Agenda
Wednesday April 28th 2010
7:15 a.m. — 8:10 a.m.
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Breakfast Presentation (Carmichael/Jackson Room)
A Full Financial Check-Up—The Reality Check Your Members Need
What is a full financial check-up? Just like a medical check-up, it is important to keep financial matters in a healthy balance. Full financial planning provides real life balance between spending and saving in your employee’s life—for all stages—from new hire through to a financially healthy retirement.
Speaker:
Tina Di Vito, director, retirement strategies, BMO Financial Group, vice-president & managing director, BMO Nesbitt Burns
Presented by BMO Group Retirement Services Inc.
Register for this breakfast presentation online at: www.regonline.com/bmobreakfast
(Attendance at this session does not include admission to the main conference sessions, which may be purchased at the registration site.) |
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8:20 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
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Opening Remarks (Toronto I/II) |
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8:30 a.m. – 9:45 a.m.
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Keynote Session: Opportunities for Pension Reform (Toronto I/II)
The pension industry is on the brink of major change, but what direction will reform take? This panel will discuss the future of the pension industry.
Moderator:
Paul Halpern, Rotman School of Business, University of Toronto
Speakers:
Keith Ambachtsheer, president, KPA Services Limited
Susan Eng, vice-president, Advocacy, CARP
Malcolm Hamilton, worldwide partner, Mercer
Frank Swedlove, president, CLHIA
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9:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
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Refreshment Break in the Exhibitor Hall (Foyer) |
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10:00 a.m. – 11:00
a.m.
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Benefits Session 1: Changing Directions in Mental Health (Toronto I/II)
Claims relating to mental health are on the rise—a concern for employers and employees alike. What are the trends in mental illness that employers should be aware of, and what is the impact on the workforce? What new strategies or treatments are available, and how might they affect employer plans?
Moderator:
Judith Plotkin, vice-president, business development, Human Solutions
Speakers:
Mary Ann Baynton, director, Great-West's Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace
Karen Liberman, executive director, Mood Disorders Association of Ontario |
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10:00 a.m. – 11:00
a.m.
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DC Session 1: Possibilities and Pitfalls of CAP Design (Toronto III)
So you’re considering implementing a CAP for your employees—but how do you choose the right plan design for your workforce? This session looks at the various options available (such as RRSPs, TFSAs and DC pension plans), key considerations for employers and the most common plan design mistakes to avoid.
Introduction: Stephen McGregor, business development manager, national accounts, group retirement savings, Desjardins Financial Security
Speakers:
Nurez Jiwani, director of regulatory coordination, Financial Services Commission of Ontario
Mazen Shakeel, principal, canadian retirement consulting, Hewitt Associates |
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10:00 a.m. – 11:00
a.m.
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DB Session 1: How to Manage your Pension Committee More Effectively (Carmichael/Jackson Room)
The pension committee fulfils a vital role in overseeing the administration and investment of the pension plan—yet with a range of experience and investment expertise around the table, it can be difficult to ensure that all members are on the same page. This session looks at best practices in managing a pension committee, including training and educating board members, monitoring performance and mitigating risk.
Moderator:
Gary Stoller, partner, Morneau Sobeco
Speakers:
John Ilkiw, senior vice-president, CPP Investment Board
Gretchen Van Riesen, GVR Consulting |
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11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
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Networking Break (Foyer) |
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11:15 a.m. – 12:15
p.m.
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Benefits Session 2: Future Trends in Retiree Benefits (Toronto I/II)
Employees often forget to consider their possible healthcare costs in retirement—yet many employers have shied away from offering retiree benefits programs on the grounds that they just can’t afford it. Is there a middle ground for employers to offer retiree benefits without footing the entire bill? What trends can we expect in this area, now and moving forward?
Moderator:
Alison Wood, editor, Benefits Canada
Speakers:
Tim Taylor, product manager, group benefits, marketing, Manulife Financial
Ellen Whelan, principal, Mercer |
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11:15 a.m. – 12:15
p.m.
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DC Session 2: The Importance of Financial Literacy (Toronto III)
Plan sponsors know that educating DC plan members is a major challenge—and this education goes beyond the details of the program and member investments. In June 2009, the federal government established a task force on financial literacy to help create a cohesive national strategy to improve the financial education of Canadians. What progress has been made on this initiative? What measures should the government and plan sponsors take to help Canadians make wiser investment decisions?
Moderator:
Joan Johannson, president, BMO Group Retirement Services Inc.
Speakers:
Peter Arnold, national practice leader, investment & CAP consulting, Buck Consultants |
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11:15 a.m. – 12:15
p.m.
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DB Session 2: Highlighting Risk Budgeting Techniques (Carmichael/Jackson Room)
Risk budgeting is a framework that helps achieve a target portfolio ex-ante risk by budgeting proportions of this risk to various portfolio components. This presentation will provide useful risk budgeting techniques that will help with asset mix decisions, manager selection as well as portfolio construction.
