Based on the consumer advisory issued by FSCO (see below), the Qualifications and Registration Committee has agreed that brokers may sell this product through the secondary business exemption process. It will be treated as a service contract and handled at RIBO similarly to the Roadside Assistance Programs. Please fax your application request to Sonia Lyew-Garcia (416) 365-7664 or E-mail sonia@ribo.com. Consumer Advisory - January 2000 This is a consumer advisory on prepaid legal access plans offered by PPL Legal Care of Canada Corporation (PPL). Recent Changes in Prepaid Legal Access Plans in Ontario The Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO) has received many inquiries over the past few months about prepaid legal access plans. These inquiries have focused mainly on whether prepaid legal access plans are considered to be an insurance product or a service contract. Where the service offered depends on the occurrence of a risk or peril, as is the case in the Legal Expense Insurance, then this is considered to be insurance in accordance with the Insurance Act Legal Expense Insurance is a distinct class of insurance in Ontario and is offered by several insurance companies. Only a licensed insurance agent can sell this product on behalf of these insurance companies. Consumers in Ontario who have prepaid legal access plans with PPL Legal Care of Canada Corporation (PPL) should be aware of a change that took effect on January 1, 2000. FSCO recently held discussions with PPL and, as a result of these discussions, PPL will offer for sale a new prepaid legal services plan effective January 1, 2000. The new plan is not considered to be an insurance product. Consumers who already have existing prepaid legal access plans with PPL will have their contracts underwritten by an insurance company licensed to write this class of insurance.