Benefits Alliance Voice

This episode explores the critical role of workplace support during grief, featuring personal stories and expert insights on how employers can better support employees through loss. Justin Clifford, CEO of Bereave and Shannon McShane-Reed, SVP-Group Benefits at Penmore join Carolyne and Rob to share practical strategies and emotional insights to fostercompassionate workplace cultures.  What You Will Learn:The impact of grief on employee productivity and retention.Practical strategies for supporting grieving employees.The importance of organizational culture in handling loss.grief support, workplace mental health, employee retention, bereavement policies, emotional well-being, HR strategies, corporate culture, loss at work, employee support programs, grief in the workplace 

The 3 E's of Successful Employee Savings Plans:Ease, Education, Engagement from the topIn this episode, Carolyne and Rahim host 2 GRS consultants, Jackie Nicholls from Acera Insurance and Lisa Robson from Belay Advisory, who share insights on employee savings plans with a focus on the importance of ease, education, and leadership engagement to boost participation and success. What You Will Learn:Importance of leadership engagement in employee savings and why it matters.Effective communication and education strategies.Use of digital tools and data analytics in plan management.employeesavings plans, retirement, engagement, education, leadership, financialliteracy, plan implementation, communication, digital tools, best practices

This episode explores the evolving landscape of retirement planning across different generations, emphasizing flexibility, personalized advice, and innovative plan design to meet diverse needs. Tawnya Duxbury from Canada Life joins Carolyne and Rahim and shares insights on how plan sponsors can adapt to these changes. What You Will Learn:Generational differences in retirement planning.The shift towards flexible retirement stages.The importance of personalized financial advice.Plan design strategies for diverse age groups.Encouraging long-term savings and smart withdrawals.Life in focus benchmark reportretirement planning, generational differences, plan design, financial advice, flexibility, Canada Life

In this episode, Melissa St-Louis, co-founder of Nüense, joins Rob and Carolyne to discuss the importance of neuro-inclusion in the workplace. She explains the concept of neurodiversity, the challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals in organizations, and the need for better communication and support systems. Melissa emphasizes the significance of creating accessible work environments and fostering psychological safety for open conversations about needs and accommodations. What You Will Learn:The definition of neurodiversity.Why the disclosure of neurodivergent status can be challenging.How accessible work environments benefits all employees, not just neurodivergent individuals.Why training for managers on neurodiversity is crucial.The underlying challenges faced by neurodivergent individuals. How modernizing communication strategies can enhance employee engagement and understanding of benefits. Keywords:neurodiversity, neuro-inclusion, organizational development, workplace accommodations, mental health, employee support, communication strategies, accessibility, psychological safety, training, Nüense

In this episode, Carolyne and Rahim welcome Jeri Savage and Nick DeLisi from MFS Investment Management Canada to discuss their insights on retirement planning based on results of recent surveys that check in with plan members, plan sponsors and advisors.  The conversation highlights the importance of understanding generational differences in retirement expectations and the impact of competing financial priorities on retirement readiness. Jeri and Nick emphasize the need for personalized guidance and education to help members navigate their retirement planning effectively.  The discussion also reveals surprising trends, including the persistent misunderstandings surrounding target date funds. The guests share actionable takeaways for employers andadvisors, stressing the importance of aligning strategies to improve member outcomes. What You Will Learn:Why confidence in retirement readiness is declining in some generations.Members misunderstandings associated with target date funds.The increasing demand for personalized guidance in retirement planning.The alignment of concerns between plan members and sponsors.Education and communication are key to improving retirement outcomes. retirement planning, MFS Investment Management,retirement surveys, financial priorities, target date funds, retirementreadiness, generational differences, retirement confidence, personalizedguidance, plan sponsors

