Your Benefits Package


•	Your Benefits
•	Eligibility
•	Health and Dental Benefits
•	Disability Benefits
•	Employment Insurance
•	Workers Compensation
•	Life Insurance
•	Retirement & Pension
•	Employee & Family Assistance
•	Savings


•	Plan Details
•	Work/Life Events
•	Making a Claim
•	FAQ
•	Contacts
•	Flexible Benefits (new program for excluded employees)


•	Forms
•	Benefits Administrator Instructions
•	Pension Corporation

Below is a summary of the benefit plans available to you, as an eligible employee. This table provides you with an at a glance look at all the plans available in your benefits package. For further plan details click on the program name from the left menu.

Download the Benefits Summary as a PDF version

Health Benefits
Disability Benefits
Employment Insurance
Workers' Compensation
Life Insurance
Retirement & Pension Benefits
Employee and Family Assistance Plan
Savings

Health Benefits
Benefit	Coverage	Participation	Employee/Employer Contributions	Coverage Effective
Medical Services Plan Provides basic medical coverage.	Insures medically required services provided by physicians and supplementary health care practitioners, laboratory services and diagnostic procedures.	Optional — You must apply for coverage.	100% employer paid. The premiums paid on your behalf are a taxable benefit. Monthly rates^†: Single — $57 Couple — $102 Family — $112 ^† premium rates are subject to change. ^†† Flexible Benefits Program rates vary depending on selected options. Contact the Benefits Service Centre at 1-877-277-0772. .	Coverage begins the first month following you becoming eligible for benefits or upon application, whichever is later.
Extended Health Provides coverage designed to partially reimburse for services not covered by the provincial MSP or Pharmacare, such as prescription drugs, paramedical services (i.e. physiotherapist, chiropractor), vision care. Insurance carrier: Pacific Blue Cross	Reimbursement at 80% of eligible expenses (with some exceptions¹). The annual deductible is $45 per family. Effective Jan. 01, 2008 — $55 Effective Jan. 01, 2009 — $65) The lifetime maximum under the plan is $100,000 per person.	Optional — You must apply for coverage.	100% employer paid. This is not a taxable benefit.	Regular employees have 6 FULL calendar months wait. For eligible auxiliaries coverage begins the 1st of the month following reaching the required hours. Coverage begins the first of the month upon attaining eligibility or upon application, whichever is the later.
Dental Covers basic dentistry, or the services that are routinely available in the office of a general practicing dentist and are necessary to restore or maintain teeth. Insurance carrier: Pacific Blue Cross	Basic Dental Services — 100% Major Dental Services — 65% Orthodontics — 55% with a lifetime maximum of $3,500 per person	Optional — You must apply for coverage.	100% employer paid. This is not a taxable benefit.	Same as extended health above.
Disability Benefits
Benefit	Coverage	Participation	Employee/Employer Contributions	Coverage Effective
Weekly Indemnity Plan Provides a weekly income replacement benefit for a specific duration.	Up to a maximum of 15 weeks at 60% of your normal average earnings (for each period of illness)	Compulsory	100% Employer Paid	Upon accumulation of 400 hours of auxiliary service with the same ministry. The waiting period is 14 calendar days.
Short Term Illness and Injury Pays a portion of wages to protect your economic security during periods of illness or injury.	Less than three months service — 75% pay for a maximum 6 calendar days. Less than 6, but more than 3 months — 75% pay for first 6 days and 66 2/3% for 15 weeks after. More than 6 months service — 75% pay for 6 calendar months.	Compulsory	100% Employer Paid	No waiting period
Long Term Disability Provides comprehensive coverage if you become disabled and unable to work due to an injury or illness. This plan is applicable if you are absent from work due to illness or injury for more than six months. Plan carrier: Great-West Life Assurance Company	Subject to sick bank credits, you will receive a monthly benefit equal to the sum of: 70% of first $2,300 of monthly earnings and 50% of the monthly earnings above $2,300 (unionized employees 70% of first $2,600 of monthly earnings and 50% of the monthly earnings above $2,600 (excluded employees) 68.3% of the first $2,200 of monthly earnings and 50% of the monthly earnings above $2,200 (BC Ferry Services Inc.’s unionized employees) 68.3% of the first $2,400 of monthly earnings and 50% of the monthly earnings above $2,400 (BC Ferry Services Inc.’s excluded employees) 70% of the regular gross monthly earnings (Judges)	Compulsory	100% Employer Paid	LTD benefits payable after employee absent from work due to injury or illness for at least six months.
Employment Insurance
Benefit	Coverage	Participation	Employee/Employer Contributions	Coverage Effective
