Atelier 1

Atelier  2 

S1 - Retraite

Future of  Pension Independence: Government Interference  DIFFUSION EN DIRECT

Claude Lamoureux,   First CEO, Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board, Co-founder of the Canadian Coalition for Good Governance

S2-  Collectif

Mental Health Across Generations: Tailoring Programs for a Diverse Workforce

Emma Kirk, Regional Director, EFAP, Western Region, Homewood Health 
Speaker 2, TBC

In today’s multigenerational workforce, mental health needs are as diverse as the employees themselves. This session will provide valuable insights into tailoring mental health programs to cater to the unique preferences of Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z. From digital-first solutions favored by younger workers to traditional counseling and in-person options preferred by older generations, we will explore effective strategies for meeting the mental health needs of all employees.

Learning Objectives:

• Gain a comprehensive understanding of the mental health needs of different generations in the workforce.
• Identify effective digital and traditional mental health solutions for diverse employee groups.
• Learn best practices for designing and implementing inclusive mental health programs.
• Explore successful case studies of tailored mental health initiatives.

Target Audience: This session is ideal for HR professionals, benefits managers, mental health program coordinators, and anyone involved in employee wellness and support programs.

S3 - Retraite

Target benefit plans: With great power comes great responsibility

Barbara Sanders, Associate Professor, Statistics & Actuarial Science, Simon Fraser University
Greg Heise, Partner, George & Bell

In response to significant changes in the legislative environment for target benefit plans across the country, plan sponsors and trustees are faced with critical decisions that will affect the level of benefits for decades to come. This session reviews the evolution of the regulatory landscape for target benefit plans and outlines how sponsors and trustees can ‘level up’ to meet their new responsibilities.

Participants will learn about:

• The new roles and responsibilities of target benefit plan sponsors and trustees under the emerging regulatory paradigm

• The challenge of balancing benefit security, contribution stability and intergenerational equity

• The leading practices of sophisticated plans and practical adaptations for smaller plans

S4 - Collectif

Drug Panel  DIFFUSION EN DIRECT

Anar Dossa,   Director, Pharmacy Services, Pacific Blue Cross

Suzane Legape, Private Plan Health Strategist

Joan Weir, Vice President Group Benefits, Canadian Life and Health Association

Moderator: TBC

S5 - Retraite  DIFFUSION EN DIRECT

Recent Innovations in Canadian DB and DC Pensions

Jason Vary, President, Actuarial Solutions inc
Philippe Rickli, Principal, Pension and Savings, Normandin Beaudry

Description:

In recent years, there have been significant and welcome innovations in both Defined Benefit (DB) and Defined Contribution (DC) pension plans in Canada. This session will provide a comprehensive review of the latest developments and offer insights into the advantages and disadvantages of these new solutions. We will explore how these strategies can offer flexibility to adapt to changing life scenarios, provide the security of a consistent income, and the impact of personalized guidance in helping plan members make informed decisions.

S6 - Collectif

Importance of Prevention and Primary Care

Panelists

Carolyn Chapman, Organizational Health Consultant, Group Benefits, Canada Life

Shelley Sjoberg,Assistant Vice President, Disability Solutions & Performance, Canada Life

Speaker 3 & 4 TBC 

Session description:

Despite increased spending on healthcare and wellness, chronic diseases, obesity, and mental health issues are on the rise. Nearly half of Canadians have at least one chronic disease, which is both costly and largely preventable.
Prevention and supporting well-being are critical for managing chronic diseases and preventing disabilities. This session will explore how plan sponsors can leverage benefits plans to attract and retain employees while supporting their health and productivity. We’ll discuss the importance of returning to the basics and simplifying health management strategies. how to use technology effectively to support employee well-being and remove barriers to primary care and regular screenings.
Join us to explore practical strategies for supporting employee health and well-being, and learn how to create a healthier, more productive workforce.

Attend to: 

1. Learn how  to simplify health management strategies to improve employee engagement and well-being.
2. Understand the importance of focusing on the basics and maximizing the value of existing investments.
3. Discover how to use technology effectively to support prevention and health understanding.

S7 - Placement

ESG: Beyond Risk and Return

Milla Craig, Founder,  CEO & Pressident, Millani
Isabelle Laprise,   Manager and Head of Responsible Investment, Desjardins Global Asset Management
Christie Stephenson, Executive Director, Peter P. Dhillon Centre for Business Ethics, UBC Sauder School of Business 

Join thought leaders and industry experts as they explore the current state of ESG, addressing both the criticisms and the continued importance of these principles. Discover how ESG is being redefined and integrated into business strategies to drive sustainable growth, innovation, and long-term value creation. This session will provide a balanced perspective on the future of ESG, highlighting both challenges and opportunities. 

