The content below is pending approval at the Annual General Meeting to be held on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
These are the Minutes of the Forty-Fourth Annual General Meeting of Registrants of the Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario held on Wednesday, November 5, 2025, at 3:30 p.m., in-person and simulcast via live audio webcast at The Arcadian Court (Loft).
The outgoing President, Thomas Watson, introduced members of the Board for 2025 that were in attendance either in-person or virtual. They were Melissa Bajwa, Becki Carlson, Chris Cosack, Bryan Davies, Frances Kordyback, Rick Orr, Karol Pawlina and Christina Lee-Rotstein. He also acknowledged Council member Attia Momin who was unable to join the meeting.
The Chairperson then introduced Mark Abraham, Chief Executive Officer.
The Chairperson called for the appointment of Nick Buwulda, Melissa Forward and Vera Raposo to act as scrutineers of the meeting. As there were no objections, the individuals were so appointed.
The scrutineers informed the Chairperson that a quorum of members was present.
The Chairperson advised that the Notice calling the meeting, together with the Annual Report and Financial Statements of the Corporation, were provided electronically in accordance with the By-Laws of the Corporation.
As the Notice of Meeting had been duly given to the registrants of the Corporation entitled to receive such Notice and having been advised by the Scrutineers that a quorum of registrants was present, the Chairperson declared that the meeting was properly constituted for the transaction of business as set out in the Notice of Meeting.
The Chairperson reviewed the procedures to be used during the question period following the business portion of the meeting.
The Chairperson inquired if there were any objections to the dispensing of the reading of the Minutes. There were no objections raised.
It was moved by Rick Orr and seconded by Becki Carson that the Minutes of November 7, 2024, Annual Meeting be approved as presented. Motion Carried.
Thomas Watson thanked all of those who joined us today for our hybrid Annual and General Meeting and expressed his pleasure in serving as RIBO’s President during this transformative and innovative year.
His report included the following comments:
At our last Annual General Meeting, the membership passed a motion to re-elect Melissa Bajwa and Alyssa Keyes, and Attia Momin as Council members. They were joined by Chris Cosack, who was appointed by Council to fill a vacant seat. While Alyssa has since stepped down for personal reasons, we remain grateful for her contributions.
Following the Annual General Meeting, Patrick Ballantyne announced his retirement after serving 10 years as RIBO CEO and 10 years as General Counsel. Council immediately established a CEO Search Committee, supported by an External HR consultant, to lead a comprehensive recruitment process. Interest in the role was overwhelming with over 60 highly qualified applicants. After months of rigorous interviews, presentations, and careful deliberation, we announced Council’s decision to appoint Mark Abraham as RIBO’s fifth CEO.
At his very first Board meeting, he led the successful passage of our 2025–2028 Strategic Plan and budget. Under his leadership, focus was on three strategic pillars:
Mark and his team have already begun to execute on this strategy, making strategic hires in Operations and Complaints and Investigations as well as ongoing recruitment for additional support for Compliance and Licensing ensuring that the organization has the resources needed to successfully deliver on our strategic goals.
While this future-focused work was underway, our day-to-day operations never slowed. Major policy initiatives were executed, including the responsible use of artificial intelligence, upcoming auto reforms, and the evolving MGA landscape in property and casualty insurance.
A thoughtful approach was taken with AI by commissioning a comprehensive study to understand its role in our sector and its alignment with RIBO’s mandate. Guidance on responsible AI use was released, emphasizing that technology must support, not replace, the broker’s professional judgment. This guidance will continue to evolve as the landscape changes.
Preparation for the government’s Auto Reforms, which take effect July 1, 2026, has been on our radar with efforts being focused on updating guidance, refining examinations, and facilitating industry-led training to ensure brokers are ready for the changes.
In the aftermath of Trustar’s collapse, a mandatory information return was issued to better understand broker practices with MGAs. The insights that will be gathered will inform best practices and provide practical advice that will help brokerages navigate this complex space.
Transparency and communication have been key over the past year. With the launch of RIBO’s new website, the publishing of a spot check report with insights from our Compliance auditors, and the release of our first renewal report, offering valuable industry data from our annual renewal process.
In Education and Licensing, measurable advancements were made with the launching of an updated Level 1 competency profile and exam blueprint, aligning entry-level standards with the profession’s evolving demands. The new exam went live on January 1, 2025. Also, the development of a RIBO spot check course, released last month, to help Principal Brokers prepare for inspections, ensuring the process works effectively.
Regulatory activity remained high throughout the year with the licensing team issuing almost 3,000 new licenses and processing over 21,000 renewals. Our partners, IBAO and IIC administered over 6,000 exams and our Complaints, Conduct & Investigations team processed 667 new complaints, authorized 103 investigations, referred 78 complaints to the Complaints Committee, reviewed 1,603 position reports conducted 62 spot checks.
The Chairperson advised that this year’s recipient of the Chris Ward Memorial J. Gregory Knowles for his achievement in receiving the highest mark on his first attempt of the Level II Examination.
The Chairperson advised that this year’s recipient of the Donald W. Lambie Education Award is Mehakdeep Kaur for her achievement in receiving the highest mark in the initial RIBO Qualification Examination.
The Chairperson introduced the next item of business, namely the election of Council members to serve for the upcoming three-year term.
The Chairperson thanked the retiring members Alyssa Keyes and Jo-Anne Raymond for their many contributions to RIBO.
The Chairperson announced the recommended nominees Becki Carlson, Tara Felt and Jason Weisner as Directors of the Corporation for the three-year term starting November 5, 2025, ending at the conclusion of the 2028 Annual General Meeting.
It was moved by Katie Mellor and seconded by John Baizana that Becki Carlson, Tara Felt and Jason Weisner be appointed Directors of the Corporation for the three-year term starting November 5, 2025, ending at the conclusion of the 2028 Annual General Meeting. Motion Carried.
The Chairperson introduced the next item of business, namely the presentation of the Annual Report of the Corporation for the year ended July 31, 2025. The Chairperson requested that a copy of the Annual Report be filed with the Minutes of this meeting.
It was moved by Shara Bierman and seconded by Tara Felt that registrants approve the adoption of the Annual Report of the Corporation for the year ended July 31, 2025, including the standing Committee Reports and the Auditors’ Report on the Financial Statements. Motion Carried.
The Chairperson introduced the next item of business, namely the appointment of the Auditors of the Corporation.
Following reading the Auditors’ Report, the Chairperson inquired if registrants had any questions. There were no queries at this time.
It was moved by Chris Cosack and seconded by Melissa Bajwa that PricewaterhouseCoopers be re-appointed as Auditors of the Corporation until the next Annual Meeting or until their successors are appointed, and their remuneration as such be fixed by the Council, and the Council be authorized to fix such remuneration. Motion Carried.
The Chairperson asked at this time if there were any questions from the members.
There were no questions.
On behalf of Council, the Chairperson expressed his appreciation to all registrants joining the hybrid meeting this year.
The Chairperson then requested a motion from the floor to adjourn the meeting.
At 1:54 p.m., there being no further business, it was moved by Becki Carlson that the meeting be adjourned, whereupon the Chairperson declared the meeting adjourned. Motion Carried.