Dear RCCAQ members:

As we mentioned last week, the federal government is currently holding a consultation on a series of proposed tax reforms, which, if adopted, could affect a great many brokerage firms.

These proposed changes are primarily focused on tax strategies used by businesses, perhaps including your own, to minimize their tax payable. Taking the lead role, the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada (IBAC), supported by the RCCAQ and the other provincial associations, has launched a concerted Canada-wide initiative. We are well aware of the major impacts that these changes could have on our members, so we encourage all of you to get involved by sharing your concerns with your Members of Parliament.

To facilitate the process, we've drafted a template letter discussing the proposed changes' repercussions for brokerage firms. Simply follow the instructions to customize your letter and then send it to your MP. A webpage has been specifically created for this purpose. You can visit it by clicking here (the button for the French-language version of the letter is located at the bottom of the page).

Please don't procrastinate! The federal government needs to hear your voices in order to grasp the potential impacts of its proposed changes, particularly where small and medium-sized businesses are concerned. For that reason, the letter should be sent to as many MPs as possible without delay, i.e. prior to October 2, which is when the consultation is slated to end.

IBAC is focusing its lobbying efforts, including the submission of a position paper, on the federal government. However, the success of these initiatives depends directly on the number of people willing to play a supporting role. Please make your voices heard! Your large-scale involvement should reflect the magnitude of the impact that these changes could have.

If you have any questions or comments concerning the proposed tax reforms, please send us an email (communications@rccaq.com).

Kathleen Ann Rake
Chair, RCCAQ