Employment Insurance Provides income if you are laid off due to work shortages, not working due to pregnancy, or illness/injury where sick pay is not available.	Benefits are earning related — based on insurable hours/ earnings with a maximum contribution.	Compulsory	50/50 cost shared by employer and employee (up to a yearly maximum).	No waiting period — clock starts ticking from date of employment.
Workers' Compensation
Benefit	Coverage	Participation	Employee/Employer Contributions	Coverage Effective
Workers’ Compensation Provides compensation for lost income, health care and other costs when you sustain an occupational illness or injury.	Benefits are earnings related — 90% of net wages and 100% of claim related medical (subject to a maximum).	Automatic	100% employer paid	Wage loss benefits (STIIP, LTD, EI, WCB) — next day coverage Health benefits — same day coverage
Life Insurance
Benefit	Coverage	Participation	Employee/Employer Contributions	Coverage Effective
Group Life Insurance Insurance carrier: Great-West Life Assurance Company	Provides life insurance coverage. Amount of coverage is 3 times annual salary with a minimum of $80,000 of coverage with some exceptions. Coverage includes: · funeral advance; · terminally ill advance; · accidental dismemberment; · accidental loss of sight; · conversion to a private policy.	Compulsory	Employer pays for the first $80,000 of coverage and employee pays remainder. Employer paid portion is a taxable benefit. Effective Sept 1, 2007 to Dec. 31, 2008 - Cost is 1 cent per $1000 coverage Effective January 1, 2009 - Cost is 17 cents per $1000 coverage	Starts immediately once eligible for benefits.
Optional Spouse and Dependent Coverage Provides life insurance in the event of a death of a spouse or dependent payable to you, as the employee. Insurance carrier: Great-West Life Assurance Company	Amount of coverage is $10,000 for a spouse, $5000 for a dependent.	Optional — You must apply for coverage.	100% employee paid Cost is $2.00 per month.	Coverage is effective upon receipt of application form, if you apply within the 90 day window once eligible for benefits.
Group Aviation Insurance Insurance carrier: RBC Life Insurance Company	Provides a death or dismemberment insurance if you travel by air on the Employer’s business, including limited group travel to and from the airport.	Compulsory	100% employer paid	Starts immediately for all active employees.
Retirement & Pension Benefits
Benefit	Coverage	Participation	Employee/Employer Contributions	Coverage Effective
Retirement Allowance	Provides an eligible employee with a pro-rated payment for each completed year starting with one month’s salary at twenty years increasing to a maximum of three (3) months payment at thirty years of service.	Compulsory	100% employer paid	Upon retirement
Canada Pension Plan	The Canada Pension Plan is designed to provide income to retired and disabled workers, and to orphans and surviving spouses of deceased contributors.	Compulsory	50/50 cost shared by employer and employee.
Public Service Pension	The Public Service Pension Plan is a defined benefit pension plan that provides you with income at retirement. The amount of retirement income is based on your age, years of pensionable service, and your salary level.	Compulsory	Employer contribution rates are 8.63% of pensionable earnings up to YMPE and 10.13% of pensionable earnings greater than YMPE. Employee contribution rates are 7.63% of pensionable earnings up to YMPE and 9.13% of pensionable earnings greater than YMPE. YMPE equals your Year's Maximum Pensionable Earnings. For 2007, YMPE is $43,700.	Normal retirement age — 55 years.
Employee and Family Assistance Plan
Benefit	Coverage	Participation	Employee/Employer Contributions	Coverage Effective
Employee and Family Assistance Program Offers confidential counselling services designed to assist you and your family to resolve problems that affect your personal lives and in some cases your job performance.	The assessment, counselling and/or referral service is provided at no cost to eligible employees and family members who normally reside with the employee. Six hours per fiscal year.	Optional	100% Employer paid	Starts immediately for all active employees.
Savings
Benefit	Coverage	Participation	Employee/Employer Contributions	Coverage Effective
Deferred Salary Leave Program Program carrier: Canada Life	Allows you to defer up to one-third of their salary to finance a future leave without pay.	Optional — You must have your supervisor’s approval.	100% Employee paid	Contributions begin upon enrolment.
Payroll Savings Plan (AKA Canada Payroll Savings Program)	Allows you to put a little money aside on a regular basis as part of your savings plan.	Optional	100% Employee paid	Contributions begin upon enrolment.
Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP)	Allows you to defer tax on money to be used for retirement. Contribution limits for RRSPs are based on income and are tax deductible at the time of deposit.	Optional	100% Employee paid	Contributions begin upon enrolment.