In this conversation, Ashton Thornton and Adam Saperia from KixCare join Carolyne and Rob to discuss the unique challenges and solutions in pediatric healthcare, emphasizing the importance of virtual care for children and families. They highlight the impact of physical health and mentalhealth on children's well-being and the productivity of arents, advocating for a proactive approach to healthcare that empowers families. The discussion also covers the need for modernizing employee benefits to include comprehensivepediatric care, ensuring that families have access to timely and effective support that prevents visits to ER and long waiting lists so employees can quickly get re-focused on work.What You Will Learn: Kixcare focuses on pediatric care, emphasizing that kids are not just small adults - the physical and mental health care required by infants, young children and teens is managed differently than with adults.The mental health of children significantly impacts parental productivity.Proactive healthcare can prevent more serious health issues in children.Virtual care allows for immediate access to pediatric expertise with regular touchpoints until the illness is resolved or in the hands of a capable practitioner.Families benefit from a comprehensive ecosystem of healthcare providers.Parents need support and knowledge to navigate their children's health.Kixcare aims to modernize benefits for families, making healthcare accessible.Utilization rates for Kixcare services are significantly higher than traditional options.Keywords:Kixcare, pediatric care, virtual care, mental health, family health, proactive care, employee benefits, healthcareinnovation, child health, telehealth

In this episode of the Benefits Alliance podcast, hostsRob and Carolyne engage with Mylène Desjardins and RosyRosario from Beneva to explore the nuances of specialized risk insurance. They discuss how this type of insurance differs from traditional plans, the importance of understanding high-risk situations, and the critical role of advisors in ensuring comprehensive coverage for employees.    What You Will Learn:Special risk insurance is essential for high-risk situations.Traditional insurance may not cover all employee needs.Advisors play a crucial role in identifying coveragegaps.Special risk insurance can significantly impact familiesduring crises.Beneva offers tailored solutions for diverse employeeneeds. Keywords:specialized risk insurance, traditional insurance, high-risk coverage, employee benefits, Beneva, insurance advisors, critical illness, accident insurance, employee protection, insurance landscape

Rob and Carolyne chat with Sandra Elia from Obesity Matters and Dr. Sandy Van, a Weight Management Physician, aboutsupporting employees who suffer from obesity - an ailment that is responsible for many drug costs. Hear all about how addressing the root cause may lower claims overall and will reduce absenteeism along with short- and long-term disability costs. What You Will Learn: Obesity is a chronic, complex medical condition that requires comprehensive treatment. Obesity medications should be covered by employee benefitplans like other chronic illnesses.Covering obesity drugs may reduce other drug costs and can result in fewer short- and long-term disability claims.Creating an inclusive work environment is crucial for employee well-being.Employers can improve productivity by addressingobesity in the workplace.

Carolyne and Rahim are joined by Marc-Antoine Morin from Manulife. Together they review the recommendations of the CAPSA guidelines and the importance of adhering to them. They finish by talking about what's coming in 2026 and the implications of AI in plan governance.What You Will Learn:How CAPSA guidelines have evolved in 2025How employers can best support employees while adhering to the guidelinesUnderstanding what needs to be documented as part of the guidelinesThe role an advisor plays in helping employers adhere to the CAPSA guidelinesThe importance of cyber securityThe challenges offered by AI down the roadWhat to expect from CAPSA guidelines in 2026

In this conversation, Laura Pratt from Canada Life joins Carolyne and Rob.   They discuss the importance of workplace mental health, the rising costs associated with mental health issues, and the strategies organizations can implement to create a psychologically safe environment.  Laura reviews a case study with measurable results from an effective workplace mental health program.

In this conversation, Tara Liu, Assistant Vice President of Drug Claims Strategy at Canada Life, joins Rob and Carolyne to discuss the importance of integrating Diversity, Equity,and Inclusion (DEI) into employee benefit programs, particularly drug benefits. She emphasizes the distinction between health equity and equality, the impact of Canada's diverse workforce on benefit planning, and the need for tailored support to address individual health needs. 

Join Rob and Carolyne who speak with Maude Villeneuve,Coordinator of the Relief Research Chair in Mental Health, Self-Management and Work (powered by Beneva), at Laval University. They discuss what is meant by psychosocial risks and how they impact costs in the workplace.

Join Rob and Carolyne with guests, Neda Nasseri and Sandra Elia, as they dispel the long-held myths about obesity and focus on its complexities as a chronic disease. They also offer suggestions to employers to help foster a supportive environment.

Angela Johnson, CEO & Co-Founder of SanoLiving, joins Roband Carolyne to discuss her personal journey and the importance of addressing midlife women's health. She highlights the financial implications of employers neglecting this segment of their workforce in their benefits plan.

