Based on benefits data from the CAPS/ACSP’s 2016 National Postdoc Survey, we estimate that of the nearly 10,000 postdocs currently working in Canada:
- ~4,000 postdocs have no drug plan, dental benefits, family coverage, extended health benefits, or vision coverage
- ~5,000 postdocs have no long-term disability or life insurance coverage
This type of support is essential to the health and wellbeing of postdocs and their families, so the CAPS/ACSP Executive Council is looking to implement a national group health/dental insurance plan for all postdocs working in Canada and perhaps even Canadian postdocs working abroad.
Toward that goal, we developed a survey to gauge the interest and needs of Canadian postdocs with respect to insurance coverage.
Over 200 postdocs took the survey from June-July 2017, and we are now in the process of analyzing the results, which will be used to inform our negotiations with insurance providers.
Our thanks to all of the respondents, for providing input that will help us develop an appropriate single-payer insurance program open to all Canadian postdocs. It is our goal to have a plan (or plans) available before the end of 2017.
Sincerely,
The CAPS/ACSP Executive Council
