Nearly six in 10 (59 per cent) global employers cited increasing productivity as the top objective of their workplace well-being program, according to a new survey by Xerox HR Services, which also ranked improving employee engagement (56 per cent), attracting and retaining employees (54 per cent), and furthering organizational values (49 per cent) as top […]
Thirty minutes after its midnight deadline, Ford Motors Company and Unifor reached a tentative agreement that reinforces the economic pattern established with General Motors of Canada Co. in September and followed by Fiat Chrysler Automobiles in October. The pattern includes closing the hybrid pension plan to new hires who will go into a defined contribution […]
Health services provider St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton knows a thing or two about catering to the health needs of its patients, but it also knows working in the health-care field can take a toll on its employees. The introduction of a new wellness strategy that focuses on mindfulness and caters to its unique demographic profile […]
The government of British Columbia has extended the period over which pension solvency deficiencies can be funded by five years to assist plan sponsors registered in the province in managing the financial pressures of funding their plans in the current low interest rate environment. Michael J. Peters, acting superintendent of pensions at the Financial Institutions […]
The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada has published a revised version of its instruction guide for the preparation of actuarial reports for defined benefit pension plans. The update, published last week, includes a decrease in the maximum going-concern discount rate, from 6.25 per cent to six per cent. “That will directly impact […]
For his vocal advocacy for public policy to improve retirement outcomes for Canadians, his role in the introduction of an innovative investment strategy at OPTrust and as a global promoter of the Canadian defined benefit pension model, Hugh O’Reilly was named industry leader of the year at Benefits Canada’s 2016 Workplace Benefits Awards in Toronto […]
Professional advisory firm Stem Capital Inc. has appointed Joseph Chan vice-president in its benefits and total rewards practice. Chan has worked in the industry for 18 years in both Canada and Asia. He joined Walmart Canada in 2011 as senior manager of benefits and moved up to director of total rewards before leaving the company […]
A court hearing on whether Northern Transportation Co. Ltd. pensioners should be the first recipients of the proceeds of the company’s sale has been delayed. The hearing, which was expected to take place on Oct. 26, has been postponed to early 2017. The company, which provides shipping services to communities and exploration projects throughout the […]
Carproof is rolling out a wellness campaign focused on employee self care, including access to a yoga and meditation specialist, massage therapists and a naturopath, as well as weekly lunchtime colouring. The London, Ont.-based company, which has 120 employees, surveys employees twice a year and then tailors its programs based around what people are interested […]
The U.S. election trail reached a fever pitch this past weekend on the heels of Donald Trump’s leaked audio tapes and the second presidential debate, but how could the election results affect stock markets and what’s the prognosis for Canadian institutional investors? There’s certainly a risk to short-term market pricing, says Todd Nelson, investment consultant […]