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Medavie Blue Cross launching virtual diabetes care program

Medavie Blue Cross is making a virtual diabetes care management program available to its plan members. In partnership with Roche Diabetes Care Canada and Ellerca…

B.C.’s temporary paid sick leave program laying groundwork for permanent offering: Premier

Employees affected by the coronavirus in British Columbia will qualify for up to three days of paid sick leave under proposed legislation that Premier John Horgan expects will…

Green Shield Canada appointing Michael Bradie VP growth, client service

Green Shield Canada is appointing Michael Bradie as its new vice-president of growth and client service. He most recently served as Green Shield Canada’s director…

  • By: Staff
  • May 10, 2021 May 10, 2021
  • 09:00

Employers making pension, benefits changes as pandemic continues: survey

Canadian employers are making ongoing changes to their pension and benefits offerings as the coronavirus pandemic drags on, according to a new survey by the…

  • By: Staff
  • May 5, 2021 May 5, 2021
  • 09:00
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What are the current provincial policies on emergency, sick leave amid the coronavirus pandemic?

While the debate over paid sick days intensifies across Canada, only two provinces currently offer this benefit on a permanent basis. On April 30, Ontario…

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Green Shield Canada adding gender-affirmation offering to group benefits plans

Green Shield Canada is introducing a gender-affirmation offering in all group plans as a standard benefit. The offering is effective June 30 and reimburses plan…

  • By: Staff
  • April 30, 2021 May 2, 2021
  • 15:00
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Ontario giving employees three paid sick days, reimbursing employers

Workers in Ontario will soon be able access three paid sick days to help them self-isolate during the coronavirus pandemic, but critics said the policy…

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People Corp. acquiring B.C.-based benefits provider

People Corp. is acquiring British Columbia-based Benefits by Design Inc. Benefits by Design is a benefits provider focused on the small-to-medium-sized segment of the Canadian…

  • By: Staff
  • April 27, 2021 April 27, 2021
  • 09:00
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New Brunswick expanding biosimilars policy in public drug plans

The New Brunswick government is expanding the use of biosimilars for certain chronic conditions in its public drug plans. Approximately 3,000 beneficiaries of the province’s…

  • By: Staff
  • April 23, 2021 April 26, 2021
  • 15:00

Canadian employers stepping up as controversy around paid sick days swirls

As it becomes increasingly clear that workplaces are a key transmission location in the third wave of the coronavirus pandemic, some Canadian employers are offering…

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Pharmacare should include high-cost treatment strategy, flexibility for plan sponsors: consultant

While a national pharmacare program is yet to be revealed by the federal government, any future plan should contain provisions for all costly treatments and…

City of Toronto, Peel Region closing workplaces with coronavirus outbreaks

Ontario’s two biggest coronavirus hot spots are moving to temporarily close businesses with recent outbreaks of the virus, in an effort to rein in surging…

Manulife making virtual physiotherapy platform available to plan members

Manulife Financial Corp. is making Phzio Canada’s virtual physiotherapy platform available to its plan members, noted a press release. Approximately one in five employees will…

  • By: Staff
  • April 19, 2021 April 19, 2021
  • 09:00

Editorial: Learning by doing during a once-in-a-century crisis

The best way to learn is by doing. And since March 11, 2020, when a pandemic was declared by the World Health Organization, we’ve all…

How TD Bank is putting technology first to support employees amid the pandemic

For years, digital offerings played second banana to in-person options for many employers aiming to connect with and support employees. Not anymore. As employers and…

2021 Group Benefits Providers Report: Will the rising tide of virtual health-care offerings lift all boats?

When Leona Guenette comes down with a bad case of bronchitis, she knows exactly what antibiotics she needs. Normally for Guenette, the pension and benefits…

Q&A with Microsoft Canada’s Carolyn Byer

Microsoft Canada’s head of human resources, talks about the challenges of the coronavirus pandemic, implementing DEI measures and supporting employee mental health Q. What top…

Penad Pension acquiring pension, group benefits administration company

Penad Pension Services Ltd. is acquiring Ontario-based SeclonLogic Inc., a defined benefit pension plan and group benefits administration software solutions company. “I am confident that…

  • By: Staff
  • April 14, 2021 April 26, 2021
  • 09:00
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Hub acquiring Calgary benefits provider

Hub International Ltd. is acquiring Calgary-based Wessex Financial Inc. Wessex Financial is a family and business benefits provider that specializes in association benefit planning, individual member…

  • By: Staff
  • April 12, 2021 April 13, 2021
  • 15:00
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Via Rail, Unifor deal increases employer contributions for hybrid pension members

The union representing Via Rail Canada Inc. employees has ratified a new agreement that will increase employer contributions for members of the company’s hybrid pension…

  • By: Staff
  • April 12, 2021 April 26, 2021
  • 09:00
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Majority of Amazon workers at Alabama warehouse vote not to unionize

Amazon workers voted against forming a union at a warehouse in Alabama, handing the online retail giant a decisive victory and cutting off a path…

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What does return to work look like for cancer patients?

When a 46-year-old woman was diagnosed in early 2016 with stage-two triple-negative breast cancer, she started planning her return to full-time work at almost the…

Managing diabetes with continuous glucose monitoring, digital coaching  

Diabetes care has tended to focus on achieving adequate glucose levels — but the real goal should be maintaining those levels over time, said Alex…

Assessing mental-health offerings for plan members with moderate to severe symptoms

The pandemic has taken a dramatic toll on the well-being of Canadians, but one of the most notable trends has been its impact on employees…

How employers can support Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, caregivers

Alzheimer’s and dementia is a growing area of concern for the workplace, with more than half a million Canadians currently living with dementia and the…