Home Kelsey Rolfe

2022 Mental Health Summit: How health-care employers are supporting employees’ mental health post-pandemic

Working on the frontlines of the coronavirus pandemic day in and day out, health-care workers experienced significant mental-health challenges over the past two and a half years — and while the most acute phases of the pandemic may have passed, the sector is preparing for the psychological fallout. Employers in the sector have responded proactively […]

  • December 9, 2022 December 6, 2022
  • 07:59

2022 Mental Health Summit: The role of digital solutions in accessing mental-health supports

Canada has done a good job at reducing the stigma around discussing and seeking help for mental-health challenges, but two-thirds of Canadians who are struggling still don’t seek help. That’s a likely symptom of the country’s “fractured and fragmented” health-care system, said Joe Blomeley, executive vice-president and head of health services and enterprise growth at […]

  • December 9, 2022 December 6, 2022
  • 07:57

2022 Mental Health Summit: The importance of early intervention in improving plan members’ mental health

A pilot project between Sun Life Canada and CloudMD found employees who had access to a mental-health coach and targeted interventions at the early stage of a mental-health challenge saw significant reductions in their symptoms over time, as well as lower short-term disability durations for those who took leave. “Early detection initiatives can really enhance […]

  • December 9, 2022 December 6, 2022
  • 07:56

2022 DCIF: Using behavioural finance concepts to improve DC plan participation, contribution rates

Alongside the steady decline of defined benefit pension coverage in Canada, defined contribution plans have seen a massive growth — “a secular shift of responsibility onto the individual when it comes to retirement security in Canada,” according to Preet Banerjee, a personal finance expert, during Benefits Canada’s 2022 DC Investment Forum in late September. He called […]

  • October 17, 2022 October 14, 2022
  • 07:59

2022 DCIF: How DC plan sponsors can use REITs to meet investment objectives

While real estate has long been a part of defined benefit pension plans’ asset allocations, its inclusion in investment portfolios has steadily climbed in recent years. But defined contribution plan sponsors and members also stand to benefit from the asset class’ inflation-hedging properties, as well as its ability to boost income and improve portfolio diversification. Pension […]

  • October 17, 2022 November 4, 2022
  • 07:55

2022 DCIF: The role of alternative fixed income sectors, strategies in DC plans

Rising interest rates and market turmoil have called into question the ability of core fixed income to provide pension plan sponsors with its traditional benefits of stable returns and income, diversification and capital preservation. But Kevin Minas, vice-president and client portfolio manager of global fixed income at CIBC Asset Management Inc., said he actually expects […]

  • October 17, 2022 October 14, 2022
  • 07:54

2022 DCIF: What are the legal considerations for ESG investing for DC plan sponsors?

Increasingly, defined contribution plan sponsors are grappling with adding environmental, social and governance investing options to their plans as a growing number of members ask for them, but the legal landscape for ESG investing is complicated, according to Kathy Bush, partner at Blake Cassels & Graydon LLP, during Benefits Canada’s 2022 DC Investment Forum in late […]

  • October 17, 2022 October 14, 2022
  • 07:52

Webinar coverage: How are employers incorporating DEI into their benefits plans, HR policies?

As Canadian employers deepen their diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives to increase the representation of historically underrepresented groups among their workforces, they’re also focusing on attracting, retaining and engaging that talent. These initiatives include placing a greater emphasis on healthy and psychologically safe workplaces and revamping benefits plans to meet a wider range of employee […]

  • September 16, 2022 September 28, 2022
  • 09:00

2022 Consultants Report: How consultants are helping plan sponsors grapple with mega-trends for future of work

While the latest stage of the coronavirus pandemic is heralding a gradual return to relative calm, plan sponsors are stepping out of the frying pan and into the fire. The pandemic accelerated the ongoing evolution in the relationship between plan sponsors and plan members, with employees now looking to their employers to help them manage […]

  • August 12, 2022 August 11, 2022
  • 08:57

How employers are integrating DEI into their benefits plans

When the Molson Coors Beverage Co. introduced gender affirmation benefits for its Canadian workforce early this year, it was an extension of its diversity, equity and inclusion goal to make the traditionally male-dominated brewing industry a more welcoming place for underrepresented groups. The gender affirmation benefit, which was first offered to the brewing company’s U.S. […]

  • June 24, 2022 June 23, 2022
  • 08:57