In the early days of 2020, no one could have foreseen the social and economic havoc the coronavirus pandemic would wreak on the world. Nearly two years later, as markets and economies continue to recover, Canadian pension plan sponsors are looking to their money managers to help light the way to a brighter financial future. […]
As much as institutional investors fear stock market bubbles, they have an important role to play. The flooding of capital into new technologies and innovations leading up to a bubble’s bursting fuels innovation — an area that most corporations do not invest enough in, said Randall Morck, a finance professor at the University of Alberta, […]
A Toronto-based seafood market is using its benefits and compensation offerings to engage employees in an industry hit particularly hard by the coronavirus pandemic. David Owen, owner of De La Mer, recently introduced a profit-sharing plan and health benefits for employees of his four stores. While the pandemic delayed the launch of these programs by […]
While a re-elected Liberal government may introduce some measures to protect private pension plan members, it’s unlikely to pursue super-priority similar to what was proposed by the Conservative Party and the New Democratic Party on the federal election trail, according to a pension lawyer. “I think that there may be some measures to address the […]
Toronto-based technology firm Uberflip is shaping its company culture by giving back to worthwhile causes. “When you give people an opportunity to be charitable, they’re almost grateful for that,” says Randy Frisch, president and co-founder of Uberflip. “They want those opportunities, but they don’t always know where to start. When they’re part of a business […]
With bond returns tied to interest rates, it’s no surprise Canadian pension funds are increasingly seeking other ways to boost fixed income yields. Canadian interest rates have been trending downward for the last 30 years, from a high of 10.3 per cent in 1990 to around 1.75 per cent in early 2020, according to the […]
A majority of Canadian employees want minimal commuting and flexible work arrangements post-coronavirus pandemic, according to a new survey by Angus Reid on behalf of IWG. Two-thirds (68 per cent) of respondents said they want their commute to be no longer than 30 minutes each way, with 31 per cent preferring a commute of no […]
While solvency funding relief helped Canada’s pension funds withstand the turbulence of 2020, a long-term vision with an eye to a more robust funding framework would offer better support, according to pensions experts. Responding to the crisis, the federal government launched a consultation last fall on measures to alleviate pension solvency funding requirements for defined […]
The union representing General Motors of Canada Co. employees in Ontario has ratified a new agreement for workers at a plant in Ingersoll that removes changes to a legacy defined benefit plan as part of ongoing pension discussions. The deal, based on the recent three-year agreement with GM for workers in Oshawa, St. Catharines and Woodstock, […]