LONDON – Spring Update
On May 7, 2014 CPBI Ontario held its Spring Update at the Best Western Lamplighter Inn, London, Ontario. The theme was the “glide path to retirement.” Sean Sells, an associate at Hicks Morley, discussed one of the consequences of the elimination of mandatory retirement: a significant number of human rights claims alleging age discrimination in pension and benefits plan design. And Elizabeth Brown, a partner at Hicks Morley and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee, addressed the legal issues arising in relation to the various de-accumulation options for employers who sponsor defined contribution plans. The event was a success, with 53 participants attending.
LONDON – Plan Sponsor Roundtable
On April 29, 2014, the Membership Engagement & Media Committee held its first Plan Sponsor Roundtable in London. Wendy Anderson of Mercer (London) invited a group of plan sponsors from the area to attend. Barb Martinez, Practice Leader, Benefit Solutions, Great West Life spoke about drug plan costs and management. Thirteen plan sponsors attended this engaging event.
TORONTO – CPBI Ontario Annual Meeting
On April 30, 2014, the CPBI Ontario Regional Council hosted our AGM at One King West, in the fully restored Melinda Gallery. The Annual Meeting affords a wonderful opportunity to network in a social setting with members of council and other CPBI members. The council consists of up to 20 volunteers who bring a variety of knowledge and expertise. During the Annual Meeting, we bid a fond adieu to those who have served Council well and also welcomed some new members to fill the vacancies. A warm welcome to all new and returning members, and thank you to all members for your dedication and service.
TORONTO – Annual Benefits Outlook
CPBI Ontario held its Annual Benefit Outlook on April 2, 2014. David Willows, Vice President, Strategic Market Solutions with Green Shield Canada, discussed emerging options for health program sustainability. And Sue Brown, Principal and Central Region leader for Mercer’s Health and Productivity Team, discussed best practices for reducing the number of disability claims and the length of absences.
TORONTO – Annual Pension Summit
The CPBI Annual Pension Summit, held on January 23, 2014, at the Toronto Board of Trade at First Canadian Place, was well-attended despite the frigid temperatures. Claude Macorin, President of Macor Capital Management, moderated the panel discussion. The first presentation, “Repairing Canada’s Pension System,” centered on a discussion of the book, The Third Rail: Confronting our Pension Failures, written by Jim Leech and Jacquie McNish. So named because of the controversial and politically charged nature of the retirement income debate, the book explores the problems with Canada’s retirement income system and outlined possible solutions. All attendees received a copy. The challenges of value investing for pension funds were examined in the next two presentations: “The Value Investor’s Edge in Volatile Global Equity Markets” by Robert Q. Wyckoff Jr. of Tweedy, Browne Co. and “Identifying the Enemies of Value Added” by Richard E. Rooney, President & CIO of Burgundy Asset Management. Finally, Kim Shannon, CIO of Sionna Investment Managers outlined the reasons that Canada is on a solid footing relative to other markets in her presentation, “Canada: Well Positioned in a Sideways Market”.