Home Jennifer Paterson

Union-led, multi-employer pension considering transition to target-benefit plan

More than 500 members of United Steelworkers Local 1568 who are employed by Canadian Nuclear Laboratories have reached a collective agreement that includes moving into a new union-trusteed, multi-employer pension plan. However, the trustees of that plan, the Canadian Energy and Related Industries pension plan, are also aiming to transition to a target-benefit arrangement under federal jurisdiction by […]

  • October 30, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 08:30

Shame about financial struggles affecting workplace productivity, employer costs

Feelings of embarrassment and shame around personal financial struggles are affecting Canadians’ workplace productivity and there’s a role for employers to play, according to a new study by Manulife Financial Corp. The study, conducted in partnership with Homewood Health Inc., surveyed more than 200 employee assistance program counsellors. The vast majority (93 per cent) of respondents believe financial […]

  • October 26, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 08:30

Feds seek to shake up discount rates

Feds to review discount rates for pension, benefits obligations

  • October 26, 2017 January 31, 2021
  • 08:24

Feds to review discount rates for pension, benefits obligations

The federal government is currently reviewing the discount rates it uses for its pension and benefits obligations, Finance Minister Bill Morneau said in the fall economic statement on Tuesday. The project includes a review of industry practices, trends in the public and private sectors and emerging developments in accounting standards. The government expects to complete the review […]

  • October 25, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 10:15

Carleton University recognized as wellness pioneer for decade-long health programming

With more than 400 programs created over the past decade, Carleton University’s proactive approach to health and wellness helped it earn the inaugural Sanofi Canada Wellness Pioneer award at Benefits Canada’s 2017 Workplace Benefits Awards in Toronto on Oct. 12. The new award recognizes an organization that has developed an innovative and effective long-term health or […]

  • October 25, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 09:00

Fidelity Canada wins diversity program award for driving change

Fidelity Canada was recognized for its comprehensive diversity program at Benefits Canada’s 2017 Workplace Benefits Awards last week. In 2012, the company established five Canadian employee resource groups, which are made up of self-organized teams. “We’re really proud of the work that our groups are doing because they’re driving us to make the change and they’re […]

  • October 16, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 09:00

How Bâtirente takes ESG reporting to the next level

As pension plans grapple with what to do about environmental, social and governance factors, Quebec-based fund Bâtirente offers some guidance on the options available. It formalized its approach in 2005, the year before the United Nations laid out its six principles for responsible investment. Bâtirente is one of the original signatories of the principles. “I […]

  • October 10, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 08:56

What are employer’s options for reducing risk in retiree health plans?

While defined benefit pensions often make headlines when a company is struggling, there has traditionally been less of a focus on retiree benefits plans. The issue is paramount, however, in Sears Canada Inc.’s bankruptcy case. After filing for protection under the Companies’ Creditor Arrangement Act in June, Sears sought to suspend payments under its post-retirement […]

  • October 10, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 08:54

Employers, benefits plans intervene in appeal over medical marijuana coverage

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 […]

  • October 5, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 08:30

Hospital evolves LGBTQ program with gender diversity policy

The Michael Garron Hospital is adding to its diversity and inclusion program by creating a gender diversity policy to support employees in the workplace and help them from a patient-care perspective. The Toronto hospital began developing its diversity and inclusion program with employee training around lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities in 2014 and […]

  • October 2, 2017 September 13, 2019
  • 09:00