While the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association acknowledges that Health Canada’s proposed approach to the regulation of marijuana aims to improve patient access, it’s expressing concern that some of the proposed changes may result in unintended consequences. “In general, we support the proposed approach to the regulation of cannabis that maintains the current medical cannabis system, […]
As a new year begins, many organizations are considering their strategies for benefits plan management in 2018 and beyond. Faced with the challenge of balancing employee needs and wants with changing workplaces and escalating plan costs, employers should prepare for a number of issues in the near future. Here are seven trends to watch in the coming year and beyond: […]
There was plenty of news in the pension, benefits, investment and human resources industries to tweet out to Benefits Canada‘s more than 3,200 followers in 2017. Here are the top tweets of last year. Thank you to our readers for engaging with the content and, if Benefits Canada isn’t in your Twitter feed already, don’t forget to follow us @BenCanMag. Stiff competition drives […]
With 2017 coming to a close and 2018 on the horizon, professionals in the pension, investment, benefits and human resources industries have a number of dates to add to their calendars for the new year. Jan. 1: Ontario’s new youth pharmacare program takes effect. It will provide universal coverage of all medicines listed in the Ontario Drug Benefit […]
One of the biggest topics in the health and benefits industry in 2017 was the federal government’s new 18-month parental leave option. Three stories on this issue topped the list, with news about benefits fraud, health benefits tax and medical marijuana also ranking. Benefits Canada rounds up your favourite health and benefits stories of 2017: Budget boosts parental […]
Green Shield Canada will offer plan sponsors more options for including medical marijuana in their group benefits plans in early 2018. The insurer said its new offering has a much greater level of oversight than is currently available through health-care spending accounts. Read: Key questions for plan sponsors as marijuana legalization approaches There will be benefit maximums put in place, noted […]
The new tax framework for cannabis products will include medical marijuana, according to the proposed excise duty framework published by the federal government on Friday. Advocates for medical marijuana, including Canadians for Fair Access to Medical Marijuana and the Arthritis Society, have stated that while they recognize and welcome continued consultations, they believe the plan hurts patients. “Applying any tax to […]
Ontario has published new proposed rules around marijuana use that includes a workplace ban on smoking both the medical and recreational varieties. In response to the federal government’s plan to legalize marijuana in July 2018, Ontario’s proposal is informed by its experience in managing tobacco and alcohol, as well as lessons from other jurisdictions that have […]
A number of employers and benefits plans were in court this week in support of the Canadian Elevator Industry Welfare Trust Fund’s appeal of a January 2017 decision by the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission ordering it to cover a member’s medical marijuana prescription. In the latest development in the case, Skinner v. Board of Trustees […]
The headlines this summer emphasized the negative: Almost half of employers aren’t ready for the legalization of recreational marijuana when it takes effect next year. That’s hardly a surprise. What is somewhat surprising is the fact that, according to a survey conducted by the Human Resources Professionals Association, 54 per cent of the members who […]