By Vincent Gaudreau, CIB, FCIP, CRM, Insurance broker/RCCAQ chair

Starting from the premise that even the longest journey begins with a single step, the RCCAQ's board and secretariat quickly joined forces. Since then, we have seized every opportunity to set out, explain, promote and defend our positions.

An article in the Ontario-based newspaper Thompson’s World Insurance News, entitled"RCCAQ seeking overhaul of two-tier governing structure"* (Oct. 20), paid tribute to our lobbying efforts in the area of online insurance sales. In our view, a certified representative should always be involved in such transactions, while distribution of products without the participation of a certified representative should be prohibited.

That same day, the Journal de l'Assurance published a report mentioning various other points we have raised, including calls for the regulatory system to be the same for all insurance professionals (whether employees of insurers or other professionals) and for the AMF to be the sole oversight body. 

In this regard, our general manager (Guy Parent) attended the annual convention of the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO) from October 21-23 and got a chance to check out the Ontario market. The RCCAQ's presence was duly noted, particularly when Mr. Parent emphasized Desjardins' strategy (brokers in Ontario but none in Quebec).

All of these points will be discussed and will be used to support various initiatives over the next few months. We will remain vigilant and will continue to represent your interests with a sense of conviction and passion until we have finished walking this long road together. As we will see at the convention,Together we have everything to gain!

*Unfortunately, we are not authorized to reprint this article.