The growing adoption of prohibitions against demanding sick notes to substantiate short-term absences, related to the health of employees or their immediate families, is among the emerging trends that are challenging employers in 2026. In November, British Columbia joined Saskatchewan, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador in imposing […]
The Quebec government has adopted regulations allowing defined contribution pension plans and voluntary retirement savings plans to offer variable payment life annuities. The regulatory changes establish the framework under which DC plans and voluntary retirement savings plans may offer the lifetime income option, including conditions related to plan design, valuation and administration. The move follows […]
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 […]
An article on an Ontario Superior Court decision on the use of enforceable termination clauses in employment contracts was the most-read human resources story on BenefitsCanada.com this year. Here are the top 10 HR stories of 2025: 1. Ontario court rules employer’s termination clause enforceable due to clear language, entitlements 2. Quebec employment legislation introducing […]
As new pay transparency legislation comes into effect in British Columbia and Ontario, it’s important for small- and medium-sized employers to ensure they’re complying with provincial, territorial and federal regulations, says Mohamed Basma, general manager for small business services at ADP Canada. “This is pressing now more than ever as remote work is so much […]
Ontario’s signal that it may restrict or eliminate preferred pharmacy networks has created urgency for plan sponsors that rely on these arrangements to manage drug plan costs and access. Preferred pharmacy networks have been used in private drug plans for more than a decade. A PPN is a group of pharmacies selected because they offer […]
Quebec’s finance minister presented an economic update on Tuesday that offered modest savings to taxpayers, as he painted an optimistic picture of the province’s finances heading into an election year. Eric Girard’s update includes decreases to payroll deductions for the provincial pension plan and parental insurance. The reductions, along with adjustments to how personal income […]
The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and Investissement Québec are each acquiring a minority stake in Quebec-based steelmaker the Honco Group. The transaction consolidates the company’s Quebec-based ownership while accelerating its Canadian and international expansion, according to a press release. “This milestone marks an important step in our approach to value creation and […]
The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is granting operational management of its office buildings in Quebec to real estate services firm Canderel. This partnership is designed preserve the style and character of Quebec buildings that belong to the investment organization. The move will allow the Caisse to focus entirely on its investment operations, […]
The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board is acquiring a 13 per cent indirect equity interest in natural gas firm Sempra Infrastructure Partners for roughly US$3 billion alongside affiliates of KKR & Co. Inc. The transaction for a stake in the energy infrastructure firm is expected to close during the second quarter and third quarter of […]