federal government – Benefits Canada.com

Where do Canadian institutional investors stand on calls for increased domestic investments?

bmcgovern — Thu, 04 Apr 2024 13:00:53 +0000

A renewed call for increased domestic investments by Canadian pension plans isn’t surprising amid an ongoing discussion around the role of investment organizations in supporting the economy, says Malcolm Hamilton, a senior fellow at the C.D. Howe Institute. “I think it’s very natural for Canadian businesses . . . [that] focus on the Canadian economy, not […]

The post Where do Canadian institutional investors stand on calls for increased domestic investments? appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

Federal tax for mental-health care a barrier for many Canadians: psychotherapist

bwolfe — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 20:00:42 +0000

The head of a group that represents psychotherapists and counsellors says Ottawa’s plan to lift federal taxes on those services is a good start to addressing barriers to mental-health support, but many people still can’t afford to pay for care that should be publicly funded. Carrie Foster, a couples and family therapist and president of […]

The post Federal tax for mental-health care a barrier for many Canadians: psychotherapist appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

Removal of ‘30% rule’ could boost investment, reduce private equity fees for Canadian pension funds

bmcgovern — Thu, 23 Nov 2023 16:00:40 +0000

If the federal government scraps its rule restricting Canadian pension funds from holding more than 30 per cent of the voting shares of investee corporations, pension plan sponsors and other investment organizations could increase their holdings in high-performing assets, have greater oversight and accountability of their assets and see a decrease in fees for private equity, according […]

The post Removal of ‘30% rule’ could boost investment, reduce private equity fees for Canadian pension funds appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

Feds consider end of ‘30% rule’ for pensions, propose EI adoption benefit: fall economic statement

bwolfe — Wed, 22 Nov 2023 14:00:47 +0000

In its 2023 fall economic statement, the federal government said it will consider removing the rule that restricts Canadian pension funds from holding more than 30 per cent of the voting shares of most corporations. The move is part of an effort “to create an environment that encourages and identifies more opportunities for investments in […]

The post Feds consider end of ‘30% rule’ for pensions, propose EI adoption benefit: fall economic statement appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

2023 Risk Management Conference: Canada’s ongoing housing crisis may spur regime change in next federal election

lbailey — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 12:00:41 +0000

Canadians could see a regime change in the next federal election if the current housing crisis holds tight, according to Chantal Hébert, political commentator, journalist, columnist and author, during the keynote session at the Canadian Investment Review’s 2023 Risk Management Conference. While health care and inflation are major concerns for Canadians, the one issue that keeps coming to the forefront […]

The post 2023 Risk Management Conference: Canada’s ongoing housing crisis may spur regime change in next federal election appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

New federal legislation around missing pension plan members should include ongoing plans: ACPM

Jennifer Paterson — Tue, 01 Aug 2023 19:00:24 +0000

In response to the federal government’s consultation on draft amendments to pension legislation pertaining to the transfer of unclaimed benefits for missing plan members, the Association of Canadian Pension Management is suggesting the legislation include a condition to allow the transfer of assets in the case of an ongoing pension plan in addition to closed plans. […]

The post New federal legislation around missing pension plan members should include ongoing plans: ACPM appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

Feds consulting on draft amendments to pension legislation for transfer of missing members’ benefits

lbailey — Fri, 30 Jun 2023 19:00:44 +0000

The federal government is launching a consultation on draft amendments to pension legislation pertaining to the transfer of unclaimed benefits for missing plan members. Under the Pensions Benefits Standards Act, plan administrators can transfer pension assets of missing members to a ‘designated entity.’ The draft amendments specify who qualifies as a missing member or beneficiary, as […]

The post Feds consulting on draft amendments to pension legislation for transfer of missing members’ benefits appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

Government advisory group urges Canada to develop sustainable finance taxonomy

Gideon Scanlon — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 17:00:47 +0000

A new report is calling on Canada to develop a sustainable finance taxonomy in order for it to reach its carbon emissions targets. “Many countries have developed, or are in the process of developing, taxonomies as a foundational tool within a broader policy framework to help mobilize and accelerate the deployment of capital to combat […]

The post Government advisory group urges Canada to develop sustainable finance taxonomy appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

Federal government seeks to launch national dental care in December

bwolfe — Thu, 15 Sep 2022 13:00:58 +0000

The federal government is aiming to launch the first phase of its national dental-care program on Dec. 1. The program, which will provide dental care for uninsured households earning less than $90,000 annually, will initially provide coverage of up to $650 per year for children aged 12 and younger, according to a press release. The […]

The post Federal government seeks to launch national dental care in December appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.

Expert panel: How national dental care could impact group benefits plans

bwolfe — Thu, 11 Aug 2022 13:00:01 +0000

While the 2022 federal budget proposed funding for national dental care, the plan, as currently understood, lacks universality, would disrupt existing public and private dental care and threatens single-tier health care. According to a recent article in the Harm Reduction Journal, thousands of Canadians needlessly suffer from largely preventable oral conditions, mostly tooth decay and […]

The post Expert panel: How national dental care could impact group benefits plans appeared first on Benefits Canada.com.