In this week's edition:

PHIPA effective Nov. 1
November 1, 2004
The Personal Health Information Protection Act is in force for companies and organizations with business operations in Ontario.
full story

Rising dollar hurts pensions
The recent rise in the loonie past the US$0.80 mark may mean cheaper vacations and trips across the border, but it has hurt the investment results of some pension funds.
full story

FSCO "monitoring" U.S. insurance probe
The Ontario government has directed the Financial Services Commission of Ontario(FSCO)to review the use of contingent commissions.
full story

Most BC.com Vote respondents say end mandatory retirement
The majority of participants in the Benefits Canada Vote, an informal Web survey on www.benefitscanada.com open to readers, said they think mandatory retirement should be abolished in Canada.
full story

November 9—Opening the Healthcare Debate
Vancouver
Opening the Healthcare Debate: An Examination of Private Healthcare in Canada, with guest speaker Dr. Brian Day, will describe the extent and cause of the healthcare crisis and provide a proven solution that will require no tax increases, reduce government spending on healthcare and at the same provide the biggest boost ever to Canada’s economy. For more information click here.

November 9—National speaker: "Protect Yourself Against Corporate Fraud & Managing Risks and Rewards"
Ottawa
Norman Inkster, president of Inkster Group, providing investigative, security and law reform services to domestic and foreign governments and international financial institutions, will give a presentation on operational risk management. The discussion will highlight common areas of risk and provide examples of how and where others failed. To register click here.

November 25—What’s Hot in Benefit Trends
London
The London Chapter of the Canadian Pension and Benefits Institute – Ontario Region is offering What’s Hot in Benefits Trends, a breakfast seminar looking at the following important issues:

• Trends In Employee Satisfaction
  
• Trends in Drug Costs
  
• Trends in Providing Retiree Benefits

To register click here.

November 9—Manager and Employee Roles in Satisfaction and Retention
Toronto
With concrete tips for improving workplace satisfaction, morale and productivity, this session explores how HR can support both employer and employee groups through training, mentoring and coaching. Managers can engage their people by employing research-supported strategies in their day-to-day interactions. Employees can learn to fix what’s wrong and find what’s missing right where they are – without jumping ship or disengaging. For more information click here.

November 10—Up the Down Market
Montreal
The second edition of the "Action 21 – Up the Down Market” evening will be held in Montreal on November 10. For several years the Down Syndrome Research Foundation has been organizing benefit galas during which participants are invited to put their investment skills to use. From Vancouver, over Calgary, to Toronto, these events have made it possible to raise more than one million dollars for research, education, information, and for programs to assist those afflicted with Down Syndrome. For more information please contact Renée Veillette (514)850-0666

Le Regroupement pour la Trisomie 21 et la Fondation de recherche sur le syndrome de Down sont heureux d’annoncer qu’ils peuvent compter, pour une deuxième année consécutive, sur une activité de financement originale, unique et performante. En effet, c’est le 10 novembre prochain que se tiendra, à l’Hôtel Le Centre Sheraton de Montréal, la deuxième édition de la soirée bénéfice Action 21. Les personnes qui désirent des informations concernant cette soirée sont invitées à contacter l’un des membres du comité ou Mme Renée Veillette du Regroupement pour la Trisomie 21 à(514) 850-0666.

November 10, 17, 24—Hicks Morley Pension and Benefits Law Update
Toronto
Hicks Morley presents its complimentary 2004 Pension and Benefits Law Update in Toronto(November 10), Waterloo(November 17) and Ottawa(November 24). Areas that will be updated include Retiree Benefits Class Actions, the Ontario Health Premium and Pension Plan Funding, Surplus, Partial Wind Ups and Asset Transfers. This update will be of benefit to Benefit and Pension Plan Administrators, Corporate Counsel and HR and Finance Personnel involved with Benefit and Pension administration. To register online click here. Register by phone at Hicks Morley, Conference Services at(416)864-7736.

November 17—Acquaint Financial independent employee/plan member financial education
Toronto
Employers and plan sponsors are encouraged to attend this complimentary event hosted by Acquaint Financial to experience and learn more about independent employee/plan member financial education and how it can help you meet CAP Guidelines.  This event includes a sample employee seminar, a demonstration of iAcquaint(Acquaint Financial’s industry leading online financial education Web site)and a discussion on the importance of selecting an independent provider that is free from potential conflicts of interest. 
 
The event is set for 8:45 a.m. Wednesday, November 17, at the Primrose Hotel in Toronto. For more information or to reserve your spot, please contact Amina Baig by phone at(416) 622-4441 Ext. 335 or by e-mail at abaig@acquaintfinancial.com. Please RSVP by November 11 as seating is limited.
 
For more information about Acquaint Financial please visit www.AcquaintFinancial.com.

OHIP no longer covers routine eye exams in Ontario
Routine eye exams for individuals aged 20 to 64 are no longer covered by OHIP in Ontario. Patients will now have to pay their optometrists or physicians for this service, or have the cost of exams covered by private insurance. For more information click here.

75% of U.S. HR managers want to import drugs from Canada
According to an Aon survey, most U.S. HR and benefit managers support importing drugs from Canada to lower health plan costs. For more information click here.

Employer not responsible for Ontario Health Premium
Arbitrator Teplitsky has ruled that the employer is not responsible to pay for the premium in Jazz Air Inc. and Air Line Pilots. Assn., International. For more information click here.

Ontario acts on civil liability, independent tribunals
The Ontario government is moving ahead with several key changes to the province's securities legislation, including giving investors the right to sue companies for fraud and restructuring the Ontario Securities Commission. For more information click here.

RRSP contributions rose in 2003
Canadian taxpayers increased their RRSP contributions for the first time in three years, despite a slight decline in the overall number of filers, according to StatsCan data on the 2003 tax year.

Contributions rose 1.8% from 2002, to $27.6 billion, while the number of contributors was down 0.7% to 5,948,000 tax-filers. Women accounted for 38% of total RRSP contributions, down from 39% in 2002. Their median contribution remained virtually unchanged at $2,100.

Canadians have a long-running tradition of failing to max out their RRSP limits and 2003's $27.6 billion total still only represented about 9% of the total room available.(Advisor.ca)

Global economy expected to slow
The global economic growth rate will slow to a more modest pace of expansion in the coming year, at around 3.9%, down from 4.4% in 2004, according to Export Development Canada (EDC).

"The global economy has passed its high-water mark, and we are beginning to see signs of moderation in world economic growth," says EDC senior vice-president and chief economist Stephen Poloz. "As a result, the economy should grow at a pace that is more sustainable — a pace that is neither too hot nor too cold, but just about right."

Canada is predicted to post a steady growth rate of 3.2%, roughly equivalent to 2004. By year end, export sales are expected to have surged 9% after three consecutive years of decline. A slowing global economy is expected to stifle some of the strong export economy, however. In the U.S., growth is seen slowing to 3.3% from 4.2% this year.(Advisor.ca)

Cast your vote in the Aventis Web poll:
"Do you think your company health benefit plan members are interested
in knowing how much the company has to pay for their use of the plan?"
Click here

A popular download this week is "Meeting expat-ations," by Margaret Sim and Liam Dixon.

The December issue of Benefits Canada will feature its first Report on Eastern Canada.

The 2005 Benefits Canada media planner is now available on the Web site, at the bottom of the left nav bar. The media planner contains next year's editorial calendar, advertising rates and publishing deadlines. Click here.

Also, the PDF entry form for the 2005 Benefits Canada Communications Awards is posted on the left nav bar("Communications awards entry form"), for those plan sponsors preparing to enter the competition. Click here.