Members of group benefits plans provided by Manulife Financial Corp. will now be able to submit any type of claim online and through the insurer’s mobile app. Manulife is touting itself as Canada’s first insurer to allow plan members to submit all claims, including disability claims, through its digital channels. The Manulife mobile app also […]
The Ontario government has appointed Ian McSweeney as the chair of its pension regulator. McSweeney, a retired partner and former head of the pension and employee benefits department at Osler Hoskin and Harcourt LLP, will serve as chair of both the Financial Services Commission of Ontario and the Financial Services Tribunal, the adjudicative body that holds […]
Financial concerns weigh heavily on employees’ minds both at home and at work, according to a new survey by Ernst & Young. As such, many organizations recognize the need to help their employees by providing a financial wellness program. The majority (86 per cent) of human resources professionals surveyed said their organization offers such a […]
The International Centre for Pension Management has appointed Mikhail Sumutin as its associate director of research. Simutin, an associate professor of finance at the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, will drive the organization’s research programs and grow its position as a global pension research hub, according to a press release. “ICPM is honoured […]
The federal New Democratic Party is proposing changes to federal bankruptcy laws to protect employees and retirees when their employer files for bankruptcy. Its End Pension Theft campaign focuses on ensuring workers’ pensions and health benefits have the same consideration as secured creditors. “Pensions earned by workers are deferred wages, plain and simple. Diverting, withholding or […]
A third (34 per cent) of U.S. employers offer a paid-time-off program to employees instead of separate banks for vacation, personal leave and sick time, according to new research by the International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plans. The survey, which gathered insight from nearly 500 employers in the U.S., found employers are offering these types […]
Investment consulting firm bfinance has appointed Les Marton as senior director of its Canadian team. With more than 30 years of experience in global capital markets, he will work closely with major institutional investors across public and private pension funds, insurers, foundations and endowments in Canada. Prior to joining bfinance, Marton was an advisor at […]
The employment insurance premium rate for 2018 will increase for both employees and employers, while maximum insurable earnings for 2018 will increase to $51,700 from $51,300 in 2017. For employees, the employment insurance premium rate will rise to $1.66 for $100 of insurance earnings, an increase of $0.03, while the employer rate will go up […]
The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec and CGI Group Inc. are entering into an agreement that allows the Montreal-based information technology consulting company to repurchase some of its shares from the pension fund. CGI Group will repurchase 4,854,368 of its Class A shares held by the Caisse for $61.80 each. Once the transaction […]
The Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan has announced a transaction involving a stake in the Copenhagen international airport. On Wednesday, Ontario Teachers’ announced a deal to acquire the Macquarie European infrastructure fund’s stake in Kastrup Airport Parents, a holding company that indirectly holds a 57.7 per cent ownership in the airport. The Danish state will continue to own a 39.2 per […]