Member Services

Designed exclusively for the unique needs of hourly workers, the Hour Bank Benefit Plan is portable between all OpenCircle Member organizations across Canada.

Designed for office and administration staff, the Office Supervisory Benefit Plan operates like a traditional benefit plan and provides identical coverages to those available under the Hour Bank Benefit Plan.

Available to retired employees between ages 55 and 89, the Retiree Benefit Plan offers flexible coverage options with no medical underwriting required, ensuring coverage will continue well into retirement.

Contact us for more information on:

• Participation criteria
• Coverage summaries and benefit booklet
• Rates

The OpenCircle Hour Bank and Office Supervisory Benefit Plans include a comprehensive selection of accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) and life insurance benefits. However, employees may wish to enhance their existing benefits or add additional coverage on an individual basis.

The following Optional Benefits are available to existing Hour Bank and Office Supervisory Plan participants. Please contact us for more information on:

• Optional Life Insurance
• Optional Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Optional Critical Illness Insurance

For more information, visit opencirclebenefits.ca

• Student must be under 25 years of age at the application submission deadline
• Student must be enrolled in a designated educational institution in Canada
• Student must be listed as a dependent of a Member employee enrolled under an OpenCircle Benefits Plan
• Member employee must be in benefit at the time of application
• Member employee must work for a company that is a full Member of OpenCircle
  • Membership status will be verified by OpenCircle Benefits
  • If you require further clarification as to your benefit status, please contact OpenCircle Benefits at  1-877.263.7266

1. How much is the scholarship award?
   $1,500.
2. When do I apply for the scholarship?
   Application intake begins September 1, 2022. Application submission deadline is April 4, 2023.
3. How do I apply for the scholarship?
   You apply by completing the application form found on the OpenCircle website at opencircle.ca. Once completed, please email the required documents to scholarship@opencircle.ca.
4. I attend a post-secondary institution outside of Canada; can I still apply for the scholarship?
   No, the scholarships are only available to students attending a post-secondary institution in Canada.
5. How do I know if my school is a designated educational institution?
   Please refer to the Government of Canada’s list of designated educational institutions.
6. I am in a trades program; can I still apply for the scholarship?
   Yes, students enrolled in a trades program are eligible to apply for a scholarship as long as their parent is a Member employee enrolled under an OpenCircle Benefits Plan and the student is listed as a dependent.
7. What if I don’t have my proof of enrolment?
   The application will not be accepted without verification of enrolment from the educational institution. Most schools will provide a letter showing proof of enrolment. If you are in a later year of your program, we will accept a photo of your student ID card or a course schedule.
8. Can I apply each year of my schooling?
   Yes, you can apply one time for each year of your schooling. Individuals who have previously received an OpenCircle scholarship are not eligible to apply again.
9. I already received an OpenCircle scholarship; can I apply for the scholarship again?
   No, you can receive the scholarship only one time. This ensures more students can apply for the $1,500 in financial support.
10. When will I find out if I am a recipient of the OpenCircle scholarship?
    Successful applicants will be notified via email by the end of May 2023.
11. What do I write in my personal statement?
    Tell us about your career goals and ambitions as well as what it would mean to you to receive this award.
12. Who can I contact if I have additional questions?
    Please email us at scholarship@opencircle.ca with any questions you have.

This scholarship is not necessarily awarded based on academic standing. The scholarship recipients are selected through a lottery system as the number of scholarships is limited.

Applicant is required to submit the following to scholarship@opencircle.ca:

1. Completed and signed application form
2. Acceptance letter from post-secondary institution including student ID number (can be a photocopy)
3. Proof of enrolment documentation (i.e.: course schedule or student ID card)
4. Completed personal statement (a minimum of 250 words to a maximum of 500 words)
5. Successful applicants will be required to provide a photo of themselves and a quote for publication on OpenCircle’s communication channels.

Application intake: September 1, 2022 — Application deadline: April 4, 2023

Note: Incomplete applications will not be considered.

