Canadian insurers paid out more than $97 billion in benefits from life and health insurance products in 2020, according to the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association’s annual fact book. The period, which included the first nine months of the coronavirus pandemic, included $420 million paid out for psychology-related claims to support mental health, up 24 […]
If elected, the Conservative Party is promising to help employers prioritize mental health in the workplace. As part of its election platform, the Conservative Party said it will provide employers with a federal tax credit for 25 per cent of the cost of adding mental-health coverage to their employee benefits plans for the first three […]
Ontario is extending a temporary paid sick leave program for workers until the end of this year. Labour Minister Monte McNaughton announced that the coronavirus pandemic program set to expire on Sept. 25 will be extended to Dec. 31, 2021. He said the spread of the more transmissible Delta variant prompted the move, to give more […]
It’s 18 months this week since a global coronavirus pandemic was first declared and employers are applying many hard lessons learned as Canadian organizations and employees stare down further uncertainty wrought by the Delta variant, fourth wave and stagnant vaccination rates. As the country and world looks towards another tumultuous fall and winter, employers are […]
Benefits Canada is pleased to announce the finalists of the 2021 Workplace Benefits Awards. This year’s entry and judging process took place during the second year of the coronavirus pandemic, the annual awards welcomed more than 100 entries highlighting how leading employers are supporting their employees’ physical, mental and financial well-being. In its sophomore year, the awards’ newest category — Coronavirus […]
Air Canada’s recent decision not to offer rapid testing as an alternative for employees who refuse to be vaccinated against the coronavirus sets a tough new precedent that other companies may emulate, experts say. Canada’s largest airline will require all employees to disclose their vaccination status by Oct. 30. Employees who don’t have a valid reason […]
While the withdrawal of provincially-insured eye services by Ontario optometrists is unlikely to have a direct impact on benefits plans, it could cause a “trickle-down effect,” according to Kim Siddall, vice-president of enterprise consulting for the west at People Corporation. “Given that under Ontario law, insurers can’t cover the cost of the eye exams which were […]
More than half (53 per cent) of Canadian job seekers are looking for better pay and benefits, according to a new survey by data intelligence company Morning Consult. While 35 per cent of respondents said they’re switching roles because of the coronavirus pandemic, 87 per cent said they’re either somewhat concerned, concerned or very concerned […]
If elected, the Conservative Party is promising it will encourage employers to add mental-health coverage to their benefits plans by offering a tax credit for 25 per cent of the cost of this additional coverage for the first three years. Meanwhile, the Liberal Party is promising Canadians increased access to free mental-health services through a new […]
Uber Technologies Inc. is revealing more details of a labour model it’s pitching to Canadian provinces and territories, a model that’s drawn opposition from some worker groups. The Flexible Work+ model the San Francisco-based tech giant has pushed since March asks provinces and territories to force Uber and other app-based companies to create a self-directed […]