June 2025
Normandin Beaudry Shares Canadian Insights Following Global Benefits Forecast Survey of Multinational Organizations
Toronto, Ontario – June 10, 2025 – Normandin Beaudry, a leader in actuarial and total rewards consulting services, today issued Canadian insights following MBWL International’s release of its 2025 Global Benefits Forecast survey. Normandin Beaudry is a joint venture partner in MBWL International and is responsible for actively supporting this initiative in Canada to determine top priorities related to benefits across the country. This year’s survey included participation from 355 organizations, including more than 200 multinationals, with employees in over 100 countries representing 16 industries worldwide.
While cost remains the leading factor in benefits plan design across all participating regions, Canadian organizations show a more modest shift in mindset compared to global counterparts. In Canada, 82% of responding organizations said that cost is still the primary consideration when defining and reviewing benefits—just a 1% decrease from last year. By contrast, the global average dropped significantly from 81% to 66%.
Daniel Drolet, Senior Partner, Group Benefits at Normandin Beaudry stated: “This slower movement suggests that, while cost management remains critical for Canadian organizations, there is growing pressure to consider other priorities—such as competitiveness, employee engagement, and strategic alignment. Employers are increasingly aware that to attract and retain top talent, their benefits programs must be both cost-effective and competitive in today’s evolving landscape.”
- Cost management remains the top priority for most employers, though many are working to balance cost with competitiveness in their benefits offering.
- Generational challenges are increasingly urgent, with organizations adapting benefits to meet the needs of a multigenerational workforce—from flexible work and wellness to healthcare and retirement readiness.
- Financial health is gaining traction as a strategic focus, with more employers investing in tools, education, and advisory services to support employees’ financial resilience.
- Communication is a growing priority, as organizations aim to simplify messaging and equip managers to effectively explain and promote benefits.
- Lack of resources is the most frequently cited barrier to effective benefits management and governance. A majority of organizations expect that attracting and retaining qualified talent will be the leading labour market challenge over the next three years.
- Artificial intelligence (AI) is still rarely used to guide benefits strategy, though it presents a future opportunity for insight and efficiency.
- 8 out of 10 organizations that strategically prioritized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) before 2025, plan to maintain that commitment this year.
The full survey results are available here.
Founded in 1992, Normandin Beaudry is recognized for its leading-edge total rewards consulting services. Independent and wholly owned by an ever-growing number of its professionals, Normandin Beaudry has an ownership structure that puts it in a unique position as one of the few major firms in the field with exclusively Canadian interests. From offices in Montreal, Toronto and Quebec City, a team of over 350 professionals serves an enviable list of clients across Canada that includes organizations of all sizes and industries from the private, public, para-public and not-for-profit sectors.
Excellence spans the globe! As an independent and equal shareholder in MBWL International since 2023, Normandin Beaudry’s reach now extends to 50+ countries.