Sun Life Financial has confirmed the election of all 13 director nominees put forward in its March 13, 2026, management information circular, as the insurer also rolls out new workplace savings solutions aimed at small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
At the annual and special meeting of common shareholders, each nominee received strong support, with vote percentages "for" ranging from 97.9% to 99.8%.
Deepak Chopra, Stephanie L. Coyles, Patrick P.F. Cronin, Ashok K. Gupta, David H.Y. Ho, Laurie G. Hylton, Stacey A. Madge, Helen M. Mallovy Hicks, Marcia Moffat, Marie‑Lucie Morin, Joseph M. Natale, Scott F. Powers and president and CEO Kevin D. Strain were all elected to the board for the coming year.
Alongside the board vote, Sun Life has announced Sun Life Essentials and Sun Life Essentials Plus, new digital-first workplace savings solutions designed specifically for SMEs. The plans are aimed at helping business owners support employees in building long-term financial stability and confidence without adding significant administrative complexity.
Amid rising uncertainty and cost pressures, Sun Life is positioning the offerings as a way for smaller employers to bolster attraction and retention. Recent research conducted by The Harris Poll for Sun Life found that more than a quarter of working Canadians say financial stress is affecting productivity and engagement at work, while 87% believe employers that help workers save earn greater loyalty.
“Small business owners are the backbone of our economy, and we know how much they’re carrying right now – from rising costs to economic uncertainty and the ongoing challenge of attracting and keeping talent,” said Ted Singeris, vice president, client relationships and business development, group retirement services and head of Western Canada at Sun Life. “Sun Life Essentials can take some of the weight off their shoulders. It makes it easier to support employees’ financial well-being with a simple, affordable workplace savings plan that cuts out complexity and can be set up in as little as a week.”
Sun Life said employees will also benefit from access to advice and digital tools intended to boost confidence and help generate better savings outcomes, while employers gain a turnkey solution aligned with their budget and governance needs.
The Harris Poll research cited by Sun Life points to a wider backdrop of financial strain. Only about half of working Canadians said they feel financially confident amid rising living costs and economic uncertainty.
More than three‑quarters said they want to save more but feel unable to do so, and over 80% believed workplace savings and financial guidance should be standard benefits. A similar share said small businesses should have access to the same quality savings solutions as large companies.
