The Quebec government’s removal of the maximum annual amount that can be paid to people aged 55 and older with a variable benefit account tied to a defined contribution pension plan or with a life income fund is part of a broader push to provide retirees with more flexibility to draw on their locked-in retirement savings […]
The coronavirus pandemic has given rise to the ‘work-from-anywhere’ trend, but what happens when remote employees are working from regions suddenly affected by natural disasters or conflicts? When the pandemic began and people were relocating to different places, employers realized it was possible to conduct business as usual without employees being in a physical office, […]
Over the last year, the volatile interest rate period has increased demand for fixed income exchange-traded funds among institutional investors, said Robert Forsyth, head of SPDR ETF strategy and research at State Street Global Advisors, during the Canadian Investment Review‘s 2023 Investment Innovation Conference in November. “Institutional investors were using ETFs to gain really quick access […]
Despite pension funds navigating a “swim-at-your-own-risk” environment with a lower probability of positive returns, they can’t just stop and sink — they have to keep swimming, said Karin Sullivan, vice-president of fixed income at Trans-Canada Capital Inc., during the Canadian Investment Review‘s 2023 Investment Innovation Conference in November. “[These financial challenges] have been going on now for two […]
Before new pay transparency legislation takes effect in Ontario, it’s important for employers to ensure their current compensation structure is in order, says Dominic Girard, a senior consultant in compensation at Arthur J. Gallagher and Co. If passed, the legislation would require employers to include expected salary ranges in job postings so candidates are better poised to make informed […]
UCS Forest Group’s chief human resources and administrative officer discusses the complexities of the post-pandemic workplace, training managers to adapt to the new working environment and ensuring her dogs live their best lives. Q: What top challenges do you face in your role? A: In this post-pandemic world, employees are dealing with a lot of […]
While flexible working arrangements may render the traditional workday obsolete, concepts like triple-peak work hours may jeopardize the work-life balance employees are seeking. A report from Microsoft Corp. found triple-peak work hours — in which employees divide their workday over three separate blocks of time, including late in the evenings — are increasing in popularity. […]
Navigating the care path for health-care issues can be overwhelming and confusing — so much so, it can act as a deterrent to people seeking help. In terms of mental-health support, the Bank of Montreal launched a digital navigation guide in May to point staff in the right direction. The tool, which is available to […]
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. is providing employees and their dependants with $10,000 in lifetime gender affirmation coverage. The additional coverage complements existing benefits that support transitioning employees, including prescription drug coverage for hormone therapy, mental-health coverage, disability insurance and medical leaves for employees who are recovering from surgeries. The new coverage is also extended to […]
Housing affordability will be a challenge, particularly for newcomers to Canada — pushing more of that demographic into the rental market, said Aaron Pittman, head of institutional at Equiton, during the Canadian Investment Review‘s 2023 Global Investment Conference. With 20 per cent of the Canadian workforce expected to retire over the next 10 years and a […]