An article on proposed changes to preferred pharmacy networks outlined in the Ontario government’s fall economic statement 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. Ontario taking steps to end preferred pharmacy networks, introducing VPLA framework 2. […]
In its 2025 budget, the federal government announced several initiatives to incentivize institutional investors to back domestic infrastructure and business ventures. The budget proposed $1 billion on a cash basis over three years, starting in 2026-27, for the Business Development Bank of Canada to launch a venture and growth capital catalyst initiative, a fund-of-funds that […]
In its 2025 budget, the federal government announced several initiatives to incentivize institutional investors to back domestic infrastructure and business ventures. The budget proposed $1 billion on a cash basis over three years, starting in 2026, for the Business Development Bank of Canada to launch a venture and growth capital catalyst initiative, a fund-of-funds that […]
An article announcing the finalists of the 2025 Workplace Benefits Awards 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. Who are the finalists of the 2025 Workplace Benefits Awards? 2. Employee’s termination following mental-health leave not discriminatory: […]
In its pre-budget submission to the federal government, the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association highlighted variable payment life annuities, automatic features in pension plans, pharmacare and virtual health care as areas that require attention. While the CLHIA said it supports the concept of VPLAs as a decumulation solution for defined contribution plan members, it […]
A potential federal mandate for Canadian pension funds to increase their domestic investments could end up harming the very people the pension system is set up to protect, according to a new study by the Global Risk Institute. The paper examined the potential effect of official legislation that pushes for increased investments in domestic markets, […]
The federal government’s promise to encourage Canadian institutional investors to invest more domestically is taking shape with two key initiatives found in the 2024 budget. The first involves the creation of a working group led by Stephen Poloz, former Governor of the Bank of Canada, to explore domestic opportunities for Canadian institutional investors in various […]
In its 2023 budget, the federal government announced plans to require that federally regulated pension plan sponsors disclose their cryptocurrency asset exposure to the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions. The government has yet to announce how the pension disclosure requirements will be implemented. “Just how these guidelines will affect standards of governance or regulatory […]
A watchdog organization is criticizing a government fund dedicated to attracting investments in green technologies. “The government seems to be saying this is concessional finance,” says Adam Scott, executive director of Shift Action for Pension Wealth and Planet Health. “The goal [of the Canada Growth Fund] is to put the first money into higher risk investments […]
An article on a 2023 budget proposal to require employers to report dental coverage as part of the national dental-care program was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com over the last week. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. Enhanced national dental plan to require reporting of employer-provided coverage: budget 2. CAAT raising DBplus […]