Workshop 1  In person only 

How to Champion Preventive Healthcare Through Vaccine Coverage Leadership

Johnny Ma, President, Mapol Inc

This session is tailored for plan sponsors and benefits advisors eager to explore strategic approaches to enhancing vaccine coverage within private payer benefits plans. We'll engage in dynamic discussions, employing a "Stop, Start, and Continue" framework to identify actionable steps toward improving preventive health benefits plans.

What to Expect:

- Collaborative brainstorming sessions with industry peers

- Insights into current challenges and opportunities in vaccine coverage

- Development of practical strategies to encourage improvements vaccine policy and plan design

Join us to contribute your expertise and help shape the future of preventive healthcare in employee benefits plans

Workshop 2    In person only 

How to Navigate Recent CAPSA Guideline Changes

David Morton, Senior Director, WTW 

By now, many plan sponsors have started thinking about how they will approach the new Guideline for Capital Accumulation Plans (CAPSA Guideline No. 3) and the Guideline for Risk Management for Plan Administrators (CAPSA Guideline No. 10). At this workshop, attendees will hear perspectives on some of the key areas outlined in each of these two guidelines and will discuss how they plan to address them.

Topics to be explored include the following:

1. How are plan sponsors planning to comply with the CAPSA guidelines?
2. How are plan sponsors planning to identify, prioritize and document pension plan risks?
3. What areas of risk management do sponsors feel will be most impactful?
4. How will plan sponsors consider member outcomes when thinking about their CAP objectives?
5. How are plan sponsors changing the way they manage third party service providers in light of the expectations outlined in the two CAPSA guidelines?
   
   By participating in this workshop, attendees will be in a better position to develop an informed and effective action plan for seizing opportunities presented by the new CAPSA guidelines in order to enhance member outcomes and manage pension plan risks.

S1 - Pension  

Panel: the future of  Pension Independence: Government Interference  Live Broadcast 

S2-  Benefits  

Mental Health Across Generations: Tailoring Programs for a Diverse Workforce

Emma Kirk, Regional Director, EFAP, Western Region, Homewood Health

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.

S3 - Pension 

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 - Benefits  

Hot topics in Drug Plan Management    Live Broadcast 

Anar Dossa,   Director, Pharmacy Services, Pacific Blue Cross
Suzanne Lepage, Private Plan Health Strategist
Joan Weir, Vice President Group Benefits, Canadian Life and Health Association
Moderator: Jim Favaro, Market Access Specialist

Description:

Join us for an engaging session where three industry experts will discuss the challenges in private drug plan management facing plan sponsors and insurers in Canada. Topics discussed will include defining value and cost management, how incremental pharmaceutical innovation benefits employers and plan members, an update on the national policy front with National Pharmacare and Drugs for Rare Diseases, as well as the tariff impact on Canadian private drug plans.

Learning Objectives:

1. Define the value of benefits in the Canadian private market.

2. Understand the benefits of incremental pharmaceutical innovation for employers and plan members.

3. Explore strategies for balancing cost management with access to innovative treatments.

4. Evaluate the overall value proposition for employers.

5. Explore the impact of Pharmacare 2.0 and tariffs on private plans post-election.

S5 - Pension 

Innovative approaches to pension plans: Navigating retirement with flexibility, peace of mind and personalized guidance. 

Jason Vary, president, Actuarial Solutions inc
Philippe Rickli, Principal, Pension and Savings, Financial security advisor, Normandin Beaudry

Join us for an insightful and comprehensive session where we delve into the latest innovations in both Defined Benefit (DB) and Defined Contribution (DC) pension plans in Canada. Our presenters Jason Vary and Philippe Rickli will guide you through the evolving landscape of retirement solutions, addressing the importance of a stable income stream in the retirement phase.

Explore the advantages and considerations of the newest DC & DB pension solutions. Jason and Philippe will cover new tools available to Canadian plan sponsors such as CAAT DBPlus, Sun Life’s MyRetirement Income, VPLAs, ALDAs and more.

They will also discuss the resurgence of individual insured pensions and the strategic implementation of Retirement Income Funds. The focus here will be on offering retirees flexibility in their decumulation phase while providing the security of stable income. The role of personalized guidance in helping plan members make informed decisions will also be addressed, ensuring that they are actively engaged and invested in their financial futures.

Attend to:

1. Understand the latest innovations in DC and DB pension solutions.
2. Explore new decumulation options and their impact on retirement income.
3. Learn strategies for implementing flexible and secure retirement income solutions, including individual insured pensions and
4. retirement income funds.
5. Recognize the importance of personalized coaching in helping plan members make informed decisions about their financial futures.

S6 - Benefits

Importance of Prevention and Primary Care  Live Broadcast 

Panelists

Carolyn Chapman, Organizational Health Consultant, Workplace Solutions, Canada Life
Ilana Korble, Organizational Health Consultant, Workplace Solutions, Canada Life

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 - Investment  

ESG: Beyond risk and return

Milla Craig, Founder, CEO & President, 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

Moderator: Mark Fattetad, Regional Vice-President & Portfolio Manager, Institutional, Jarislowsky, Fraser Limited 

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 - Pension  Live Broadcast 

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 - Benefits   

Fertility Benefits: Empowering Employees, Building Families  

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 - Investment  

The Rise of Private Assets: What It Means for Portfolios

Isabelle Tremblay, Segment Lead, Asset Owner Solutions, RBC Investor Services Trust
Josh Kruse, Private Markets Lead, UBC Investment Management
Christopher Pinto, Director, Investments, Willis Tower Watson
Moderator: Jim Cole, CFA, Managing Director & Institutional Portfolio Manager, PH&N Institutional PH&N Institutional

RBC Investor Services’ Canadian Investment Management survey of 275 respondents, highlights a continued shift towards private and alternative assets for asset owners. How do private assets fit into portfolio risk management strategies? Is geopolitical turbulence accelerating this trend? What is the outlook for this asset class in 2025? What are the immediate operational impacts of this shift?

