A decision by the Bank of Canada to hold its benchmark interest rate steady at 2.75 per cent could magnify the interest of corporate pension funds to pursue de-risking strategies, says Soami Kohly, fixed income portfolio manager at MFS Investment Management. “We’ve seen [institutional investors] that have been de-risking their portfolio — in other words, […]
The idea of Alberta opting out of the Canada Pension Plan isn’t moving ahead — at least for now. Premier Danielle Smith says she won’t be putting the creation of a provincial pension plan to a referendum any time soon. “I’m not seeing that there’s an appetite to put it to the people at the […]
An article on how Canada’s federal election could impact employees’ retirement savings 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. How Canada’s federal election could impact retirement savings 2. How the coronavirus pandemic shifted employees’ retirement planning […]
A federal public sector union representing more than 27,000 members is asking the Public Sector Pension Investment Board to divest any holdings in Tesla Inc. from its $264.9 billion portfolio. In a public statement, the Canadian Association of Professional Employees is calling on PSP Investments and “all pension funds in Canada” to ditch the electric […]
The incoming Canadian Health Act Services Policy could limit benefits plan sponsors’ ability to offer virtual health care, according to experts. The policy, which will come into effect on April 1, 2026, aims to ensure that medically-necessary services are covered by provincial or territorial health-care plans. It establishes criteria and conditions that provinces and territories […]
The British Columbia Investment Management Corp. is overseeing $2 billion on behalf of a not-for-profit organization representing the financial interest of 325 First Nations across Canada. The Four Pillars Society has selected the BCI to oversee an investment mandate established as part of a $2.8 billion settlement fund granted by the Government of Canada for […]
The federal government has put together a $6.5-billion aid package and is making temporary changes to the employment insurance program to support Canadian businesses and workers through the trade war with the U.S. The government is building new flexibility into the employment insurance program to help businesses retain workers by reducing work hours. Read: How […]
The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is introducing a program that will steer investment capital toward Quebec companies launching projects that increase productivity or open up new markets. According to a press release, the financing, which is supplemental to the Caisse’s existing programs, will allow qualifying companies to finance their investment projects without […]
Canadian spending per household trends show the country’s economy is experiencing a recession, said Stephen Poloz, former governor at the Bank of Canada and a special advisor at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, during a session at the Canadian Investment Review’s 2024 Investment Innovation Conference. Consumer spending numbers have declined around two per cent for […]
The global population’s rejection of establishment systems and institutions is resulting in extreme election results following the coronavirus pandemic, said Don Guy, founding partner at GT & Co. Executive Advisors, during a session at the Canadian Investment Review’s 2024 Investment Innovation Conference in November. “During [the pandemic], incumbent governments were being returned. . . . […]