While pension plan administrators know about their plan members’ employment history and salaries, they may not expect to learn much about their personal lives, including how often they text their spouse or whether they have family dinners every night. However, in most jurisdictions, the spouse of a defined benefit plan member is entitled to a joint […]
The Toronto Transit Commission is ending its mandatory coronavirus vaccination requirement for workers and offering to reinstate employees who were terminated as a result of the policy without back pay. The transit agency said the mandate — introduced in September 2021 — will be lifted Nov. 27, though it’s continuing to encourage employees to stay […]
A new report from the C.D. Howe Institute says pension plan fiduciaries shouldn’t ignore climate change and other environmental, social, and governance factors that are relevant to financial purposes. However, when plan fiduciaries use ESG factors to prioritize social or environmental concerns, such as those expressed by plan members, they put themselves on shaky legal […]
The City of Toronto is lifting its coronavirus vaccination mandate for employees, effective Dec. 1. According to a press release, the mandate, which was introduced in September 2021, is ending due to more than 99 per cent of City employees and more than 90 per cent of the public having at least two doses of […]
An article about an open letter that highlighted how proposed amendments to the federal Bankruptcy and Insolvency Act could have a positive impact on defined benefit plan members was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com over the last week. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. Amendments to insolvency legislation would secure DB pensions, […]
Apple Inc. is withholding its latest employee benefits from workers at one of its unionized retail stores. The technology giant is set to provide employees with more funds to pursue coursework and, in some states, employees will be able to access new health benefits, according to a report by Bloomberg, which cited people familiar with the matter. […]
The Saskatchewan Court of King’s Bench has held the Saskatchewan Indian Gaming Authority liable for more than $1.2 million in long-term disability benefits owed to a former employee whose benefits were cut off when he was fired and became permanently disabled during the notice period. “This case illustrates the massive risk that an employer takes […]
Increasingly, defined contribution plan sponsors are grappling with adding environmental, social and governance investing options to their plans as a growing number of members ask for them, but the legal landscape for ESG investing is complicated, according to Kathy Bush, partner at Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP, during Benefits Canada’s 2022 DC Investment Forum in late […]
An article on Ontario’s incoming electronic monitoring policy was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com over the last week. Here are the five most popular news stories of the week: 1. Ontario’s electronic monitoring policy ensures employer transparency: lawyer 2. Expert panel: How employers, employees can mitigate workplace microaggressions 3. Majority of plan sponsors, plan members view their health benefits […]
By requiring employers to have a written policy on the electronic monitoring of their employees, the Ontario government is aiming to increase employer transparency, says Andy Pushalik, partner and head of the employment and labour group at Dentons Canada LLP. “With so many employees now working from home, [the government] felt there was a requirement that […]