For extended health, dental, MSP, and Group Life, employees are eligible to apply upon reaching 1827 hours within 33 pay periods, or working 3 consecutive years without loss of seniority and maintaining 1200 hours within the previous 26 pay periods, or becoming a regular employee. Extended health and dental has a six month waiting period for new regular employees. Eligible auxiliaries coverage begins the 1st of the month following application or eligibility, whichever occurs later.

Drugs, hospital and paramedical services are subject to 80/20 employer/employee cost share and yearly maximums. Out of country emergency is reimbursed at 100%. For eyeglasses, contact lenses, hearing aids, or needleless injections, the annual deductible and normal 80% reimbursement does not apply.

Your Benefits Package

Health Benefits

Benefit

Coverage

Participation

Employee/Employer Contributions

Coverage Effective

Medical Services Plan Provides basic medical coverage.

Insures medically required services provided by physicians and supplementary health care practitioners, laboratory services and diagnostic procedures.

Optional —

You must apply for coverage.

100% employer paid.

The premiums paid on your behalf are a taxable benefit.

Monthly rates†:

Single — $57

Couple — $102

Family — $112

† premium rates are subject to change. †† Flexible Benefits Program rates vary depending on selected options. Contact the Benefits Service Centre at 1-877-277-0772. .

Coverage begins the first month following you becoming eligible for benefits or upon application, whichever is later.

Extended Health Provides coverage designed to partially reimburse for services not covered by the provincial MSP or Pharmacare, such as prescription drugs, paramedical services (i.e. physiotherapist, chiropractor), vision care. Insurance carrier: Pacific Blue Cross

Reimbursement at 80% of eligible expenses (with some exceptions1).

The annual deductible is $45 per family.

Effective Jan. 01, 2008 — $55 Effective Jan. 01, 2009 — $65)

The lifetime maximum under the plan is $100,000 per person.

Optional —

You must apply for coverage.

100% employer paid.

This is not a taxable benefit.

Regular employees have 6 FULL calendar months wait. For eligible auxiliaries coverage begins the 1st of the month following reaching the required hours.

Coverage begins the first of the month upon attaining eligibility or upon application, whichever is the later.

Dental Covers basic dentistry, or the services that are routinely available in the office of a general practicing dentist and are necessary to restore or maintain teeth. Insurance carrier: Pacific Blue Cross

Basic Dental Services — 100% Major Dental Services — 65% Orthodontics — 55% with a lifetime maximum of $3,500 per person

Optional —

You must apply for coverage.

100% employer paid.

This is not a taxable benefit.

Same as extended health above.

Disability Benefits

Benefit

Coverage

Participation

Employee/Employer Contributions

Coverage Effective

Weekly Indemnity Plan

Provides a weekly income replacement benefit for a specific duration.

