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The costs, benefits of pharmacy services on private drug plans

The costs, benefits of pharmacy services on private drug plans

Perceptions of pharmacists are behind the times. While plan members, and even plan sponsors, may see the role of the pharmacist as primarily counting pills,…

Advice from a 38-year journey with rheumatoid arthritis

Advice from a 38-year journey with rheumatoid arthritis

As the former senior vice-president of sales in the group customer division of the Great-West Life Assurance Co., Jeff Aarssen is very familiar with drug…

A look at four benefits plan models for covering medical marijuana

A look at four benefits plan models for covering medical marijuana

For Jonathan Zaid, the benefits of medical cannabis aren’t theoretical or clinical; they’re deeply personal. Diagnosed at age 14 with daily persistent headache, a rare…

The role of pharmacists in improving access to health care, patient outcomes

The role of pharmacists in improving access to health care, patient outcomes

Despite significant awareness and discussion around what ails Canada’s health-care system, little has changed, said Rose Dipchand at the 2018 Halifax Benefits Summit on Sept.…

Employers challenged in balancing member care, plan sustainability

Employers challenged in balancing member care, plan sustainability

Plan sponsors and administrators walk a razor’s edge, striving to ensure members have access to the services they need while also making certain the plan is…

Biosimilars have potential to offer relief for rising drug plan costs

Biosimilars have potential to offer relief for rising drug plan costs

While the impact of biologics on patients has proven successful, it’s counterbalanced by an equally significant fiscal impact, delegates heard at the 2018 Halifax Benefits…

Personalizing biologic treatment in the age of biosimilars

Personalizing biologic treatment in the age of biosimilars

Don’t confuse biosimilars with generic drugs, cautioned Dr. Ian Blumer at the 2018 Halifax Benefits Summit in September. While the terms may be used interchangeably,…

Canada Post ups wage, benefits proposals, backs down on pension changes

Canada Post ups wage, benefits proposals, backs down on pension changes

Canada Post issued wide-ranging new contract offers to its employees Wednesday in the hope of preventing a work stoppage at the Crown corporation ahead of…

Two-thirds of Canadians would switch jobs for a group savings plan: survey

Two-thirds of Canadians would switch jobs for a group savings plan: survey

More than two-thirds (69 per cent) of Canadians would choose a new job with a group savings plan instead of staying at a current job without…

  • By: Staff
  • October 3, 2018 September 13, 2019
  • 16:00
Indigo to pilot Great-West Life’s student debt savings program

Indigo to pilot Great-West Life’s student debt savings program

Indigo Books & Music Inc. is the first national employer to pilot the Great-West Life Assurance Co.’s student debt savings program. Employees in the program will…

  • By: Staff
  • October 3, 2018 September 13, 2019
  • 09:52
Medavie Blue Cross to cover medical marijuana

Medavie Blue Cross to cover medical marijuana

Medavie Blue Cross is adding medical cannabis coverage to its benefits provision. The extended health-care benefit will be optional, standalone coverage for plan sponsors, providing reimbursement…

  • By: Staff
  • October 2, 2018 September 13, 2019
  • 09:45

How to use benefits to support diversity and inclusion

Creating and supporting an environment of diversity and inclusion is top of mind for most employers today. With increasing globalization and a highly competitive marketplace,…

  • October 2, 2018 March 21, 2022
  • 08:30
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Manulife lowers STD claims with mental-health benefits boost

Manulife Financial Corp.’s short-term disability claims related to mental health have decreased since it boosted its benefits to employees last year. In January 2017, Manulife…

  • By: Ryan Murphy
  • October 1, 2018 September 10, 2024
  • 10:00

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