees in Canada and the U.S., says Girish Ganesan, global head of diversity […]
Scotiabank will be offering coverage for enhanced gender affirmation procedures for eligible employees and their dependants in Canada and the U.S. starting June 1. The coverage will help fill the gaps in coverage to better support people from the transgender community on their own personal gender affirmation journey, said a press release. It will also […]
The Canadian National Railway Co. is amending its pension policy after awarding benefits to a widower who was initially denied because of an outdated rule regarding same-sex couples. On Monday, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. reported Newfoundland resident Ken Haire was in a years-long battle with CN Rail over access to spouse Gerry Schwarz’s pension benefits. […]
Green Shield Canada is introducing a gender-affirmation offering in all group plans as a standard benefit. The offering is effective June 30 and reimburses plan sponsors with expenses that are “above and beyond typical plan designs,” according to a press release, which noted Green Shield Canada will also ensure all provincial and territorial health-care supports […]
TD Bank is broadening its diversity, equity and inclusion goals and connecting employees through anti-racism e-learnings, promoting intersectionality and a storytelling approach. During the month of February, which is Black History Month, many employers in Canada and around the world are furthering their commitments to making their workplaces more equitable and inclusive. On the heels […]
Mandy Kwasnica and her husband so desperately wanted to adopt they were ready to sink all of their money (and then some) into making their dream a reality. “Adoption is very, very expensive, but we knew in our hearts that this was the right move we were making,” recalls the manager of mortgage sales support at […]
As more companies integrate diversity, equality and inclusion strategies into their workplaces, listening and leadership are among the keys to a successful program, according to a webinar hosted by Mercer Canada on Thursday. The company held a series of special listening sessions for staff following the deaths of Black civilians during police encounters in the […]
Manulife Financial Corp. is increasing its family leave support for Canadian employees, providing 20 weeks of paid maternity leave and 12 weeks of paid parental and adoption leave, effective Jan. 1, 2021. Canadian employees and their dependants also now have access to full gender affirmation coverage for both surgical and non-surgical treatments, as well as […]