Many small and mid-sized businesses are missing out on the benefits of group retirement plans - and advisors have the power to change that. In this episode,  Courtney Proudfoot joins Carolyne and Rahim to share insights on the importance of financial education for employees and to discuss strategies for engaging both plan sponsors and members… Unlocking new opportunities in the SMB retirement market.

Rob and Carolyne are joined by Veronika Litinski and Dora Chan from Pillcheck along with Gavin Mosley from Mosley Group Benefits to discuss the positive impact of pharmacogenetic testing on benefit plans, absenteeism and better treatment.

Alex Mazer and Connor Bays from Common WealthRetirement join Carolyne and Rahim to to explore whyCanada's group retirement savings (GRS) market, especially among small to medium sized businesses, remains underpenetrated and how advisors can lead its growth. 

In this conversation, Dr. Alan Ulsifer and Susanna Di Cesare highlight the challenges in vision care coverage and the need for better education for patients and plan sponsors about the benefits of comprehensive eye care. The discussion emphasizes the significant impact of eye health on overall well-being and productivity, urging listeners to prioritize eye care in their health plans. What You Will Learn:Regular eye exams can detect serious health issues like diabetes and high blood pressure.Many Canadians lack adequate vision care coverage compared to other countries.Education is key to helping patients understand the importance of eye care.Employers should consider the ROI of vision care plans for their employees.There is a need for better communication about the benefits of eye care.Preventative eye care can save costs in the long run by avoiding serious health issues.

In this episode, guest Kathryn Ferrell joins Carolyne and Rahim and explains the  A – Z on target date funds, how they work and why they make sense for plan members.  What You Will Learn: Target dates are crucial for retirement planning.Evaluating target date solutions requires understanding their nuances.The glide path is essential for managing risk and growth.Target date funds simplify investment for members.Equity allocation is a key driver of long-term outcomes.Members should be encouraged to stay invested for retirement.Active and passive management can be combined for better results.

Retirement coach Tammy Vigue discusses with Carolyn and Rahim the often overlooked but very important non-financial aspects of planning for retirement. The psychological and emotional planning required for retirementWhen should planning for retirement start?Understanding your future selfRetirement today is different than what our grandparents or parents experiencedWhy the transition to retirement can be stressfulThe crucial role employers can play in the non-financial planning aspect of retirementHow staggering major life decisions can help

Our guest Alice joins Carolyne and Rahim to share some interesting differences between men and women in their investment habits.

In this episode, guests Chris Bonnett, PhD & Allan Smofsky discuss the impact of employee cancer in the workplace and how employers can provide support.

On this episode of the Benefits Alliance Voice, Marc-Antoine Morin joins Carolyne and Rahim to discuss the financial resilience and longevity report.  They discussed the impact of Canadians living longer healthier lives, and what this means for retirement savings.

On this episode of the Benefits Alliance Voice, Dr. Ryan Todd joins Carolyne and Rob to dicusss Mental Health and how you can be proactive in the workplace. Show Notes: - Headversity starting point was a combination of Dr. Ryan’s clinical training, meeting patients who are not leveraging the tools available, and research around mental health in Hockey. - EAP (Employee Assistance Plans) were designed for the needs of previous generations, and have to adjust, currently, the utilization rate is only 8% - 11% Mental health for leaders is becoming table-stakes for leaders to understand stress and burnout and to identify challenges in themselves and their peers. - Currently, our society is deskilled for the new skills - The C.A.R.E. framework can make a positive shift but can be counterintuitive for leaders who are used to addressing and quickly fixing issues, this takes time. -- Create Time for the conversation -- Attend to the Individual -- Respond and refer plan -- Earmark time for a follow-up call - What are the primary, secondary, and tertiary ways to address mental health challenges? - Mindfulness and how to have a hard conversation Get access to the resources mentioned on this episode of the podcast by visiting: https://benefitsalliance.ca/the-connection-between-mental-health-and-company-culture/

