The 2025 Fall Roadshow was once again a day of warm connections, engaging and relevant content, and of course great food and prizes! Clients joined the WP team in Sudbury and Burlington to gain pertinent pensions + benefits information and to connect with us and community. Here are some of the highlights of what we covered.
WP Updates
First up, WP is close to becoming known as the National Indigenous Practice (NIP), a culmination of three firms nationwide, under the People Corporation banner. The new brand and logo is also close to being introduced, while existing branding will likely continue into late 2026. As part of the overall changes, WP will be relocating our offices in early 2026 – but don’t worry, we’re not going far.
Next, we introduced the new Client Relationship Team Model. By developing this predictable and measured connection rubric, our goal is to improve our clients’ sense of psychological, emotional and professional safety. Building relationship pods with WP ‘family members’ will add predictability to who clients can reach out to and who'll contact them, in addition to established WP relationships. For 2026, we are also adding a more regional onsite schedule approach, with administrative training for those who'd prefer to have refreshers or are new to the pension and benefits world.
Personal Security Planning
Empowering members in pensions, we shared an inventory of resources which are available to all members. These include:
- ClearEstate – online will and estate planning
- Prosper Canada – support for Indigenous individuals, families, and communities in making confident, informed financial decisions, particularly around settlement payments
- Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) – administering an Indian Act Estate
- Centre of Excellence for Matrimonial Real Property – understanding estates management on Reserve
- “Trauma of Money” course – understanding how scarcity and trauma influence the mind and shape financial behavior
Feel free to reach out to us for more details on any of these initiatives.
Group Pension Industry Trends
Within today’s pension environment, we reviewed a variety of topical trends. These included both the psycho-emotional – health and joy span vs. life span, the mind-body connection in relation to ageing – and more practical matters: phased retirement, target-date funds, re-evaluation of contribution formulas, and fees.
We understand that longevity (L) is a function (f) of both the person (P), which includes personality and genes, and the environment (E), which includes physical and social surroundings. L= f(P,E). That’s why we will continue to bolster positive age beliefs with our clients, as well as support them and their teams with innovative approaches to retirement and funds that can best support them in today’s evolving landscape.
Administrative Responsibilities + Checklists
Looking at pensions and benefits governance, we reviewed best practices for documents, records, and activities, as repeatable and repeated processes. Good governance contributes to positive retirement plan performance, minimizes risks and maximizes efficiency, and encourages good decision-making. To this end, we reviewed the role of a Pension Plan Administrator, including administration, member engagement, risks, benefits, and ongoing responsibilities.
Group Benefits Industry Trends
Reviewing the latest in group benefits, we looked at Health Spending Accounts (HCSA) – how it works and what it covers, as well as the advantages and potential cost to employers. We also reviewed the poplar Wellness Spending Accounts (WSA), also known as Personal or Lifestyle Spending Accounts. These accounts are more flexible and offer broad options, including traditional medicines.
We then touched on additional trends:
- Pharmaceutical – diabetes and weight management drugs and expected generic versions, and new drugs targeting women’s health and Alzheimer’s on the horizon
- Vision care – First Nations face significant vision care issues, 87% of poll respondents believe further changes in vision care are needed
- Women and healthcare – while women disproportionately face higher incidence of certain diseases, they remain under-researched and underrepresented, creating a healthcare gap. A third of plan sponsors said they planned to improve or increase benefits to help address it. Organizations can also help by raising awareness and increasing flexibility.
Partner Resources
WP’s ongoing partnerships make it possible for us to provide additional resources and training to our clients at little or no additional cost. These include:
- Team coaching with Dr. Karyn Gordon, DK Leadership
- HR and employment legal support with Diana Saturno, Fogler Rubinoff
- Youth hockey team support with the Indigenous Hockey Equipment Drive
- Mental health and psychological safety support with Kristy Cork, WSIB
- Strengthening governance capacity with GovernWise Alliance
- Integrated disability and health management support with Organizational Solutions Inc.
- Cultural sensitivity awareness – potential new workplace support
Market Update
Part of our work is watching the markets and understanding their impact on clients’ pension assets. The first six months of the year were a rollercoaster – from early January to the middle of February markets surged, then tumbled 21% into April amid trade tariffs. It then had a strong rally from the middle of May into September. With some weakness still present in both the US and Canadian economies, a market correction is still possible. Tariffs have huge impacts on the markets, and they can sway depending on what is announced day-to-day.
Canada’s benchmark stock exchange reached record highs, with a broad-based rally that included a number of different industries. Interest rate cuts will also have a positive impact on the markets, as inflation settles back down to the 2% target. Still, tariff talks will be key in the second half of 2025, with the hope of tensions easing and deals being made, and a corresponding positive impact on the markets.
We continue to keep a close eye on market trends and will keep our clients informed.
Retirement Readiness
Retirement continues to evolve. As we live longer, retirement at 65 no longer works financially or socially. Many retirees are struggling, with social isolation a growing concern. Together we reviewed how to make a great transition into retirement. This includes planning, noting risks, and setting goals – including ways to stay connected and enjoy life.
Thank you to everyone who joined us at this year’s Roadshow – we had a fantastic time and look forward to seeing you again soon. And remember, reach out at any time. We’re here to help.
Land Acknowledgement
We respectfully acknowledge that we live, work, and volunteer on the Treaty Lands and Territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit. Burlington, as we know it today, is mutually covered by the Dish with One Spoon Wampum Belt Covenant, an agreement between the Iroquois Confederacy, the Ojibway and other allied Nations to peaceably share and care for the resources around the Great Lakes.
From the Anishinaabeg to the Haudenosaunee, and the Métis – Indigenous Peoples who are our leaders, neighbours, and co-workers – WP Pensions + Benefits offers gratitude and respect. Our work is not possible without the generations of Indigenous people who came before us and continue on this shared journey towards truth and reconciliation.
WP Pensions + Benefits works to hold brave space where everyone feels welcomed, included, and heard.