The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) has come out strongly against a hike in payroll premiums. The Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) has announced it will increase its premiums by an average of 4.3% by 2012. The Board is trying to reduce its massive shortfall in revenues which have averaged approximately $1 billion […]
Work-related mental health claims are on the rise, with financial rewards increasing by 700% in the past five years, according to a new report from the Mental Health Commission of Canada (MHCC). Employers face new and changing responsibilities when it comes to providing a psychologically safe workplace and the legal consequences of non-compliance could be […]
As corporate merger and acquisition activity continues to increase, companies need to adjust how they leverage their compensation and benefits programs. The restructuring of these programs plays a critical role in retaining key talent during the transactions, according to a new survey by Hewitt Associates. Furthermore, findings from Hewitt’s M&A survey of 103 companies revealed […]
Canada’s aging and unhealthy population is about to create a significant liability totalling about $2.8 trillion for all levels of government, according to a new study from the C.D. Howe Institute. It could play a key role in prolonging the economic recovery, author William B.P. Robson wrote in “The Glacier Grinds Closer: How Demographics Will […]
The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is looking to sell more bonds after completing an $8 billion borrowing program in June, CEO Michael Sabia said. The last step in that program came in June with a 10-year euro issue of 3.5% bonds aimed at lengthening short-term debt. Canada’s biggest pension fund manager […]
The solutions to Canada’s pension woes could be found by looking at recent reforms in Norway, Sweden, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, this according to a new study published by the Institute for Research on Public Policy (IRPP). The report praised Saskatchewan for introducing a voluntary, defined contribution (DC) pension plan in 1986. […]
An innovative plan to boost the portfolio of South Carolina’s pension fund needs further study, the state’s chief financial officer said. There’s a proposal on the table to create an independent investment company that would manage a portion of the state’s finances. It would oversee the pension fund’s private equity holdings, allowing the fund […]
There was a jump in multibillion dollar takeover deals in the third quarter of 2010, putting this year on pace to surpass 2009. According to data from Bloomberg, it was the busiest quarter in two years, with $562.6 billion of announced transactions in mergers and acquisitions. Among the high profile M&A stories were BHP Billiton […]
U.S. employers should expect 2011 healthcare cost increases to be at their highest levels in the past five years, according to an analysis by Hewitt Associates. Higher medical claim costs, an aging population and changes brought about by healthcare reform are the major factors in the increasing rates. Premiums are set to rise by an […]
Toronto is the least risky city for employers to recruit, employ and relocate workers, according to a new global study from Aon Consulting. The study created a People Risk Index, measuring the risks that organizations face with recruitment, employment and relocation in 90 cities worldwide. It looked at demographics, education, employment practices and government regulation. […]