An article on the federal government’s official rebuttal to a 2023 report that argued Alberta is entitled to more than half the assets of the Canada Pension Plan was the most-read pension story on BenefitsCanada.com this year. Here are the top 10 pension stories of 2025: 1. Feds’ report dismisses Alberta’s CPP entitlement, offers formula […]
When a plan sponsor was seeing musculoskeletal issues come up in disability claims, it wanted to figure out if it could do more to support employees, according to Tamara Harduwar (pictured right), Manulife Canada’s director of health insights and outcomes for group benefits. During a session at Benefits Canada’s 2025 Healthy Outcomes Conference, she said […]
It was 2023 and Henry Schein Canada was “late to the wellness party,” recalled Faye Gagne (pictured centre), the company’s manager of employee relations and wellness. Post-pandemic, the company’s culture surveys indicated employee stress levels were high, she said, noting she and other senior leaders wanted to reduce disability leave instances and durations, as well […]
Despite the World Health Organization declaring the coronavirus pandemic over in May 2023, the health crisis continues to shape workplaces around the globe. “Before the pandemic, workplaces were more structured and, if something occurred in an employee’s life that meant they couldn’t get into the office, they weren’t working,” says Erin Evans, a benefits and […]
Pratt & Whitney Canada’s holistic approach to employee mental-health support resulted in a win in the Mental Health Program category for employers with more than 1,000 employees at Benefits Canada’s 2025 Workplace Benefits Awards. In November 2020, the organization launched a comprehensive mental-health strategy that can detect employees at risk of health issues and support […]
Admiral Insurance’s comprehensive approach to employee wellness led to a win (tied with one other employer) in the Health/Wellness Program category for employers with fewer than 1,000 employees at Benefits Canada’s 2025 Workplace Benefits Awards. The organization’s health benefits plan includes a personal wellness account that provides $500 annually for employees and their dependants. In […]
The Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan was a winner at Benefits Canada’s 2025 Workplace Benefits Awards for its absence management program, which excels because the organization manages its benefits plan, wellness program and disability support in the same portfolio. According to one judge, the HOOPP’s prevention and return-to-work practices are leading edge because of the […]
While climate change is exacerbating employees’ pre-existing health challenges, workers aren’t always making the link between these health impacts and the support provided in their group benefits plan, says Marie-Chantal Côté, senior vice-president at Sun Life Health. “Employers have a great opportunity to continue to support employees by raising awareness of the supports available. A […]
In both an in-person and virtual format on Sept. 16, the inaugural Toronto Benefits Summit brought together more than 300 employers, consultants, industry providers and other key stakeholders for a full day of exploring trends in the benefits and wellness space. The packed agenda, which was presented to a sold-out room, included panel discussions presenting […]
In response to growing awareness and incidences of anxiety, Ontario-based Symcor Inc. is hosting a webinar this month to help employees recognize and manage the condition. “Based on surveys and reports, we can see anxiety is a very common condition,” says Rachel Wong, the company’s vice-president of total rewards and human resources technology. “[This webinar] […]