Message From the President

Spring is upon us in Canada and we can all shed those heavy winter clothes and put away the snow shovels. I can already hear the smug comments of those on the Pacific coast chiming in about spring arriving two months ago and flowers in bloom. I suppose I can only speak for my personal happiness at the winter being over as my travels in February and March involved the winter storms our country is famous for.

In February, I was in Quebec at the invitation of Claude Nadeau, President of Association des Experts en Sinistres Independants du Quebec (AESIQ) – the Quebec affiliation of the CIAA. I attended one of their signature events “Sugar Shack,” which is a traditional Quebec celebration in St. Eustache at a local sugar bush (for photos, check out the On the Scene section). By the time of my arrival, the snow had been dealt with. I have to admit that as an Anglophone I was intimidated to be attending this event, but that quickly disappeared when I entered the room to a warm welcome by AESIQ Executive Director Sandra Ross. The room was buzzing with conversations of old friends and colleagues happy to have a reason to visit and catch up. While it is clear to me there is a distinct cultural difference between Quebecers and the rest of Canada, we are more similar than we care to admit. Claude and I discussed the need to ensure benefits of membership are expanded in Quebec and ensure that we recognize the different needs of their adjusters. I am looking forward to returning the warm hospitality Claude extended to me at the AGM and National convention in Banff, Alberta in September 2013. The dinner was traditional Quebec fare with eggs, ham, cretons and sugar pie. I was lucky enough to receive two large packages of Maple syrup products to take home and enjoy. It was a real Canadiana experience!

The second weather encounter I enjoyed was during the Western Region CIAA/CICMA Educational Seminar in Edmonton. It was one of the largest snow storms of the season on the day of the seminar. Despite this the Albertans dealt with it with the usual western resilience I became accustomed to when I lived in Calgary. It was not unlike my earlier experience in Quebec. I couldn’t help but think the Greater Toronto Area would have shut down for such a storm. The seminar was well attended and I was hosted by Doreen Lennon of Townsend & Leedham Insurance Adjusters and Reid Townsend of Canadian Claims Service. The organizing committee did a great job and the presenters were excellent. Angela Kos of Brownlee reviewed changes to the Alberta Insurance Act.  President of the CICMA Northern Alberta Chapter, David Sorenson delivered an in depth review of the Inter Company Settlement agreement and Arbitration process. He put the audience through their paces and we worked through scenarios to apply the fundamentals of the session. The afternoon session was on Adjuster Safety and Environmental claims. CIAA Past President Greg Merrithew and Barry Rakewich of Nicholls Environmental presented on their respective topics. It was another example of the wonderful relationship between CIAA and the CICMA. Special thanks to the various vendors that presented during the lunch hour tradeshow!

The common experience between both events was neither my friends in Quebec nor their western counterparts appreciated the recent success of my Toronto Maple Leafs. The secret to Canadian unity may be the general disdain for Toronto sports teams.  

The cultural similarities between our various regions are not unlike our industry wherein independent adjusters are similar to all adjusters, but we face our own challenges. I was reminded of this recently when an examiner friend of mine was questioned by his manager for working on a weekend with the comment “Working on a weekend? Do you think you are an independent adjuster?” While I believe all independents understand after hours work is one of the mainstays of our business, insurers must realize we need to be factored into their business models for regular business  as well – or we will not be around. I believe that some insurers appreciate this and build their business plans to include outsourcing but this must be maintained and expanded or else the 24/7 service and the catastrophe response they rely on from independent adjusters will disappear.

Insurers must understand and help to preserve the cultural difference of our profession in order to ensure the public is served and protected.