Canadian employers know that their employees value benefit plans. Employer-sponsored plans often provide additional benefit coverage to employees beyond the basic medical treatment covered under the universal health care system. Every employer’s benefit plan may be different—some include mandatory benefit programs that do not allow employees to opt out while others may only allow opt-outs of specific plan elements. Employers must follow the law and plan rules, but when can employers mandate employees join a group benefit plan, and when can employees opt out?