Rod Finlayson

I am honoured to be taking on the role of RIBO President for the coming year. I assure you that I take my new responsibilities very seriously. Thanks you for this opportunity.

On November 6th we held our Annual General Meeting at the Grand Hotel in downtown Toronto. Besides the usual matters brought before an annual meeting, such as approvals of the annual report and appointment of the auditor, Past President Art Langley informed members of several different sub-committees that were formed during his term. He also told members about a new initiative, still in a preliminary stage, the creation and implementation of a new, more effective, computer system that would eventually allow brokers to renew their licenses online.

For those of you who were unable to attend the meeting, Art’s address and the results of the election are included in this edition of the Bulletin.

CEO Jeff Bear was also called upon to read the results of this year’s election. As Jeff announced, all three incumbents were re-elected to the Board. Please join me in congratulating and welcoming Joanne Brown, Toots Everley and Art Langley back to RIBO for a second three-year term.

At a meeting directly following the AGM the RIBO Council elected this year’s officers. The 2003-2004 RIBO Council Officers will be:

• Past Present—Art Langley
• President—Rod Finlayson
• Vice – President—Jack Baizana
• Secretary—Toots Everley
• Treasurer—Bonnie Warder
  

Jack Baizana
Chairperson

I am pleased to have the opportunity to act as Chair of the Qualification & Registration Committee. Serving on Council over the last five years, I have seen many changes in our industry and I look forward to working on your behalf with my fellow Council members and staff to address the issues facing us over the next 12 months.

Sadly, in recent months we were advised of the deaths of several of our Principal Brokers. In a few unfortunate cases, families were left to deal with more than their personal loss. Because there was no qualified individual to take over as Principal Broker, the family was not allowed to take the time they needed make important decisions --which will affect their future livelihood.

We urge all members to prepare a succession plan which would include buy/sell agreements, tax planning and having someone to take over immediately as Principal Broker. Another key component is the share ownership. Many times the shares pass to family members who do not hold broker licenses. This puts the firm in non-compliance. Certainly, RIBO empathizes and will work with the family or their representative to resolve the share issue.

There are a few continuing education courses/seminars on succession planning. We highly recommend that this be included on your agenda for the coming year.

Effective January 1st, we will be amending our exams to test on the new auto-changes.

This year we suspended 13 brokers for non-compliance of continuing education. We also lapsed six individuals who were suspended in October 2002. These individuals will now be required to write the full entry-level examination should they wish to reapply for registration. On a positive note these numbers have dropped significantly since the inception of the program.

Over the last three months we’ve had 32 requests for secondary business exemptions. All but one was granted. The exemption breakdown was as follows: 4 individuals were granted exemptions to sell financial products, 27 individuals were granted other secondary business exemptions. There were three requests to waive the Level II exams. Of those requests one was granted and the other two were refused.

I wish you all the best for 2004.

Yours truly,

Jack Baizana

November 3, 2003

PRESIDENT'S SPEECH
ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
NOVEMBER 6, 2003

I’m sure it comes as no surprise to most of you to hear that it’s been a busy year at RIBO. 2003 has been a difficult year for both consumers and brokers. Changes within our industry have put a lot of pressure on brokers to continue to find cost-effective coverage for their clients. Challenging as these times may be, I assure you that Council and staff are committed to helping brokers adapt while maintaining consumer protection

As a direct result of changes in the insurance marketplace, the RIBO office has seen an increase in calls from frustrated consumers. Although many of these calls don’t come under our jurisdiction, RIBO staff members do all they can to help each consumer or redirect them to the appropriate agency. Only a small number of these calls develop into a formal complaint charge being filed against a broker.

Last November RIBO created a sub-committee to discuss the issue of brokers with limited market capacity. Chaired by Past President Joanne Brown, the sub-committee consists of three brokers and two public members. The committee is continuing to review policy on the issue before meeting with industry stakeholders including the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO), Toronto Insurance Congress (TIC) and the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO). We’ve taken a very cautious approach to this issue to ensure that whatever action is taken will not negatively impact consumers. We will update you as developments occur.

The federal Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) takes effect January 1, 2004. A committee was created to review the Act and help educate brokers on what steps they should be taking. Guidelines to follow to ensure compliance and links directing brokers to more detailed information were published in our Bulletins and on our website. Recently we mailed Special Privacy Packages to the principal brokers of each brokerage firm.

A committee was established to review a new Insurance Bureau of Canada system to access Motor Vehicle Registrations. The committee met regularly over many months and as of the date of this Report is in discussions on this issue. We will update brokers on progress in the Bulletin or by special mailing when the review process has been completed. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Joanne Brown, Rod Finlayson and Lilian Croucher for their extraordinary efforts in this review.

