Canadian Legal and Legislative Update

Cross-Country Pensions Update

This session will provide an overview of legislative and case law developments of importance to pension plans across Canada.

Cross-Country Benefits Update

This session will provide an overview of legislative and case law developments of importance to benefit plans across Canada.

Navigating New Privacy Standards in the Pensions and Benefits Industry

Canada’s pension regulators have introduced new standards that impact pension administrators in terms of the protection and management of personal information of members. Given the real threats plan administrators face in terms of cybersecurity risks and identity theft, both pension and benefit plan administrators should be aware of these regulatory developments

Pensions and Benefits Fraud 101

Learn about types of benefit fraud, how to detect, common schemes, process and techniques to analyze, engaging the authorities, prosecution and restitution. Key Takeaways:

• Types of benefit fraud and common schemes 
• System enhancements to avoid and detect fraud
• What is needed to prosecute and receive restitution

Legal and Ethical Considerations for Using AI

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to revolutionize industries across the globe, its integration into pension and benefit plans presents unique challenges and opportunities. By understanding the regulatory landscape, ethical implications and best practices, participants will be better equipped to leverage AI responsibly and effectively.

A Legal Update on Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity concerns are not new. Businesses in the pension and benefits space have become targets for threat actors. Is your organization properly addressing the risk? Relevant research and real-life case examples will highlight the key risk exposures to be aware of to keep your plan data safe. This session will also provide an overview of legislation and cyber-insurance.

Equity Consideration in Pensions and Benefits Plans

Pensions and benefits plan designs vary significantly from an equity point of view. Learn how different plan provisions may actually create inequity between different generations of workers and offer more or less value to members based on age, service, marital status or even sex

Prescription Drug Management

Expenditures on prescription drugs have surpassed spending on physician rumination to become the second largest cost in the health care system.

This session will explore future trends and legal considerations for plan sponsors and provide insights on how to manage these rising costs effectively and stay compliant with evolving regulations

Financial Planning Panel

This panel will explore the critical distinctions between providing financial guidelines and advice to plan members. Attendees will understand the benefits and risks associated with providing or not providing financial wellness resources to plan members.

The ESG Legal and Regulatory Considerations for Pension Plans

This session will focus on recent regulatory developments related to environmental, social and government (ESG) in response to greenwashing as well as the recent anti-ESG sentiment in the U.S. It will discuss the legal, financial and ethical ramifications of removing ESG from investment considerations. Attendees will gain an understanding of the challenges and opportunities that arise as organizations navigate the complexities of ESG related compliance and investment strategies.

Forum for Pension Disputes: The Courts, Regulators or Tribunals

Learn about the adjudicative bodies that determine pension disputes including regulators, arbitrators, tribunals and the courts. This discussion will explore matters of authority and jurisdiction for the purpose of determining the appropriate forum for dealing with various pension disputes, including those arising under collective agreements, violations of pension legislation and other disputes that have arisen in recent jurisprudence.

• Learn about the relative authority and jurisdiction of adjudicative bodies charged with determining pension disputes. 
• Explore relevant considerations in determining which forum to bring a dispute to for adjudication. 
• Discuss legal limitations and strategic advantages and disadvantages of having disputes determined in the various forums.

OCIO Legal Oversight

Delegating investment tasks to an outsourced chief investment officer (OCIO) has become increasingly common among plan trusts. However, trustees must carefully consider the legal responsibilities and risks associated with outsourcing their plan’s investment function. This session will provide a comprehensive overview of these obligations, helping trustees make informed decisions and manage potential risks effectively.