French president Emmanuel Macron’s efforts to reform his country’s pension system have been set back by the results of divisive national elections. During his campaign for the presidency, which he won in April, Macron highlighted a three-part plan including the creation of a nationally sponsored defined benefit pension system — similar to the system used in […]
An agreement reached between the federal Liberals and New Democrats this week will prioritize work on a dental-care program, national pharmacare and paid leave. The deal will see the NDP support the Liberals on matters of confidence until 2025. The dental-care program and national pharmacare, which the NDP have long championed, had to get Liberal buy-in for the […]
Several Canadian financial institutions are delaying their return-to-office plans as concerns increase about the highly-transmissible Omicron coronavirus variant. Scotiabank is pausing a planned return to the workplace for head office employees, following the latest coronavirus pandemic guidance from the Ontario government. In an emailed statement to Benefits Canada, a spokesperson from the bank said timing […]
The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is planning to completely divest from oil production — roughly one per cent of its total portfolio or about $3.9 billion based on the size of its net assets as of June 30 — by the end of 2022, as part of its new climate change strategy. […]
KPMG in Canada is among the latest companies requiring coronavirus vaccinations all employees. As of Oct. 1, the company is mandating vaccinations for all partners, employees, contractors and guests requiring access to an office, as well as for partners and team members going to a client site or an offsite location on KPMG business. Accommodations will […]
The federal government is taking steps to close the gender wage gap with the Pay Equity Act, which came into effect on Aug. 31. The legislation requires federally regulated public and private sector employers to ensure workers receive equal pay for work of equal value, according to a press release, which noted employers have three […]
Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau is promising 10 sick days for federally regulated employees. Trudeau made the promise on the federal election trail on Friday ahead of Canadians going to the polls on Sept. 21. Read: What are the current provincial policies on emergency, sick leave amid the coronavirus pandemic? “Before the pandemic hit, more than half of workers across […]
The Canadian Pharmacists Association is calling for a universal national pharmacare plan that blends public and private plans, according to a press release. The call is part of the professional association’s 2021 federal election priorities for all parties and candidates. Canadians go to the polls on Sept. 21 amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, which has put […]
The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board’s net assets passed the $500 billon mark after earning 3.5 per cent returns in its first quarter of 2021. The CPPIB announced its assets had grown from $497.2 billion to $519.6 billion during the quarter. In total, the organization generated $17.7 billion in income during the period, driving its […]
Scotiabank is renewing its lease for up to 1.1 million square feet of space in two buildings, including the iconic Scotia Plaza, located in the heart of downtown Toronto, which is owned and operated by the Alberta Investment Management Corp. and KingSett Capital Inc. The bank has renewed 560,000 square feet of space in Scotia […]