We had two new additions last year. Byron Moffitt and Caroline Benedict were elected to the Board in October 2002. We are always happy to welcome new faces to Council because of the new perspective and ideas they bring to the table.

Last June one of our long-time public members, James Chestnutt, retired after completing two three-year terms with RIBO. The good news is that James didn’t leave RIBO entirely. He now serves as a public member to our Complaints and Discipline Committees.

In March, Council and senior staff got together for our annual strategic planning session. Over a two-day period we reviewed and discussed our current regulations and operations and considered new ways to effectively guide and regulate brokers. One new initiative discussed during these meetings was the creation and implementation of a new, more effective, computer system that would eventually allow brokers to renew their licenses online. This project is still in a very preliminary stage. We will update you as we move forward.

In order to ensure that we fulfil our regulatory responsibilities, the Qualification & Registration Committee meets on a monthly basis to address key issues and to discuss any implications they may have on our standards. Industry changes are monitored and our educational and professional requirements are reviewed and amended to make certain brokers maintain a high standard of professional competence, ensuring public protection.

Liaison with insurance brokers has been maintained through our Marketing and Communication Committee. Brokers are kept up-to-date on important issues through our quarterly Bulletin, on our “News and Update” section of the website and through special mailings.

I was lucky enough to be able to travel throughout the province to meet with my fellow brokers this year. I attended many local broker association meetings. While in attendance, I made every effort to update and inform our members about the activities and initiatives RIBO has undertaken this year and to listen carefully to broker concerns in order to ensure that these issues were brought to the attention of our Council and staff.

Maintaining a positive and proactive relationship with provincial regulators and trade associations is very important. Council and staff continue to work hard to build strong, constructive relationships with the Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO), the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO), and the Toronto Insurance Conference (TIC) on issues of concern to members. The continued support of these organizations makes constructive and positive outcomes on industry issues possible.

We also continue to build relationships with organizations participating in the broader insurance environment on a wide range of subjects. In the past year we have been involved in meetings with the Insurance Brokers Association of Canada (IBAC), the Insurance Bureau of Canada and the Facility Association.

Jeff Bear, our Chief Executive Officer, was named Chair of the Canadian Insurance Services Regulatory Organizations (CISRO) which is the national association of provincial regulators of insurance intermediaries. CISRO holds meetings on a regular basis to discuss issues that influence insurance regulation across the country. As Chair, Jeff has represented CISRO at meetings of the Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators (CCIR—Superintendents of insurance from all provinces and territories) and the Joint Forum of Financial Market Regulators (insurance, securities and pension regulators). He also sits on a CCIR sub-committee looking at streamlining and harmonization issues for all brokers across all Canadian provinces.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Jeff for all his help over the year. Each year RIBO names a new President, but the high level of trust and confidence between RIBO and our partners in the insurance industry exists in large part because of Jeff’s contribution.

I also want to thank my fellow Council and RIBO staff members who have so generously donated their time to our Board and special committees. Each of you provides the principled approach and expertise that makes self-regulation possible.

Finally, I want to say that it has been a great privilege to serve as President of the Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario. It is an honour to have had the chance to give back to my profession by serving as president. I have had the pleasure of meeting so many different and wonderful people I wouldn’t otherwise have met. I thank you for that opportunity.

Standing (left to right): Byron Moffitt, Art Langley, Barry Downs, Al Hawco, Jeff Bear (CEO), Hassan Jaffer, Rod Finlayson.

Seated (left to right): Toots Everley, Joanne Brown, Caroline Benedict, Gloria Shan, Jack Baizana, and Bonnie Warder.

CAUTION: While the information contained below is public, members should take caution that inappropriate use of this information may be considered to be an act of misconduct.

Derrick John Macleod
Registration Number: R707064
Markham, Ontario

MISCONDUCT: Ont. Reg. 991, s. 14(1), (3), (4); 15(14)

PARTICULARS OF THE COMPLAINT

• Derrick John Macleod failed to discharge his duties to clients, members of the public and insurers with integrity and failed to serve a number of his clients in a conscientious, diligent and efficient manner and failed to provide a quality of service at least equal to that which members would generally expect of a member in a like situation.
• In addition, Mr. Macleod was not candid and honest when advising a number of his clients and provided false or misleading information to RIBO.
• On a number of occasions, Mr. Macleod failed to advise insureds that insurers had not renewed policies of insurance and led those insureds to believe that, in fact, coverage was in place.
• In addition, on a number of occasions, Mr. Macleod failed to renew policies of insurance and led insureds to believe that coverage was still in place.

DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE’S DISPOSITION (10/01/03)

• The Discipline Committee found that there was sufficient evidence in support of the plea of guilty entered by Mr. Macleod to the alleged acts of misconduct.
• The Certificate of Registration of Derrick John Macleod was suspended for a period of 6 months and the restriction to acting under supervision was continued for a further period of not less than 5 years.