On this episode, Melanie Dobler joins Carolyne Eagan and Rob Green talk about how Employee Assistance Plans are changing to better meet the needs of employees in a variety of needs. Show notes: - Current low utilization of EAPs in Canada and how awareness and improving access can improve overall utilization. - How leadership can impact the culture of being more open about accessing available resources and encourage everyone to be mindful of their wellness. - The importance of having trust between managers and employees, especially in times of need. - Structuring an EAP to be a good fit for your employees. Mild to moderate, moderate to severe and how time to appointment and continuity of care can be a difference maker. - How Sun Life is creating tools and resources to help with the process (see links below) and how they have been received. - The reality of time - how some of the changes you can make to any employee benefits plan will take time for people to understand and be confident in using the new resources. - Focus on improving over time as you’re listening to employees feedback. On this Episode: - Carolyne Eagan, Benefits Alliance - Rob Green, - Melanie Dobler, Sun Life Get the resources mentioned on the show by visiting: https://benefitsalliance.ca/the-evolution-of-employee-assistance-programs/

David Bartucci joins Rahim Peera and Carolyne Eagan for a significant update in Group Retirement. The episode covers the significance of the updated CAPSA guidelines, which have been in the making for 20 years. The guidelines aim to provide a framework for administering capital accumulation plans (CAP) effectively. Show Notes: What CAP Stands For: CAP stands for Capital Accumulation Plan, which includes retirement vehicles like defined contribution pension plans and group RRSPs. The guidelines outline leading practices in administering CAP plans, covering governance, member communications, and plan value accumulation. Primary Changes from 2004 Guidelines: The updated guidelines focus on sponsor and member responsibilities, emphasizing fiduciary duties and improved member communications. They aim to enhance plan governance and member understanding, encouraging active participation and maximizing plan benefits. Education and Complexity Considerations: Enhancements in education guidelines stress ongoing member education and responsibility for retirement outcomes. The guidelines also address complexity, emphasizing proportionality in governance frameworks and risk management based on plan size and complexity. Implementation Guidance: For first-time plan implementers, the guidelines recommend starting with a clear purpose for the plan and seeking expert advice to navigate plan setup and ongoing management. The guidelines provide a recipe for success, tailored to the needs and goals of the plan sponsor. Legal Implications and Risk Management: While adherence to the guidelines is not legally binding, they reflect industry best practices and may be considered in legal contexts. The risk management guideline, though focused on defined benefit plans, offers insights applicable to all registered pension plans. Resources:  Check out the comparison tool developed by Benefits Alliance, to help understand the changes and how they impact your CAP plan. Get it here. On this Episode: Carolyne Eagan, Benefits Alliance Rahim Peera, Penmore David Bartucci, FSRA

Darcy Michaud is back for another episode of the Benefits Alliance Voice. Learn about the most popular HR questions he gets asked. In this episode: Understanding the difference between layoffs and termination How employee seniority impacts layoffs Extending benefits for laid-off employees Termination guidelines within employment standards When do you need an HR Professional or an Employment Lawyer? Navigating work-from-home, hybrid and other work arrangements On this Episode: Carolyne Eagan, Benefits Alliance Rob Green, Green Benefits Darcy Michaud, HR Covered

On this episode of the Benefits Alliance Voice, Carolyne and Rob talk with Cory Chadwick about a different approach to being at your best personally and professionally. In this conversation, Cory shares his story for founding Lyceum (formerly The Mental Gym), and the program's outcomes that people can expect. In this episode, you’ll hear about: How to fuel growth-minded people to be proactive about mental health. Teams using the mental gym experience see higher engagement and a reduction in burnout and stress Common hurdles as teams are coming back to the office Learning and making changes take application and support, which has been successful with teams Comparisons between high-level athletes and employees having transformations Thinking about your Mental Health as a strength On this Episode: Carolyne Eagan, Benefits Alliance Rob Green, Green Benefits Cory Chadwick, Lyceum (formerly The Mental Gym) Learn more about the Benefits Alliance by visiting https://benefitsalliance.ca

