With coronavirus cases starting to peak in some Canadian provinces, employers are likely beginning to prepare for a return to work once lockdown restrictions eventually ease. But work won’t be the same as it was before the pandemic, according to human resources experts speaking in a webinar hosted by the Ivey Business School on Friday. Val Duffey, an […]
The University of Toronto Asset Management Corp. has earned a 13 per cent return on its pension portfolio for 2019, and a 12.9 per cent return on its endowment portfolio, net of all fees and expenses. While the 2019 results were strong, and beat the university’s target return of 6.2 per cent, they lagged the […]
The Nova Scotia Teachers’ Pension Plan is bracing for the effect of the coronavirus pandemic on its assets as it reported a 78.2 per cent funded status on a going-concern basis — up from 75.3 per cent at the end of 2018 — and a $1.497-million deficit in its 2019 annual results. “While the plan remains […]
Retraite Quebec is implementing two temporary easing measures to help supplemental pension plan administrators during the coronavirus outbreak. The measures involve extending deadlines for certain regulatory and legal obligations, as well as an update to the degree of solvency that must be taken into account for transfers and refunds under defined benefit pension plans. Deadlines for […]
North American employers are attempting to strike a balance between supporting employees and reducing costs during the coronavirus pandemic, according to a new survey by Aon. The survey, which polled more than 1,400 North American companies, found 70 per cent said they’re giving their working parents additional flexibility around their schedules, while 57 per cent said they’re […]
The federal government has introduced a special calculator to further encourage employers to re-hire workers using the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy. The calculator is on the Canada Revenue Agency’s Canada Emergency Response Benefit website, which also includes information for employers about who can apply for subsidy, how to access it and how it’s calculated. It includes a printable […]
With crude oil futures contracts crashing through the floor into negative territory at the beginning of the week, what opportunities are opening up for institutional investors? Panic set in on commodity trading floors on Monday because physical storage options for oil were filling up fast, with much less demand for petrol from consumers due to […]
BMO Financial Group is highlighting a number of its health supports for employees during the coronavirus pandemic. The bank is hosting conference calls with physicians and mental-health professionals, which are recorded so employees can listen to them later on-demand. So far, 15,000 employees have participated, says Karen Collins, the bank’s chief talent officer. “It’s really […]
Alberta Blue Cross, Green Shield Canada, iA Financial Group and Medavie Blue Cross are the latest insurers to reduce benefits plan premiums during the coronavirus pandemic. For Alberta Blue Cross’ group plans, the changes include a 50 per cent reduction to dental benefits premiums, a 25 per cent reduction to vision care premiums and a 25 per cent […]
The Royal Bank of Canada is expanding its partnership with telemedicine platform Wello to give Canadian businesses and their employees access to virtual health care during the coronavirus pandemic. Through Wello’s platform, RBC’s plan sponsor clients and their employees will have access to health resources including prescription and medical referrals, consultations for chronic health conditions, mental-health […]