MBWL International Annual Meeting

Normandin Beaudry was honoured to host the recent MBWL International event in Montreal, welcoming over 80 participants from across the globe for two days focused on worldwide trends shaping benefits and total rewards.

May 4th centered on major international client organizations. The opening keynote by Charles-Philippe David from the Raoul-Dandurand Chair set the stage by highlighting how current geopolitical, economic, and social dynamics are transforming benefits strategies. Normandin Beaudry’s experts shared insights into Canadian employee benefits, emphasizing the need for organizations to:

• Manage uncertainty stemming from geopolitical tensions, labor market pressures, and shifting strategic priorities;
• Control costs without diminishing the value of benefit programs;
• Prepare for the future by leveraging technology and AI.

Major organizations including Fednav, Cirque du Soleil, and WSP discussed the complexities of managing benefits for globally distributed teams and ensuring consistency across diverse markets.

May 5th brought together the four MBWL International shareholders—Milliman, Barnett Waddingham, Lurse, and Normandin Beaudry—joined by special guest Origin. Discussions highlighted the collective expertise and strength of the joint venture in addressing global challenges such as rising plan costs and the need for program alignment worldwide. The day also included a visit to Ubisoft Montreal, offering attendees a behind-the-scenes look at the HR and total rewards realities within the tech and gaming sector.

As MBWL International’s 2026 host, Normandin Beaudry provided a platform for learning, sharing, and innovation—reinforcing the importance of a global vision in supporting clients through transformative change.