The Disability Board of Management is responsible for the overall administrative and financial management of the Disability Insurance Plan, including the review of the contract of insurance, review of any financial or service agreement, the financial status of the Plan, the services of the Insurer, the administrative fees and charges, the adequacy of reserves, the premium levels, the disposition of disputed claims, and other matters referred to it by the National Joint Council on the overall operation of the Plan, and for making appropriate recommendations to the National Joint Council.
Committee Advisor: Laura Mackenzie
Quarterly Report to the National Joint Council (June 2026)
Regular Activities
- The Board of Management has met three (3) times since the last Council meeting and considered ten (10) appeals over the reporting period. The Board agreed with Sun Life's (SL) decision to decline to provide disability benefits for seven (7) appeals, disagreed with Sun Life's decision for two (2) appeals, and deferred a decision pending SL's review of further medical information for one (1) appeal;
- In the ten (10) appeal cases reviewed, SL declined to provide disability benefits as it was of the view that the medical information on file does not support a finding of continuous total disability that would prevent the claimant from performing the essential duties of their regular occupation for six (6) appeals, that the claim was submitted beyond the limitation period for two (2) appeals, that the information on file does not support a finding of continuous total disability that would prevent the claimant from performing the essential duties of any commensurate occupation for one (1) appeal, and that the claimant was not covered under the Plan at the time of disability for one (1) appeal;
- The Board continues to receive monthly financial updates from SL;
- Following the Executive Committee's approval of a second medical consultant to manage the backlog of appeal files, the Board reviewed the need to expand its membership or allow substitute members; however, concluded that scheduling additional meetings would be sufficient. Both sides will endeavour to ensure availability in order to satisfy quorum requirements;
- Due to contracting difficulties, the Board is without a medical consultant at the present time. Nevertheless, the Board continues its work so as to minimize the impact to the case load;
- The Board discussed the treatment of disability insurance (DI) premiums during periods of leave without pay in cases where employees have alternative DI coverage. The Board prepared a memo outlining their findings, which will be presented to the Executive Committee at their June meeting;
- The Board finalized their 2025 Annual Report.
Outstanding Items
- Thirty-three (33) appeals. Of these, twenty-five (25) appeals have been received by the NJC Secretariat from SL and are scheduled for review, and eight (8) are still under review with SL.
Next Meetings: September 8, 2026; November 10, 2026