John Anderson
Registration Nuber: R00175
Markham, Ontario

MISCONDUCT: Ont. Reg. 991, ss.14(1) (3)

PARTICULARS OF THE COMPLAINT

• John Anderson failed to discharge his duties to clients, members of the public, fellow members and insurers with integrity and failed to serve a number of his clients in a conscientious, diligent and efficient manner and failed to provide a quality of service at least equal to that which members would generally expect of a member in a like situation.
• On a number of occasions, Mr. Anderson did not advise clients that the insurers had canceled their policies of insurance, allowing the clients to believe coverage was still in force.

DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE’S DISPOSITION (10/01/03)

The Discipline Committee found that there was sufficient evidence in support of the plea of guilty entered by Mr. Anderson to the alleged acts of misconduct.
• The Certificate of Registration of John Anderson was suspended for a period of 6 months and was restricted to acting under supervision for a period of not less than 5 years.
  

John Bennett Macleod
Registration Number: R07066
Toronto, Ontario

MISCONDUCT: Ont. Reg. 991, ss. 14(3); 15(16)

PARTICULARS OF THE COMPLAINT

• John Bennett Macleod failed to serve his clients in a conscientious, diligent and efficient manner and failed to provide a quality of service at least equal to that which members would generally expect of a member in a like situation.
• In addition, Mr. Macleod, in a number of instances, failed to properly supervise brokers whose registration is restricted to acting under his direction and supervision.
• On a number of occasions, Mr. Macleod failed to properly supervise his brokers’ activities, resulting in lapses of coverage and poor service in general to members of the public.

DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE’S DISPOSITION (11/01/03)

• The Discipline Committee found that there was sufficient evidence in support of the plea of guilty entered by Mr. Macleod to the alleged acts of misconduct.
• The Certificate of Registration of John Bennett Macleod was restricted to acting under supervision for a period of not less than 5 years.
  

Ana Maria Passagem
Registration Number R18216
Toronto, Ontario

MISCONDUCT: Ont. Reg. 991, ss. 14(1)(3)

PARTICULARS OF THE COMPLAINT

• Ana Maria Passagem failed to discharge her duties to her clients, members of the public, fellow members and insurers with integrity and also failed to serve her clients in a conscientious, diligent and efficient manner and failed to provide a quality of service at least equal to that which members would generally expect of a member in a like situation.
• On a number of occasions, Ms. Passagem bound insurance coverage for clients, but did not submit applications to the insurers for processing.

DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE’S DISPOSITION (11/13/03)

• The Discipline Committee found Ms. Passagem guilty of the alleged misconduct.
• The Certificate of Registration of Ana Maria Passagem was revoked effective November 13, 2003.

CONSENTS BEING RECEIVED IN THE FOLLOWING MATTERS, THE DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE MADE THE FOLLOWING ORDERS:

Margaret Anne Stewart
Registration Number: I17400
Owen Sound, Ontario

MISCONDUCT: Ont. Reg. 991, s. 14 (3)

PARTICULARS OF THE COMPLAINT

• Margaret Anne Stewart failed to serve a number of her clients in a conscientious, diligent and efficient manner and failed to provide a quality of service at least equal to that which members would generally expect of a member in a like situation.
• On a number of occasions, Ms. Stewart led clients to believe that insurance coverages were in force, when in fact, proper documentation was not forwarded to the insurers by Ms. Stewart to bind the coverages.

DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE’S DISPOSITION (11/13/03)

• The Discipline Committee approved the Consent Agreement between RIBO and Ms. Stewart.
• The Certificate of Registration of Margaret Anne Stewart was suspended for a period of 6 months and the restriction to acting under supervision was continued for a further period of not less than 5 years.
  

Donald Gordon Lyons
Registration Number: R22156
Newbury, Ontario

MISCONDUCT: Ont. Reg. 991, ss.14(1)(3)

PARTICULARS OF THE COMPLAINT

• Donald Gordon Lyons failed to discharge his duties to clients, members of the public, fellow members and insurers with integrity and failed to serve his clients in a conscientious, diligent and efficient manner and failed to provide a quality of service at least equal to that which members would generally expect of a member in a like situation.
• Mr. Lyons led clients to believe that he had bound coverage for them, but in fact no coverage was placed with the insurer.

DISCIPLINE COMMITTEE’S DISPOSITION (11/13/03)

• The Discipline Committee approved the Consent Agreement between RIBO and Mr. Lyons.
• The Certificate of Registration of Donald Gordon Lyons was revoked effective November 13, 2003.
  

