The Manitoba Court of Appeal has outlined important principles of contractual interpretation with relation to pension plans, along with guidance on how possibly to avoid costly litigation, according to a Hewitt Research Advisory. Although the ruling is not binding outside of Manitoba, the case addresses common law principles that are similar across jurisdictions. The case […]
The majority of economic harm stemming from a pandemic such as the current A/H1N1 strain will be due to employee absenteeism. But, good planning can help safeguard employees and corporate bottom lines. The Corporate Risk Manager’s Roundtable on Pandemic Preparedness report, by Shulich School of Business professor Amin Mawani, outlines the threats faced by Canadian […]
Emerging markets and high-yield bonds—the riskiest equity and fixed income categories, respectively—have money managers bullish, according to a survey. Russell Investments’Investment Manager Outlook survey of 300 U.S. large and small cap equity investment managers finds 74% of respondents were bullish on emerging market equities while 66% were bullish on high-yield bonds. Managers also shunned traditional […]
The Ontario government has published Regulation 239/09, amending the Pension Benefits Act to provide temporary solvency funding relief to sponsors of DB plans registered in the province. Plan administrators seeking solvency relief have three funding relief options available to them as a one-time choice. The options are as follows: • A deferral of up to […]
The conservative portfolio allocations held by Canadian institutions prior to the onset of the global financial crisis have resulted in largely positive post-crisis reviews of internal investment policies compared to their counterparts in the U.S., a recent survey reveals. Greenwich Associates Market Pulse Survey of 22 large Canadian institutions suggests only half of the respondents […]
While Canadian employers move aggressively to contain costs and manage risk, they are also making a concerted effort to minimize the impact on employees, a recent survey reveals. Certain areas of Canada’s economy have been hit hard by the recession, such as manufacturing, finance and banking, but many employers have managed to avoid the drastic […]
The Alberta-B.C. (ABC) pension proposal for a government-sponsored supplemental pension plan is flawed and should be abandoned in favour of comprehensive reform of the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) and Old Age Security (OAS), says the leader of an Alberta union. In remarks aimed at western premiers and territorial leaders on the eve of their annual […]
U.S. companies still see healthcare benefits as an integral part of their attraction and retention strategy and are recruiting staff in the effort to improve workforce health programs and control costs, a recent survey reveals. Towers Perrin’s poll of close to 500 HR and benefits executives found that new approaches are being pursued in the […]
The first half of 2009 has been a time of reflection for U.S. institutions to review their investment policies, asset allocations and investment managers, according to a recent report. The subsequent conclusions are expected to affect not only the U.S. investment management industry but also the global financial markets and millions of Americans who rely […]
Recent legal decisions are sending the message that employees have the right to work in an atmosphere of civility and dignity and that employers that turn a blind eye to unfair treatment in the workplace do so at considerable financial risk, according to a Mercer report. Mercer’s recent communiqué on labour law highlights the remarkable […]