Up to a maximum of 15 weeks at 60% of your normal average earnings (for each period of illness)

Compulsory

100% Employer Paid

Upon accumulation of 400 hours of auxiliary service with the same ministry. The waiting period is 14 calendar days.

Short Term Illness and Injury

Pays a portion of wages to protect your economic security during periods of illness or injury.

Less than three months service — 75% pay for a maximum 6 calendar days.

Less than 6, but more than 3 months — 75% pay for first 6 days and 66 2/3% for 15 weeks after.

More than 6 months service — 75% pay for 6 calendar months.

Compulsory

100% Employer Paid

No waiting period

Long Term Disability Provides comprehensive coverage if you become disabled and unable to work due to an injury or illness.

This plan is applicable if you are absent from work due to illness or injury for more than six months.

Plan carrier: Great-West Life Assurance Company

Subject to sick bank credits, you will receive a monthly benefit equal to the sum of:

70% of first $2,300 of monthly earnings and 50% of the monthly earnings above $2,300 (unionized employees

70% of first $2,600 of monthly earnings and 50% of the monthly earnings above $2,600 (excluded employees)

68.3% of the first $2,200 of monthly earnings and 50% of the monthly earnings above $2,200 (BC Ferry Services Inc.’s unionized employees)

68.3% of the first $2,400 of monthly earnings and 50% of the monthly earnings above $2,400 (BC Ferry Services Inc.’s excluded employees)

70% of the regular gross monthly earnings (Judges)

Compulsory

100% Employer Paid

LTD benefits payable after employee absent from work due to injury or illness for at least six months.

Employment Insurance

Benefit

Coverage

Participation

Employee/Employer Contributions

Coverage Effective

Employment Insurance Provides income if you are laid off due to work shortages, not working due to pregnancy, or illness/injury where sick pay is not available.

Benefits are earning related — based on insurable hours/ earnings with a maximum contribution.

Compulsory

50/50 cost shared by employer and employee (up to a yearly maximum).

No waiting period — clock starts ticking from date of employment.

Medical Services Plan
Provides basic medical coverage.

Monthly rates^†:

^† premium rates are subject to change.
^†† Flexible Benefits Program rates vary depending on selected options. Contact the Benefits Service Centre at 1-877-277-0772. .

Extended Health
Provides coverage designed to partially reimburse for services not covered by the provincial MSP or Pharmacare, such as prescription drugs, paramedical services (i.e. physiotherapist, chiropractor), vision care. Insurance carrier: Pacific Blue Cross

Reimbursement at 80% of eligible expenses (with some exceptions¹).

Effective Jan. 01, 2008
— $55
Effective Jan. 01, 2009
— $65)

Dental
Covers basic dentistry, or the services that are routinely available in the office of a general practicing dentist and are necessary to restore or maintain teeth. Insurance carrier: Pacific Blue Cross

Basic Dental Services
— 100%
Major Dental Services
— 65%
Orthodontics — 55%
with a lifetime maximum of $3,500 per person

Long Term Disability
Provides comprehensive coverage if you become disabled and unable to work due to an injury or illness.

Employment Insurance
Provides income if you are laid off due to work shortages, not working due to pregnancy, or illness/injury where sick pay is not available.

Workers’ Compensation
Provides compensation for lost income, health care and other costs when you sustain an occupational illness or injury.

Group Life Insurance
Insurance carrier: Great-West Life Assurance Company

Provides life insurance coverage. Amount of coverage is 3 times annual salary with a minimum of $80,000 of coverage with some exceptions.

Coverage includes:
· funeral advance;
· terminally ill advance;
· accidental
dismemberment;
· accidental loss of
sight;
· conversion to a
private policy.

Employer pays for the first $80,000 of coverage and employee pays remainder.
Employer paid portion is a taxable benefit.

Optional Spouse and Dependent Coverage
Provides life insurance in the event of a death of a spouse or dependent payable to you, as the employee. Insurance carrier: Great-West Life Assurance Company

Group Aviation Insurance
Insurance carrier: RBC Life Insurance Company