Canadians are still most interested in company benefits that put more money in their pockets despite a post-pandemic push toward more hybrid work options.

Health insurance and paid sick days emerged as the most popular benefits, according to a recent survey by Indeed Inc.

It asked respondents to identify their top five most valuable workplace benefits and 46 per cent listed health insurance and paid sick leave, while 41 per cent selected an annual bonus, 38 per cent chose retirement savings plans and five per cent chose dental insurance.

“Canadians are looking for jobs that help them build the lives they want,” the report said. “With particular focus on maintaining a stable income amidst the difficult job market in the present or making decisions that support a strong retirement plan, stability and security are at the core of job decisions today.”

Benefit packages are also an important factor when it comes to employee retention, with 56 per cent saying their current plan is a reason to stay in their current role, while 55 per cent said they would consider a switch if a competitor’s package was better.

Only eight per cent were interested in working fewer hours, but 32 per cent chose flexible working hours as a top perk.

“This contrast suggests that employees are prioritizing autonomy to manage their own time over a blanket reduction in hours and may warrant further investigation into workload concerns, company culture and trust,” the report said.

Most Canadians, it turns out, are happy with their job, with 66 per cent saying they are satisfied with their job and 46 per cent have not even considered a move despite the uncertainty in the job market. Unemployment reached 6.9 per cent in July and many Canadians are worried that number could soon increase.

Last week,

Statistics Canada said

7.7 per cent of employees are worried they might lose their job within the next six months, with 22.8 per cent of temporary employees and 10.9 per cent of part-time workers feeling especially vulnerable to job cuts.

They might have reason to worry. One in five small businesses dealing with tariffs worry they won’t survive another six months if the status quo remains, while 38 per cent wouldn’t last a year, according to a

Canadian Federation of Independent Business report

.

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Boycott of U.S. products? Not when it comes to the stock market.

Canadian investors have poured an estimated $124 billion into U.S. stocks in 2025, despite a trade war that has spurred a “Buy Canadian” movement.

The U.S. market has outpaced its Canadian counterpart for the last two years, but the Toronto Stock Exchange has been the better option. The S&P/TSX Composite Index has climbed almost 15 per cent this year, compared with a 10 per cent gain in the S&P 500 Index.

Read more here.

  • Earnings reports for Canada’s big banks begin with Bank of Montreal and Bank of Nova Scotia
  • Today’s Data: U.S. housing price index for June and the second quarter; U.S. Conference Board’s consumer confidence index
  • Earnings: Bank of Montreal, Bank of Nova Scotia, MongoDB Inc.

 

  • Tariffs shake Canada’s steel city to the core. Can Hamilton learn a lesson from Pittsburgh?
  • Banks expected to have kept aside less money during their third quarters for bad loans
  • In Warsaw, Carney deepens Canada’s defence, trade ties with Poland
  • Air travellers face lengthy backlog in resolving complaints through CTA

As the cost of living climbs, more older Canadians are considering a reverse mortgage to help out their struggling adult children. Reverse mortgages allow older homeowners to draw equity from a home without making payments. Although wiping out someone’s debt can help, it also reinforces those bad spending habits.

Read more here. 

Are you worried about having enough for retirement? Do you need to adjust your portfolio? Are you starting out or making a change and wondering how to build wealth? Are you trying to make ends meet? Drop us a line at wealth@postmedia.com with your contact info and the gist of your problem and we’ll find some experts to help you out while writing a Family Finance story about it (we’ll keep your name out of it, of course).

McLister on mortgages

Want to learn more about mortgages? Mortgage strategist Robert McLister’s

Financial Post column

can help navigate the complex sector, from the latest trends to financing opportunities you won’t want to miss. Plus check his

mortgage rate page

for Canada’s lowest national mortgage rates, updated daily.

Financial Post on YouTube

Visit the Financial Post’s

YouTube channel

for interviews with Canada’s leading experts in business, economics, housing, the energy sector and more.

Today’s Posthaste was written by Ben Cousins, with additional reporting from Financial Post staff, The Canadian Press and Bloomberg.

Have a story idea, pitch, embargoed report, or a suggestion for this newsletter? Email us at 

posthaste@postmedia.com

.

  • It’s proving to be a challenging year for student finances
  • Renters are spending a scary amount on housing

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