The current moment is rooted in shifting ideas, characterized by the rise and fall of globalization, said Sean Speer, editor-at-large at the Hub and a practitioner-in-residence and fellow at the Public Policy Forum, in the opening keynote at the Canadian Investment Review’s 2025 Investment Innovation Conference. The stagflation of the 1970s, the elections of Margaret […]
Fading developed markets bilateral aid and U.S. tariff policy is pushing emerging markets debt as an attractive alternative for growing countries, according to Yvette Babb, portfolio manager at William Blair. “Debt levels in emerging markets are, in fact, lower than their advanced country counterparts. . . . Default rates are low, but also recovery rates, […]
After an eventful 2025, there are several developments and trends affecting Canadian defined benefit pension plan sponsors in 2026. Focus on investment strategy Major equity markets performed well in 2025, which was a key driver for another year of improved funded positions for many DB pension plans. Although most pension plans are well funded today, […]
The median solvency ratio among Canadian defined benefit pension plans was 132 per cent as of Dec. 31, 2025, an increase of seven per cent during the year, including three per cent in the final quarter, according to a new report by Mercer Canada. The report, which analyzed more than 470 plan sponsors, found Canadian […]
An article on changes to Newfoundland and Labrador’s employee leave legislation was the most-read benefits story on BenefitsCanada.com this year. Here are the top 10 benefits stories of 2025: 1. What Newfoundland and Labrador-based employers need to know about changes to employee leave legislation 2. How national health-care legislation could impact benefits plan sponsors’ virtual […]
An article on the future of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero and its impact on institutional investors was the most-read investment story on BenefitsCanada.com this year. Here are the top 10 investment stories of 2025: 1. Unraveling of Carney-led GFANZ doesn’t spell end of global climate action: expert 2. Financial markets resilient in […]
After years of strong performance, the long-term outlook for equities is becoming more muted, says August Cruikshanks, an investment consultant in Eckler Ltd.’s pension and benefits consulting practice. Read: Sounding Board: Checking index concentration key for institutional investors as bubble talk persists At the start of 2025, Eckler’s 20-year expected return for Canadian equities was […]
The ongoing retirement surge among baby boomers and the recent push to invest in Canada are creating the perfect conditions for the country to further explore employee ownership trusts and make the relevant legislation permanent, says Elspeth Murray, director of the centre for entrepreneurship, innovation and social impact at Queen’s University’s Smith School of Business. […]
About eight in 10 (79 per cent) U.S.-based institutional investors expect to see a market correction in 2026, according to a new survey by Natixis Investment Managers. These investors gave a 49 per cent probability of taking in a market correction valued between 10 per cent and 20 per cent, with a 20 per cent […]
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 […]