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2023 Risk Management Conference: Super-priority bill fallout presenting DB plan sponsors with opportunities to embrace more innovative plans

Defined benefit pension plan sponsors that are considering winding up their plans or converting them to another framework following the federal government’s super-priority bill have more innovative options, according to Mitch Frazer, managing partner at Mintz LLP, during the Canadian Investment Review’s 2023 Risk Management Conference. Although Bill C-228, which received royal assent at the end […]

  • October 18, 2023 October 18, 2023
  • 07:53

‘Bare minimum’ workdays helping employees relax, recharge after condensed workweek: expert

With hybrid working emerging as the frontrunner in the evolving workplace, ‘bare minimum’ workdays is one of many flexible working policies employers are testing to determine the arrangement that best suits the needs of their employees and businesses. Bare minimum workdays allow employees to work at a much more relaxed pace without distractions. More employers […]

  • August 24, 2023 August 25, 2023
  • 09:00

B.C. Transit’s Fraser Valley workers joining CAAT’s DBplus pension plan

B.C. Transit’s Fraser Valley bus drivers are joining the Colleges of Applied Arts and Technology’s DBplus pension plan. After a strike action that lasted 124 days earlier this year, the Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 561 secured a new six-year contract agreement for its 213 members who work in the communities of Abbotsford, Agassiz-Harrison, […]

  • August 23, 2023 August 21, 2023
  • 09:00

How DC plan sponsors can prevent a Muslim pension gap

With the Muslim population steadily growing in Canada, employers that offer defined contribution pension plans can avoid unintentionally creating a pension gap by providing these members with access to retirement savings solutions that align with their faith. Under Shariah law, Muslims can’t hold investments that would bring social or environmental harm, such as shares in […]

  • August 2, 2023 August 2, 2023
  • 09:00

How plan sponsors, insurers are considering coverage of weight-loss drugs amid rising use of Ozempic

Canadian plan sponsors and insurers are revisiting how they classify obesity drugs under their benefits plans, amid plan members’ rising demand for Ozempic as a weight-loss treatment. Ozempic, also known under the generic name semaglutide, is a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes. However, the medication has also been credited as a weight-loss treatment, […]

  • July 20, 2023 July 19, 2023
  • 09:00

ESG investing can help investors identify, address systemic risks in portfolios

Environmental, social and governance investing is a powerful tool that can reveal systemic issues impacting all parts of institutional investors’ portfolios, said Aaron Bennett, chief investment officer of the University Pension Plan, during the 2023 Responsible Investment Association conference last week. Some of these issues can accrue over time — and, when they finally manifest, they can […]

  • June 15, 2023 June 16, 2023
  • 09:00

Post-election a good time for Alberta to seriously explore leaving CPP: expert

The Fraser Institute’s president says Alberta’s newly elected premier should ride the wave of the United Conservative Party’s election win and move forward with exploring leaving the Canada Pension Plan. In May, Albertans re-elected Danielle Smith, with the UCP securing a majority government. There’s no better time to start the ‘leave’ discussion than now, says Niels […]

  • June 14, 2023 June 14, 2023
  • 09:00

Amazon expanding ‘Dogs at Work’ program to Canada, easing employees’ return to workplace

When Amazon Inc. employees in Toronto and Vancouver head to the office, they’ll be able to bring their fur babies with them. The technology company’s ‘Dogs at Work’ program provides dog owners and their four-legged friends with special perks, including a welcome package, designated spaces for their dogs to play, dog-friendly events, discounted pet insurance […]

  • May 31, 2023 May 30, 2023
  • 09:00

How wellness is guiding employers, employees into the future workplace

After nearly three years mired in the coronavirus pandemic, employers are beginning to put the pieces of their respective workplaces back together, using wellness as the cornerstone. They’re shaping their respective new ways of working — whether remote, in-office or hybrid — and expanding their thinking around wellness to achieve a successful return to a […]

  • February 10, 2023 February 24, 2023
  • 08:54

Q&A with Bell Canada’s Monika Mielnik

The company’s director of DEI, mental health and well-being discusses building a psychologically safe and inclusive workplace and keeping up with her toddler. Q: What top challenges do you face in your role? A: Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, we understood and saw our employees were more aware and willing to access support services, which was excellent . […]

  • February 10, 2023 February 9, 2023
  • 08:52