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Large Canadian brokerage now operating coast to coast

June 28, 2023 by Jason Contant

Editor’s Note: An original version of this article incorrectly identified Western Financial Group as Westland. Canadian Underwriter apologizes for the error.   Western Financial Group now operates coast to coast following its full acquisition of Huestis Insurance and Associates Ltd.

Teamwork and partnership conceptual image - hands of a businessman and businesswoman joining blank matching puzzle pieces over brown background.
News AnnouncementsBrokersInsuranceMergers and Aqcuisitions

Behind the big brokerage merger between ONE and BSI

June 27, 2023 by David Gambrill

ONE Insurance and BSI Insurance are combining to form the largest Manitoba-owned brokerage network, serving the province through 28 branches in 26 different communities. The new company would bring together two of Manitoba’s oldest insurance brokers, with a total of

Success and strategy concept
News BrokersInsuranceMergers and AqcuisitionsProfessional Development

Meet CBN’s latest member brokerage

June 27, 2023 by Jason Contant

Ontario-based My Insurance Broker (MIB) has joined the Canadian Broker Network (CBN). Based in Richmond Hill, MIB offers a variety of insurance products including home (as well as cottage and condo insurance), auto (Uber insurance, online auto quotes, motorcycle and

Business leader press a mergers and acquisitions holographic button
News InsuranceMergers and Aqcuisitions

Who’s acquiring Canadian P&C brokerages?

June 22, 2023 by Jason Contant

Private equity (PE) and insurer-backed brokerage acquisitions appear to have surged in recent years, but it’s difficult to get a true number as not all transactions are reported, business advisory and consulting firm Smythe LLP said in a new report.

Runners in starting blocks
News BrokersClaimsCommercial LinesInsuranceLegal

Did the court jump the gun on allowing a negligence claim against a brokerage?

June 16, 2023 by David Gambrill

A brokerage has been added as a defendant in a sideline negligence claim, even though the central legal action for breach of contract involving two other parties (including a defendant reinsurer) has yet to be decided. Ontario’s Superior Court applied

Writing the exam
News AssociationsBrokersCommercial LinesInsuranceLegislation / RegulationMGAsProfessional Development

Broker regulator outlines approach to MGA licensing

June 12, 2023 by Jason Contant

Ontario’s broker self-regulatory body is looking at its licensing exams with a stronger focus on commercial lines and MGAs, Registered Insurance Brokers of Ontario (RIBO) CEO Patrick Ballantyne said last week during an industry event.  “Those exams are currently under

Robert Beauchamp is Westland's VP of Quebec operations
News AppointmentsBrokersEmploymentInsuranceProfessional Development

Westland appoints industry veteran to new VP role

June 9, 2023 by Jason Contant

Westland Insurance has appointed senior industry executive Robert Beauchamp as its new vice president of Quebec operations. Beauchamp will spearhead operations and drive growth in Quebec, the brokerage said in a press release. “This appointment marks Westland’s commitment to expanding

Young business partners in an office
News BrokersInsuranceMarkets / CoveragesProfessional Development

Will lack of diversity mean the end of your brokerage?

June 7, 2023 by Jason Contant

Investing in diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives could literally spell the difference between survival and death for a brokerage, a panellist suggested Tuesday during a Canadian Underwriter webinar. Colette Taylor, chief operating officer at Sovereign Insurance, expressed concern about

Diversity in the workplace
News AssociationsBrokersInsuranceMarkets / Coverages

Easy, low-cost ways to improve DEI at your brokerage

June 6, 2023 by Jason Contant

Brokerages that might not have resources to embark on large-scale diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs can start small by committing to change, a speaker said Tuesday during a Canadian Underwriter webinar. “If you’re a small brokerage, maybe don’t have

Talent acquisition concept
News BrokersCommercial LinesInsuranceMarkets / CoveragesMergers and AqcuisitionsProfessional Development

BrokerLink president shares thoughts on brokerage M&A

May 24, 2023 by Jason Contant

BrokerLink still sees plenty of M&A opportunities in provinces where it currently operates and doesn’t have any immediate plans to expand into new geographic areas, the brokerage’s president told Canadian Underwriter in an interview Tuesday. BrokerLink is focusing its resources

Vin Diesel filming a Fast & Furious movie
News BrokersInsuranceMarkets / Coverages

How much it would cost to insure Fast & Furious supercars

May 11, 2023 by Jason Contant

If you’re a fan of the Fast & Furious movie franchise, you’re probably looking forward to the 10th installment — Fast X — which opens May 19.  But have you ever given much thought to how much it costs to

Jigsaw puzzle pieces - M&A concept
News BrokersInsuranceMergers and Aqcuisitions

IBAO CEO’s thoughts on McDougall-McFarlan Rowlands merger

May 10, 2023 by Jason Contant

McDougall Insurance’s recent merger with McFarlan Rowlands shows the broker distribution network continues to be a healthy investment choice, Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO) CEO Colin Simpson told Canadian Underwriter recently. Of course, the larger independent brokerage groups become,