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© Copyright 2000 Rogers Media. The following article first appeared in the January 2001 edition of
BENEFITS CANADA magazine.
Insights
Contrarian views, news and international intrigue
By Andrea Davis
Smokin' ain't allowed in school
If your benefits plan covers smoking cessation or nicotine patches, there's a new interactive tool on the
market that may help plan members butt out. TobaccoSchool.com is an Ottawa-based Web site designed to teach
Canadians how to live smoke-free.
Students at TobaccoSchool.com go through a 90-day lesson plan, with each lesson taking between five and 10
minutes to complete. Four areas of recovery--strategy, planning, action and maintenance--are explored, with
an emphasis on tobacco addiction. The support section of the site includes online counselling, chat rooms
and the opportunity to have questions answered by a physician. Communications material that plan sponsors
can distribute to smokers in their organization is also provided.
The service costs between $2 and $6 per employee per year, depending on the size of the company. The
benefit is also extended to employees' family members. Companies in Canada sending their smoking employees
back to school include Bozell Wellness Worldwide and Maritz Corporation.
"When employees are offered a program that's effective, their attitude towards that company is much more
positive," says Murray Kelly, founder and president of Tobacco School. "When one or two smokers start to
get interested in recovery, that can spread to other smokers in the workplace."
The Canadian Cancer Society estimates that cigarette smoking causes about 30% of cancers in Canada and over
80% of lung cancers. In addition, smokers take more sick days per year than non-smokers.
Visions of grandeur
Is the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSE) at a crossroads? Plagued by technical glitches last year, the TSE has
finally committed to replacing its archaic computer-assisted trading system. The exchange is also facing
increased competition from Nasdaq Canada, global stock exchanges and alternative trading systems.
But the TSE's president and chief executive officer, Barbara Stymiest, believes all is well with the
exchange. She defended her vision for the TSE in a recent speech at Toronto's Canadian Club. Here's an
excerpt.
"Let me tell you what I think of when I think of the TSE.
I see in the future a vibrant new economy, high-tech company blending human skills with technology to
create a strong, reliable and efficient electronic market.
I see a company in transition, positioning itself in a new competitive marketplace both domestically and
globally--a company with the advantages of strong brand recognition in Canada and international respect for
its leadership and innovation in the securities industry.
I see a company with a strong and vital workforce with expertise not only in its core equities business,
but also in exchange regulation and market data.
I see a company that was hailed as one of the best performing markets in the world this year, whose daily
transactions have almost doubled in the past year to more than 130,000 transactions a day. An exchange that
has set yearly trading records for eight consecutive years.
I see a company committed to integrity, innovation, fairness and growth.
And I see the TSE as the leading provider of market services for Canada on a global basis. Through
innovation, commitment and service we provide value and growth opportunities to our customers, shareholders
and employees."
Wellness Top 10
In a survey of 414 medium- to large-sized private and public Canadian plan sponsors, almost half of
respondents say they offer an employee assistance program as part of their wellness program.
SOURCE: Buffett Taylor National Wellness
Survey Report 2000
Happy with healthcare
Despite the debate over two-tier healthcare that dominated the recent federal election, the majority of
Canadians are satisfied with the healthcare system, according to a new survey.
A whopping 93% of women and 83% of men who were patients in the past year describe themselves as very or
somewhat satisfied with their care. Only 9% of respondents say they were somewhat or very dissatisfied.
The survey, conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, found some regional variations. More Atlantic
Canadians (94%) expressed satisfaction with the system than anywhere else.
Overall, 34% of Canadians say that major changes are needed to make the system work better, while 44% feel
the system works well but needs minor changes. Another 14% say the Canadian healthcare system is the best
in the world but needs minor tinkering.--Kathryn Dorrell
The year ahead
Plan sponsors are expecting a tough ride in 2001, with shrinking budgets and aging workforces. Most expect
their jobs to get tougher in 2001.
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