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…
Latest news in Legal issues
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…
- By: Julius Melnitzer
- February 2, 2024 February 1, 2024
- 09:00
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…
- By: Sammy Hudes, the Canadian Press
- January 31, 2024 January 31, 2024
- 09:00
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…
- By: Jeff Amy, the Associated Press
- October 23, 2023 October 23, 2023
- 15:00
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
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…
- By: Lauren Bailey
- September 6, 2023 September 6, 2023
- 09:00
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…
- By: Lauren Bailey
- August 11, 2023 August 11, 2023
- 09:00
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…
- By: Julius Melnitzer
- May 25, 2023 May 24, 2023
- 09:00
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…
- By: Johanne Brosseau
- April 17, 2023 April 19, 2023
- 09:00
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…
- By: Julius Melnitzer
- February 21, 2023 February 16, 2023
- 09:00
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
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…
- By: Julius Melnitzer
- October 19, 2022 October 17, 2022
- 09:00
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…
- By: Sara Tatelman
- September 16, 2022 September 15, 2022
- 08:54
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
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…
- By: Dee-Ann Durbin, The Associated Press
- August 29, 2022 August 29, 2022
- 09:00
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…
- By: The Canadian Press
- August 23, 2022 August 22, 2022
- 09:00
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
Expert panel: How national dental care could impact group benefits plans
While the 2022 federal budget proposed funding for national dental care, the plan, as currently understood, lacks universality, would disrupt existing public and private dental…
- By: Claude Marchessault
- August 11, 2022 August 13, 2022
- 09:00
How the overturning of Roe v. Wade could affect U.S. employer-sponsored benefits plans
When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, it triggered a flurry of questions — and some confusion — from employers on how they…
- By: Lauren Bailey
- August 10, 2022 August 9, 2022
- 09:00
Top 5 HR, benefits and pension stories of the week
An article on a ruling against the Blue Cross Life Insurance Co. of Canada and how it could affect long-term disability premiums was the most-read…
- By: Staff
- August 5, 2022 August 5, 2022
- 09:00