Group Benefits

Human Resource Officers Increasing Their Strategic Role in 2026 – Survey

The large majority (86%) of Canadian chief human resource officers (CHRO) state their influence is at an all-time high as human resources becomes a central driver of productivity, talent strategy and business performance heading into 2026 according to a new survey by the International Workplace Group.

The survey polled 260 CHROs and 80% indicated they’re working more closely with the C-suite due to a shift in executive priorities as productivity, recruitment and retention as well as employee well-being move to the forefront of business decision-making. Flexible work remains a central lever in that influence with 81% stating hybrid working is key to retaining top talent, while 64% expect a significant decline in retention if flexible arrangements are removed.

Benefits, Pay Driving Employee’s Job Search Plans in 2026 – Survey

A third of employed Canadian professionals plan to look for a new job in the first half of 2026 up from 26% in July 2025 according to a new survey by Robert Half Canada Inc. The survey, which polled 1,400 workers and 350 unemployed job-seekers across Canada, found better benefits & perks (33%) ranked as the No. 1 driver of potential job changes, followed by competitive pay (31%) and career advancement opportunities (23%). According to the research, technology professionals (43%) were the most likely to plan a job search in early 2026 followed by Gen Z workers (41%) and working parents (39%)

Weight Management Drugs Are Largest Impact on Private Benefit Plans

A report by Telus Health indicates weight management medications are the fastest growing drug category in 2024 when claims for these drugs increased by 90.6% over 2023. The report is based on claims data from more that 15 million plan members. The overall average eligible amount per claimant in 2024 was 27.8% higher than in 2023. The report also noted the focus on weight management increased with the launch of new drugs, like Wegovy in 2024, and the Statistics Canada report that found 30.2% of people in Canada were considered obese.

The use of generic drugs continues to grow accounting for 68.8% of all prescriptions covered by private drug plans as well as 56.9% of biologic drug claimants starting to use biosimilars in 2024 which is a 27.6% increase from 2023.

Canadian Workers Reporting a Sharp Decline in Overall Well-being – Survey

Canadian employees are reporting declining levels of overall well-being, with employees ages 40 and older reporting the sharpest decline according to a new survey by Dialogue Health technologies Inc.

The survey polled more than 18,000 employees and found Canadians in this age category reported an average score 8% lower than in 2024.

In another report by Sun Life, which drew data from more than 20,000 employers and over three million plan members, Gen Z workers are facing greater mental-health difficulties and increasing rates of chronic disease compared to other age groups. Among five areas related to overall well-being – mood, stress, sleep, physical activity and sense of purpose – the lowest average scores reported by employees were sleep (1.6 out of 5) and physical activity (1.9 out of 5).

Group Savings

Can Savings Plans Impact Productivity?

A new white paper from Western University’s Financial Wellness Lab, developed with the National Payroll Institute and CI Wealth suggests implementing an employer sponsored emergency savings account through automatic payroll deductions offers plan sponsors a practical way to reduce employee financial stress and boost productivity. According to the National Payroll Institute, over half of employees spend work hours preoccupied with money troubles and 6% spend more than 90 minutes daily worrying about personal finances.

Western University’s Financial Wellness Lab reports this distraction translates into $69.5 billion in lost productivity annually which is double what it was four years ago. In a survey by Manulife Financial Corp., employees indicated they spend 5.5 hours each month on their personal finances while at work and missed, on average, one day of work over the last 6 months due to financial stress. That survey also indicated 41% said they’d be more productive at work without their current financial worries.

Surveys Indicate Interest in Savings Plans Growing

There are a number of recent surveys that indicate employees are looking to their employer to provide financial support.

A report by Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., which analyzed data from more than 540 organizations across Canada, found 92% indicated retirement savings and investment options are a top priority and 40% reported overall financial well-being has become more important.

According to a report by Manulife Financial Corp., which surveyed 1,600 employees, 57% indicate their employer has some influence on their financial decisions. In this report, over 60% were interested in overall education on financial issues including government sponsored plans, developing a personal financial plan and overall estate planning.

Legislative

Savings Plans Annual Limits for 2026

The following chart outlines the annual limits for Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSP), Deferred Profit-Sharing Plans (DPSP), Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSA)

RRSP	DPSP	TFSA
$33,810	$17,695	$7,000

Long-Term Illness/Sick Leave in Canada

Federal Baseline: EI Sickness Benefits up to 26 Weeks

The federal government extended Employment Insurance (EI) sickness benefits from 15 to 26 weeks for claims established on or after December 18, 2022

Alberta: Extension of Long-Term Illness Leave

The Alberta government announced that effective January 1, 2026, employees can take up to 27 weeks of long-term illness and injury leave per calendar year up from the prior 16 weeks that had been in place since 2018.

British Columbia: New 27-Week Leave

On October 20, 2025, British Columbia introduced Bill 30 to create a long-term, job-protected unpaid medical leave within a 52-week period. Employees qualify if they are unable to work at least 7 consecutive days and must provide a certificate from a health practitioner confirming their inability to work and the expected start and end dates.