S8 - Retraite

Gender Dynamics and Workplace Savings: Insights from new research and the 2025 Designed for Savings report

Jackie Patel, Assistant Vice-President, Marketing & Communications, Group Retirement Services, Sun Life

Fiona Tam, Assistant Vice-President, Strategy, Data & Analytics, Group Retirement Services, Sun Life

Session description

This presentation will explore two interconnected topics. First, we'll delve into recent research on gender dynamics in retirement planning and financial well-being, examining issues such as the gender pay gap, retirement preparedness, investment behavior, and financial literacy. We'll focus on women-specific insights in wealth, including attitudes toward workplace savings plans and preferences for retirement planning. This analysis will highlight the unique challenges women face and aims to provide targeted strategies for plan sponsors to enhance retirement readiness. Second, we'll present key findings from our new 2025 Designed for Savings report, offering a comprehensive overview of capital accumulation plans in Canada.

Key takeaways will include:

1) plan design trends, the investment landscape, member behavior analysis, and decumulation trends

2) a new demographic deep dive with fresh perspectives on tailoring plan designs and communication strategies to better serve all plan members

3) assist plan sponsors in creating a cohesive narrative that links gender-specific challenges with broader trends in retirement planning

S9 - Collectif

Fertility Benefits: Empowering Employees, Building Families  DIFFUSION EN DIRECT

Penny Blesch, Founder Fertility Coalition of British Columbia

Session description

Join us for an enlightening session that explores the transformative power of fertility benefits in the workplace. As more employees face challenges in their family-building journeys, organizations have a unique opportunity to support their workforce and enhance workplace culture. This session will equip you with the knowledge and strategies needed to implement effective fertility benefits that not only attract and retain top talent but also foster a more inclusive environment.

Attend to:

• Understand the Impact: 1 in 6 families are impacted by infertility. Learn about the emotional and financial toll of infertility on employees and how fertility benefits can mitigate these challenges.
• Build a Business Case: Discover compelling data and case studies that demonstrate how investing in fertility benefits can lead to improved employee retention and engagement.
• Actionable Strategies: Gain practical steps for assessing your current benefits, gathering employee feedback, and creating a supportive culture around family-building.

S10 - Placement

CIO Panel

Join us for an exclusive panel discussion featuring three distinguished Chief Investment Officers (CIOs) who will share their expert insights on the current investment landscape. This session will provide a unique opportunity to learn from top investment leaders about strategies, trends, and challenges in today’s dynamic market environment.

S11- Retraite

Building and Evolving Pension Risk Management Frameworks

Ana Nunes,   Chair of Board of Trustees, MoveUP/ICBC Pension Plan, APN Advisory Canada, MoveUP/ICBC Pension Plan, Achev, Humber College Instructor (on call)
Mark Mervyn, Partner, Actuary & Vancouver Wealth Leader, Aon

Session description:

This session will explore the evolving landscape of pension plan risk management in Canada, focusing on the new Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities (CAPSA) risk guidelines and the insightful journey undertaken by a group of plan trustees. These guidelines were released to enhance risk management practices for pension plan administrators across Canada, emphasizing areas such as third-party risk, cyber security, investment governance, and ESG considerations.
So what? For plan administrators, these guidelines will help them:

1. formulate a structured approach to identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks
2. ensure that their pension plans are managed effectively and sustainably to meet their primary objectives.
3. Our speakers, Ana Nunes (Chair of the Board of Trustees) and Mark Mervyn (the plan’s actuary), will share how the plan’s trustees, with the support of their professional advisors:
4. embarked on educational sessions
5. conducted thorough risk assessments, and
6. developed a comprehensive risk management framework tailored to the plan’s size, circumstances, and governance.

How do we know it works? By implementing and continuously improving their practices, these trustees have set an inspiring example of how proactive education and collaborative efforts can better safeguard the financial well-being of pension plan members and facilitate more holistic and informed decision making.

S12 - Collectif

From Awareness to Action: Unlocking the Power of Diabetes Support in the Workplace

Pavithra Ravi, Head of Pharmacy Strategy and Pharmaceutical Relationships, Pharmacist, Manulife

In today’s workplace, supporting employees with diabetes is more than a health initiative—it’s a smart strategy to boost well-being, safety, and productivity across the board. This session reveals how employers can empower individuals with diabetes to take control of their health, while creating an inclusive, supportive work environment that benefits all employees. Join us to explore how small but targeted actions can lead to big improvements in employee engagement, job satisfaction, and overall health.

Through practical insights and real-world examples, this session will help you understand how diabetes impacts not just physical health, but mental well-being and job safety. Discover simple, cost-effective ways to make a lasting difference for employees with diabetes and beyond.

Attend to:

1. Learn strategies to support employees in managing their diabetes, from health literacy to behavior-change tactics, driving autonomy and better health outcomes.

2. Understand the unique safety considerations for employees with diabetes and explore practical steps to foster a safe, productive work environment.