Moderator:
Chris Brisebois, senior consultant, Eckler
Speakers:
Karen Figueiredo, senior consultant, Towers Watson
John McNair, senior vice-president, head of investment research, Highstreet Asset Management Inc.
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12:15 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.
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Lunch (Foyer) |
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1:30 p.m. – 2:30
p.m.
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Benefits Session 3: Drug Plan Reform: Generics Pricing Changes and the Effect on Employers (Toronto I/II)
Three years after overhauling its drug plan, Ontario is planning to again fundamentally reform drug pricing in Ontario. Meanwhile, private payers have become increasingly innovative and powerful players in the Ontario drug marketplace. How will employers stay ahead of the curve during the current round of reform?
Moderator:
Jean-Guy Gauthier, Standard Life
Speakers:
Nathaniel Lipkus, lawyer, Gilberts LLP
David West, partner, Mercer
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1:30 p.m. – 2:30
p.m.
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DC Session 3: Communicating with a Multigenerational Workforce (Toronto III)
Today’s workforce is extremely diverse and educating different generations regarding their DC plans and investments can be a challenge. What strategies and media work best for which audiences? What practices have leading employers adopted to effectively reach a multigenerational workforce?
Moderator:
Alison Wood, editor, Benefits Canada
Speakers:
Christopher Cartwright, vice-president, the Financial Education Institute of Canada
Diane McElroy, senior vice-president, communications practice, Aon Consulting
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1:30 p.m. – 2:30
p.m.
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DB Session 3: The Hazards of Longevity Risk (Carmichael/Jackson Room)
With an aging employee base and concerns about the sustainability of private sector pensions in the future, the longevity risk inherent in a DB pension plan can’t be ignored. How can employers manage and mitigate this risk to ensure that their plans remain sustainable over the long term?
Moderator:
Duane Green, senior vice-president, institutional investment services, Franklin Templeton Investments
Speakers:
Ian Markham, consulting actuary, Towers Watson |
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2:30 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.
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Networking Break (Foyer) |
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2:45 p.m. – 3:45
p.m.
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Benefits Session 4: Getting it Back: the ROI of Your Wellness Program (Toronto I/II)
Helping employees to adopt healthier behaviours is a focus for many employers today—but when money is tight, it can be difficult to make the case for including wellness programming in the corporate budget. This session focuses on the ROI of your wellness program and where to look for it.
Moderator:
Kerry Maddocks, editor, Working Well Magazine
Speakers:
Ed Buffett, chief executive officer, Buffett and Company
Janet Young, vice-president, Buffett and Company
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2:45 p.m. – 3:45
p.m.
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DC Session 4: Auto Features: The Solution to the Engagement Problem? (Toronto III)
Canadian plan sponsors have been hesitant to introduce features such as auto-enrolment and auto-increase of contributions, given the lack of regulatory guidance around CAPs. Yet these features have the potential improve returns for plan members and alleviate the need for certain investment decisions. What lessons can Canadian plan sponsors learn from the U.S. and other countries, in terms of implementing auto-features?
Moderator:
Alison Wood, editor, Benefits Canada Magazine
Speakers:
Jeff Aarssen, vice-president, group retirement services, Great-West Life
Colin Ripsman, vice-president, Phillips, Hager & North Investment Management Ltd. |
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2:45 p.m. – 3:45
p.m.
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DB Session 4: Pension Plans as Money Managers: A Sound Strategy? (Carmichael/Jackson Room)
The door has been opened for large pension plans to act as money managers for smaller pension plans. However, the details remain vague. How would these arrangements work in practice, and what would be the impact on the money management industry? This panel discusses the implications of pension funds as money managers, as well as the potential benefits and pitfalls of this approach.
Moderator:
Jennifer Hughey, editor, Canadian Investment Review Online Debates
Speakers:
James Keohane, senior vice-president of investment management, chief investment officer, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP)
Tom Lappalainen, senior consultant, Russell Investments Canada |
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| 3:45 p.m. – 4:45 p.m. |
Cocktail Reception in the Exhibitor Hall (Foyer) |
Thursday April 29th 2010
7:15 a.m. — 8:10 a.m.
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Breakfast Presentation (Carmichael/Jackson Room)
What Kind of Work Environment Do You Want?
If a random sampling of employees were asked this question, how might they answer? Perhaps words like "safe, healthy, innovative, happy and harmonious" would be on the list. With a focus on pensions and benefits, affecting change in behavior through communication and financial education in the workplace is a continual issue. This mini-session will provide plan sponsors with actionable tips that will help employees appreciate the value of their pensions and benefits.
Speaker:
Ismo Heikkila, national director, financial education and employer services, T.E. Wealth
Register for this breakfast presentation online at: www.regonline.com/tewealthbreakfast
(Attendance at this session does not include admission to the main conference sessions, which may be purchased at the registration site.) |
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8:20 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.
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Opening Remarks (Toronto I/II) |
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8:30 a.m. – 9:45
a.m.
