Many Canadian employers offer their staff a group benefits plan that helps cover the cost of prescription drugs, dental care, eyeglasses, and other health expenses that provincial medicare does not pay for. The premium is usually shared: a portion is deducted from each paycheque, and the employer pays the rest on the worker's behalf. Because the group buys coverage together, the monthly cost for each member is far lower than it would be for a person shopping alone.

Many people argue that choosing health coverage should be left entirely to the individual, yet pooling a large group of employees is exactly what keeps the premiums affordable and the benefits dependable. A common objection to these plans is that the workers who most need help are often the ones who receive the least. This is because eligibility usually depends on holding a permanent, full-time position, and the richest benefits tend to go to senior, higher-paid staff.