Yaelle Gang, the Canadian Investment Review

Plan sponsors urged to take advantage of innovative pension plan design to mitigate risks

In the fourth industrial revolution, technology is changing at a fast pace with a rolling effect on various industries. It’s also changing how people work, spend their money and save, said Jean-Philippe Provost, senior partner and wealth business leader at Mercer Canada. At the consultancy’s annual retirement outlook event on Thursday, Provost walked through current practices in the Canadian […]

January 25, 2019 September 13, 2019
10:08

A look at the City of York pension plan’s merger with OMERS

The Corporation of the City of York Employee Pension Plan officially transferred the management of its assets and liabilities to the Ontario Municipal Employees Retirement System plan last week, as part of a broader initiative to transfer four pre-OMERS plans from the City of Toronto to OMERS. The City of York plan was closed to […]

January 18, 2019 September 13, 2019
09:15

Economist says no recession looming

In a world of volatility, with markets driven by trade wars, Trump tweets and talk of a potential recession on its way, Scotiabank vice-president and deputy chief economist is shining a light of optimism. “A slight slowing in growth is a very distinct thing from a recession,” said Brett House, speaking at the 2018 Defined […]

January 18, 2019 September 13, 2019
07:59

Navigating the complicated relationship between interest rates, real estate

The complicated relationship between real estate and interest rates makes it important to know the role different types of properties play in a portfolio and to use public real estate for liquidity to keep a focus on core property, said Derek Warren, vice-president at Lincluden Investment Management. Speaking during a session at the 2018 Defined […]

January 18, 2019 September 13, 2019
07:58

Using an ‘active investing triad’ for outperforming pension returns

While active managers outperform in some situations and not in others, when using active management, what characteristics can pension plans look for to stay on the outperforming side of the equation? Using an “active investing triad” — be patient, be different and be aligned — can help find managers that outperform, said Douglas Schein, managing […]

January 18, 2019 September 13, 2019
07:57

Junior infrastructure debt holds opportunities for plan sponsors

To find value in a competitive infrastructure market filled with dry powder, plan sponsors can look beyond equity and senior debt, focusing instead on junior infrastructure debt, according to Claire Smith, alternatives director at Schroders. “Canadian pension funds are no stranger to infrastructure equity investment, but we’ve seen valuations in this market getting higher,” she […]

January 18, 2019 September 13, 2019
07:56

When is a delegated service model right for a pension plan?

In an increasingly challenging investment and regulatory environment, many pension plans are looking to a new model, delegating key investment management and service activities to third-party providers, said Ivor Krol, vice-president and lead of the institutional portfolio solutions group at Phillips, Hager & North Investment Management. Speaking at the 2018 Defined Benefit Investment Forum in […]

January 18, 2019 September 13, 2019
07:55

Pension deficits, dividend payments among topics in new government consultation

The federal government is asking Canadians to weigh in on a consultation paper that tackles issues related to pension underfunding and bankruptcy and insolvency laws. The topics open for comment include that dividend payments, share redemptions and executive compensation packages could be restricted under the Canada Business Corporations Act if a company has a large […]

November 29, 2018 September 13, 2019
15:45

Translating climate risk into the language of investors

A few decades ago, people were concerned about the depleting ozone layer. Then, in the late 1980s, the Montreal Protocol was ratified to phase out ozone-depleting substances. Fast forward to today: the ozone hole is shrinking and is expected to completely close by 2060. “That says to me that if you get policymakers, business leaders […]

November 28, 2018 September 13, 2019
08:30

Important considerations in DB pension communications

In the midst of financial literacy month, what does education look like in a defined benefit world where plan members don’t have to actively make investment choices? And how much do members need to understand about investments? While financial literacy is important, DB plans allow members to prepare for retirement without being financial experts themselves, says […]

November 19, 2018 September 13, 2019
09:00