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Top Stories in Benefits

Drug pricing reforms may impact Canadians’ access to medications

Drug pricing reforms may impact Canadians’ access to medications

Despite concerns Canadian drug prices are skyrocketing, the Patented Medicines Price Review Board, Canada’s price regulator, has ensured costs for patented drugs haven’t increased more…

Pharmacoeconomic analyses a tool in private-payer decision-making process

A recent Telus Health comparison of a drug’s cost effectiveness when calculated from the private versus the public-payer perspective demonstrated clearly that the private-payer perspective…

Specialty drug prior authorization a useful tool for plan sponsors

Specialty drug prior authorization a useful tool for plan sponsors

Analysis by Telus Health found specialty drugs have grown from 11 per cent of total private drug plan claims costs in 2008 to 30 per…

Citigroup stretching into virtual fitness programming amid pandemic

This time of year, Citigroup Inc.’s fitness centre would likely usually be packed with New Year’s resolutioners working out and catching up with colleagues. Not…

To help economy, bank proposes tax on working from home

Pandemic accelerating virtual health care, focus on mental health

The coronavirus pandemic is accelerating several health care trends in 2021, including the growth of virtual care and a focus on mental and emotional well-being,…

  • By: Staff
  • January 13, 2021 April 14, 2021
  • 15:00
Coronavirus crisis accelerating virtual health care, focus on mental health

Coronavirus crisis accelerating virtual health care, focus on mental health

The coronavirus pandemic is accelerating several health care trends in 2021, including the growth of virtual care and a focus on mental and emotional well-being,…

  • By: Staff
  • January 13, 2021 April 14, 2021
  • 15:00
Some Uber, Lyft drivers suing over California’s Proposition 22

Some Uber, Lyft drivers suing over California’s Proposition 22

Drivers for app-based, ride-hailing and delivery services filed a lawsuit on January 12 to overturn a California ballot initiative that makes them independent contractors instead…

Benefits Alliance Group appointing Mike Macoun new president

Benefits Alliance Group appointing Mike Macoun new president

Mike Macoun joined the Benefits Alliance Group as the organization’s new president earlier this month. He brings nearly seven years of experience in the employee…

  • By: Staff
  • January 12, 2021 April 14, 2021
  • 09:00
Feds changing sick-leave benefit amid non-essential travel uproar

Feds changing sick leave benefit amid non-essential travel uproar

The Canada Revenue Agency is tweaking the requirements for three federal benefits following an uproar over the possibility of Canadians applying for the Canada Recovery Sickness Benefit after ignoring…

Employers requiring coronavirus vaccinations must consider human rights, privacy

With coronavirus vaccines rolling out across Canada, employers must consider the privacy and human rights implications of requiring vaccinations for their teams, says Shaun Parker,…

Health Canada delaying drug pricing reforms until July

Health Canada delaying drug pricing reforms until July

Health Canada says it’s delaying the implementation of long-awaited changes to Canada’s drug-pricing regime by another six months. A spokesman for the department, says the amendments…

New federal employment equity, safety legislation taking effect

New federal employment equity, safety legislation taking effect

A series of legislative changes to Canada’s labour code aiming to make workplaces healthier, safer and fairer took effect as of Jan. 1, 2021. The…

  • By: Staff
  • January 5, 2021 April 14, 2021
  • 09:00
Sun Life piloting virtual mental-health coach

Sun Life piloting virtual mental-health coach

Sun Life Canada is launching a new virtual mental-health coach for plan members that taps into the power of predictive analytics. The virtual coach will launch in the first…

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

An article on how legislative changes in Alberta are impacting employer-sponsored benefits plans was the most-read article on BenefitsCanada.com this past week. Here are the…

  • By: Staff
  • March 6, 2026 March 5, 2026
  • 09:00

Discrimination lawsuit underscores reputational, accommodation risks for employers: expert

A lawsuit against the Canadian Broadcasting Corp.’s Yellowknife bureau is serving as a broader wake-up call for employers navigating workplace culture, psychological safety and reputational…

  • By: Sonya Singh
  • February 24, 2026 February 26, 2026
  • 09:00

Ontario court to decide if former HBC employees will receive hardship fund

Ontario’s Superior Court is scheduled to decide next week whether to approve a fund the insolvent company will set up to help former Hudson’s Bay…

2026 Workplace Benefits Awards now open for entries

Calling all employers and plan sponsors — the 2026 Workplace Benefits Awards are now open for entries! If your organization is leading the way in…

  • By: Staff
  • March 30, 2026 March 26, 2026
  • 09:00

BMO supporting women’s health through conferences, resources

The Bank of Montreal is supporting women’s health through information sessions and an enhanced resource hub. The bank is hosting the latest session in its…

Editorial: Mental-health support from a corporate, national and gendered perspective

This year marks Benefits Canada’s fifth annual Mental Health Issue, an initiative introduced in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic as employers ramped up their…

Feds increasing pay, retention bonuses for CAF personnel

Ottawa is hiking entry-level pay for Canadian Armed Forces privates by 20 per cent for the regular force and 13 per cent for reservists. That…

Education benefits, tuition assistance prove life-changing for some employees

After five years of working long nights as a truck driver, Julius Mosley wanted a change. He found driving unfulfilling, and his teenage son needed…

61% of Canadian workers say return-to-workplace mandates impose financial burden: survey

Nearly two-thirds (61 per cent) of Canadian employees say return-to-worksite mandates impose a financial burden, a percentage that increases to 70 per cent among hybrid…

  • By: Staff
  • May 22, 2024 May 22, 2024
  • 15:00