In this episode of the Benefits Alliance Voice, Carolyne and Rob talk with Rochelle Hildebrand and David Tweneboah about the care and treatment solutions for mental health. A progressive approach to being a support system for Canadians. Historically, Employee Assistance Plan (EAP) utilization is between 8-11%. Mental Health Claims continue to increase, and currently, 40% of all long-term disability claims are mental health related. How coverage from mild, moderate, and severe care is defined and covered with employee benefits plans. Mental health challenges are showing up more in the workplace and the front line of addressing situations has been falling on managers and supervisors. How workplace trauma contributes to many challenges. Employee Assistance Plans were designed for Short-Term options, where more cases are requiring Long-Term solutions. Customizing care for mental health and addiction patients. On this Episode: Carolyne Eagan, Benefits Alliance Rob Green, Green Benefits Rochelle Hildebrand, EHN Canada David Tweneboah, EHN Canada

On this episode of the Benefits Alliance Voice, Carolyne and Rob talk with Darcy Michaud about navigating long-term disability. The conversation covers increasing absenteeism from mental health, what the common misconceptions are about long-term disability, and how to balance medical leaves and productivity. 40% of long-term disability claims are mental health related. The process for employers to handle a physical vs mental claim. How to create a return-to-work plan while supporting the employee. Understanding the employee perspective, and how to welcome someone back who was on long-term disability. What are the most common errors employers and employees make when dealing with leaves? On this Episode: Carolyne Eagan, Benefits Alliance Rob Green, Green Benefits Darcy Michaud, HR Covered

In this episode of the Benefits Alliance Voice, Brady Aarssen joins Carolyne and Rahim to talk about how the workforce has been changing in Canada, how traditional retirement savings products are changing to meet the needs of Canadians today. Show Notes: How the workforce is changing in Canada The impacts of 2023 being the largest population growth in Canada Understanding employer matching plans for retirement savings The growth of new plans and benefits for employees How the connection between Health & Wealth is becoming more common for Canadians On Today’s Episode: Guest: Bradey Aarssen, Canada Life Host: Rahim Peera Host: Carolyne Eagan

On this episode of the Benefits Alliance Voice, Rob and Carolyne talk with Dr. Khush Amaria about the impacts of mental health and what data is now available that allows for a different approach. The main takeaway is how to have positive mental wellness through a proactive approach rather than treating mental illnesses once symptoms appear.  Mental Health Resources: Mental Health Coach Program The importance of early intervention in improving plan members’ mental health Links to CloudMD’s Building Self-Compassion webinar from Mental Health Week (2024) English Recording French Recording  Trusted Resources for Mental Health Information CMHA - https://cmha.ca/ OPA - https://www.psych.on.ca/ CPA - https://cpa.ca/ CAMH – www.camh.ca CloudMD - https://www.cloudmd.ca/how-to-respond-to-mental-health-struggles/ BeThere.org On Today’s Episode: Guest: ⁠Khush Amaria⁠, PhD, CPsych, CloudMD Host: ⁠Carolyne Eagan⁠ Host: ⁠Rob Green⁠

In this episode of the Benefits Alliance Voice, Rahim and Carolyne talk with Kyle Grooms about approaches to making your finances work. From simple tips to practical guidance, Kyle's perspective makes your personal finances feel easier to understand. Show Notes: What a financial advisor can do - providing peace of mind and understanding how to reduce stress How a financial planner will review priorities with their clients using a financial plan Why understanding your employee benefits need to fit into your financial plan Proactively managing expectations over time with retirement accounts, especially when market conditions change. The psychology of managing your finances Planning vs. Discipline On Today’s Episode: Guest: Kyle Grooms, Penmore Host: Carolyne Eagan Host: Rahim Peera

On this episode of the Benefits Alliance Voice, Rob and Carolyne continue the conversation around Canadian pharmacare changes by talking with Gary Walters of GroupHEALTH Benefit Solutions. On Today’s Episode: Gary's background and career expertise The evolution of specialty drugs that focus on rare drugs and come with a high cost What is the impact of pooling when specialty drugs are prescribed? Rising cost and availability of specialty drugs - the how, why, and what the future may hold. The realities of the Canadian National Pharmacare changes Topics Discussed: Guest: Gary Walters Host: Carolyne Eagan Host: Rob Green

