Quebec’s decision to reintroduce a draft resolution regarding member-funded pension plans(MFPPs)could result in a low-risk form of plan attractive to employers, according to Watson Wyatt. “Employers with employees in Quebec will be particularly interested in the progress of the 2006 Draft Regulation, as it may result in a new, appealing form of pension plan with […]
Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan(OTPP)is acquiring four North American marine container terminals from Hong Kong’s Orient Overseas(International)Limited for US$2.4 billion. “It is well priced from an investment value perspective and offers the long-term cash flow we look for as a pension plan,” says Jim Leech, senior vice-president, Teachers’ Private Capital, the private investment arm of the […]
The Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System(OMERS)is forecasting a better-than-expected return on its investments this year, according to a newswire report. The fund expects a return of 10% due to gains from its investments in stocks, private equity and real estate. In March, chief executive Paul Haggis forecasted 2006’s return to be half of the 16% […]
Canadians are divided on actions to gain quicker access to health services already covered under the public medicare system, according to a new poll. The ninth edition of the Health Care in Canada Survey found that 55% of Canadians are in favour of employers paying the cost of private insurance to cover the full cost […]
Thursday is the last day for public input regarding proposed amendments to Ontario Drug Benefit Act and the Drug Interchangeability and Dispensing Fee Act. The amendments were released on November 15. “The strange part is that when these [regulations] came out, normal consultation, normal public input for amendments to enact is 30 days,” said Steven […]
The National Pharmaceuticals Strategy(NPS)progress report, released to the public in September, said the price of a national catastrophic drug coverage(CDC)program could cost private payers $3.4 billion to $6.2 billion annually, and governments anywhere between $6.6 billion and $10.3 billion. To combat the soaring costs of prescription drugs, health ministers across Canada. excluding Quebec.established a ministerial […]
Institutional investor confidence is up slightly in November, according to the State Street Investor Confidence Index. The index rose by 0.3, to 83.2 from October’s revised reading of 82.9. On a regional basis, investor confidence was up in Asia, but down a bit in both North America and Europe. “Moderating global growth expectations, Fed patience […]
Roy Romanow says the creation of national catastrophic drug coverage(CDC)is needed immediately, according to a newspaper report. About 3.5 million people in Canada do not have adequate private or public insurance protecting them from the costs of catastrophic drug expenses. He says a CDC program could be developed in just a few months and implemented […]
Saskatchewan Wheat Pool will go to court to clarify a direction of compliance issued by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions(OSFI)regarding one of its pension plans. OSFI issued a directive to the Pool to make special and normal cost payments to the Saskatchewan Wheat Pool/Grain Services Union(SWP/GSU)Pension Plan, which the company says would […]
SITQ, the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec’s real estate arm, has purchased a 50% interest in some Calgary properties from Alberta Investment Management(AIM). Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. With this transaction, SITQ becomes an equal partner with AIM in the TD Canada Trust and TD Square projects. They are also […]