Monday, February 23 - Wednesday, February 25, 2026
Past Sessions Included:
Monday, February 24, 2025
8:30-9:45 a.m.
Latest Trends and Legislation in Benefits
Get the most up-to-date information on the hottest topics of the day for benefit plan sponsors and trustees, including:
• Pharmacare landscape
• Canadian Dental Care Program (CDCP)
• Weight-loss drug pipeline and the
move to reclassify these therapies
• Medical Assistance in Dying (MAiD).
10:00-11:00 a.m.
Innovative Health Care Access—Leveraging Global Options
Wondering how best to support members on waiting lists to access provincial health care resources in your area? Please join us for an informative panel discussion on:
• How to leverage global options
to get your plan members the
right care at the right time
• Maintaining a seamless and
ethical integration of global
health care options without
displacing local services
• Case studies highlighting innovative
financing and the use of technology
to swiftly connect patients with
necessary medical treatments
domestically and abroad.
11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Leveraging AI in Claims Adjudication—Transforming Benefits and Pension Administration
As technology continues to advance, this presentation will delve into the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in the realm of claims adjudication. In addition to considering the governance surrounding the use of AI, this session will focus on:
• Benefits of AI integration
for administrators
• Impacts of AI on pension
and benefit plans
• Leveraging AI models effectively.
1:15-2:30 p.m.
Practical Tools for Wellness Program Implementation
With the ever-evolving complexities facing Canadians and lack of resources available in the public health care system, organizations must prioritize health promotion, functional medicine and longevity in employee health and wellness
programs. We will discuss:
• Real-life examples of wellness
programs, implementation
challenges, ongoing evaluations/
adjustments and ideas to make
your program more successful
• How to leverage data from specific
areas within your organization
to properly assist you in creating
and improving physical, mental
and financial wellness
• A transformative shift toward
a systematic approach to
employee wellness that puts
health at the forefront.
3:00-4:00 p.m.
CUPE EWBT’s Journey—A Member-Centric Benefits Experience
The CUPE Education Workers’ Benefits Trust (CUPE EWBT) provides comprehensive and sustainable benefits to over 100,000 Ontario members and dependents. In this case study, you will:
• Discover how they identified
gaps, strengths and goals to
redesign their brand, website
and benefit communications
• Learn about the challenges, steps
and considerations involved in
creating a comprehensive, easyto-
navigate site that engages
their unique members
• Hear early feedback from
their members as well as
ideas to enhance your own
communication strategy.
Tuesday, February, 25, 2025
8:30-9:30 a.m.
“Generals in Tents”
Join this guided conversation as Christina Fuda interviews life partners Tazz
and Lala on what it’s like for a family member to navigate Tazzy’s mental health
challenges (bi-polar, social anxiety, ADD, OCD, suicidal ideation) and what it’s
like for her to live on the rollercoaster that can be him. Bring your questions.
9:45-11:00 a.m.
From Addiction to Advocacy
Addressing substance use in the workplace is daunting for most leaders. They often lack the skills, knowledge and tools to engage in these courageous conversations and take actions that can save lives. This session is designed to:
• Empower leaders with
strategies to take concrete
actions and confidently
transform their workforce
• Explore the key components
of recovery-friendly workplace
training programs
• Promote a culture of inclusion and
support for employees affected
by substance use disorder.
11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m.
Building Mentally Healthier Teams—Enhancing Psychological Safety in Our Workplaces
This presentation will:
• Address the benefits of
psychological safety, including
improved team performance,
increased innovation, reduced
turnover, and enhanced overall
team morale and well-being
• Apply interactive scenarios
to foster safe and supportive
conversations within your team
• Detail how national standards
can help create psychologically
safer industries, including
the construction trades.
1:15-2:15 p.m.
The Ecosystem of Benefits Required to Support Mental Health and Addiction
Plan member mental health and addiction issues are diverse and complex.
Addressing the current mental health and addiction crisis requires a diverse
ecosystem of evidence-based benefit plans. This session will:
• Evaluate how the public system,
and the Canada Health Act, may
or may not support your members
• Estimate the costs required for
keeping people healthy and at work,
while supporting those on disability
in recovery and return to work
• Detail how to create the
optimal benefit plan for
individualized treatment along
a spectrum of needs.
2:45-4:00 p.m.
Disaster Recovery/Critical Incident Response
A workplace death, a drastic downsizing, an environmental tragedy—Are you prepared to respond appropriately to a workplace disaster or critical incident? This presentation will address the psychological challenges organizations face
in disaster recovery, with concrete strategies and tactics to help you help others.
A comprehensive plan:
• Addresses the stages of
critical incident response
• Shows an understanding of
how employees may respond
• Identifies how an employee
assistance program can help
during and after the crisis
• Presents strategies for building
resilience and responsiveness.
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
8:30-9:30 a.m.
Learnings From Two Cancer Patients—Chronic Illness and Mental Health, and Implications for Workplaces
Two workplace health and benefits practitioners will discuss their cancer diagnoses, how they coped, their work in cancer and chronic illness, and recommendations to improve member health. You will learn:
• The impact of cancer and
chronic illness on organizational
outcomes, including their
connection to mental health
• How their cancer diagnoses
impacted their overall
well-being and work lives
• Practical solutions to improve
members’ ability to manage
their health issues and
strengthen their resilience.
9:45-10:45 a.m.
Barriers and Paths to Financial Wellness
Providing financial security is a goal we share for all our members. This session will highlight:
• Challenges in getting people
to engage and pay attention to
communication and education
• Risks of not providing support
and the impact on the
psychology of your members
• Regional differences in pension
legislation and cost of living, and
the impact on financial wellness
• Case studies, including
decumulation and workers
in different industries.
11:00 a.m.-12:00 noon
Exploring the Future of Disability Benefits
Disability benefits play a crucial role in protecting the financial security of people across all industries. We will take a practical look at both short- and long-term coverage, including:
• Opportunities and challenges
• Rising mental health claims
• Role of age distinctions, changing
interest rates and legislation.
2026 Brochure Coming Soon