SSQ Life Insurance Co. Inc. and la Capitale Insurance and Financial Services are rebranding as Beneva, a mutual insurance company with more than $20 billion in assets under its management. In January 2020, the two companies announced they were merging operations in a bid to grow their presence from coast to coast, noted a press release. “By joining together, […]
With the coronavirus pandemic affecting plan sponsors in different ways, they can return to the basics and use data to manage their benefits spend, according to a webinar hosted by the Canadian Pension and Benefits Institute on Tuesday. “It’s helpful for companies to pivot and take the conversation back to the basics, which is discussing the […]
Magna International Inc. is using data to personalize its wellness program, increase employee engagement and reduce costs. In 2012, the Canadian automobile parts manufacturer established its own internal health and wellness team. At first, the program focused solely on disseminating basic educational materials, such as quarterly newsletters, posters and handouts, said Dr. Krista Markew, manager […]
On the heels of winning re-election in British Columbia, the New Democratic Party’s work is just beginning, particularly in delivering on its promise to extend pensions and benefits to precarious workers across the province. In its re-election platform, the party pledged to develop a government-backed, collective benefit fund for independent contractors, self-employed and part-time workers, […]
The Equitable Life Insurance Co. of Canada is enhancing its online enrolment tool for group benefits plan members. New employees will now be able to directly enter their enrolment information and designate a beneficiary, while users will also be reminded before the enrolment period expires, according to a press release. The tool was originally launched in […]
In its 2020 budget submission to the Ontario government, the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association is highlighting a lack of access to affordable prescription drugs and inflexible pension plans. With respect to prescription drugs, the CLHIA noted it supports the federal Patented Medicine Prices Review Board reforms, which were introduced on Friday. “It is crucial that the […]
When the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association rolled out its proposed compensation disclosure guideline in January 2018, it quickly inflamed tensions with group benefits and retirement advisors. The guideline, G19, stipulated that all of the CLHIA’s insurer members begin disclosing to plan sponsors the fees, commissions and bonuses they paid to advisors. Facing backlash […]
Health and productivity is affected by a lack of access to care, according to Dr. Hanif Jamal, Canadian medical director at Teledoc Health, during a webinar hosted by Benefits Canada. Referring to a recent survey by the Canadian Medical Association, he noted 73 per cent of Canadians said they believe virtual care will improve access, followed by more […]
On May 21, Benefits Canada hosted a webinar to explore the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on chronic disease in the workplace, as well as how virtual solutions can support employee health through this unprecedented time. All employers are currently facing the same concerns, said Marie-Josée Le Blanc, a partner at Mercer, during the webinar. Pointing to the 2019 […]
The Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association is appointing Jean-François Chalifoux, chief executive officer of SSQ Life Insurance Co. Inc., as the new chair of its board of directors. Chalifoux took on the top job at SSQ in 2015. Previously, he held several executive roles at Canadian insurance companies, including most recently at Desjardins Insurance, where he first headed […]