The solvency levels of Canadian defined benefit pension plans are down off the back of roiling equity and bond markets in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak. Aon’s latest median solvency ratio survey found DB plans were down 6.7 per cent on average, from 102.5 per cent in early January to 95.8 per cent at […]
Not only are female workers in the technology industry earning less than their male counterparts, but a new survey by Mason Frank International found women are less likely to be offered flexible working options compared to men. The recruitment firm surveyed more than 2,500 tech professionals and found 22 per cent of female respondents indicated home and […]
Canada Life is working with Dialogue Technologies Inc. to make virtual health care a standard benefit for its group benefits plans with up to 400 plan members. When the change takes effect this summer, employees who are covered by the insurer’s group benefits plans will have access to Dialogue’s bilingual virtual health-care platform through a mobile app or […]
A substantial wage gap between men and women continues to exist in Canada, according to a new study commissioned by ADP Canada Co. Based on self-reported numbers, the study found women earned an average pre-tax salary of $51,352 in 2019, while men reported an average pre-tax salary of $67,704 — a gap of 24 per cent. […]
Northcrest Developments, a real estate subsidiary of the Public Sector Pension Investment Board, is launching a development project in Toronto, alongside the Canada Lands Co. The site, known as Downsview, is 520 acres and includes the Downsview Airport, which is slated for closure in 2023. While details of the development plans are largely unknown, a consultation process on how best […]
The League Against Cruel Sports is now acknowledging it dismissed an ethical vegan employee after he raised concerns over the organization’s pension plan. The employee, Jordi Casamitjana, told Benefits Canada in 2018 he was upset when he discovered the defined contribution pension provided by his employer meant his contributions were being invested in companies that were misaligned with his ethical […]
Corporate leaders often talk about equality, empowerment and culture, but that doesn’t mean their employees feel their organizations are actually walking the walk. Indeed, a significant disconnect exists between how leaders and employees view their workplace culture, according to a new survey by Accenture Inc. While 70 per cent of leaders said they feel they create empowering […]
While not as strong as 2018, combined new term asset-backed securities, asset-backed commercial paper and covered bond issuances closed out 2019 hitting $81.3 billion, according to a report from DBRS Morningstar. Collateral underpinning Canadian structured finance transactions performed well for the year, with the majority of notes rated by DBRS Morningstar either earning confirmations or […]
IKEA Canada is giving wellness days to its employees to support their work-life balance. The wellness days, introduced in January, can be used for when employees have personal needs, such as appointments, illnesses or injuries, taking care of a family member, dealing with personal emergencies, volunteering at or taking part in a community event, weather-related events, […]
British Columbia is tabling legislation that would grant up to five days of paid leave for workers affected by domestic or sexual violence. The leave would also apply to parents of a child or dependant who has been impacted by that type of violence. The legislation would amend the provincial Employment Standards Act, which last […]