Blake Wolfe

Peel Region enhancing communication strategy with online employee service centre

The Regional Municipality of Peel is enhancing its communication strategy with its employee service centre, says Deborah Arsenault, the regional government’s chief human resources officer. The platform, which launched at the end of August, is hosted on Peel Region’s employee intranet and provides workers with information on their benefits plan, payroll and workplace policies. According […]

  • October 18, 2024 October 17, 2024
  • 09:00

How CAPSA’s updated CAP guideline will impact plan sponsors, members

While the Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities’ updated capital accumulation plan guideline contains several key updates with regard to plan sponsor and member responsibilities, smaller plan sponsors may face administrative challenges in applying the guidance, says Jordan Fremont, a partner at Stikeman Elliott LLP’s pensions and benefits group. “Because [the guideline] is so detailed, I […]

  • September 24, 2024 September 24, 2024
  • 09:00

DEI pushback an opportunity for employers to highlight intention behind diversity, inclusion initiatives: expert

While the recent pullback from diversity, equity and inclusion policies by several large employers may be concerning to some employees, it also provides companies with an opportunity to re-examine their definition of DEI. “I think some [employers] perceive that [DEI] is about lowering the bar or checking a box and not hiring the most qualified […]

  • September 19, 2024 September 18, 2024
  • 09:00

Editorial: Many happy returns

With the return of autumn, change is once again in the air. For the last nine months, I’ve lead the editorial team at Benefits Canada while Jennifer Paterson was taking parental leave to welcome the youngest member of her growing family. This month marks the return of our editorial team to full strength — welcome […]

  • September 13, 2024 September 12, 2024
  • 09:00

2024 CAP Member Survey: How CAPs are supporting employee financial wellness amid growing economic uncertainty

From 2016 to 2024, fewer plan members are confident they’ve saved enough for retirement. Indeed, Benefits Canada’s 2024 CAP Member Survey found plan members’ optimism that their retirement is on track declined to 56 per cent from 63 per cent in 2022, while three-quarters (73 per cent) said they’re worried they won’t have enough saved […]

  • September 13, 2024 October 7, 2024
  • 08:56

Remote working supporting employee productivity but not a one-size-fits-all solution: expert

While hybrid and remote working arrangements can help some employees be more productive, it’s important that employers don’t take a “one-size-fits-all” approach when implementing these policies, says Kristin Bower, a partner and diversity, equity and inclusion consultant at Leda HR. “[Implementing a successful remote working policy] takes intentionality and human connection. . . .  It’s […]

  • September 12, 2024 September 11, 2024
  • 09:00

Canadian employers focusing on workers’ emotional well-being in post-pandemic era: survey

More than two-thirds (68 per cent) of Canadian employers say employees’ emotional well-being continues to be their main wellness focus as they navigate challenges posed by workplace mental-health concerns and hybrid working arrangements, according to a new survey by Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. The survey, which polled more than 400 employers, found roughly a […]

  • September 9, 2024 September 6, 2024
  • 09:00

Editorial: Evolution and impact

After several years of development, two long-awaited national health-care initiatives are finally taking shape, raising questions about their impact to employer-sponsored benefits plans. In May, the Canadian Dental Care Plan was officially rolled out, providing dental coverage to Canadians who don’t have access to private dental insurance and whose annual net family income is less […]

  • August 9, 2024 August 19, 2024
  • 09:00

Head to head: Is it time to retire the term ‘retirement?’

One actuary says social and technological factors are changing the concept of retirement, while another notes the fundamentals remain the same. Michel St-Germain, retired actuary, fellow and past president of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries Yogi Berra once said: “The future ain’t what it used to be.” Millennials will be retiring in 25 years, but not […]

  • August 9, 2024 August 7, 2024
  • 08:59

Editorial: Viewing pensions, benefits through a DEI lens

While the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on public health and the global economy dominated the news cycle in recent years, there has been no shortage of incidents that draw awareness to social disparities the world over, from the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor in 2020 to the ongoing discovery of unmarked graves at Canada’s […]

  • June 21, 2024 August 19, 2024
  • 09:00