• The Tuition Refund Program reimburses tuition fees for field employees (Members of Hour Bank Benefit Plan) of OpenCircle Member companies
• Applicants must successfully complete the apprenticeship training period at a publicly funded training facility
• Applicants must return to work full-time for an OpenCircle Member company and work a minimum of 150 hours (approximately one month)

Alberta Guidelines:

Within six months from the date on the employee’s letter from the Alberta Apprenticeship Board stating they have completed apprenticeship training, submit the following:

• Complete Alberta Tuition Refund Claim Form
• A copy of the Alberta Apprenticeship Board Letter

British Columbia Guidelines:

Within six months from the date on the employee’s Proof of Completion stating they have completed apprenticeship training, submit the following:

• Complete British Columbia Tuition Refund Claim Form
• A copy of the Proof of Completion
• Proof of Payment

Manitoba Guidelines:

Within six months from the date on the employee’s Proof of Completion stating they have completed apprenticeship training, submit the following:

• Complete Manitoba Tuition Refund Claim Form
• A copy of the Proof of Completion
• Marks from your institute of training

Ontario Guidelines:

Within six months from the date on the employee’s Certificate of Qualification stating they have completed apprenticeship training, submit the following:

• Complete Ontario Tuition Refund Claim Form
• A copy of the Certificate of Qualification
• Marks from Ontario apprenticeship board
• Proof of Payment/Receipt

Saskatchewan Guidelines:

Within six months from the date on the employee’s Proof of Completion from the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission stating they have completed apprenticeship training, submit the following:

• Complete Saskatchewan Tuition Refund Claim Form
• A copy of the Proof of Completion
• Marks from your institute of training

Nova Scotia Guidelines:

**Please Note** Open Circle does not provide tuition refund for apprentices who work in and complete schooling in Nova Scotia. Costs for Tuition Trade fees are covered by the government of Nova Scotia.

• Employees who begin training immediately upon hire will be reimbursed after completion of the training period and once they have worked a minimum of 300 hours (approximately two months)
• Employees who choose to work through school training will be reimbursed, if required hours have been achieved upon completion of the course
• An employee leaving aa OpenCircle Member company will be eligible for a tuition refund if he/she finds work with another OpenCircle Member company and meet all other criteria within six months of course completion
• Membership firms that pay for an employee may also be reimbursed

Weekly tuition fee is multiplied by number of technical training weeks to equal the amount of OpenCircle’s Tuition Refund. Program applies to each period of technical training.

OpenCircle’s Tuition Refund must be included in your annual tax return as taxable income.

A T4A will be mailed to you to support the amount of the refund received.

1.  Do I have to wait until I have worked 150 hours before sending the claim form and supporting documents?
   No, you can send the form and documents in before. We will track the hours your company reports for your benefits.
2. Is there a time limit to send in the claim form?
   Yes. We must receive the claim form, supporting documents and you must have worked 150 hours with an OpenCircle company within six months of the completion date on your Proof of Completion.
3. I have banked hours from before I attended school. Will these count for the 150 hours?
   No, we require that you work with an OpenCircle Member after completing and passing your course.
4. Can I email my claim and documents?
   Yes, you can email your documents to tuition@opencircle.ca
5. I emailed my application in four weeks ago. Why haven’t I received a cheque yet?
   Our process takes approximately six to eight weeks to complete. We process the refunds in the order they are received. We also need to verify the correct paperwork is attached and all hours are worked.
6. Who can apply for the tuition refund?
   The Tuition Refund Program is available to OpenCircle Member employees in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Saskatchewan.
   
7. Who can I contact if I have questions?
   You can email tuition@opencircle.ca with any questions you may have on the program.

At Fountain Tire, Members and their employees can enjoy discounts on purchase of tires, automotive parts and other tire services.

OpenCircle members will be eligible for exclusive membership packages at GoodLife Fitness. Members and their employees receive a significant discount on membership packages.

Members will enjoy discounts on all kinds of lien services available in Canada — be it online lien filing and searches, builders’ liens, oil and gas liens, mechanics’ liens or more.
Lien-Pro also offers Lien Protection Plans with tools to track and file a lien and other advanced features.

Receive discounts off regular retail prices on all of Mark’s products, including industrial and casual apparel, footwear and accessories, with your OpenCircle membership.

OpenCircle has partnered with Staples to bring its members great discounts on online purchases, including next-day delivery.

Our partnership with LifeWorks allows our Members to access hundreds of exclusive offers for everyday living! Perks include discounts in everything from home meal delivery service, computer purchases, clothing, fishing equipment, to on-line tax filing!