3.  Discover how small workplace adjustments can have a ripple effect, benefiting not only those with diabetes but also enhancing the mental well-being and resilience of the entire workforce.

S13 - Placement

Public Markets' Resilience in a Shifting Geopolitical Landscape

Chris Horwood, Head of Institutional Investments, Orbis

Michael Hunstad, Chief Investment Officer, Global Equities, Northern Trust Asset Management

Speaker 3 TBC

Moderator: TBC

S14 - Retraite

Funding Policies Considerations 

Catherine Robertson, Consulting Actuary and Principal, Eckler Ltd

Speaker 2 : TBC 

Desription:

A growing number of Canadian jurisdictions now require defined benefit pension plan sponsors to adopt a formal funding policy to guide funding decisions and manage risk to ensure that members receive their promised benefits. A funding policy, along with other pension policies, support the overall governance structure and processes and safeguard members’ pension benefits. This session will start by looking at funding policy basics, including identifying plan objectives, understanding key risks and developing processes for decision making. Then hear it all put into practice with some real life case studies.

Actionable takeaways will include:

• How to identify your objectives
• How to evaluate and manage your key risks
• Adopting a decision making process, and key issues to consider
• Real life examples of what has worked well

S15 - Collectif

What Do Group Plan Sponsors want?  

Bernice Cheung, VP Financial Services & Cultural Markets Research, Environics Research

Since 2021, Environics Research interviewed 1,000 group plan sponsors annually across the country to understand what they're looking for in an insurance provider.  In the session, Bernice will outline some key themes the study uncovered about plan sponsors' needs, and year-over-year trends that will help inform the industry about what's to come.

1.        What are key attributes/drivers that plan sponsors look for when evaluating plans?
2.        How has the importance of these attributes changed year-over-year?
3.        How do plan sponsors currently use AI in their business & how do they anticipate it to help them?

S16 - Placement

Data Integrity in the Age of AI

Peter Muldowney,   Senior Vice President, Head of Institutional & Multi-Asset Strategy, Clark & Lunn Financial Group

Cynthia Shaw-Pereira, Vice President, Head of Asset Owner Segment, CIBC Mellon 

S18- Retraite

Spilling the Tea – Pension  modelers

Lisa C. Chamzuk, Partner, Lawson Lundell LLP
Marc-André Vinson, Senior Consultant & Director, SAI Actuarial Services

Description

Pension modelers aim to help plan members project what they will receive as retirement income. However, many of them lack the features to paint a complete picture that truly allows members to figure out whether and when they can afford to sail into the sunset. This session highlights features that are often missing from pension modelers and provides tips on how some of them can be addressed.

1) Additional sources of income (C/QPP, OAS, other retirement savings)

2) Planning for inflation: projections vs. today’s dollars

3) Considering net after-tax income (no more payroll deductions)

4) The evolution of post-retirement expenses

5) How longevity plays into it

6) Takeaways on how to communicate all this

S19- Collectif

5 Top Cancers and Their Financial Impact DIFFUSION EN DIRECT

Chris Bonnett, Principal Consultant, H3 Consulting

Speakers 2 & 3 TBC 

S20 - Placement

Private markets portfolio construction: secondary and co-invest  

Tori Buffery, Senior Director, Secondaries, Nicola Wealth
Sophia Gertsberg, Managing Director, Quantitative Investment Science (QIS), Harbourvest
Omar Jabri, Managing Director, Lexington Partners

Moderator:  Ramy Rayes, Executive Vice President, Investment Strategy & Risk, BCI

S21 - Retraite

TBC

S22- Collectif

Beyond Flex Benefits Plans:  The Evolution of Choice and Personalization

Kevin Bell,   Vice President, Business Development, People Corporation

Flex Benefit Plans have been around for some time. Notions of choice and flexibility have emerged as important modern constructs in building programs. The future indicates a greater need for the personalization of programs.

This session will explore how personalization can both address a member’s unique circumstances, help them optimize their health management for treatment adherence, how personalization plays with different generations, and how technology can impact how personalization is deployed.

Attendees will learn more about the evolution of choice, what it means, how it’s delivered today and our predictions for the future of personalized benefits. Attendees will be presented with examples of success and advice on how to build plans with elements of choice.

S23 - Placement

Ensuring Continuity in Defined Contribution Plans: The Role of Target Date Funds

Kathryn Farrell, Portfolio specialist, T. Rowe Price
Neil Lloyd, Western Canada Wealth Leader, Mercer Canada

As defined contribution (DC) plans continue to evolve, plan sponsors face increasing complexity in managing retirement benefits. This session will delve into the critical role of Target Date Funds (TDFs) in ensuring the continuity and success of DC plans. Participants will gain insights into the latest trends, best practices, and regulatory guidelines for selecting and managing TDFs.