On this special episode of the Benefits Alliance Voice, Rob Green gets an update from Carolyne Eagan and Graham Young on the most recent activity in Ottawa for the proposed changes to national Pharmacare. Topics Discussed: Federal Process for Passing Bills and Laws Update on the Canadian Pharmacare proposed changes Smart Health Benefits Coalitiion's participation and impact Implications of choices being made for Canadian access to rare drugs Currently, during the time of uncertainty about PMPRB in Canada, 56.8% of drugs launched globally were NOT launched in Canada. From 2018 to 2023, only 54% of the drugs launched in the USA were also launched in Canada. On Today’s Episode: Guest: Graham Young Guest: Carolyne Eagan Host: Rob Green

In this week’s episode, Carolyne is learning more about Rahim Peera, one of the Benefits Alliance Voice Co-Hosts. Talking Points: Top 5 Lessons Learned through his career How small organizations think differently about benefits The three tiers of retirement finances: CPP, Personal Savings, Retirement Savings from Employers - and how to make the best retirement outcome. Commonwealth BA Voice Episode on Governance Creating an engaged workforce that understands and appreciates their retirement plan. Financial Tools that are free: Financial Wellness Assessment offered by free by Manulife Sun Life’s benchmarking report, My Design for Savings, gives a reference point for employers to see what types of plans are in place by industry and company size. Canada Life’s Student Loan Repayment Calculator On Today’s Episode: Host: ⁠Carolyne Eagan⁠ Guest: ⁠Rahim Peera⁠

In this episode of the Benefits Alliance Voice, Rahim and Carolyne review the 2023 survey from MFS with Taylor Pidgeon. In this annual survey, you’ll hear about insights on retirement savings, strategies, and trends. Show Notes: Get your copy of the MFS Annual Survey Trends for Retirement Readiness and more plan members wanting to gradually retire. Understanding Target Date Funds for different age brackets How advice is in demand and the various places people are learning about finances What are the main concerns of employees as they focus on their future How are resources being made available and are they being used to create better financial literacy? Encouraging employees to have one-on-ones with an advisor to get customized responses and direction. On Today’s Episode: Guest: Taylor Pidgeon, MFS Canada Host: Carolyne Eagan Host: Rahim Peera

On this episode of the Benefits Alliance Voice, Rob and Carolyne talk about fertility benefits with Erin Fordham and Andrew Brandsma. Topics Discussed: 1 in 6 people struggle with infertility The three areas of well-being: Physical, Mental, and Financial How Fertility is being addressed more commonly in benefits plans The variety of unique and supplemental benefit coverage requested by Canadians continues to rise Why flexible benefits are attracting employees, especially when they can do so with privacy How Health Spending Accounts are rising in popularity For more real stories from people going through their fertility journey, check out Erin’s podcast: Oasis Fertility Podcast On Today’s Episode:  Guest: Erin Fordham Guest: Andrew Brandsma Host: Carolyne Eagan Host: Rob Green

In this episode of the Benefits Alliance Voice, Nathan Sugeng joins Carolyne Eagan and Rahim Peera about how to navigate insolvency. Topics Covered: The mystery around why Bankruptcy happens Tools available for individuals and business owners facing financial hardship How employee benefit plans can help people through financial wellness  Understanding the types of organizations offering help The state of financial literacy and how Canadians can become more savvy  On Today’s Episode: Guest: Nathan Sugeng, BDO Canada Host: Carolyne Eagan Host: Rahim Peera

In this episode, Todd Stephen and Graham Young join Carolyne Eagan to discuss the updates from Ottawa on Pharmacare Topics Covered: Update from Ottawa on a proposed single-payer system The challenge to offer consistent coverage across the country  Gaps between proposed spending vs. reality of impact for Canadians Issues to address directly with the new Pharmacare plan to ensure coverage of high-cost drugs Timeline for new Canadian Pharmacare changes to take place  Follow the Canadian Pharmacare journey: ⁠Benefits Alliance Pharmacare - Advocacy work⁠ ⁠Smart Health Benefits Coalition⁠

In this episode of the Benefits Alliance Voice, Carolyne Eagan and Rob Green sit down with Sunil Hirjee of Beneva to discuss the evolution of benefits programs and how data can shape a better-suited plan for each organization. Guest: Sunil Hirjee, Vice President, Group Sales and Client Experience, Beneva Topics Covered: Sunil’s background and how it gives him a different perspective on Employee Benefits. The survey feedback and data that Beneva is looking at to be better informed and provide better plan design. Social Legislation Bulletins from Beneva The gaps in coverage and the misunderstandings of many Canadians with their coverage, both from a public and employer-sponsored plan. The benefits of plan member education to get the most out of their benefits and better manage costs. How the inclusion of an EAP (Employee Assistance Program) gives flexibility for employees.

