City health benefits approved

A contract for a new package to provide group health benefits for all city employees has been approved by city council.

By Whitehorse Star on October 7, 2020

A contract for a new package to provide group health benefits for all city employees has been approved by city council.

The $6.7-million contract to provide the benefits over the next four years was awarded to Manulife.

The new arrangement is scheduled to come into effect on Jan.1, though the date may be adjusted to ensure a smooth transition from the current provider, city administration has advised council.

“Manulife is capable of providing superior benefits to the employees of the City of Whitehorse at the same cost as the current provider,” says an administrative report provided to council.

“Manulife is a leading edge benefit provider that will also be able to provide a more streamlined process for administering benefits which will aid staff in the Human Resources department.”

A committee of staff from the city’s Human Resources department and representatives from the city unions was formed to oversee the review of the health benefits for all city staff.

The committee hired a consultant to review the current benefit package and compare it with other municipalities and large local employers. The consultant determined improvements could be made.

Six firms provided submissions to the city’s request for proposals, of which four were deemed to be compliant with the city’s request.

Council approved the package at its Sept. 28 meeting.

Comments (7)

Up 11 Down 0

Nathan Living on Oct 10, 2020 at 2:28 pm

Thanks Jake

I agree with your assessment. My assessment is that city managers are overpaid and many simply lack the skill set needed to do their jobs.

The City consultation and communication process is manipulated for predesired results. And yes we need another Duke type personality on council.
And it has gotten worse in the last few years. Councillors are good at virtue signalling but fighting for people and really addressing issues is something that seldom occurs.

I do support a good health care program and wages and benefits for city staff and managers but why are the managers not more qualified and professional?
And if course why do the managers and council sign off on so much overspending?

Up 16 Down 0

Jake The Bosun on Oct 10, 2020 at 8:26 am

For 40 years the COW has lived in the shadow of the largess of YTG and Federal spending, and tried to follow their example. Waste and inefficiency was never a concern, "Growth" was the only mantra.
It deems City Council can't bring themselves to live within their means now, and who knows what the future holds.
An ex-City manager told me yesterday he had resigned but that the taxpayers would be shocked at the money he made while there, he just couldn't do it any more. And he came from a career at other senior Governments.
Whats happening? How can it continue?
Where is the next Duke?

Up 10 Down 44

Anie on Oct 9, 2020 at 2:47 pm

Jack, this package covers items not included in Yukon Health Care. I'm always surprised at people who don't want to pay city workers a good wage, yet demand top notch service. I hope the city pays top dollar, cause I want the best people manning our fire stations, clearing our roads, and managing our tax dollars.

Up 25 Down 1

Obi on Oct 9, 2020 at 12:16 pm

To The City of Whitehorse,
"The problem of power is how to achieve its responsible use rather than its irresponsible and its indulgent use; of how to get men and women of power to live for the public, rather than off the public."

Up 51 Down 2

Matthew on Oct 8, 2020 at 6:15 am

Wow... imagine, job losses and debt felt for decades. Yet the CoW get fat raises, along with a new healthy benefit package. On top of that they still want to build their new swanky 25M city hall.. ONLY way to thrive out of this mess is simple.. LESS gov and more private sector jobs..

Up 51 Down 7

Jack on Oct 7, 2020 at 9:30 pm

What's wrong with Yukon Health Care Plan which we all pay for anyway? Why are we paying for gold-plated private medical care for city workers when most of the city tax-payers don't have it.

Up 51 Down 1

Arturs on Oct 7, 2020 at 4:58 pm

Will this city council deduct the $40,000.00 they spent on hiring a consultant for a decision they were elected to make when they decide on their unearned raise?
Any bureaucrat could have phoned a consultant, we don't need the elected council to sluff responsibility and then expected to get paid for that illustrious decision.

Whitehorse Daily Star