We’ve all witnessed the devastating effects of COVID-19 on our everyday life and on our loved ones. The virus has unfortunately taken the lives of too many people. What impact will this have on the mortality of Canadians and how will this uptick in deaths affect group benefits plans offered to workers and retirees?

Exceptionally for the 2020 tax year, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and Revenue Québec have indicated that if an employer provides an allowance or a refund for the purchase of office supplies and computer equipment, this amount will not be considered to be part of the employee’s taxable income, up to a maximum of $500 per employee, if the equipment is used for telework.

The federal government’s new Pay Equity Act is expected to come into force this year. If you are a federally regulated employer, you will have to comply with the requirements within three years of its coming into force.

The milestone event of 2020 is undoubtedly the scientific research that led to the arrival of a COVID-19 vaccine in less than a year. Apart from this highlight, here is the 6th edition of our top drug developments.

Every year on July 1, the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) adjusts the rates for the public prescription drug insurance plan to take into account the increase or decrease in plan costs.

In our bulletin from July, we explained that the financial pressures caused by the COVID-19 situation in Quebec had prompted the RAMQ to set rates below what was expected based on the evolution of the plan’s costs. At the time, the RAMQ reserved the right to review rates as of January 1, 2021, rather than wait until July 1, 2021, as expected.

On December 16, 2020, the regulations under Bill 31 were given assent. As a result, the removal of the cost of several pharmaceutical services will improve access to them and help to continue expanding the role of pharmacists as front-line professionals. These amendments take effect on January 25.

On this page, you will find all the articles, documents and events that will help you understanding total rewards in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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