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New technologies, industry partnerships stemming the tide of benefits fraud

In 2016, the Toronto Transit Commission sued its insurer for allegedly not having appropriate benefits fraud controls in place to detect unusual trends or patterns.…

How plan sponsors can support employees going through a divorce

Going through a divorce can be an extremely stressful and emotional experience and, unsurprisingly, the impacts can spill into the workplace. “[Employees may be] at…

Sounding Board: What plan sponsors should know about pharmacare

Plan sponsors worried about the expense and sustainability of their drug plan might initially embrace a pharmacare plan, hoping to shift drug costs to a…

Top 5 HR, benefits, pensions and investment stories of the week

An article on the Ontario Court of Appeal’s affirmation of a $1.5 million punitive damages award was the most-read article on BenefitsCanada.com this week. Here are the…

  • By: Staff
  • February 9, 2024 February 8, 2024
  • 09:00
Ontario appeal court ruling marks substantial shift in enforcement of termination clauses

Court of Appeal upholds $1.5 million punitive damages award in LTD claims case

The Ontario Court of Appeal’s affirmation of a $1.5 million punitive damages award — reportedly the largest award of its kind in a Canadian long-term…

Manulife, Loblaw deal to deliver specialty drugs sparks access, competition concerns

Some pharmacare policy experts are raising concerns about competition and patient access to much-needed medication after Manulife Financial Corp. announced its coverage of certain prescription…

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Georgia to pay for gender affirmation care for public employees

The state of Georgia will start paying for gender affirmation care for state employees, public school teachers and former employees covered by a state health…

National pharmacare program will cost $40BN annually with shift of $14BN in private insurance

The Parliamentary Budget Office is confirming the insurance industry’s projection that a single-payer model of national pharmacare program will cost $40 billion annually as a result…

  • By: Staff
  • October 18, 2023 October 17, 2023
  • 09:00
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Top 5 HR, benefits, pension and investment stories of the week

An article announcing the finalists in Benefits Canada‘s 2023 Workplace Benefits Awards was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com over the last week. Here are the five most popular…

  • By: Staff
  • September 8, 2023 September 7, 2023
  • 09:00

AI tools helping insurers manage plan costs by weeding out instances of benefits fraud

In 2022, Beneva Inc.’s fraud management department noticed unusual activity under a plan member’s account. The insurer’s artificial intelligence tool, used to analyze millions of…

ChatGPT a game-changer for benefits communication but risks remain with full automation: expert

While ChatGPT is helping benefits communications become more efficient, detailed and reliable, the risks may outweigh the rewards when it comes to full automation, says…

Ontario court overturns $249K judgment against employer that denied worker LTD benefits

The Ontario Court of Appeal has overturned a $248,931 judgment against an employer that denied long-term disability benefits to an employee, citing the trial judge’s…

McCarthy Tétrault appointing Susan Nickerson as head of pensions, benefits, executive compensation

McCarthy Tétrault LLP is appointing Susan Nickerson as partner and head of its pensions, benefits and executive compensation group. Prior to joining McCarthy Tétrault, she…

  • By: Staff
  • April 19, 2023 April 18, 2023
  • 09:00

Sounding Board: Why do Quebec’s private drug plans pay higher pharmacy fees?

Unlike other Canadian provinces and jurisdictions, the Quebec government imposes rules and constraints on private drug plans that affects pharmacy costs. For example, in all…

Top 5 HR, benefits, pension and investment stories of the week

The Federal Court’s ruling that the termination of long-term disability benefits for Air Canada employees eligible to receive unreduced pension benefits doesn’t amount to age…

  • By: Staff
  • February 24, 2023 February 24, 2023
  • 09:00

Termination of LTD benefits for Air Canada workers eligible to receive unreduced pension benefits doesn’t amount to age discrimination: court

The Federal Court has ruled that the termination of long-term disability benefits for employees who become eligible to receive unreduced pension benefits doesn’t amount to…

Former NFL players suing league for denied disability claims

Ten former National Football League players have filed a class action lawsuit against the organization, claiming their disability claims were denied. In the filing, the…

  • By: Staff
  • February 16, 2023 February 15, 2023
  • 09:00

Top 5 HR, benefits, pension and investment stories of the week

An article about an open letter that highlighted how proposed amendments to the federal Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act could have a positive impact on defined benefit…

  • By: Staff
  • October 21, 2022 October 21, 2022
  • 09:00

Apple withholding employee benefits from unionized store

Apple Inc. is withholding its latest employee benefits from workers at one of its unionized retail stores. The technology giant is set to provide employees…

  • By: Staff
  • October 19, 2022 October 19, 2022
  • 15:00
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SIGA liable for $1.2M in LTD benefits following termination without cause: Saskatchewan court

The Saskatchewan Court of King’s Bench has held the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority liable for more than $1.2 million in long-term disability benefits owed to…

Will U.S.-style gig worker litigation come to Canada?

A gig worker by any other name would be a lot more expensive. In most jurisdictions, Uber Technology Inc. drivers and their app-based brethren are…

Federal government seeks to launch national dental care in December

The federal government is aiming to launch the first phase of its national dental-care program on Dec. 1. The program, which will provide dental care…

  • By: Staff
  • September 15, 2022 September 14, 2022
  • 09:00
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U.S. labour board accuses Starbucks of pay disparity

A regional office of the National Labor Relations Board says Starbucks Corp. is violating U.S. labour law by withholding pay hikes and other benefits from…

Google staff demand abortion benefits protections for contract workers, Walmart expands abortion benefits for all employees

Hundreds of Google employees are petitioning the company to extend its abortion benefits to contract workers. Google parent company Alphabet Inc. had pledged to pay…

Union calling on government to renew pandemic EI measures

The average disqualifications from employment insurance fell from 86,000 to 44,000 after the federal government implemented improved qualification criteria in September 2020 to address rising…

  • By: Staff
  • August 22, 2022 August 22, 2022
  • 15:00