In this episode of the Benefits Alliance Voice, Carolyne Eagan and Rob Green talk with Suzanne Lepage. Today on the Benefits Alliance Voice: Benefits Alliance and National Pharmacare from a Public and Employer-Sponsored Perspective Pharmacare across Canada and the Postal Code Lottery Smart Health Benefits Coalition's voice in the discussion Impact of Pharmacare changes on Canada's workforce This episode dives into the nuances of Pharmacare in Canada, and how the current landscape works. Hear about potential changes that are being discussed at the national level with the Federal Government of Canada and the potential impact. Suzanne shares her expertise on these subjects and more from her perspective covering Canadian Healthcare and Benefits.

In this episode of the Benefits Alliance Voice, Carolyne Eagan and Rob Green talk with Doug Calow, Helen Stevenson, and Martin Chung. Today's Guests: Doug Calow, Calow Benefits Helen Stevenson, Reformulary Group Martin Chung, Equitable Life This episode dives into specifics about the management of drug plans and the significance of cost implications when making decisions. Discussing the details of managed formularies, biosimilars, and how to take a proactive drug plan management.

In this episode of the Benefits Alliance Voice, Carolyne Eagan and Rob Green talk with Steve Hesketh about how changes to EI will Impact Canadians in different scenarios. This episode was recorded to look at the impacts so far and project how Canadians may need to consider changes (or not) to their current health coverage for themselves. And more importantly, how organizations should consider updating their Employee Benefits to ensure full coverage.

In this episode of the Benefits Alliance Voice, Carolyne Eagan is joined by Chantell Arsenault and Jackie Nichols of Acera Insurance to talk about Retirement Planning. You'll hear from two advisors who have experience on both the advisory side and the insurance carrier side. The key takeaway isn't about why you should focus on your retirement plan, but why it doesn't make sense to avoid planning for your future.

  In this episode of the Benefits Alliance Voice, Carolyne Eagan and Rob Green are joined by Mike Skube (MLS Financial) and Andrea Hansen (Sutton Benefits & Pension). You'll hear about making great decisions when choosing a benefits advisor and what steps Benefits Alliance has been taking to improve the level of service that can be offered. What's highlighted here is the quality and expertise of the Benefits Alliance Membership. An excellent listen both for plan sponsors looking to offer a great benefits program for their organization or for advisors looking to improve their skills and become differentiated amongst their peers. The title protection work continues across the country, led by the Benefits Alliance Advocacy Committee.

In this episode of the Benefits Alliance Voice, Carolyne Eagan and Rahim Peera are joined by Jonathan Weisstub and Alex Mazer of Commonwealth. The conversation revolves around the current CAPSA guidelines and the impact of the coming changes. For more information, please visit benefitsalliance.ca/capsa

Benefits Alliance has an incredible network of advisors who represent organizations across Canada for their Group Benefits and Group Retirement plans. In this episode, our hosts Carolyne Eagan and Rob Green, discuss with Todd Stephen and Graham Young the implications of changes to the Canadian Pharmacare system and what should be considered for the future. For more information about how Benefits Alliance is advocating for the future of Pharmacare in Canada, visit benefitsalliance.ca/pharmacare

Welcome to the Benefits Alliance Voice, a new podcast from Benefits Alliance. In this episode you'll hear from our co-hosts and Board Chair of Benefits Alliance as we introduce this new format and some of the topics we'll be covering in future episodes. Hosted by: Carolyne Eagan, Benefits Alliance Rob Green, Green Benefits Group Rahim Peera, Penmore Benefits Guest: Graham Young, Capcorp Learn more about Benefits Alliance, and keep up to date on all things happening by subscribing to this podcast and our weekly newsletter, Benefits Alliance Pulse.