HOME AWARD CATEGORY DESCRIPTIONS FAQS PAST WINNERS MEET THE JUDGES Past winners 2023 Award Finalists ( ★ indicates winners)Absence Management Program -BDO Canada LLP -Lululemon ★ -TMX Group Benefits Plan Communications -CIBC Mellon -Community Savings Credit Union -Lululemon ★ -Schneider Electric DEI Program -1Password -BNP Paribas ★ -Fidelity Canada -TMX Group Financial Wellness Program -Air […]

OSFI launching consultation on climate change risks to pensions, financial institutions

Unique natural events caused by the effects of climate change need to be considered in a financial organization’s risk analysis, according to a new report by the Canadian Institute of Actuaries. The report examined work and recommendations of the task force on climate-related financial disclosures on climate risk frameworks for the Canadian financial sector. It […]

When considering whether to cover Wegovy, an obesity medication, it’s important for plan sponsors to weigh increased short-term costs with long-term savings, while considering alternative treatments that are also available, says Philippe Laplante, a principal at Eckler Ltd. Plan sponsors that decide to cover Wegovy, which launched in Canada last month, could see a significant cost […]

The use of obesity medications among Canadian employer-sponsored benefits plan members has grown substantially, with claims increasing 42 per cent in 2023 and roughly 92 per cent since 2020, according to a new report by Manulife Financial Corp. The report, based on aggregate claims data, found more women are using obesity drugs than men (79 […]

OVERVIEW AGENDA SPEAKERS LOCATION Speaker Pascal Bernier, portfolio manager of strategic asset allocation, Desjardins Global Asset Management As a portfolio manager, Pascal Bernier is responsible for implementing and monitoring strategic asset allocations for plan sponsor clients and investment mandates using various asset classes. Bernier has worked as an actuary and investment specialist for the past […]

Manulife Financial Corp.’s latest financial stress survey found two-thirds (64 per cent) of employees aged 55 and younger and 50 per cent of workers aged 55 and older are seeking more financial advice from their employer, said Marc-Antoine Morin, the organization’s assistant vice-president of product development for group retirement solutions, during a session at Benefits […]

OVERVIEW AGENDA SPEAKERS LOCATION SPONSOR INFORMATION POST EVENT COVERAGE Sponsor Profiles AON Aon (NYSE: AON) exists to shape decisions for the better — to protect and enrich the lives of people around the world. Through actionable analytic insight, globally integrated Risk Capital and Human Capital expertise, and locally relevant solutions, our colleagues in over 120 […]

Copyright_irinkavasilinka_123RF

As more insurers turn to preferred pharmacy networks to decrease costs, their efforts are being met with some resistance by plan members who may be finding it difficult and inconvenient to switch pharmacy providers. In January, Manulife Financial Corp.’s move to a preferred pharmacy network with Loblaw Cos. Ltd.’s Shoppers Drug Mart was met with […]

While there are multiple opportunities for the use of artificial intelligence in the employee benefits space — including making the claims process more efficient and personalizing the plan member experience — one of the biggest advantages of the technology is the ability to streamline administrative tasks, allowing employees to focus on more value-added work in […]

A growing wave of opposition to environmental, social and governance factors has turned life in the sustainable finance industry into something of a roller coaster over the last couple of years. But a little turbulence is to be expected, says Alyson Slater, managing director of sustainable investment at Manulife Investment Management, encouraging institutional investors to […]