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Sterling Insights
Stay informed and connected with Sterling’s Insight section. Here, you’ll discover industry updates, news, legislations, and the latest happenings within our company. Stay attuned to the ever-evolving landscape, benefit from valuable insights, and stay updated on all things Sterling to empower your decisions and stay ahead in your journey!
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07/29/2026Alberta Bill 11: Health Statutes Amendment Act Updates
The Alberta government has confirmed key details of Bill 11, the Health Statutes Amendment Act, 2025 (No. 2), since our last update. The legislation received royal assent on December 11, 2025, and insurers have confirmed that both changes affecting group benefits plans will take effect on October 1, 2026. Here is what we now know. […]
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07/27/2026New Brunswick Closes the Gap on Job-Protected Leave
New Brunswick has amended its Employment Standards Act to provide up to 27 weeks of unpaid, job-protected leave for employees dealing with long-term illness or injury. The change took effect on June 12, 2026 and replaces a policy that guaranteed just five days of protected leave in a 52-week period. Employees qualify after 90 continuous […]
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07/25/2026Adjustment Made to the Out-of-Pocket Maximum in Quebec
On July 1, 2026, the Régie de l’assurance maladie du Québec (RAMQ) increased the annual out-of-pocket maximum under the Quebec drug insurance plan. This change affects plan sponsors who provide drug coverage to plan members residing in Quebec. What Changed: RAMQ adjusts the rates for Quebec’s Public Prescription Drug Insurance Plan every year on July […]
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07/22/2026What’s New in the Canadian Group Benefits Landscape? – Quarterly Update
1) Benefits Plan Inflation Projected – Cost control is now the #1 priority for Canadian employers 65% of Canadian employers say controlling benefits costs is their top priority for 2026, and nearly half (49%) call it their biggest challenge; outranking talent attraction concerns from prior years. Source: Benefits Canada – 65% of Canadian employers prioritizing […]
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07/19/2026Small Habits, Big Health
Self-care is the set of everyday actions you take to look after your own health, from brushing your teeth to managing stress and knowing when to see a professional. It is not about spa days or expensive routines. It is the ordinary, consistent habits that keep you well long before you ever reach a clinic. […]
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07/15/2026Connectivity Is Not Productivity: Rebuilding Work-Life Balance in 2026
Technology promised flexibility. For many teams, it delivered a workday with no clear end. Notifications arrive at dinner, emails land on weekends, and “just checking in” has become a reflex. Constant availability can feel productive, but it carries a quiet cost to wellbeing and, over time, to performance. For the leaders who set the pace, […]
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07/09/2026The Quiet Shift in Workplace Mental Health
Among Canadian employees whose mental health affects their ability to function, 34% say their work is highly disrupted. That’s the headline finding from a new Mental Health Research Canada (MHRC) survey of more than 4,000 workers. The bigger story is what’s driving it. Anxiety is climbing, resilience is slipping, and cost of living is pressing […]
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06/30/2026From Mental Health to Mental Fitness: The Shift to Proactive Wellness
For the past several years, Canadian employers have done the right thing. They’ve added mental health coverage to their group benefits plans. They’ve increased EAP limits. They’ve brought in virtual therapy options. They’ve sent the all-staff email on Bell Let’s Talk Day. And yet, something isn’t working. New data from 2026 tells a difficult story: […]
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06/26/2026The $1.7 Million Question: Closing Canada’s Retirement Confidence Gap
BMO’s 2026 Annual Retirement Survey points to a widening gap between retirement ambition and financial confidence. Canadians now estimate they need $1.7 million to retire comfortably, an increase of $160,000 from the previous year. Yet more than one in three (36%) say they are unlikely to reach that target, up from 29% in 2025. For […]
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06/23/2026Financial Wellness as a Key Part of Employee Well-Being
When we talk about employee well-being, the conversation usually centres on physical and mental health. Financial wellness deserves the same attention. Financial pressure is one of the most common sources of stress for working Canadians, and it rarely stays in one place. It affects sleep, mood, concentration, and engagement long before anyone mentions it at […]
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