2015 Fall Bulletin

FALL 2015 • Volume 44 • NO. 145

REGISTERED INSURANCE BROKERS OF ONTARIO

B U L L E T I N

NOTICE:There are no Decisions of the Discipline Committee

for publication in this bulletin.

For my message this quarter, I want to ac-knowledge the hard work and dedicationof the public members who have served

RIBO over the years, and continue to support usin a crucial way. By way of background, with theestablishment of RIBO in 1981, the provincial gov-ernment granted Ontario brokers the privilegeand the responsibility of self-regulation. Self-reg-ulation seems to come under fire anytime thereis a perception that a profession is putting itsown interests ahead of those of the public. Inother words, if it is perceived to be acting moreas a club than a regulator. Without getting intothe theory of self-regulation, suffice to say that allself-regulating professions must act, and be seento act, in the best interest of the public.

In my experience, acting in the best interest ofthe public ensures the long-term viability of thebroker channel. While it is a regulatory require-ment, brokers intuitively understand that con-sumers must trust us to put their interests first andto recommend products that meet their needs.

In the RIBO context, members of our Discipline,Complaints and Qualification and RegistrationCommittees must fulfil theirmandate fairly. Self–regulationallows and requires brokers toreview the conduct and suit-ability of other brokers, peer-to-peer. As I referenced above,these Committees must actand be seen to act in a waythat promotes the best interestof the public.

An important component of our self-regulatoryactivities is the presence of the public members.The provincial government appoints these indi-viduals to represent the public on RIBO’s Com-mittees and Council. Under our legislation, aquorum for all RIBO meetings and hearings in-cludes at least one public member. They are ac-tive and eager participants in the work of RIBOand help us demonstrate that the interest of thepublic is always foremost in our deliberations.

u

A key architect of RIBO, and a man whose per-sonal qualities and razor-sharp intellect haveshaped our self-regulatory activities, is our ChiefExecutive Officer Jeff Bear. Jeff has served the

membership of RIBO for almost 32 of its 34 years.Serving initially as Legal Counsel, Jeff succeededRonald Cooper as CEO in 1995. He leads astrong and dedicated staff, instilling in them acustomer service ethic that treats the public andbrokers with respect and sensitivity. He carefullyoversees RIBO’s finances, aiming to spend themember’s money wisely and with a view to fu-ture efficiencies. For brokers seeking guidanceand direction, his door is always open. He offersthat same guidance and direction to RIBOCouncil, ably supporting us and serving as aninvaluable resource.

It is with considerably mixedemotions that I must advise themembership that Jeff has de-cided to step aside at the endof this year. While all of us willbe sorry to see him leave, hehas surely earned his retire-ment and we are grateful tohave benefited from his leader-ship for so long. By way of suc-

cession, Council is pleased to announce theappointment of Patrick Ballantyne to succeedJeff as RIBO General Manager and CEO. Patrickhas been RIBO General Counsel since 2005. Heserved as Jeff’s deputy on policy and adminis-trative matters in addition to managing theComplaints and Discipline Committee processes.Prior to RIBO, Patrick was a regulatory compli-ance professional with both KPMG and PWC. Heserved in senior policy positions with The TorontoStock Exchange and the Investment Funds Insti-tute of Canada. He began his career as a pros-ecutor with the Law Society of Upper Canada.Patrick is a native of Windsor, Ontario and currently lives in Oakville with his wife and young daughter.

IN THIS ISSUE2 Message from the CEO

3 Qualification & Registration Committee Report

3 Election Reminder

4 Mark Your Calendar

4 Additions & Deletions

4 Council Directory

5 Staff Directory

BETH PEARSON

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

DISCLAIMER: This publication includes information which is designed to heighten awareness of and minimize the risk of non-compliance with RIBO and other legislative requirements. The materialpresented does not establish, report or create the standard of care for brokers nor is the material a complete analysis of any of the topics covered. Readers should conduct their own due diligence,including where appropriate, seeking legal counsel with respect to their specific responsibilities.

…acting in the best interest of the public ensures the long-term

viability of the broker channel.~

~

BULLETIN FALL 2015 • Volume 44 • NO. 145

JEFF BEAR

Message from the CEOTHANK YOU ALLAfter almost 12 years as RIBO’s General Legal Counsel and just over 20 more as CEO, I am retiringeffective December 31, 2015, a few months shy of my 65th birthday. Simply put, it’s time. Kindlynote that there won’t be a “retirement function”, at my request.

I know you’ll all join me in congratulating Patrick Ballantyne, our current General Counsel, onbeing chosen to succeed me, effective January 1, 2016. I know Patrick is the perfect choice andaccordingly, I’m expecting a seamless transition especially since I trust you will all show him thesame support you have shown me during my tenure.

Speaking of trust, I am at once grateful for and humbled by the quality of the brokers and publicmembers who have served on RIBO Council over the years. Save one who resigned before I ar-rived in early 1984, I have been lucky enough to have served together with every Council membersince RIBO was given the “public trust” by the Government in October, 1981. Both RIBO and I havebeen the beneficiaries of their guidance and forward thinking and their understanding that self-regulation is a privilege that must be earned every day, in service of the public interest.