This session, we’ll explore the outlook for this investment class and the operational challenges of administering these assets. 

S11- Pension 

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 - Benefits     Live Broadcast

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 - Investment 

Public Markets' Resilience in a Shifting Geopolitical Landscape

• Chris Horwood, Head of Institutional Business (Canada), Orbis
• Michael Hunstad, Chief Investment Officer, Global Equities, Northern Trust Asset Management
• Patrick McCalmont, Chief Strategy & Operating Office, Canso Investment Counsel
  Moderator: Julianna Spiropoulos, Partner, Investment Consulting at TELUS Health

2025 has been a world of surprises and volatility, and this uncertainty is expected to continue. Join us for a robust discussion on what this means for public equity and fixed income markets and how plan sponsors can navigate these challenges

S14 - Pension   

Funding policies Considerations Live Broadcast

Murray Wright, Senior Director, Eckler Ltd
Troy Milnthorp,Senior Managing Director, Corporate Fund Services, Saskatchewan Teachers' Federation

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 - Benefits 

What do Group Plan Sponsors want?  Insights from our annual syndicated plan sponsor (benefits & retirement) study

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 - Investment 

Unlocking Value from Data and AI in Asset Management

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 

As the data and technology landscape rapidly evolves, asset owners and asset managers need a better data experience—transparent, resilient, unified, scalable, and timely. This session will explore key insights and practical examples from primary research and client experiences, focusing on advancing the data experience and unlocking value for stakeholders. The session will also examine how Artificial Intelligence (AI), and greater volumes of data are driving fundamental change and reshaping global economies and areas of the asset management industry.

Attend to learn:

1. Getting to greater trust - reliability, completeness and freshness of data in sources within a data system for allocators and plan holders.
2. Overcoming barriers to manage data, implementing new tools and technology.
3. Practical examples of advancing the data experience.
4. Economies and industries best positioned to benefit from AI.
5. How technology and data are enhancing portfolio construction and asset selection.

S18- Pension   

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- Benefits  

Rethinking Cancer in the Workplace: How to navigate cancer from diagnosis to survivorship Live Broadcast 

Chris Bonnett, Principal Consultant, H3 Consulting
Eva Villalba, Executive Director, Quebec Cancer Coalition
Dr. Sharlene Gill, , BC Cancer

Session Description
Almost half of Canadians are likely to face a cancer diagnosis in their lifetime. While still a fatal and even preventable disease, cancer is now more often chronic, episodic and preventable, and is increasingly being diagnosed in younger, working-age adults. Comorbidities are common. These factors make cancer a more urgent workplace concern and are causing employers to rethink workplace policy, how to sustain comprehensive benefit plans and effectively support employees stay at or return to work post-diagnosis.

This panel brings together a patient advocate, a medical oncologist and a workplace health and drug policy specialist to explore how employers, insurers and advisors can work together to improve health and financial outcomes when cancer kicks.

Attend to:
1. Understand the changing demographic profile of cancer on workplaces, survivors and employment
2. Consider the value of innovations such as precision treatments, companion diagnostics and upgraded disability and accommodation supports
3. How insurers and advisors can help employers modernize and sustain benefit plans to meet emerging plan member and employer needs

S20 - Investment 

Private markets portfolio construction: secondary and co-invest  

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

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

S21 - Pension    Live Broadcast

Simple Strategies to Boost Financial Literacy and Improve Financial Wellness in the Workplace

Sarah Milton,Sr. Account Manager (Group Retirement), HUB International

According to PwC's annual financial wellness survey, finances are the number one source of stress for your employees. 1 in 5 employees surveyed admitted that their productivity at work has been impacted by financial worries and the effect is felt by employees at all income levels: 52% of employees surveyed by the Financial Health Network with a household income of $100,000 or more reported feeling stressed by finances and 60% of all employees surveyed said they'd be more likely to stay with an employer that offers a program designed to help them better manage their finances and improve their financial wellbeing.

With the recent changes to the CAP guidelines, there's an increased expectation that Canadian employers who offer a workplace savings plan to their employees will not only encourage employees to better understand the features and benefits of the plan but also pro-actively provide information and direct employees to resources that help boost that understanding and improve their financial health.

Even if your company doesn't currently offer a workplace savings plan for employees, providing a financial wellness program can help reduce workplace stress, improve company culture and strengthen the bottom line by improving productivity and reducing turnover. But where do you start?

Attend to learn:

1.        how financial stressors impact employee productivity and turnover
2.        how to build a simple, effective financial wellness program that actually helps your employees
3.        how to leverage your group retirement provider to boost financial literacy among your employees
4.        free resources and tools you can share with your employees

S22- Benefits 

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 - Investment 

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.