Latest news in Governance/legislation

New paper calls for linking DB pension solvency minimums to plan member age

A new white paper published by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries is proposing new rules during defined benefit plan windups, requiring higher solvency ratios for members…

Top 5 HR, pension and benefits stories of the week

The federal election is top of mind for many these days, so it’s no surprise Benefits Canada‘s most-read story over the past seven days was…

  • By: Staff
  • September 24, 2021 September 24, 2021
  • 09:00

Liberals unlikely to pursue super-priority for pension plan members: expert

While a re-elected Liberal government may introduce some measures to protect private pension plan members, it’s unlikely to pursue super-priority similar to what was proposed…

  • By: Blake Wolfe
  • September 24, 2021 September 28, 2021
  • 09:00

ACPM calling on OSFI to address funding asymmetry in DB pension regulation

The Association of Canadian Pension Management is calling on the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions to address funding asymmetry in its approach to…

  • By: Staff
  • September 21, 2021 September 21, 2021
  • 09:00

How will federal election platforms impact HR, benefits and pensions?

As Canadians head to the polls today, Benefits Canada takes a look at how the federal parties’ campaign promises could impact the human resources, benefits…

  • By: Staff
  • September 20, 2021 September 17, 2021
  • 09:00

Women in Canada’s benefits, pension industries discuss gender equity, reversing pandemic-fueled ‘she-cession’

Early in Shannan Corey’s pension career, many of the boards she worked with were dominated by men over the age of 50. Corey, now executive…

UPP building on jointly governed pension model with a pandemic launch

When the University Pension Plan officially launched in July 2021, it did so with Barbara Zvan as its inaugural president and chief executive officer. Fresh…

How Poland’s new DC program was designed using behavioural science

Like many other countries around the world, Poland’s aging population is increasingly highlighting the topic of retirement savings. “Each year, the number of pensioners increase…

  • By: Blake Wolfe
  • September 17, 2021 September 16, 2021
  • 08:53
Institutional investors agree profits can’t be top concern for companies: survey

Ontario Teachers’ abstains from vote to re-elect female board member

To push for greater female representation on a corporate board, the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan withheld its support for the re-election of a female board…

DC pension members prioritizing remuneration, ESG resolutions: survey

Governance-related resolutions are receiving more overall votes from defined contribution pension plan members, but environmental issues are more engaging on a vote-per-measure basis, according to…

  • By: Staff
  • September 14, 2021 September 14, 2021
  • 12:00
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AIMCo, Alberta Teachers’ investment agreement aligning interests of both organizations

The Alberta Teachers’ Retirement Fund said its new agreement with the Alberta Investment Management Corp. is aligning the best interests of both organizations, following several…

  • By: Staff
  • September 14, 2021 September 14, 2021
  • 12:00
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Liberals promising to protect employers mandating coronavirus vaccines

Amid the ongoing federal election campaign, the Liberal Party is promising to table legislation that would allow employers to request proof of a coronavirus vaccination…

  • By: Staff
  • September 9, 2021 September 9, 2021
  • 15:00
Alberta Teachers’ Association set to legally challenge pension order

AIMCo, Alberta Teachers’ sign investment management agreement

The Alberta Investment Management Corp. has reached an investment management agreement with the Alberta Teachers’ Retirement Fund Board following a protracted period of negotiation. The…

  • By: Staff
  • September 9, 2021 September 9, 2021
  • 09:30

Chicago police pension fund accused of mismanaging funds by outside auditor

A report from the Chicago Police Department Pension Board Accountability Group is accusing the management of the Policemen’s Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago of…

  • By: Staff
  • September 7, 2021 September 7, 2021
  • 13:00

Phishing and ransomware risks on the rise for pension funds, says expert

Phishing and ransomware attacks are among the top threats to pension plan sponsors and institutional investors by cyber criminals, according to Jennifer Williams, director of…

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ESG integration hampered by pension plan sponsors, uncertainty around fiduciary duties: research paper

Board and executive-level efforts to integrate environmental, social and governance issues into pension plans’ investment strategies are frequently thwarted by unclear guidance from plan sponsors…

  • By: Staff
  • September 2, 2021 September 2, 2021
  • 09:00

Canada ahead of U.S. in regulating ESG investments but more required: report

Broad support for regulating environmental, social and governance-themed investments in Canada has left the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission playing catch-up with its northern neighbour,…

Conservatives promise gig workers access to CPP, EI; Liberals look to raise GIS, lower retirement age

The Conservative Party is promising to create tax-free savings accounts that provide gig workers with access to the Canada Pension Plan and employment insurance benefits. While…

July consumer price index hits 3.7 per cent: StatCan

Canada’s consumer price index rose by more than half a per cent in July, reaching 3.7 per cent on a year-over-year basis, according to Statistics…

  • By: Staff
  • August 26, 2021 August 26, 2021
  • 11:00
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Conservatives, NDP pension promises include super-priority for members

As part of the federal Conservative Party’s platform for the coming election, Leader Erin O’Toole is proposing a plan to secure pensions for Canadian workers.…

  • By: Staff
  • August 25, 2021 August 25, 2021
  • 09:00
NL’s College of Physicians and Surgeons latest employer to join DBplus pension

NL Supreme Court rules for pension member super-priority for normal costs in bankruptcies

Pension plan members have super-priority when it comes to normal costs but not to special costs owed to bankrupted plans, the Supreme Court of Newfoundland…

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FSRA seeking input on draft guidance for communication of pension enforcement actions

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario is seeking feedback on proposed guidance detailing how and when it publishes information about enforcement proceedings and investigations,…

  • By: Staff
  • August 13, 2021 August 12, 2021
  • 09:05

Court of appeal decision highlights importance of clear pension communications

A recent Saskatchewan Court of Appeal decision illustrates the importance of clear communications from pension administrators seeking to avoid liability from lawsuits by claimants alleging…

Caisse, CPPIB not addressing scale of climate crisis in investments: think tank

The Caisse de Dépôt et Placement du Québec and the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board’s investments “do not reflect the action needed to address the scale…

NL’s College of Physicians and Surgeons latest employer to join DBplus pension

Newfoundland and Labrador granting MEPPs permanent solvency funding exemption

The government of Newfoundland and Labrador is amending funding rules for the province’s multi-employer pension plans. The amendments include a permanent exemption from solvency funding…