Each year, CAE conducts a thorough review of its group benefits program to ensure it meets the evolving health, wellness, and support needs of its employees while maintaining the program’s sustainability. For 2026, several significant enhancements have been made to better support employees and their families.
Mental health and physical therapy: enhanced coverage
Among the priorities identified this year, mental and physical health remain a priority in our improvement efforts. That is why CAE is proud to announce enhancements in this area:
- Increased maximum coverage for psychological care and physical therapy, exclusively for employees:
Psychological care and physiotherapy are now covered at 100% up to a maximum of:- Basic option: $750
- Option 1: $1,500
- Option 2: $2,250
The overall maximum for other professionals remains unchanged.
- Expansion of covered professionals: Marriage and family therapists, sexologists, and certified counselors are now eligible under the psychological care category
We remind you that you have access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and the Physical Wellness Program, two valuable complementary resources for your mental and physical health.
Optional critical illness coverage: extended protection
Starting in 2026, optional critical illness coverage will be available up to age 70 (instead of 65), providing extended peace of mind for you and your loved ones.
Administrative rules: greater flexibility
To simplify the management of your plan and better meet your needs, CAE is making the following adjustments to the administrative rules governing medical and dental coverage:
- Greater freedom of choice: You no longer need to reduce your coverage one option at a time. You can adjust your coverage according to your needs, without having to go through intermediate steps.
- Greater flexibility for options: The rule requiring you to keep an option for at least two years before you can reduce your coverage will now be limited to the most advantageous options, namely option 2 for medical coverage and option 3 for dental coverage. For other options, you will enjoy greater flexibility when making changes.
Business Travel Insurance
Because the safety and well-being of employees traveling on behalf of CAE is a priority, the Business Travel Insurance (BTA) policy has been completely revised to make it more effective and accessible.
The new global BTA policy has been implemented, replacing several local policies with a single, centralized process. Now, in the event of a medical or security emergency while traveling on business, employees have a single point of contact: International SOS (ISOS) – our assistance provider. For more details, please visit the Travel Assistance page.
In addition, employees can now generate their own travel confirmation insurance letter for business travel. Refer to the procedure on the Travel Services page of CAE360.
Grief support services for life insurance beneficiaries
In the event of the death of an insured person with Sun Life group life insurance, Empathy, an organization specializing in grief support, offers beneficiaries logistical and psychological support without prior registration. Access includes a care manager, funeral support, estate and financial advice, and assistance with administrative procedures.
Beneficiaries are informed of their eligibility when they submit their claim. See this the flyer for more information.
Smoking Cessation Coaching Program
Sun Life offers a free, nationwide, online, personalized program in partnership with the University of Ottawa Heart Institute to help participants and their loved ones quit smoking or vaping.
The program at a glance:
- Support from specialists in treating nicotine addiction.
- 24 weeks of support, tailored to all forms of tobacco use, including cigarettes and vaping.
- Possible medication recommendations depending on your plan coverage.
- Available in English and French.
See the flyer for more details and registration information.