Speaking of privilege, it has been mine to also have known and served with everyone who hasever worked on RIBO staff since the beginning. Their passion in service to the public and to ourmembership has made my life easier and more rewarding through the years and way more funalong the way. I thank each and every one.

Together, the volunteers on Council and the staff of RIBO along with the efforts of all of you, whosedaily conduct shows a desire to raise the professional bar, have built RIBO into a consistent exam-ple of self-regulatory excellence, of which we can all be justly proud. People are truly any Organi-zation’s greatest asset and the insurance brokerage industry is blessed with way more than itsshare of great people.

I think, in the end, that’s what I’ll miss the most. I’ve met and become friends with so many “salt ofthe earth” people in this Industry, it would fill a thousand Bulletins to name them all. I mention onlyDon Lambie, our first President, who at 94 still remains a guiding force for me and an unflinchingchampion of each broker’s ability to put aside their private interests and regulate their peers fairlyand equally in the public interest.

I’ve been lucky enough to have admired and served with more than a quarter century of TIC andIBAO Executives and staff. Thank you all particularly, for your help along the way. I’ve also beenlucky enough to have travelled all over Ontario for local broker meetings, seminars or focusgroups, whose feedback helped RIBO evolve toward a culture of service, rather than merely anadministrator of the law. I have particularly enjoyed my time spent in the North, even though eacharea of our vast Province has its own special charms and people. We are all lucky to live and workin Ontario.

All in all, the evolution of RIBO has been a stunning achievement. All that remains is to thank youall from the bottom of my heart.

To Patrick Ballantyne and the rest of RIBO’s excellent staff – I mimic the immortal words inscribedon the wall in the dressing room of the Montreal Canadiens….”From failing hands I pass the torch.Be yours to hold it high”.

To all of the insurance brokers in Ontario – It has been my honour to have served you, and onyour behalf, the public of Ontario for every day of the last 32 years.

Thank you all.

Jeff


Qualification and Registration Committee Report

With summer behind us and as the days begin to cool, we quicklyget back into our daily routine.

One of those routines is the annual renewaland hopefully everyone has now renewedtheir registration for the 2015/2016 term. Also,if you haven’t downloaded or printed the re-newed license yet, please sign into the RIBOmembership system with your user name andpassword (same process as completing therenewal application) and click on “License”.

Chris Ward Memorial Award

This award is presented in memory of RIBO’slate president Christopher J. Ward, to the indi-vidual who receives the highest mark on thefirst attempt of the Level II examination. I’mpleased to announce that this year’s recipientis J. Daniel Desbiens of Advanced InsuranceBrokers Inc.

Donald W. Lambie Award

This award is presented in recognition of Mr.Lambie’s commitment to self-regulation and hisoutstanding contribution to the broker Profes-sion. Mr. Lambie was one of RIBO’s founding fa-thers and also acted as the first President. The

Donald W. Lambie Award is presented to the in-dividual with the highest mark in the initial RIBOQualification examination. This year, three indi-viduals are being recognized for their remark-able achievement and they are Marco DeBruyn of H.L. Staebler Company Limited, StephenGreen of Stewart Morrison Insurance Brokers Ltd.and Paul Somers of Bickerton Brokers Ont. Ltd.

During the last three months we reviewed 53 re-quests for secondary business exemptions. Theexemption breakdown was as follows: 5 individ-uals were granted exemptions to sell financialproducts and 48 individuals were grantedother secondary business exemptions.

I am sad to say that this will be my last reportas Chair of the Qualification & RegistrationCommittee. I am grateful of the support frommy fellow Committee members and thankful fortheir contributions over the past year. I wouldalso like to take this opportunity to thank theQualification & Registration staff for all their hardwork and efforts in supporting the Committee.

NORMA HITCHLOCKCHAIR

ELECTION REMINDERNovember 2, 2015 is Election Day. Every member in good standing is entitled to vote forup to three candidates. By early October, you will receive the nomination material bymail, which will include information about each candidate up for election.

Please follow the instructions outlined on the “Instructions for Voting” sheet. All ballotsmust be received at the RIBO office by 4:00 p.m. on November 2, 2015.

EXERCISE YOUR RIGHT TO OTE!


ADDITIONS & DELETIONS FROM THE RIBO REGISTER

A D D I T I O N S D E L E T I O N SRibo No. Broker City

3847 IQ Insurance Services O/B IQ Insurance Inc. Vancouver

3849 Combius Insurance Inc. Toronto3850 Accountancy Insurance Brokers Limited Mississauga3853 Sukhu Insurance Brokers Inc. Pickering3855 Freedom Insurance Brokers Inc. Richmond Hill

Ribo No. Broker City

404 Chesley-Tara Insurance Brokers Ltd. Owen Sound840 Grant & Mingay Insurance Ltd. Windsor1940 CSI Brokers & Financial Services Inc. Burlington3252 Sylvite Financial Services Inc. Burlington3300 Lottie Insurance Inc. Markham3493 MHM Insurance Brokers Ltd. Mississauga3544 Endeavour Insurance Services Limited Toronto3568 Galileo Insurance Group Toronto

JUNE 1, 2015 – AUGUST 31, 2015

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETINGFriday, November 6, 2015 at 1:30 p.m.

