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How a Montreal tech company is helping staff stay active amid pandemic

Employers are turning to virtual health care offerings to support employees’ physical wellness amid the ongoing pandemic. Since Alithya, a Montreal-based technology company, launched a wellness portal last July, a virtual fitness program has become one of the most utilized benefits offerings, says Catherine Bourque, its vice-president of human capital. The program — which allows employees to […]

  • February 3, 2022 February 2, 2022
  • 09:00

2021 IIC coverage: The impact of climate change on asset valuation

Asset managers that incorporate climate change into their investment processes are increasingly looking beyond commitments to net zero and exploring the impact on asset valuation, said Michelle Dunstan, chief responsibility officer at AllianceBernstein, during a session at the Canadian Investment Review‘s 2021 Investment Innovation Conference. “A changing climate can be described both in terms of […]

  • December 21, 2021 December 17, 2021
  • 07:58

2021 IIC coverage: How OPTrust is designing, implementing an effective ESG strategy

The OPSEU Pension Trust is shifting toward responsible investing as environmental, social and governance factors become increasingly more material to returns for institutional investors. “We’re seeing a lot of shifting sands around consumer preferences and expectations,” said Alison Loat, managing director of sustainable investing and innovation at OPTrust, during a session at the Canadian Investment Review‘s […]

  • December 21, 2021 December 21, 2021
  • 07:54

2021 IIC coverage: Unlocking investment innovation in Canada’s Indigenous communities

Institutional investors can play a role in reconciliation efforts by embracing the growth opportunities presented by Canada’s Indigenous communities, according to Kevin Thomas, chief executive officer of the Shareholder Association for Research and Education. Joined by Mark Sevestre, senior advisor and founding member of the National Aboriginal Trust Officers Association, during a session at the […]

  • December 21, 2021 December 17, 2021
  • 07:52

2021 IIC coverage: CBC Pension Plan monitoring, refining LDI strategy

With interest rates trending downward over several decades, liability-driven investing has proven to be a successful strategy for the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. Pension Plan. The maturity of the plan — which currently sits at $8 billion and has an active membership of 38 per cent — drove many of the decisions around adopting the LDI […]

  • December 21, 2021 December 17, 2021
  • 07:50

How employers can solve the inflation puzzle amid war for talent

As inflation hits a record high in Canada, employers are helping workers weather the storm through various benefits and compensation offerings, according to several experts. In October, the Canadian inflation rate increased year over year by a record 4.7 per cent, the largest increase since February 2003, according to Statistics Canada. The Bank of Canada […]

  • December 2, 2021 December 1, 2021
  • 09:00

Q&A with Purolator’s Anna Manocchio

Purolator Inc.’s senior director of total rewards and human resources technology talks mental-health leadership, return to the workplace and the benefits of time outdoors. Q: What top challenges do you face in your role? A: We have a very large workforce with different demographics and needs, so it’s really about continuing to evaluate whether our […]

  • November 19, 2021 December 13, 2021
  • 08:49

Scotiabank increasing mental-health coverage, providing leadership training

Scotiabank is increasing its focus on mental health through expanded benefits coverage and additional training for employees in leadership roles. Beginning April 1, 2022, all eligible employees and dependants will have $10,000 — up from a previous limit of $3,000 — in mental well-being services as part of their core coverage, including access to clinical counsellors, internet-based […]

  • November 18, 2021 November 18, 2021
  • 09:00

2021 GIC coverage: How institutional investors can use fixed income amid low yields

Despite the low-yield environment, fixed income continues to play an important role for institutional investors looking to make their portfolios work harder in a risk-controlled fashion, said Jeffrey Moore, a portfolio manager at Fidelity Investments Inc., during a session at the Canadian Investment Review’s 2021 Global Investment Conference. “For the bond market to hurt, there needs […]

  • November 9, 2021 November 8, 2021
  • 07:55

Award finalists discuss mental health, enhanced communications amid pandemic

More than 19 months into the coronavirus pandemic, employers are focusing on enhanced mental-health offerings and streamlined communications for their benefits and pension plans. During a virtual roundtable on Oct. 14, the 2021 Workplace Benefits Awards finalists discussed the changes brought about by the pandemic and how they’ve adapted their benefits and pensions offerings, while looking […]

  • November 1, 2021 October 29, 2021
  • 09:00