Despite many institutional investors pressing pause on their real estate activities in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, those that keep calm and carry on with a focus on diversification and innovation are poised to emerge as winners. “Real estate values, like other investment vehicles, can vary at different times based on shifting demand […]
More than two-thirds (68 per cent) of Canadian workers say their employer’s focus on employee safety and well-being drives trust in the company’s brand, according to a new survey by Proof Strategies. The survey, which polled more than 1,500 employees, also found more than half of respondents said employers that are committed to diversity and […]
Defined benefit pension plan sponsors using overlay strategies will gain more flexibility amid rising inflation now that the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions has released guidance allowing them to disregard the overlay when measuring going-concern liabilities, says James Koo, a partner in Aon’s wealth solutions division. In May 2022, the OSFI raised the maximum […]
Value and profitability are inextricably linked and, when they’re combined in a portfolio, institutional investors can garner a healthy premium, said Sunil Wahal, professor of finance at Arizona State University, during a session at the Canadian Investment Review’s 2022 Investment Innovation Conference. He likened the investment approach to building a hockey team, noting the goal […]
While many Alberta employers say they’d be disadvantaged if the province left the Canada Pension Plan, one expert says a provincial pension plan could benefit members by reducing contributions and increasing retirement savings. Last November, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith instructed the province’s finance minister to provide recommendations on the implementation of a provincial pension plan. According […]
Over the past year, a number of employers have mandated that employees return to the physical office, citing the need for in-person collaboration and social connection. The demand begs the question — will employees, who are begrudgingly reintegrating long commutes and daycare drop-offs and pickups back into their workday, be as engaged and productive as […]
Labatt Breweries of Canada’s wide-reaching diversity, equity and inclusion strategy led to a win in the DEI program category at Benefits Canada’s 2022 Workplace Benefits Awards on Oct. 18. “The whole team is thrilled with the win and that all their hard work and efforts have paid off,” says Robin Doobay, senior manager of total rewards […]
The climate crisis puts the security of workers’ retirements at stake, said Patrick DeRochie, senior manager at Shift Action for Pension Wealth and Planet Health, during a session at the Canadian Investment Review‘s 2022 Risk Management Conference. Pension plan sponsors’ investment decisions and their ability to achieve adequate returns for their members depends on a […]
Risk misperception is inherent in humans and has been since stone-aged men and women first roamed the earth, said Dan Gardner, a senior fellow at the University of Ottawa’s Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, during the Canadian Investment Review’s 2022 Risk Management Conference. People possess two systems that help them make decisions, he […]
For years prior to the Russia-Ukraine war, there were murmurs about deglobalization as geostrategic tensions grew, nationalism flared worldwide and the coronavirus pandemic stressed global supply chains, said Seth Weingram, senior vice-president and director of client advisory at Acadian Asset Management, during the Canadian Investment Review’s 2022 Risk Management Conference. Since the invasion, that discussion […]