Fidelity Canada was recognized for its comprehensive diversity program at Benefits Canada’s 2017 Workplace Benefits Awards last week. In 2012, the company established five Canadian employee resource groups, which are made up of self-organized teams. “We’re really proud of the work that our groups are doing because they’re driving us to make the change and they’re […]
As pension plans grapple with what to do about environmental, social and governance factors, Quebec-based fund Bâtirente offers some guidance on the options available. It formalized its approach in 2005, the year before the United Nations laid out its six principles for responsible investment. Bâtirente is one of the original signatories of the principles. “I […]
While defined benefit pensions often make headlines when a company is struggling, there has traditionally been less of a focus on retiree benefits plans. The issue is paramount, however, in Sears Canada Inc.’s bankruptcy case. After filing for protection under the Companies’ Creditor Arrangement Act in June, Sears sought to suspend payments under its post-retirement […]
A number of employers and benefits plans were in court this week in support of the Canadian Elevator Industry Welfare Trust Fund’s appeal of a January 2017 decision by the Nova Scotia Human Rights Commission ordering it to cover a member’s medical marijuana prescription. In the latest development in the case, Skinner v. Board of Trustees […]
The Michael Garron Hospital is adding to its diversity and inclusion program by creating a gender diversity policy to support employees in the workplace and help them from a patient-care perspective. The Toronto hospital began developing its diversity and inclusion program with employee training around lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer communities in 2014 and […]
The Canadian Institute of Actuaries is consulting with its members on the development of a public statement for policy-makers about what’s next for Canada’s retirement age. The consultation covers two main issues: whether Canadians should plan to work longer and what measures to employ to encourage that behaviour; and whether to raise the pensionable ages […]
How does an employer go about creating a mental-health strategy? In the case of Ontario’s Workplace Safety & Insurance Board, it brought its own employees into the conversation. Speaking during an event hosted by Manulife Financial Corp. in Toronto on Thurday, Lilian Riad-Allen, a senior consultant for the mental health and wellness program at the […]
Two-thirds of Canadians are tracking their health and well-being using either a mobile app or smart device, according to new research by Canada Health Infoway. The study, which surveyed more than 4,000 Canadians, found that among those who do use technology to track their health and well-being, 59 per cent are employed and 41 per cent […]
Aligning a mental-health strategy with an organization’s business values is key to ensuring the program has a long-term impact on employees and the company, according to one employer. “From our perspective, aligning with one of your strongest values, whether it’s safety or cost savings, and demonstrating how you can align with that and leverage what’s […]
Brink’s Canada Ltd. employees are pushing back again the company’s proposal to move them from a defined benefit pension into a defined contribution plan. The pension change is one of the central issues prompting members of Unifor to vote overwhelmingly to strike. In Ontario, 800 union members have voted 98 per cent in favour of […]