The funding status and confidence of Canadian defined benefit pension plans declined in 2020 amid the coronavirus pandemic and a low interest-rate environment, according to a new survey from RBC Investor & Treasury Services. It found among 122 respondents, 50 per cent reported their plans were fully funded on a going-concern basis, down significantly from […]
Almost half (46 per cent) of Canadian employees said monetary performance bonuses make them feel most appreciated by an employer, according to a poll done in late February by LHH Knightsbridge. The second most popular perk employees said makes them feel appreciated is receiving recognition from a superior for their good work at 30 per […]
Medavie Blue Cross and Medical Confidence, recently acquired by CloudMD, are providing select plan members on disability with access to a personalized health-care navigation service that aims to reduce wait times to see a specialist. Read: CloudMD acquiring EAP provider, health-care navigation platform and a digital-health company According to a press release, the MedExcellence program will align with […]
The Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association is opening a government-affairs office serving Western Canada. The Calgary-based office will support the CLHIA’s members operating in the west and work with provincial and territorial governments and other regional stakeholders, according to a press release. The office is the association’s first permanent operation west of Toronto and will […]
The Investment Management Corp. of Ontario is launching its second structured pool of assets, the IMCO Global Public Equity pool, valued at $17.3 billion. Read: IMCO launching first structured pool of assets The investment manager launched its first structured pooled fund in November 2020. “In a short period of time, IMCO has made tremendous progress on our […]
SEB Administrative Services Inc. and EQ Care are launching LifeJourney a virtual employee assistance program offering. The subsidiary of Smart Employee Benefits Inc. and the health-care platform’s new EAP provides clients everything from video-based virtual therapy to guided digital cognitive behavioural therapy, nutritional consultation and coaching, as well as legal and financial advice. Read: The […]
Canada’s pension system was ranked first overall among 15 countries in the Global Pension Transparency Benchmark. It ranked Canadian funds first in governance, citing the “global reputation for superior performance and governance excellence” of Canada’s five largest funds, namely the British Columbia Investment Management Corp., the Caisse de depot et placement du Québec, the Canada […]
The Co-operators Life Insurance Co. is partnering with EQ Care to provide the benefits provider’s plan members with virtual health-care services. “The second wave of COVID-19 is having a major impact on our plan sponsors as they continue to keep their plan members safe while also taking care of their businesses,” said Conor Quinn, vice-president […]