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2024 Global Investment Conference: Canadian real estate pressures increasing demand for rental market investments

If Canadians aren’t able to access single-family housing, then by necessity they have to move to rentals, said Aaron Pittman, senior vice-president and head of Canadian institutional investment at Equiton, during the Canadian Investment Review‘s 2024 Global Investment Conference in April. Surging population growth, stalled housing completions and a shrinking middle class are creating challenges […]

  • June 10, 2024 June 6, 2024
  • 07:56

Claims for obesity drugs increased 42% in 2023, 92% since 2020: report

The use of obesity medications among Canadian employer-sponsored benefits plan members has grown substantially, with claims increasing 42 per cent in 2023 and roughly 92 per cent since 2020, according to a new report by Manulife Financial Corp. The report, based on aggregate claims data, found more women are using obesity drugs than men (79 […]

  • June 7, 2024 June 6, 2024
  • 09:00

Coverage for high-cost, specialty drugs missing from rollout of feds’ pharmacare plan: experts

While the concept behind the federal government’s universal pharmacare plan is well intentioned, the program would make a larger impact for employers by focusing on high-cost and specialty drugs, says Pam Martin, vice-president and senior consultant at Baynes & White Inc. In theory, the way that the government is rolling out the program in small […]

  • May 29, 2024 May 28, 2024
  • 09:00

How PepsiCo Canada’s savings program is helping employees achieve financial security at any stage in life

PepsiCo Canada is baking flexibility into its retirement savings benefits to support employees’ financial security amid the rising cost of living. To help employees reach their retirement savings goal, the food and beverage company is matching employees’ bonuses up to 3.5 per cent, with the employer contribution automatically directed into their defined contribution pension plan. […]

  • May 10, 2024 May 9, 2024
  • 08:58

Working mothers fear losing ability to work from home: expert

More than two-thirds (68 per cent) of working mothers are concerned about losing the level of flexibility they have at work in 2024, according to a new survey by Robert Half Canada Inc. Over the last 24 months, more companies have mandated employees to work onsite more frequently and that’s a big concern for working parents, […]

  • May 9, 2024 May 8, 2024
  • 09:00

Q&A with BMO Financial Group’s Vanessa Lewerentz

The organization’s chief inclusion officer discusses building an inclusive learning roadmap, the adoption of AI in the HR space and finding ways to nourish her soul amid life’s daily demands. Q: What top challenges do you face in your role? A: Harmonizing company objectives with internal and external expectations — which are influenced by cultural […]

  • April 12, 2024 April 11, 2024
  • 08:52

65% of women employees concerned about receiving inadequate pay increases: survey

Nearly two-thirds (65 per cent) of women say inadequate compensation increases is their biggest concern in 2024, according to a new survey by Robert Half Canada Inc. The survey, which polled more than 760 workers, also found three-quarters (75 per cent) of women cited wider economic changes as a major concern. It’s important for employers […]

  • March 8, 2024 March 7, 2024
  • 09:00

A closer look at preferred pharmacy networks

While preferred pharmacy networks have been around for nearly a decade, most benefits plan members aren’t aware that these arrangements have become standard, says Suzanne Lepage, a private health plan strategist. Preferred provider networks are common arrangements that businesses across a variety of industries enter into to help deliver consistent value, quality and cost containment, said the Canadian Life […]

  • March 4, 2024 March 4, 2024
  • 09:00

How KPMG in Canada is keeping DEI at the forefront of the return-to-office experiment

Employers have the opportunity to create a more inclusive workplace by focusing on diversity, equity and inclusion as employees return to the office. The shift to remote working during the coronavirus pandemic presented employers an opportunity to reassess what, where and how work gets done, says Stephanie Braid, the director of inclusion, diversity and equity at KPMG […]

  • February 20, 2024 February 16, 2024
  • 09:00

FSRA’s Pension Awareness Day helping engage, educate employees on benefits of workplace pension plans

For its second annual Pension Awareness Day on Feb. 15, the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario is holding information sessions for its employees to learn more about their pension plan. Even people who actually have an employer-sponsored pension plan aren’t aware of the value of those benefits, says Andrew Fung, executive vice-president of pensions […]

  • February 14, 2024 February 13, 2024
  • 09:00