Two-thirds (67 per cent) of Canadian employees say help with forecasting retirement income is the No. 1 way that employers can provide financial support to workers, according to a new survey by Manulife Financial Corp. The survey, which polled more than 1,600 employees, found more than half (57 per cent) of Canadian employees said their […]
While earlier generations of Canadian retirees fared well despite limited financial literacy thanks to simpler pension systems, today’s employees face a more complicated journey through a self-directed financial landscape, according to a new report by the C.D. Howe Institute. It found Canadian employees, especially those in the private sector, are partially left to their own […]
An article on proposed changes to preferred pharmacy networks outlined in the Ontario government’s fall economic statement was the most-read story on BenefitsCanada.com this past week. Here are the top five human resources, benefits, pension and investment stories of the last week: 1. Ontario taking steps to end preferred pharmacy networks, introducing VPLA framework 2. […]
Many women approaching and entering retirement are seeking clearer financial guidance and more supportive environments for financial decision-making, according to a new survey by HomeEquity Bank. It found confidence in financial decision-making tends to increase with age, yet many women continue to encounter barriers rooted in literacy, confidence and cultural expectations. While 63 per cent […]
Improving participation and engagement in pension savings is a constant challenge for the retirement industry, but experts point to more insistent and consistent tactics around member behaviour. Derek Messacar, associate professor of applied economics, Memorial University Programs that offer tax deductions on savings in designated accounts have, for a long time now, been contested as […]
In stock ownership, Scotiabank employees have the combined heft of a large institutional investor: more than 30,000 active members in the bank’s employee share ownership plan own 20 million shares between them — or about 1.5 per cent of the institution’s total outstanding shares. “It’s a flagship benefit we have here,” says Simon Cabral, the […]
The union representing workers at Loblaws Inc.’s distribution centre in Ajax, Ont. have ratified a new five-year collective agreement that includes benefits and wage gains. Employees with 15 or more years of service will now have their top-tier benefits plan fully paid by the employer, eliminating the previous monthly costs of $50 for single coverage […]
In its fall economic statement, the Ontario government said it plans to introduce legislation that would effectively end preferred pharmacy networks in the province. The legislation, based on the province’s findings from two consultations, would enable an ‘any willing provider’ framework — in which any pharmacy willing to match a PPN’s financial terms could join […]
A continued rally in equity markets in the third quarter of 2025 strengthened retirement income outcomes for capital accumulation plan members, according to a new report by Eckler Ltd. Optimism around trade negotiations, a U.S. Federal Reserve rate cut and steady enthusiasm for artificial intelligence supported markets through the period. As a result, the consultancy’s […]
In its 2025 budget, the federal government announced several initiatives to incentivize institutional investors to back domestic infrastructure and business ventures. The budget proposed $1 billion on a cash basis over three years, starting in 2026-27, for the Business Development Bank of Canada to launch a venture and growth capital catalyst initiative, a fund-of-funds that […]