Canada has the highest rate of multiple sclerosis in the world, with an estimated 90,000 to 100,000 people living with the disease. Every day, 12 Canadians are diagnosed, most between ages 20 and 49, striking individuals during their most productive working and family-building years. “MS is the No. 1 cause of non-traumatic disability in those […]
Glioma, the most common malignant brain tumour in young adults under 50 is a devastating disease that often strikes people in their prime working years, said Samaneh Samami, senior medical science liaison at Servier, during Benefits Canada’s Drug Innovations Webinar: A spotlight on brain health. Diagnosis can turn a person’s life upside down, she noted, […]
Health Canada recently approved the first disease-modifying therapy for Alzheimer’s disease, which is a long-awaited milestone that carries significant implications for private drug plans, employers and working Canadians. “Leqembi’s approval is a turning point after two decades of no new treatment options,” said Dr. Sarah Mitchell, cognitive neurologist at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre and director […]
In 2025, many organizations took steps to address an uncertain economy while responding to changing pressures. Looking ahead to 2026, there are some trends and areas of priority that might feel awfully familiar to those of previous years. However, they’re showing up in different ways than in the more recent past. Cost sustainability Many organizations […]
Flexible work arrangements and upskilling have become critical to give employers a competitive edge and allow them to attract and retain top talent, according to Aastha Juneja, head of compensation and benefits at Corus Entertainment, speaking during a panel at Benefits Canada’s 2025 Future of Work Summit. The panel delved into the results of Benefit’s […]
Skip is enhancing its fertility and mental-health coverage, as well as its focus on menopause, to help employees stay engaged and feel supported throughout their careers, says Cailey Brown, the employer’s head of human resources. The delivery service has expanded its fertility coverage from drugs only to include fertility treatment coverage with a $20,000 lifetime […]
Private benefits plan sponsors’ spending on weight-management drugs has quadrupled since 2021, according to a new report by Telus Health. In 2024 alone, the category doubled in size, ranking No. 17 overall by eligible amount (up from No. 29 in 2023). Still, the category’s budget impact remains low. By the end of June 2025, the […]
A new report by the Mental Health Commission of Canada highlights the need for collaboration between the public and private sectors to address system challenges, drive innovation and deliver seamless, equitable mental-health and substance use health services for Canadians, says the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association. The report summarized a series of roundtable discussions […]
A third of employed Canadian professionals plan to look for a new job in the first half of 2026, up from 26 per cent in July 2025, according to a new survey by Robert Half Canada Inc. The survey, which polled more than 1,400 workers and 350 unemployed job-seekers across Canada, found better benefits and […]
While Health Canada’s approval of the first drug to specifically treat postpartum depression represents a clinical milestone in women’s mental health, one benefits expert says its impact on employer-sponsored drug plans is likely to be limited. Zuranolone, sold under the brand name Zurzuvae, is a 14-day oral treatment designed to provide rapid symptom relief for […]