Council President’s Message

Happy New Year! As RIBO’s new Council President, I am thrilled to start 2026 with a clear vision and a strong commitment to our broker community. A new year brings new opportunities, and this year our focus is on bringing RIBO’s 2025–2028 Strategic Plan to life. Built on three pillars (i.e., effective regulation, engagement, and operational excellence), this plan will guide the initiatives you will see in the months and years ahead.

We are modernizing regulatory processes to keep pace with industry change. In 2026, expect enhancements to compliance tools and transparency measures that make it easier for brokers to demonstrate integrity and professionalism. We will also continue refining risk-based oversight programs, including digital Spot Checks, to ensure fairness and efficiency. As part of this work, we also launched our first online course, RIBO’s Guide to Spot Checks, to support greater transparency and strengthen compliance.

Your voice matters. Over the past six months, we opened committees (such as Qualification & Registration and Licensing & Standards) to licensed members for the first time, bringing fresh perspectives to adjudication and policy changes. In 2026, we will expand these opportunities even further and host more townhalls and feedback sessions so brokers can help shape the future of regulation.

Technology will play a big role this year. We will continue to introduce new features into the IRIS broker management system to make licensing and renewals faster and more intuitive. We are also investing in digital tools that simplify compliance and oversight, while strengthening consumer protection through transparency and ethics, helping brokers uphold integrity and reinforce public trust.

2025 was a year of transition as we welcomed Mark Abraham as RIBO’s fifth CEO. Mark brings fresh vision and energy, and in 2026, he will lead the execution of our strategic plan with a focus on modernization, transparency, and member engagement. Together, we are committed to making RIBO more responsive and innovative than ever before.

Ontario Auto Reform and new optional Statutory Accident Benefits (SABs), which come into effect July 1, 2026, are already top of mind for brokers across the province. To help you prepare for these changes, a new RIBO-accredited Auto Reform course will launch soon. The course was developed collaboratively by the Ontario Mutual Insurance Association (OMIA), the Insurance Institute of Canada (IIC), and the Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO). This course will give brokers a clear understanding of the new framework and the confidence to advise clients effectively during this transition.

RIBO also refreshed its Take-All-Comers guidance to clarify requirements for brokers in preparation of the upcoming changes. These resources are available on RIBO’s newly launched Ontario Auto Reform webpage. Please check the webpage regularly for industry updates.

On behalf of Council and staff, thank you for your dedication and professionalism. Wishing you a healthy, successful, and inspiring year ahead. I look forward to working with you to shape the future of our profession.

Warm regards,
Melissa Bajwa
RIBO Council President