The traditional Parliament Hill Day was organized in Ottawa on May 31 by the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada (IBAC), the national organization representing the collective interests of its 11-member associations. Let's remember that IBAC defends the interests of consumers and insurance brokers, in addition to supporting and enhancing professional standards and promoting a dynamic and solid distribution network.

Government representatives and key issues

Some 30 meetings were held with federal government representatives. A cross-party group of elected officials had a chance to listen to actors from the insurance brokerage sector discussing national issues of concern. The RCCAQ, represented by four Board members (Jean-Pierre Tardif, chair; Maryse Rivard, vice-chair; Mathieu Brunet, outgoing chair; Lucie Fréchette, director) and its executive director (Éric Manseau), together with two IBAC governors and ex-chairs (Stéphan Bernatchez, FORT Assurances, and John Morin, Morin Assurances), held talks with MPs and political staffers, including:

• Sébastien Lemire, MP, Bloc Québécois, Abitibi-Témiscamingue
• Luc Berthold, MP, Conservative Party, Mégantic-L’Érable
• Louis Plamondon, MP, Bloc Québécois, Bécancour-Nicolet-Saurel
• Francis Scarpaleggia, MP, Liberal Party, Lac-Saint-Louis

Left to right: Francis Scarpaleggia, MP, Liberal Party, Lac-Saint-Louis Salwa El Maroizy, Chair, LARAQ Committee (Montréal) Maryse Rivard, Vice-Chair, RCCAQ John Morin, Governor and Ex-Chair, IBAC

In addition to the agenda items, the various provincial representatives took the opportunity to reposition insurance brokers’ community role, noting that brokers are small business professionals who operate in virtually all corners of the country, creating jobs and contributing to local economic growth. They also emphasized the deep community involvement of the brokerage sector and its various actors.

Consumer protection, as set out in the Bank Act, was one of the agenda items, including the need to keep on separating the banking and insurance pillars. Maintaining the consumer protection provisions in section 416 of the Bank Act, which prohibits banks from selling insurance when issuing loans, was at the centre of the discussions. These provisions are important for consumer protection, particularly as regards potential exposure to high-pressure sales tactics, as well as for fostering a consumer-friendly insurance market. In line with these issues, IBAC representatives offered their support for proposed legislation aimed at establishing an independent ombudsman, ideally within the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC).

Needless to say, these meetings would not have been complete without discussing the pivotal issue of climate change. Across Canada, climate change has led to an increase in extreme weather events that have devastated families, businesses and communities. These events can also have significant impacts on the financial system: insurance brokers are on the front lines in such situations, providing essential services to the people and businesses involved. The IBAC representatives reiterated their support for a national adaptation strategy, requiring a whole-of-society approach.

Other topics of discussion included support for an open banking framework geared towards protecting consumers and upholding the principle of banking/insurance separation. This issue was raised because we are entering a new era of financial services. As the federal government puts together its made-in-Canada approach to an open banking system, the IBAC representatives pointed out that they would like to see significant stakeholder consultations focused on protecting consumers’ overriding interests. The elected officials were asked to support a solid consumer education and awareness program as the open banking system is rolled out.

Left to right: Maryse Rivard, Deslauriers et Associés inc. Vice-Chair, RCCAQ John Morin, Morin Assurances IBAC Governor and Ex-Chair
Left to right: IBAC Governors: Scott Treasure, Treasures Insurance Stéphan Bernatchez, FORT Assurances Stephen Halsall, Insurance Brokers Association of New Brunswick (IBANB) John Morin, Morin Assurances Chris Floyd, Ontario Teachers’ Insurance Plan

Representing the next generation

Representatives of our next generation of brokers were also in Ottawa on Parliament Hill Day for a meeting of the Young Broker Advisory Council (YBAC), sponsored by IBAC. Representing young Québec brokers was Salwa El Maroizy, director of personal insurance at Gaudreau Assurances and chair of the Montréal committee of LARAQ (L’Association de la relève en assurance du Québec).

The key topics of discussion included recruiting and retaining professionals. The participants emphasized the importance of sharing information on the profession and considered various related opportunities, including career paths, etc. The group came up with the idea of holding a national Lunch & Learn event featuring experienced guest speakers eager to share their knowledge, discuss their experiences, serve as catalysts, etc.

YBAC is a national committee tasked with encouraging young brokers from the member associations to participate in IBAC’s mission and mandate. It is responsible for supporting groups of young brokers from the member associations while fostering collaboration and communication at the national level. Additional duties include advising on IBAC’s strategic priorities from a generational perspective, as well as encouraging diversity and inclusion among professional insurance brokers.

YBAC national committee Far right: Québec’s representative:  Salwa El Maroizy (Gaudreau Assurances)

Board of Directors meeting

In conjunction with Parliament Hill Day in Ottawa, IBAC’s Board held a meeting attended by one of RCCAQ’s Board members, Mathieu Brunet. The RCCAQ’s current Board chair, Jean-Pierre Tardif, was also present. This was an opportunity to exchange views on national issues and provide an industry update. The concepts for the upcoming advertising campaign promoting the brokerage sector were also presented. As in the past, this campaign is designed to showcase the brokerage sector’s value added for consumers, as well as promoting the profession in the eyes of potential jobseekers.

All three days in Ottawa were busy, productive and beneficial for the insurance brokerage sector’s synergies nationwide.