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© Copyright 2002
Rogers Media. The following article first appeared in the February 2002 edition
of BENEFITS CANADA magazine.
BackWords
Worth Repeating
From surplus distribution to healthcare and the
emergence of sensitive issues such as non-physical disabilities, the benefits
and pension industry has never been short on opinions. We have had many a lively
debate in our pages over the past 25 years. Here are some highlights.
Compiled by Kathryn Dorrell and Deanna Rosolen
1978: "Pensions will eventually
disappear. They are an interim program to tide us over until the world becomes a
service environment," Marshall McLuhan, director of the Centre for Culture
and Technology, University of Toronto.
1979: "An employer would be well
advised not to be swayed by the apparent but illusionary claims made in favour
of the defined contribution approach," Murray Segal, partner, Eckler, Brown
& Segal Co. Ltd.
1980: "The only way you can really
control costs in an employee drug plan is by buying your own pharmacy," Fred
Armstrong, Hansen Consultants Ltd.
1981: "It is easier for a Russian
spy to learn about NATO secrets than for the average employee to find out how
his or her savings are invested in a private pension plan," Donald Coxe,
Ontario Royal Commission on Pensions.
1983: "We take the tough approach
on effective alcoholism programs so a person does not stay home and drink his
way through the weekly cheques," Bob Taylor, rehabilitation officer, Sun Life
in Montreal.
1986: "I firmly believe that money
in pension funds belongs solely to the workers for whom the plan exists," Bob
Rae, leader of the NDP.
1989: "AIDS in the workplace
affects the sponsor, both socially and financially. Soaring insurance claims
costs and human rights legislation combine to force companies to address the
issue," Christopher Barry, communications consultant.
1990: "Pension reform is at a
watershed. More regulation could accelerate the flight to RRSPs or worse, create
a movement where employers are not interested in participation in any type of
retirement income system," John Cumberford, Manitoba Superintendent of
Pensions.
1993: "We [homosexuals] pay the
same contributions to benefits plans that heterosexuals do and we're willing to
meet the same requirements of eligibility for dependent care. We're not asking
for a free ride. We're asking for equality," Robert Craiggs, Air Canada
flight service director and attendant.
1994: "Being silent is the old
paradigm. That's what happened on the [Ontario] pension [standards] debate. For
15 years, we all sat in back rooms and said, 'Oh, I hope they [the regulators]
don't do this ... or that.' And they went and did it to us. We never stood up
until after. Let's not let that happen in health," Gretchen Van Riesen,
assistant general manager of pensions and benefits, CIBC.
1995: "We have already legitimized
discrimination against smokers. I can certainly see insurance companies pricing
healthcare and dental plans based on a smoker and non-smoker basis, just as they
have in life insurance. And we may see that increasingly with long-term
disability insurance, as well, "Ed Buffett, Buffett Taylor and Associates.
1996: "If only they [employees with
non-physical illnesses] would look sick. It would be a lot easier to accept if
they had blood pouring out of their bodies," Gordon Stainton, human resources
manager, Procor Ltd.
1997: "Canadian taxpayers are
models of forbearance. We expect little from our governments and we are seldom
disappointed," Malcolm Hamilton, principal, William M. Mercer Ltd.
1998: "What we have right now is a
lack of confidence in institutions married to too much confidence in the capital
markets, "Murray O'Brien, human resources, J.M. Schneider Inc., on the future
of pensions.
1999: "All too often employees are
unaware of the cost of their benefits, and many still believe it's the big
insurance company that covers these benefits costs," Jim Norton and Sandra
Pellegrini, Aon Consulting.
2000: " Throughout our whole
Canadian culture, beyond the boundaries of the workplace, we see entitlement
mentality. It is 'give me, give me' without appreciating what you get," Julia
Koe, assistant manager, benefits development, Royal Bank of Canada.
2001: "Trying to drag [employers]
horizontally across the [healthcare] silos is like taking a cantakerous
two-year-old out of Eaton's at Christmas," Fred Holmes, national practice
leader, healthcare, Buck Consultants.
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