The Public Sector Pension Investment Board is committing to using its capital and influence to support a transition to net-zero emissions by 2050, according to its inaugural climate strategy report. The strategy also includes commitments to curbing the intensity of its portfolio’s greenhouse gas emissions by at least 20 per cent, increase its investments in green assets […]
Ontario’s New Democratic Party’s election platform includes universal dental care, mental-health care and pharmacare. Following the agreement reached between the federal Liberals and NDP in late March, the provincial NDP will lead the way on the program, working with the federal government to “strengthen and accelerate the expansion of dental care,” according to the platform that […]
The median Canadian defined benefit pension plan experienced a pullback in investment returns during the first quarter of 2022, returning negative 6.4 per cent as markets entered a heightened period of uncertainty, according to a new report by Northern Trust Canada. The report, which tracks the performance of Canadian DB plans that subscribe to Northern […]
The United Way British Columbia and the union representing the organization’s employees have reached an agreement to increase extended mental-health coverage. The coverage, which has been increased to a combined maximum of $1,200 per person annually, can be used to access psychologists, registered clinical counsellors, social workers and online cognitive behavioural therapists, according to a press […]
A third (33 per cent) of Canadians say their employer doesn’t offer workplace addiction support programs, according to LifeWorks Inc.’s latest mental-health index. The survey, which polled 3,000 working Canadians, found the overall mental-health score rose very slightly in March to negative 10.5 points from negative 10.6 in February. However, those without workplace addiction support […]
An announcement regarding long-awaited amendments to the Patented Medicines Review Board regulations was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com over the last week. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. PMPRB drug pricing regulations officially coming into effect this July 2. Key stakeholders highlighting value of private payer health care amid plans for […]
More than half (57 per cent) of employees say feeling recognized in their current role would reduce the likelihood that they’d take a call from a headhunter, according to a new survey by Achievers Workforce Institute. The survey, which polled more than 4,200 employees and more than 1,600 human resources leaders, found 64 per cent of […]
The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board is investing $31.25 million in a Toronto-based energy storage provider. Hydrostor Inc. provides utility integration services related to long-duration energy storage that enables grid operators to scale the renewable energy capacity of grids. The proceeds of the investment will be used to finance the development of compressed air energy […]
The Alberta Investment Management Corp. secured a return of 14.7 per cent in 2021, according to a press release. During the year, the AIMCo’s assets under management reached $168.3 billion, up from $146.6 billion in 2020. Following the record-breaking performance, its annualized total fund return rose to 7.4 per cent on a four-year basis and 8.6 per […]
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, 96 per cent of U.S. employers say their employees are stressed out, with 58 per cent saying they’re “somewhat” stressed out and 38 per cent saying they’re “very” stressed out, according to a new survey by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. In addition, 88 per cent said the […]