Insights on payroll, benefits, HR and more

Understanding whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor is critical for Canadian businesses in 2026. This guide breaks down how the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) determines classification, focusing on key factors like control, ownership of tools, chance of profit, and risk of loss. It also explores common misclassification risks, financial penalties, and how evolving work models, like remote and gig work, are influencing CRA scrutiny. Whether you’re hiring or being hired, this article helps you stay compliant, avoid costly mistakes, and confidently classify working relationships under current CRA rules.

Your benefits plan is already being evaluated online by candidates. This guide walks Canadian SMBs through a 6-step benefits audit to identify gaps, stay competitive, and avoid losing talent during fast-paced spring hiring.

Pay transparency is quickly becoming law across Canada, driven by cultural shifts and legislation. This guide explains what employers must do to stay compliant, from building defensible pay ranges to upgrading payroll systems and internal processes.

The post–T4 deadline burnout isn’t inevitable, it’s the result of disconnected, manual payroll systems. This piece breaks down the hidden costs of tax season and how integrated payroll eliminates errors, saves time, and reduces stress.

Payroll remittances in Canada aren’t just routine, they’re legal obligations that can become personal liabilities. This guide explains the risks, penalties, and how to protect your business with proper systems.

Cyberattacks increasingly target small and mid-sized businesses, with payroll data being a prime objective due to the sensitive information it contains, including SIN numbers and banking details. Common threats include phishing scams, payroll diversion fraud, ransomware, weak passwords, and outdated software. To reduce risk, businesses should implement multi-factor authentication, verify direct deposit changes, limit system access, train staff on phishing awareness, and automate payroll processes. Modern cloud payroll systems offer built-in security features like encryption, secure data centers, role-based permissions, and audit trails. Investing in secure payroll software helps protect employee trust, ensure compliance, and safeguard business stability.