The number of Canadians who are active members of a registered pension plan is increasing, according to a new report by Statistics Canada. It found between 2022 and 2023, overall pension plan membership grew by 4.2 per cent to more than 7.2 million members. During the same period, the number of women enrolled in registered […]
The implementation of variable payment life annuities in Quebec will support employee financial well-being and retirement readiness, while providing a model for other Canadian jurisdictions, says Louis-Bernard Désilets, an associate at Normandin Beaudry. “Currently, there’s approximately $1.5 trillion in retirement savings accumulated in [registered retirement savings plans] and [defined contribution] plans in Canada, with likely […]
Three years ago, I wrote an editorial for our inaugural DEI Issue heralding the overdue and rising attention that was being bestowed on diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace — but in such a short period of time, the tide is already turning. The rhetoric demonizing DEI began to gain momentum after a ruling […]
It’s a generally recognized fact that institutional investors in the Nordic region pioneered the approach to sustainable investing, including incorporating environmental, social and governance factors. Sweden’s large public pension funds — AP1, AP2, AP3, AP4, AP6 and AP7 — are regulated by a law introduced in the early 2000s stipulating that sustainability needs to be […]
Defined contribution pension plan sponsors are navigating the demands of a strict asset allocation guideline in accordance with Islam by incorporating Sharia-compliant funds into their plans’ investment lineups. One reason is the increasingly diverse makeup of the Canadian workforce. According to Statis-tics Canada, the country’s Muslim population doubled between 2001 and 2021, from two per […]
A column by Hub International’s Ken MacDonald on his recent health-care journey was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com this past week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the last week: 1. Expert panel: From burnout to brain tumour and back 2. Amazon supporting new Canadians with legal benefits […]
Scotiabank is appointing Jason Traetto as vice-president of global pensions and benefits. In the new role, he’ll lead the bank’s commitment to the total well-being of employees and their families while providing inclusive benefits to attract and motivate talent, according to a Scotiabank spokesperson. Read more People Watch news. Prior to joining Scotiabank, Traetto was associate vice-president […]
An article on how pension plan sponsors can manage risk amid economic and geopolitical instability was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com this past week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the last week: 1. Expert panel: Risk management tips during economic, geopolitical uncertainty 2. Institutional investors reconsidering ESG […]
Canpotex Ltd. is supporting employee financial wellness with its new first home savings account. The FHSA, introduced in the federal government’s 2023 budget, allows Canadians to accumulate tax-free savings, within certain limits, towards the purchase of a first property. The Saskatchewan-based potash exporter recently added the savings option for its 157 Canadian employees following discussions […]
The Association of Canadian Pension Management is calling on the Alberta government to modernize its provincial pension legislation and align its laws with other Canadian jurisdictions in terms of funding rules, innovation, administration and reducing red tape. In an open letter to Alberta Finance Minister Nate Horner, the ACPM outlined several proposed legislative changes, based […]