I worked as a crime reporter for the Ottawa Citizen newspaper, owned by Postmedia, starting in January 2000. I have been on long-term disability for PTSD and intractable Major Depressive Disorder since 2004. I had a good benefits package with Manulife when I went on LTD in 2004. But suddenly in 2017, my employer, the Ottawa Citizen, announced that my benefits had been gutted and moved to a new company, Great West Life. I was very ill at the time and it wasn't until recently that I became aware that what they did may have been illegal. It is my understanding that once someone goes on long-term disability, their benefits cannot be changed. Yet after 14 years on LTD with Manulife, the Ottawa Citizen suddenly gave me a new, much worse package with Great West Life that has ended up costing me a lot of money. I have been left unable to pay for the dental coverage I need among other things.

My questions: Can an employer switch the benefits package for an employee who's been on long-term disability with the same company for 14 years? And is there anything I can do about it?



Please let me know. I look forward to your response.