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McDonald’s mandating anti-harassment training worldwide

McDonald’s Corp. is mandating worker training to combat harassment, discrimination and violence in its restaurants worldwide starting next year. The training requirement will impact 2…

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…

AIMCo appointing Evan Siddall as CEO

The Alberta Investment Management Corp. is appointing the former head of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. as its next chief executive officer. The investment manager said Evan Siddall…

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Ontario looking at employer-operated, onsite vaccination clinics for ‘hot spot’ communities

In a bid to ensure individuals from hot-spot communities get access to the coronavirus vaccine, the Ontario government is working with public health units, business…

  • By: Staff
  • April 16, 2021 April 16, 2021
  • 09:00

Head to head: Should Canadian policy-makers facilitate a workplace emergency savings benefit?

With many employees struggling with finances since the coronavirus pandemic started last March, two experts weigh in on the viability of offering a workplace emergency…

How TD Bank is putting technology first to support its 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…

Pension plan committees applying virtual-meeting lessons to second year of pandemic

Pension plan committees pivoted to virtual meetings in March 2020 and learned many lessons to apply to year two of the pandemic and beyond As…

Institutional investors looking to Asia as economies start to bounce back from pandemic

Rising incomes and technological change in the emerging economies present considerable investment opportunities for investors with longer-term horizons. Investments in emerging markets weren’t spared the…

Will the rising tide of virtual heath-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…

ESG factors at the heart of the BCI’s investing strategy

Jennifer Coulson has been engaged in responsible investing and environmental, social and governance factors for two decades and remembers a time when it was difficult…

The pros and cons of opting for a 60/40 balanced portfolio strategy

While the typical balanced fund is becoming a rarity among pension plans, a segment of plan sponsors continue to utilize these funds — albeit with…

Q&A with Microsoft Canada’s head of HR

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.…

Volkswagen giving frontline workers in Germany €1,000 bonuses amid pandemic

In recognition of its employees’ efforts during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Volkswagen and Germany’s largest industrial union have agreed on a 23-month wage deal that…

Plan Sponsor Week: Rogers engages staff in retirement savings amid plan design changes, coronavirus

Why Rogers continually evolves its benefits program

Employees of Rogers Communications Inc. don’t have to look far if they’re searching for new home or car insurance — their employer has multiple discounts…

Penad Pension acquiring DB pension plan, 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 13, 2021
  • 09:00
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Scotiabank CEO calling on feds to increase childcare spending

The head of the Bank of Nova Scotia is urging Ottawa to top up the annual Canada Child Benefit and increase childcare expense deductions, ahead…

Sobeys reinstating ‘hero pay’ for employees amid third wave of pandemic

Sobeys Inc. is reinstating a lockdown bonus for employees in areas with renewed stay-at-home orders, said a statement by the grocery retailer, which also noted…

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TTC appointing first chief diversity and culture officer

Keisha Campbell is now serving as the Toronto Transit Commission’s first chief diversity and culture officer, a new executive role created to address systemic issues…

  • By: Staff
  • April 13, 2021 April 13, 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 plan 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 12, 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…

Assessing the 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…

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Drug-plan costs are increasing for plan sponsors, but experts differ on why

While drug-plan costs are increasing for plan sponsors, the causes for these increases may depend on which part of Canada a plan sponsor resides in,…

Using nutrition, health coaching to help plan members with diabetes

When People Corp. started looking into reducing its claims numbers related to chronic disease, it decided to tackle what Judith Plotkin, vice-president of health and…