The Thirty-Third Annual General Meeting of the membership ofthe Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario will take place onFriday, November 6, 2015, starting at 1:30 p.m. at Toronto’s Ar-cadian Loft, Simpson Tower, 401 Bay Street, 8th Floor, Toronto,Ontario.

A formal notice of meeting and proxy form and election materialwill be distributed by mail to each registrant in good standing.

Besides the usual business covered at every Annual Meeting,you will have an opportunity to meet and talk with this year’s

Council members, incoming members, senior managementand other members of the RIBO staff.

All registrants in good standing are eligible to attend and to voteon matters brought before the meeting. A list of members whoare qualified to vote will be available for review in the RIBO officeduring business hours.

Any member unable to attend the meeting is encouraged tosubmit a proxy to register their vote on questions that may beraised at the meeting.

COUNCIL DIRECTORYRegistered Insurance Brokers of Ontario

PRESIDENTBeth PearsonAP Insurance Brokers Inc.1423 Upper Ottawa StreetUnit 11Hamilton, ON L8W 3J6Tel: (905) 389-2822 Fax: (905) [email protected]

VICE-PRESIDENTNorma HitchlockMarsh Insurance Limited199 Coleman StreetP.O. Box 75Belleville, ON K8N 4Z9Tel: (613) 969-7006Fax: (613) [email protected]

TREASURERTracy McLeanMoore-McLean Insurance Group Ltd.48 Yonge StreetSuite 900Toronto, ON M5E 1G6Tel: (416) 364-4000Fax: (416) [email protected]

SECRETARYPatty CrawfordCrawford & Danyluk Insurance Brokers Limited2681 Gideon Drive, Box 100Delaware, ON N0L 1E0Tel: (519) 652-3201Fax: (519) [email protected]

Gil ConstantiniInsurance ProtectionGroup995 Elgin Street WestSuite #1Cobourg, ON K9A 5J3Tel: 888-879-2692Fax: (905) [email protected]

John GelstonHUB International HKMB Limited595 Bay Street, Suite 900Box 81Toronto, ON M5G 2E3Tel: (416) [email protected]

Scott BellAP Insurance Brokers Inc.1423 Upper OttawaStreet, Unit 11Hamilton, ON L8W 3J6Tel: (905) 389-2822 Fax: (905) [email protected]

Rex Harrison Jr.Mason Insurance Brokers Ltd.317 King StreetWelland, ON L3B 5P4Tel: (905) 788-3535Fax: (905) [email protected]

Jack LeeBFL Canada Risk andInsurance Services Inc.181 University Avenue,Suite 1700Toronto, ON M5H 3M7Tel: (416) 599-5530Fax: (416) [email protected]

Nick Dzudz Mariette Matos

Diane ScottRob Walters

ELECTED MEMBERS

PUBLIC MEMBERS

P.O. Box 45401 Bay Street, Suite 1200Toronto, ON M5H 2Y4Tel: (416) 365-1900 • Fax: (416) 365-7664


STAFF DIRECTORYRegistered Insurance Brokers of Ontario

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICERJeff [email protected]

Executive AssistantLise [email protected]

ReceptionistSheron [email protected]

ADMINISTRATION & FINANCEManagerWinston [email protected]

System AdministratorGustavo [email protected]

Registration/Data EntryValrie Bailey [email protected]

Irene [email protected]

Christopher [email protected]

AccountingErica [email protected]

COMMUNICATIONS Communications CoordinatorLise [email protected]

COMPLAINTS & INVESTIGATIONSManagerTim [email protected]

Complaints OfficerBarbara [email protected]

Senior InvestigatorsNadine [email protected]

Crystal [email protected]

InvestigatorArthur [email protected]

Legal Assistant Angela [email protected]

Financial Compliance CoordinatorDiana [email protected]

Senior Financial InvestigatorMichael [email protected]

Financial InvestigatorsDebbie [email protected]

Wendy [email protected]

CORPORATION LEGAL SERVICESGeneral Counsel Patrick Ballantyne [email protected]

Legal Assistant Angela [email protected]

QUALIFICATION & REGISTRATIONManagerVivian [email protected]

Licensing CoordinatorTracy Cullen [email protected]

Examination CoordinatorLaurie [email protected]

Administrative AssistantLloyd [email protected]

RIBO Office: (416) 365-1900 or 1-800-265-3097 Fax: (416) 365-7664P.O. Box 45, 401 Bay Street, Suite 1200, Simpson Tower, Toronto, ON M5H 2Y4

P L E A S E V I S I T O U R W E B S I T E A T W W W. R I B O . C O M

is the self-regulatory body for general insurance brokers in Ontario.

Documents

2015 Fall Bulletin