U.S. employer health-care costs are projected to climb 9.5 per cent in 2026, pushing average plan costs above US$17,000 per employee, according to a new report by Aon. The report draws on the firm’s health value initiative database, which tracks plan costs and designs for more than 1,000 employers covering 7.7 million employees and US$120 […]
The federal government is investing $29.9 million in the Service Employees International Union Healthcare’s retirement savings program to strengthen retirement security for Canada’s homecare workers. The funding, announced earlier this month by SEIU Healthcare and Common Wealth alongside Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu, will provide more than 5,000 personal support workers and other […]
The global real estate arm of the Ontario Municipal Employees’ Retirement System is breaking ground in a purpose-built rental project located in Scarborough, Ont. As part of the project’s development, Oxford Properties Group received a $650 million rental housing construction loan through the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s apartment construction loan program. The development will […]
At Metrolinx, diversity, equity and inclusion are more than just initiatives, they’re woven into the fabric of how the Ontario transportation agency operates. “We know that fostering an inclusive culture isn’t a one-time effort, it’s an ongoing commitment that requires action, accountability and continuous learning,” says Ramneet Aujla, the organization’s chief human resources officer. “And […]
At the Marriott Pinnacle Downtown on May 13, Benefits Canada hosted the 2025 Vancouver Benefits Summit, an event designed for B.C.-based employers, advisors and consultants. Across several insightful sessions, the event’s attendees learned about what matters most to their employees and overall workforce health, including holistic well-being programs, fertility benefits, pharmacy care, hormonal health and […]
SPONSORED CONTENT Community pharmacies are becoming centres of timely, accessible health care with a growing number of health services as pharmacists’ scope of practice increases, something benefits plan sponsors can consider to improve health outcomes for employees. Ninety-five per cent of Canadians live within five to 10 kilometres of a community pharmacy, giving them another […]
Three-quarters (75 per cent) of women say they want or need benefits that specifically support women’s health, including services for fertility and menopause, according to a new survey by RBC Insurance. The survey, which polled 1,000 working Canadians between the ages of 18 and 65, also found women were more likely than men to report […]
Chronic disease rates are rising and cases are becoming more complex, with a higher share of plan members experiencing multiple co-morbidities. This growing trend necessitates an approach to chronic disease management that promotes self-management and healthy lifestyle choices, as well as helps plan members better navigate the health-care landscape, said Jeffery Chan, assistant vice-president of […]
Obesity is one of the most misunderstood diseases, with stigma and judgement contributing to the misconceptions, said Lisa Schaffer, executive director at Obesity Canada, during a session supported by Eli Lilly Canada at Benefits Canada’s 2025 Chronic Disease at Work conference. Obesity is associated with more than 200 chronic illnesses and nearly one in three […]
It took five years for Crystal Burke to put a name to the symptoms that haunted her. Heart palpitations. Insomnia so severe she slept only two to four hours a night. A newfound struggle to make decisions in her job as a nurse. Confusion when dealing with statistics, which she used to handle with ease. […]