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Keynote Session
Our Changing Workforce: Attracting and Retaining Tomorrow’s Talent (Toronto I/II)
Amid all the turmoil of the recession, the issue of the aging Canadian population hasn’t gone away. As baby boomers continue to exit the workforce, will employers be facing a severe labour and talent shortage as predicted? Which areas will be hit hardest, and what can employers do to prepare? This session looks at trends in employee demographics and strategies for employers to help ensure that their workforce remains stable and competitive.
Moderator: Mary Jo Bugembe, director educational programs, International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
Speakers:
Andrea Garson, vice-president of human resources, Workopolis
Barbara Jaworski, founder, Workplace Institute |
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9:45 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
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Refreshment Break (Foyer) |
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10:00 a.m. – 11:00
a.m.
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Benefits Session 5: Innovative Strategies for Benefits Plan Cost-containment (Toronto I/II)
Employers are understandably concerned about the rising costs of employee health benefits—particularly drug plan utilization, which continues to rise. What can they do to help control the costs and ensure the long-term sustainability of their benefits programs for future generations of employees?
Moderator: Mary Jo Bugembe, director educational programs, International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
Speakers:
Mike Sullivan, president, Cubic Health Inc.
David Wetherald, vice-president, human resources and legal for Toromont Industries Ltd.
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10:00 a.m. – 11:00
a.m.
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DC Session 5: Making Change Easier (Toronto III)
With increasing concerns about the viability and sustainability of pension plans, many employers are moving from DB to DC arrangements or, at a minimum, shifting some of the costs and risks to employees. But how do you communicate program changes so that employees don’t perceive them as benefit reductions or view them in a negative light? This session explores strategies and tactics for communicating change to DC plan members and the workforce at large.
Moderator:
Colin Ripsman, vice-president, Phillips, Hager & North Investment Management Ltd.
Speakers:
Susan Deller, principal, Eckler Ltd.
Matthew Rotenberg, senior consultant, communications, group savings and retirement, Standard Life
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10:00 a.m. – 11:00
a.m.
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DB Session 5: Opportunities in Equities (Carmichael/Jackson Room)
Now that we have survived the Great Recession, is it the time right to invest in equities again? If so, how can a DB plan sponsor best maximize returns in this asset class? This session looks at current opportunities in Canadian and global equities, and their outlook for the future.
Moderator:
Jennifer Hughey, editor, Canadian Investment Review Online Debates
Speakers:
Greg Malone, principal, Eckler Ltd.
Chhad Aul, portfolio manager, State Street Global Advisors Ltd.
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11:00 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
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Networking Break (Foyer) |
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11:15 a.m. – 12:15
p.m.
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Benefits Session 6: Leading Practices in Health Benefits: Results of the 2009 Sanofi-Aventis Healthcare Survey (Toronto I/II)
For the past 12 years, Sanofi-Aventis has partnered with Benefits Canada to build a body of relevant and timely data on the provision of group health benefits plans in Canada and to raise awareness of the importance and value of these plans. This session will examine some of the key results of the 2009 research and discuss the leading practices of Canadian employers in the health benefits area.
Moderator:
Mary Jo Bugembe, director educational programs, International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
Speakers:
Sarah Beech, managing director, Hewitt Associates Canada
Tricia Benn, director of research, Rogers Publishing
Fanny Karolev, human resources manager, Worklife Health and Wellness, Campbell Company of Canada
Theresa Rose, director, group product management, Medavie Blue Cross
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11:15 a.m. – 12:15
p.m.
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DC Session 6: Is The ABC Plan the Plan of the Future? (Toronto III)
In tackling the vast issue of pension reform, some industry experts have suggested that the ABC Pension Plan, as proposed by the Albert and B.C. governments, is a viable option to improve pension coverage for Canadians. But will it work in practice? What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of such an approach, and what are the alternatives?
Moderator:
Roy Stuart, senior retirement consultant, Hewitt Associates
Speakers:
Chris Brown, partner, managing partner, Spectrum HR Law LLP
Randy Colwell, regional vice-president, western, Sun Life Financial
Kevin Sorhaitz, principal & consulting actuary, Buck Consultants
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11:15 a.m. – 12:15
p.m.
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DB Session 6: New Trends in DB Investment (Carmichael/Jackson Room)
After a trying 2009, many DB plan sponsors are seeking increased transparency and more tangible assets. Among the larger pension plans, allocations to real estate and infrastructure are on the rise. Will this trend continue? What are the key considerations that plan sponsors need to know before investing in these asset classes?
Moderator:
Peter Muldowney, senior managing director, Sun Life Financial
Speakers:
Meredith Despins, vice-president of investment affairs & investor education, the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (NAREIT)
Denisa Farrow, senior consultant, Segal Advisors
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12:15 p.m.
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Conference Adjourns |
For sponsorship opportunities, contact Alison Webb.
This page was last updated: April 19, 2010
For questions about this page, please contact Kerry Maddocks. |
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