May 2016

Benefits Canada News

It’s been a busy season for backtracking on government efforts to rein in the costs of pension and benefits programs. In March, the federal Liberals…

You don’t even have to pick up the phone anymore to call in sick. Today, skipping work can be as simple as sending a brief…

It’s been a bumpy year on global stock markets and at least some plan sponsors appear to be fastening their seatbelts in anticipation of more…

“These Canadians own your town,” Fortune magazine declared in December 2015, referring to the massive infrastructure and real estate investments Canadian pension funds have made…

While the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan has provoked some apprehension about a potentially negative impact on defined contribution pension plans, a Benefits Canada survey of…

When Eckler principal Paul Harrietha worked with the Auto Sector Retirees Health Care Trust on benefits packages at General Motors of Canada and Chrysler Canada…

While at a previous job with a school board, Karla Kochan would often see teachers quickly scale back their retirement plans after they had stopped…

Despite the billions of dollars spent on health care in Canada by both public and private payers, there’s a significant gap in the coverage available…

While doing more to support employ­ees with mental-health challenges may prompt some apprehension about a potential increase in absenteeism, one advocate says addressing the issue…

Over the years, much of the discussion around gender equality has revolved around removing barriers and shattering glass ceilings. But rather than fixating on the…

Canada’s workplace pension system is going through a recalibration due in part to an aging population and demographic shifts, declining coverage and unpredictable financial markets.…

As the drive towards target-benefit pension plans continues to make headway in Canada, litigation risk for their sponsors is on the rise. The jurisprudence is…

Uncategorized

The start of the year ushered in additional bulk-buying power for Canada’s publicly funded drug plans, giving them a greater ability to negotiate lower prices.…

Health/wellness

You don’t even have to pick up the phone anymore to call in sick. Today, skipping work can be as simple as sending a brief…

While doing more to support employ­ees with mental-health challenges may prompt some apprehension about a potential increase in absenteeism, one advocate says addressing the issue…

Other

It’s been a busy season for backtracking on government efforts to rein in the costs of pension and benefits programs. In March, the federal Liberals…

Over the years, much of the discussion around gender equality has revolved around removing barriers and shattering glass ceilings. But rather than fixating on the…

Health benefits

Despite the billions of dollars spent on health care in Canada by both public and private payers, there’s a significant gap in the coverage available…

Governance/legislation

While the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan has provoked some apprehension about a potentially negative impact on defined contribution pension plans, a Benefits Canada survey of…

Canada’s workplace pension system is going through a recalibration due in part to an aging population and demographic shifts, declining coverage and unpredictable financial markets.…

As the drive towards target-benefit pension plans continues to make headway in Canada, litigation risk for their sponsors is on the rise. The jurisprudence is…