ADDITIONS
3091	ALCOVE INSURANCE BROKERS INC.	BURLINGTON
3093	MUTUAL AID INSURANCE BROKERS COMPANY	BADEN
3095	FENN & FENN INSURANCE PRACTICE INC.	NEWMARKET
DELETIONS
408	CHOLKAN INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED	ETOBICOKE
745	C.F. FORSHAW & ASSOCIATES REGISTERED	RAWDON
970	D. HILL INSURANCE BROKERAGE LTD.	SIMCOE
979	JOHN E HOBSON INSURANCE BROKER LTD.	CONCORD
1333	MANTHA REAL ESTATE AND INSURANCE INC.	ORLEANS
1527	J & R MOLNAR INSURANCE BROKERS INC.	MARKHAM
1568	MULDREW HARTWELL INSURANCE BROKERS LTD.	AURORA
1640	O'GRADY INSURANCE BROKERS LTD.	TILLSONBURG
1726	PERSONALIZED INSURANCE BROKERS INC.	TORONTO
1747	ASSURANCE GREENSTONE INSURANCE BROKERS LIMITED	GERALDTON
2075	STEVENSON-DUSOME INSUARNCE BROKERS LIMITED	BARRIE
2336	WISEBOLTT & ASSOCIATES INSURANCE BROKERS INC.	TORONTO
2385	RAKE & THERIAULT INC.	MONTREAL
2630	ASSURANCE COTE, GUIMOND, LAFOND & ASSOCIATES	AMOS
2645	COMMERCIAL PALNNERS INSURANCE BROKERS LTD O/A CPI GROUP	MARKHAM
2806	LANG INSURANCE BROKERS INC.	CONCORD
2851	ALLIED SPECIALTY INSURANCE OF CANADA LTD	BURLINGTON
3049	C.J.. HELLINGA INSURANCE SERVICES LTD.	SARNIA
3061	KEY INSURANCE BROKERS O/B 1524940 ONTARIO INC.	SIMCOE

President	Past President
Rod Finlayson CG & B Group Inc. 120 South Town Centre Blvd. Markham, ON L6G 1C3 Tel: (905) 479-6670 Fax: (905) 479-9164 Email: finny@cgbgroup.com	Arthur Langley Tel: (705) 474-2420 Demarco-Lucenti Insurance Brokers Limited 669 Cassells Street North Bay, Ontario P1B 4A1 Fax: (705) 474-9089 Email: d-linsurance@on.aibn.com
Vice President	Secretary
Jack Baizana Tel: (613) 225-7722 Jack Baizana Insurance Brokers Ltd. 1390 Prince of Wales Dr. Ottawa, Ontario K2C 6N6 Fax: (613) 226-2781 Email: jack@baizanainsurance.com	Toots Everley Tel: (807) 727-3336 Canada Brokerlink (Ontario) Inc. 179 Howey Street, Box 39 Red Lake, Ontario P0V 2M0 Fax: (807) 727-3750 Email: twoee@nwconx.net, teverley@brokerlink.ca
Treasurer
Bonnie Warder Davis & McLay Insurance Brokers Limited Box 12, R.R. #1 2845 HWY #6 Lion's Head, Ontario NOH 1WO Tel: (519)793-3322 Fax: (519)793-3901 Email: emclay@amtelecom.net
Members
Caroline Anne Benedict PSA Insurance Services Limited 7699 Yonge Street Thornhill, Ontario L3T 1Z5 Tel: (905) 889-4933 Fax: (905) 889-0205 Email: cbenedict@psains.com	Barry Downs Tel: (416) 366-5243 Partners Indemnity Insurance Brokers Ltd. 10 Adelaide St. East, Suite 400 Toronto, Ontario M5C 1J3 Fax: (416) 862-2416 barry@partnersindemnity.com
*Al J. Hawco Tel: (613) 826-2804 3311 Warner Way Osgoode, Ontario K0A 2W0	*Hassan A. Jaffer Tel: (905) 415-2511 2750 Fourteenth Avenue, Suite 307 Markham, Ontario L3R 0B6 Fax: (905) 415-2011 hassan@nvcallp.com
Byron Moffitt Erb and Erb Insurance Brokers Ltd. 30 Queen St., P.O. Box 2670 Kitchener, Ontario N2H 6N2 Tel: (519) 579-4270 Fax: (519) 745-5607 Email: byron@erb-erb.com	*Gloria Shan Tel: (416) 365-1900 ext. 202 P.O. Box 45, 401 Bay Street, Suite 1200 Simpson Tower, Toronto, ON M5H 2Y4 Fax: (416) 365-7664
Joanne Brown Tel: (416) 394-4503 Marsh Canada Limited 70 University Ave., Suite 800 Toronto, Ontario M5J 2M4 Fax: (416) 815-3361 Email: Joanne.C.Brown@marsh.com

*Public members are appointed by the Lieutenant Governor-in-Council to represent the public interest.