Opening Keynote (Simultaneous Translation)

Karl Subban is a dynamic, powerful force. Hailing from the Caribbean, where he never played hockey, he nonetheless raised three NHL players, including NHL player P.K. Subban – one of the league’s brightest stars and an Olympic Gold Medal winner. As parents, Karl and his wife, Maria, have raised five accomplished children. Their two oldest daughters are teachers, one a record-setting university basketball star and the other an acclaimed visual artist. Each of their three sons, P.K., Malcolm and Jordan, have been drafted and signed by NHL teams. The Million Dollar Question he is often asked about his family is, "How did you do it?” A natural storyteller, Subban mixes personal stories with lessons he learned as a coach and principal—lessons about goal-setting, perseverance, and accomplishment—that resonate with audiences from the boardroom to the classroom.

Wisdom. Humour. Leadership experience. Memorable stories. These are the hallmarks of his gregarious, insightful talks. His anecdotes and powerful metaphors tell a larger narrative about defining and achieving success. Subban shares a proven framework for success that resonates with everyone. He firmly believes you can – and should – reach your true potential.

Benefit Workshop 1 - Starting the Benefit Plan Governance Revolution (English)
Natasha Monkman, Hicks Morley Hamilton Stewart Storie, LLP
Barbara Martinez, Great-West Life

Benefit plan governance has not received the same focus in recent years as pension plan governance.  However, benefit plan costs continue to rise and benefit plan governance can assist plan sponsors to control costs and minimize litigation risks.  This session will examine the steps plan sponsors can take to enhance their benefit plan governance, including actions that will improve plan documentation, the processes regarding selection and monitoring of benefit plan providers and the framework in which benefit plan decisions are made, particularly as employers are implementing plan design changes to control drug plan costs.  Insurance companies and plan sponsors are working together to make changes to reduce costs and enhanced benefit plan government can assist in reducing the litigation risks associated with such changes.

Pension/Investment Workshop 1 - Selecting a Recordkeeper to Meet Your Needs (English)
Jill Taylor-Smith, Eckler Ltd.
Susan Nickerson, Torys LLP

This workshop looks at the process of selecting and monitoring a record-keeper to manage a Capital Accumulation Plan “CAP”. Key elements of effective CAP program management are the initial selection and on-going monitoring of the assigned CAP record keeper. This workshop examines the administrative, pricing and legal issues that a plan sponsor should address when overseeing the pricing and delivery of a service provider’s offering. The session includes the RFP process, fee review, key evaluation criteria, investment fund selection and monitoring, member services and other important factors.

Plenary 1 -  Roundtable - The New CPP (Simultaneous Translation)
Fred Vettese, Morneau Shepell
Julie Gingras, Ministry of Finance, Government of Quebec
Norm Helfand, Ministry of Finance, Government of Ontario
Jean-Claude Menard, OSFI-BSIF Canada
Moderator:  Randy Bauslaugh, McCarthy Tetrault LLP

Ottawa and all but two provincial finance ministers reached a breakthrough agreement on June 20th to expand the Canada Pension Plan.  The deal marks the first significant increase in CPP benefits since the program was launched 50 years ago.  This plenary will look the details and how it will affect both employers and employees.

Benefits Workshop 2 - New and Emerging Approaches to Drug Plan Management (Englsh)
Art Fabbro, Magna International Inc.
Ned Pojski, Green Shield Canada

Traditional approaches to drug plan management such as generic substitution, maximum allowable cost and managed formularies have been around for decades and continue to have an important role in responsibly managing drug costs. Yet, in recent years, a whole host of new approaches/strategies to drug plan management have emerged, including subsequent entry biologics and pharmacogenomics. A debate is currently emerging in the medical and payer community about the relative role of each of these strategies in managing drug costs and improving plan member health. This session will explore the potential benefits and challenges associated with these strategies and their optimal utilization.

Pension/Investment Workshop 2 - The Hunt for Returns  (English)
Jean-Francois Pepin, Addenda Capital
Michael Quigley, Phillips, Hager & North Investment Management
Moderator: Claude Macorin, Macor Capital Management

Institutional investors are being challenged by historically low yields and poor economic conditions.  In this session we will hear how leading institutional investors are positioning themselves in order to meet their policy objectives.

Breakfast Presentation - Economic Forecast (Simultaneous Translation)
Sal Guatieri, BMO Capital Markets

Following the election results in 2015, the budget in 2016 and the change of direction these underscore, Peter Loewen and Sal Guatieri are returning to give their forecasts on what can be expected going forward in the trends for both the economy and the political landscape. 

Benefits Workshop 3 - Mental Health is Everyone's Business (English)
Sarah Hilton, Stressed Out Solutions

Mental health, the stigma that surrounds it and the impact it can have at home, in the community and at work, is the topic of this session which will focus on understanding the realities about mental health and how we can address the cultural element that surrounds us.  Mental health initiatives have become critical to business success and this session will provide practical ways to bring awareness and support for healthier work cultures.

Pension/Investment Workshop 3 - Innovation in Decumulation (English)
Sylvain Bouffard, Sun Life Financial
Ian Claveau, iA Financial Group

CAP plan sponsors are increasingly paying close attention to decumulation innovations within the marketplace so they are well equipped to support their employees as they prepare for retirement.  This session will deliver valuable information about current and leading-edge decumulation strategies and income product developments that plan sponsors and members will value as they prepare for and commence retirement.  Workplace retirement savings plan representatives from iA Financial Group and Sun Life Financial will speak to these developments within the Canadian CAP market place and how the range of decumulation approaches is evolving globally.

Benefits Workshop 4 - Research on Disability Trends & Risks (English)
Paula Allen, Morneau Shepell

Current research on disability trends and risks takes a deeper dive into what is emerging in the world of disability. Demographic changes, mental health and musculoskeletal issues are expected to be key cost drivers going forward.

Pension Investment Workshop 4 - Solvency Funding:  A Cross Country Review (English)
Michael Barbieri, Mercer
Luc Girard, Mercer

A cross-country review of solvency funding regimes and commentary in the context of Quebec Bill 57 and the government’s review of the funding rules in Ontario.  In addition to outlining the rules and coming changes in each jurisdiction, the session will explore advantages and disadvantages of the new funding requirements for plans.

Plenary 2 - National Drug Plan - Is it time? (Simultaneous Translation)
Johanne Brousseau, Consult Med
Joan Weir, CLHIA

Recently, there has been significant focus on enhancing the national pension system in Canada.  However, calls for a national prescription drug plan are gaining traction and should not be overshadowed.  While the federal government has indicated that it will explore the benefits of bulk buying, some are calling for the development of a coordinated national prescription drug program.  This panel will examine the merits and potential pitfalls of a national prescription drug plan and the implications for the provision of benefits in Ontario, Quebec and beyond.