We have all experienced sitting in a waiting room for what feels like forever to see the doctor simply to have a prescription filled.  It can be frustrating to say the least. I am pleased to inform you of some good news.  Obtaining a prescription is now easier and more convenient than ever before. The Ontario Government has granted optometrists and pharmacists with the authority to prescribe medication in Ontario. This new legislation is expected to ease wait times, pressure on doctors,…

Hazardous air emissions, contaminated waste water and polluted soil are all issues that can pose a problem for many manufactures at any given point.  While each company follows government regulations to keep contaminates at bay, sometimes environmental accidents occur that are out of our control.  Within the last ten years, Environmental Impairment Liability (EIL) coverage has gained in popularity to help protect manufacturers from such incidences.  More and more court verdicts are resulting in…

Have you heard the term "Duty to Accommodate"? If you haven't, it simply means an employer must implement whatever measures are necessary to allow its employees to work to the best of their ability. In an earlier blog this year, I highlighted that Cowan Insurance Group was hosting a Benefits seminar on this very topic.  The guest speakers provided in-depth knowledge and some very interesting insights into this potentially challenging requirement for employers.  A key take-away from the seminar…

Recently, I received a call from my bank informing me that my account had been compromised and that I had to go pick up a new ATM card.  I am sure you or someone you know has experienced something similar.  It is unnerving to think that thieves can operate so smoothly and have access to our personal information.  It was a relief that the bank caught the unauthorized transactions, but this sort of thing happens all the time. In fact, over the years, thieves have become more and more…

Some interesting survey results from Ipsos-Reid came across my desk the other day that revealed, "…social networking is no longer the exclusive domain of youth".  There is in fact, a substantial increase of people online aged 35-55 who are surfing social networks more and more.  It is no longer just an application or tool we use from time-to-time; it is becoming a way of life.  I was actually using a chat function the other day to speak with a friend instead of, dare I say it - picking up the…

I just got back from a business trip where I enjoyed pleasant temperatures in the mid 20's, light breezes and cooler nights.  What a shock to the system when I landed back in Ontario and was assaulted by the heat and humidity.  Like most Canadians, I look forward to bidding Jack Frost adieu for a few months and welcome warm summer days with open arms.  However, this heat wave is taking it to the extreme and it can get a bit unbearable for many of us.

To help stay cool I have added a link that…

No one knows what the future holds, but for the manufacturing sector in the Cambridge area, it looks promising.  Yesterday, The Record reported on results from a survey conducted by the city of Cambridge trying to get a pulse on the local manufacturing sector.  Of the businesses that participated in the survey, the consensus was that they were happy to operate in Cambridge and in some cases plans to expand were on the horizon, but they felt that there needs to be more support from the city to…

It looks like the warm weather is finally here and if you are like me; you are starting to plan those summer getaways.  In many cases, we tend to drive to our vacation destination which can be a couple of hours away.  So, it is important to ensure that you are prepared for the road trip whether you stay in Canada or travel across the border. To help with the preparation, I wanted to share with you some summer road trip tips from a recent newsletter article published in Cowan Connection,…

As the population ages, discussions and planning for retirement becomes crucial and very top-of-mind.  Since 2010, there has been a lot of talk around pension reform, enhancements to the Canadian Pension Plan and a Pension Plan "Superfund".  There is still much debate as to which route will be best, but late last year Federal Minster Jim Flaherty proposed the creation of a Pooled Retirement Pension Plan (PRPP).  This recommendation is one to watch as industry experts are predicting it will…