Occupational Therapy Benefit
Occupational Therapy was added to the Physiotherapy/Athletic Therapy/Kinesiologist benefit category effective January 1, 2026. GSI was recently made aware that Occupational Therapy had been unintentionally omitted from the benefits coverage update.
If you submitted an Occupational Therapy claim that was not processed by Manulife, please contact our office with your claim details so we can follow up with Manulife on your behalf.
The Canadian Dental Care Plan
The Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP) helps supports Canadians who do not have dental insurance to ease the financial burden. This Plan provides coverage over a single benefit period ending each year on June 30; members you must renew coverage every year to confirm that they still meet the eligibility requirements.
Applications for the 2026–2027 benefit year are open. The renewal period for those who had coverage last year closed June 1. If you missed that, you’ll have to reapply and wait for coverage to be reinstated — with a coverage gap between June 1 and the date of reinstatement.
Eligibility requirements are available here: eligibility.
For more information you may visit the CDCP page on the Government of Canada website.
Change of Personal Information
If you have moved or changed your email address or banking information, please notify GSI so we can ensure your contact information is up to date. We will also update your information with Manulife on your behalf.
Migraines
Migraine is much more than just a bad headache. It is a complex, genetic neurological disease that affects over one billion people worldwide, including more than five million Canadians.
June is recognized globally as Migraine and Headache Awareness Month. This month serves as a critical time to educate the public, dismantle stigma, and advocate for better healthcare support.
For those who do not experience them, a migraine can be easily misunderstood. In reality, it is a debilitating condition characterized by a variety of intense physical symptoms:
- Severe throbbing pain: Usually concentrated on one side of the head.
- Sensory sensitivity: Extreme intolerance to light, sound, and specific smells.
- Nausea and vomiting: Making it impossible to eat, drink, or take oral medications.
- Visual auras: Temporary blind spots, flashing lights, or zig-zag patterns before the pain starts.
- Cognitive issues: Often called “brain fog,” which impacts speech and concentration.
An attack can last anywhe re from four hours to several days. The unpredictable nature of these episodes forces individuals to miss work, skip social events, and lose precious time with family.
Raising awareness is the first step toward creating a more empathetic and accommodating world for people living with migraine.
Summer Skincare
Summer is here, and that means that our days are longer and the sun’s UV rays more intense. Many Canadians are spending more time outside than they do in winter, and more of their skin is exposed. Making an effort to protect your skin now will reduce your chances of getting skin cancer — and other signs of sun damage such as wrinkles and discoloration — in the future.
A Few Tips
Most people under-apply sunscreen and overlook areas such as the top of the feet, ears, backs of hands and knees, and scalp. All of these areas are vulnerable to damage from UV rays.- When heading outside no matter how short of a time period, apply sunscreen generously and evenly at least 15 minutes before heading outdoors and re-apply at least every 2 hours when you are outdoors.
- Switching to a foundation/moisturizer with SPF built in (and reapplying at lunchtime) is a low-effort way to ensure you have some sun protection while getting out of the car to run errands, walking the dog, etc.
- Not all available sunscreens work equally well. It’s worth doing some research to see which ingredients experts recommend.
- If swimming or sweating heavily, ensure your sunscreen is waterproof, and prepare to reapply more frequently.
- Wearing protective clothing can reduce the need for sunscreen in covered areas. Thicker, denser weaves (e.g., denim) offer the best UV protection. Darker colours absorb UV rays better than white/lighter colours do. Long sleeves and high collars are beneficial, and looser clothing is also better. In general, synthetics offer superior protection to looser weaves like cotton and linen. A densely-woven hat with a wide brim is a must!
- It’s also important to protect your eyes. Sunglasses from a reputable source that promise 100% UVA and UVB or UV400 protection are best. Large lenses and thicker arms offer better coverage.
- The sun’s UV rays are strongest between about 11am and 3pm. Don’t forget even on cloudy or smoky days, the UV rays may be strong even thought it doesn’t feel like it. Most weather apps now provide the current UV; check that throughout the day and get out of the sun or cover up when you see the number climbing.
As with getting regular exercise eating a healthy diet, the best time to start looking after your skin would have been when you were a child/teenager. But it’s never too late to start, and the second-best time to do it is today!
Honey Mustard Chicken
Ingredients:
¼ cup Dijon mustard
¼ cup honey
¼ cup yellow mustard
3 tbsp olive oil, divided
2 tbsp apple cider vinegar
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1 tsp chopped fresh rosemary leaves, or ½ tsp. dried rosemary
½ tsp kosher salt
½ tsp smoked paprika
½ tsp ground black pepper
2 tbsp mayonnaise
8 boneless skinless chicken thighs or breasts
Directions:
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the Dijon mustard, honey, yellow mustard, 2 tbsp of olive oil, apple cider vinegar, garlic, rosemary, salt, paprika, and pepper.
- In another medium bowl, place 1/3 cup of the marinade and whisk in the mayonnaise. Cover and refrigerate the dipping sauce until ready to use.
- If using chicken breast, put the chicken breasts between 2 pieces of plastic wrap and pound with the flat side of a meat mallet or a heavy skillet so they are of uniform thickness.
- Place the chicken thighs or breasts in a gallon-sized plastic zip lock bag. Add the remaining marinade, seal the bag, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
For the stovetop
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Discard the remaining marinade.
- Heat a large cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Add the remaining 1 tbsp of olive oil and swirl to coat the pan.
- Place the chicken in the pan and cook until nicely seared and the chicken releases easily from the pan, 4–5 minutes.
- Flip the chicken and reduce heat to medium-low.
- Cook, undisturbed, until the chicken releases from the pan.
- Let rest for 5 minutes and serve immediately with dipping sauce.
For the Grill:
- Preheat a grill to medium heat. Oil the grill grates well.
- Remove the chicken from the marinade and pat dry with paper towels. Discard the remaining marinade.
- Place the chicken over the grill. Cover and cook until grill marks appear and the chicken easily releases, 6–8 minutes.
- Flip the chicken and continue cooking until it is no longer pink in the middle, 2–3 minutes more.
- Let rest for 5 minutes and serve immediately with the dipping sauce.
We welcome your questions & feedback!
please write to us: admin@elcicgsi.ca
or call toll free: 1-877-352-4247 (in Winnipeg 204-984-9181)
information and resources can also be found on the GSI website