I am honoured to take over the helm as RCCAQ chair. At this time, the brokerage sector is undergoing a number of major changes. Even though the challenges facing our industry are of concern to many of you, I have no doubt about our ability to make our industry stronger by working together.

The real issues

As we face the prospect of online sales of insurance products without the involvement of a certified representative, not to mention technological upheavals and regulatory changes just around the corner, we'd better get prepared to deal with change if we wish to profit from the new context in which we have to operate. Above all, we must keep our eye out for new entrepreneurial opportunities. And we must also grapple with the real issues: the provincial government has sent us a clear message with Bill 150.

The RCCAQ makes your voices heard

The RCCAQ is ready, willing and able to lobby all parties to ensure that the voices of our broker members continue to be heard. We will need you to make the government understand not only what is in consumers' interests, but also what is viable for brokers. As regards Bill 150, the RCCAQ will be fighting on the frontlines to ensure that this transition benefits entrepreneurs (including brokers) and underscores why we are in business in the first place.

Adapting to survive

Today, we are at a crossroads. Adaptability, resilience and entrepreneurial creativity will be the keys to our survival and to a more promising future. As business people, we will always have a choice. I made this point during my debut speech as chairman at the RCCAQ's annual convention. Will we be like Netflix, that is, creative, visionary and seizing every opportunity? Or will we be stuck in the past, like the now defunct chain of Blockbuster stores? Let's remember the wise words of Charles Darwin: those who survive are not necessarily the strongest or the most intelligent of the species; the survivors are those who best adapt to change!

Stronger together

What else do we have to do within our industry? For one thing, we must come together to ensure that our firms survive as we demonstrate that brokers play a key role. Our goal is to take (and maintain) our rightful place at the table. I know that you all have faith in the brokerage sector, just as you have faith in your own inner entrepreneur. Because that's what we are, first and foremost: entrepreneurs. We operate companies in Montreal and Trois Rivières and Amos and Rimouski or other regions of Quebec. We may run big firms or small firms. But we're all committed to building our business, making it prosper and creating jobs. I urge you to continue to be proud entrepreneurs running firms with healthy bottom lines.

Dealing with change… right now!

We are all capable of dealing with change. And thanks to the power of numbers, we have a very good chance of succeeding if we deal with change right now, working together as brokers.

Christopher Johnson
Chair
RCCAQ