The average cost increases for global employer-sponsored medical plans will be 9.1% in 2016, 5.5 percentage points higher than the global average projected, according to a new report by Aon Hewitt. The report, which reflects the medical trend expectations of employer-sponsored medical plans in 90 countries, found that Latin America and the Middle East are expected to see […]
Although most Canadian employers understand the importance of workplace health and wellness programs, many aren’t delivering the right programs or communicating them to their employees effectively, according to a new survey by GoodLife Fitness. Its survey of 200 Canadian senior leaders and HR managers, as well as more than 1,000 working Canadians, found that more than […]
The Association of Canadian Pension Management (ACPM) has launched a retirement literacy website, which is aimed at educating Canadians about their retirement options. The ACPM Retirement Literacy website contains quizzes that will test Canadians’ knowledge around three main categories of information: government retirement programs, individual savings plans, and workplace retirement savings plans. “Now more than […]
The Greystone Infrastructure Fund has acquired a 51% equity interest in the 24.2 MW Ballycadden Wind Farm, which is located in southeastern Ireland. Under the terms of the agreement, Greystone will have a majority ownership interest, while the remaining 49% ownership will continue to be held by the existing Irish minority shareholders consisting of local land owners. […]
Starbucks is expanding its sabbatical leave policy and its housing allowance subsidy to its 30,000 Chinese employees. The organization’s full-time baristas and shift supervisors will have access to its Career Coffee Break, which allows employees with 10 years of consecutive service to apply for up to 12 months of unpaid leave. The employees company benefits will […]
Associate Minister of Finance Mitzie Hunter has written to Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne with the latest progress report for the Ontario Retirement Pension Plan (ORPP). While the letter mainly focuses on outlining the results achieved on key mandate priorities in 2014-15, it also covers mandates for the ORPP that are ongoing, including: Exploring ways to collaborate with the federal […]
Innomar Strategies has acquired Cameron Stewart LifeScience (CSL), a provider of brand loyalty and patient financial assistance card programs for the Canadian pharmaceutical industry. CSL is the developer of the RxHelp.ca platform and RxHelp ONE™ card, two service offerings that provide access to savings on more than 40 medications for easy patient and pharmacist use. These […]
BlackRock Asset Management Canada has lowered the fees of its iShares Core suite. The annual management fees of the iShares Core S&P U.S. Total Market Index (XUU) and iShares Core S&P U.S. Total Market Index ETF (CAD-Hedged) (XUH) are now 0.07%. Both XUU and XUH, which were launched in February 2015, provide investors with broad-based exposure to the total […]
The Ontario Retirement Pension Plan Administration Corporation (ORPP AC) has appointed Saäd Rafi as its first CEO. Rafi was most recently the CEO of the TO2015 Pan Am/Parapan Am Games Organizing Committee. He also has 25 years of experience as a leader in the public and private sectors, including serving as deputy minister in several […]
Desjardins, KPMG, RBC and Rogers Communications were among the 95 employers named as Canada’s Top Employers for Young People (2016). The annual list, published in partnership with The Globe and Mail, recognizes employers that offer the nation’s best workplaces, programs and benefits for young people just starting their careers. A selection of the initiatives that have propelled […]