Media
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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05/08/2026Canada’s $110B Mental Health Wake-Up Call
Canadian employers now carry more than $110 billion a year in mental health related costs. That figure comes from a new Canadian Standards Association report, and it points to a problem growing faster than most workplaces can keep up with. The Numbers $110B: annual cost to Canadian employers (lost productivity, disability leave, workplace accommodations) $180B: […]
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05/06/2026Mental Health Awareness Month in Canada
Each May, Canadians come together for Mental Health Awareness Month. It is a time to reduce stigma, support employees, and connect people with the care they need. For Canadian employers, the month is also a chance to review workplace mental health programs and group benefits to make sure they reflect the way teams live and […]
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05/01/2026What’s New in the Canadian Group Benefits Landscape
(1) National Pharmacare (Plan NP) Is Live in BC — But Federal Expansion Is in Doubt As of March 1, 2026, BC residents can access diabetes medications, hormone replacement therapy, and contraceptives at no cost at the pharmacy, with private plans paying only the gap. However, Ottawa’s Spring 2026 Economic Update has effectively halted national […]
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04/27/2026How Much Do Employee Group Benefits Cost in Canada?
Walk into any small business owner or HR manager’s office and ask, “How much do employee benefits cost?” and you’ll likely get the same response: a sigh followed by “Way more than I expected.” The problem isn’t that you’re looking in the wrong place; it’s that most of the information out there is too vague […]
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04/24/2026The Real Cost of a Bad Benefits Plan
Here’s a number most business owners never calculate: the true cost of an employee who leaves because of a benefits package they resented. Not just the recruiting fees. Not just the onboarding time. The full cost, including the six months before they handed in their notice, when they’d mentally already checked out. Canadian HR research […]
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04/20/2026How to Choose an Employee Benefits Broker: 7 Questions to Ask
Many Canadian employers treat employee benefits as a commodity purchase. They pick the first broker who calls, or they chase the cheapest option. Then renewal time arrives, rates jump 18%, emails go unanswered, and they realize their broker was never really working for them. They were just an order-taker. Here’s the truth:your benefits broker is […]
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04/17/2026Virtual Care and Mental Health Benefits: What Canadian Employees Expect in 2026
Something shifted in Canadian workplaces around 2020 and hasn’t shifted back. Mental health support and virtual care, once considered premium perks, are now table stakes for many employees. The data backs this up. This article looks at what employees actually expect in 2026, what “virtual care” really means inside a benefits plan, and how Canadian […]
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04/10/2026What the Best Benefits Brokers in Canada Actually Do Differently
Not all group benefits brokers are the same, even when the plans they present look similar on paper. The difference usually isn’t in the product. It’s in the experience. Here’s what separates the brokers who genuinely serve their clients from the ones who are just processing renewals. 1. They know your business, not just your […]
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03/31/2026Top 5 Questions to Ask Before Hiring a Group Benefits Broker in Canada
Choosing a group benefits broker is one of those decisions that’s easy to put off, until it isn’t. Maybe your current plan is up for renewal. Maybe your team has grown. Maybe employees have started asking questions you don’t have answers to. Whatever brought you here, the broker you choose will have a real impact […]
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03/16/2026How Flexible Benefits Are Driving Employee Retention in Canadian Workplaces
In today’s competitive job market, Canadian employers are discovering that salary alone is no longer enough to attract and retain top talent. Employees are increasingly weighing the full value of their compensation package – and flexible benefits are rapidly becoming one of the most influential factors in a worker’s decision to stay or leave. For […]
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