Blake Wolfe

How HOOPP is increasing DEI focus in culture, recruitment strategies

The Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan is increasing its focus on diversity, equity and inclusion efforts in areas ranging from organizational culture to recruiting. The organization launched a five-year strategy last year, focusing on embedding DEI into its culture, work environment and business processes, while addressing systemic barriers faced by equity-seeking groups. Michael Regis, the […]

  • February 7, 2022 February 7, 2022
  • 09:00

My take: Employers can play key role in supporting employees’ estate planning efforts

Ah, the sights and sounds of the holidays: trees and homes covered in lights, meticulously wrapped gifts piling ever higher and radios blaring the same Christmas songs since Nov. 1. What better time to think about making a will? Hear me out. As we head into another new year, we’re all taking stock of the […]

  • December 27, 2021 December 17, 2021
  • 09:00

2021 GIC coverage: Institutional investors proliferating net-zero commitments

As more companies shift to net-zero commitments in the face of climate change, institutional investors play a key role in proliferating the practice through where they invest their clients’ money, said Lloyd McAllister, head of environmental, social and governance research at Newton Investment Management, during a session at the 2021 Global Investment Conference. However, he […]

  • November 9, 2021 November 8, 2021
  • 07:59

How Rolls Royce Canada is reducing drug plan costs while maintaining benefits offering

As innovative medicines become more widely covered in workplace drug plans, employers are tasked with finding new ways to control costs while ensuring members receive the best value. “Obviously, this is good because such offers provide more treatments for employees and their families that can help get them back to the workplace sooner rather than […]

  • October 15, 2021 October 19, 2021
  • 08:58

A look at current provincial policies on bereavement leave

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has made legislated bereavement leave policies top of mind for both employers and employees. As of Sept. 15, at least one in 1,376 Canadian residents have died from the coronavirus, for a total of 27,315 deaths, according to The New York Times. Bereavement leave is available for employees across most Canadian jurisdictions and some of […]

  • September 16, 2021 September 16, 2021
  • 09:00

Ontario Medical Association introducing new pension annuity offering

The Ontario Medical Association is helping its members save for retirement with a new guaranteed lifetime income annuity. Kayte Fredrickson, vice-president of insurance for the OMA, says the annuity was developed in partnership with Brookfield Annuity Co. and Common Wealth Retirement, the OMA’s retirement plan administrator, to specifically meet the retirement needs of the province’s […]

  • August 16, 2021 August 16, 2021
  • 09:00

Newfoundland and Labrador granting MEPPs permanent solvency funding exemption

The government of Newfoundland and Labrador is amending funding rules for the province’s multi-employer pension plans. The amendments include a permanent exemption from solvency funding requirements for MEPPs, retroactive to Dec. 31, 2020, when the previous temporary exemption ended. In addition, going-concern unfunded liabilities must now be funded over 10 years instead of the previous […]

  • August 12, 2021 August 12, 2021
  • 09:00

Purolator enhancing mental-health benefits offering amid pandemic

Purolator Inc. is adapting its benefits plan to proactively respond to employees’ mental-health needs amid the coronavirus pandemic. The company has expanded both the dollar value and scope of its mental-health benefits offering, including access to cognitive behavioural therapy and social workers, says Anna Manocchio, senior director of total rewards and human resources technology at […]

  • July 19, 2021 July 19, 2021
  • 09:00

New longevity pension fund offers decumulation option for plan sponsors

Purpose Investments Inc. is introducing a new longevity pension fund, which invests 50 per cent in equities and 50 per cent in fixed income. It can be incorporated into a defined contribution plan to provide plan members with an in-plan decumulation option, says Pat Leo, vice-president of retirement solutions at Purpose Investments, noting investors can redeem […]

  • June 7, 2021 June 7, 2021
  • 09:00