The Latest

The OECD Roadmap for the Good Design of Defined Contribution Retirement Savings Plans

Published on 14/04/2021

On April 14, the CLHIA responded to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development’s revised Roadmap on “Good Design of Defined Contribution Retirement Savings Plan,” released on March 4. The CLHIA commended the OECD for initiating the review and consultation with interested stakeholders to maintain and improve defined contribution plans for flexible design, education, and communication. Ensuring retirement income adequacy through the accumulation and decumulation phases with innovative plan design that considers age and socioeconomic considerations is essential to retirement income security.

Submission to the Government of Canada on its Consultation on a National Strategy for High-Cost Drugs for Rare Diseases

Published on 29/03/2021

On March 29, the CLHIA submitted its views to the Government of Canada on its consultation on a national strategy for high-cost drugs for rare diseases. The submission provides comments on how to address key issues in the government’s discussion paper, including improving patient access, evidence-based decision making and sustainability for an effective rare disease strategy. It also presents risk and cost sharing approaches that include private payers. These approaches will minimize impacts to patients and ensure the sustainability of the program over time.  

CLHIA welcomes favourable ruling from Saskatchewan Court of Appeal for life insurers

Published on 10/03/2021

On March 10, the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal ruled on litigation initiated by Atwater Investment LP, Ituna Investments LP and Mosten Investment LP that targeted several life insurance companies. These investment companies had sought to deposit unlimited amounts into universal life insurance policies they had acquired. The Court of Appeal held that a 2018 Saskatchewan government regulation which said life insurers are not permitted to accept deposits unrelated to insurance coverage prevents them from accepting amounts beyond that which may be required for insurance purposes. The CLHIA welcomed the decision as supporting a regulatory framework that protects consumer interests. 

STATEMENT
Know the facts: Getting the vaccine will not affect your insurance coverage

Published on 08/03/2021

Consultation on Optometrists Profession Regulation

Published on 01/03/2021

On March 1, the CLHIA responded to an Alberta Health Services (AHS) consultation on a proposal from the Alberta College of Optometrists to expand the scope of practice to include some procedures currently allowed within the ophthalmology scope only. The CLHIA emphasized that allowing optometrists to deliver certain surgical, laser and other procedures that can be delivered in the office of the optometrist would result in these services being defunded from the AHS, as optometrists’ are not covered by the public plan. The CLHIA advised the AHS that private plans would be unlikely to cover these types of services under the vision care benefit, as this is typically reserved for lenses and frames. Therefore, these services would need to be paid by Albertans themselves. 

Submission to the Canadian Transportation Agency in response to the Public Consultation on the Development of New Airline Refund Requirements

Published on 01/03/2021

On March 1, the CLHIA responded to a Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) consultation on proposed changes to the Air Passenger Protection Regulations as a result of the experience with trip cancellations and interruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. While the proposed changes will not be retroactive, the CLHIA pointed out the dissatisfaction many Canadians have expressed with having received a voucher. Any government funding paid to the airlines should come with a stipulation that airlines must reimburse consumers so-affected. In Canada, the CTA has allowed airlines to issue vouchers for credit instead of full refunds.  In other jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom, Europe and the US, tighter regulations have required refunds and stipulate the turnaround time, as well as other requirements. 

CLHIA opens Western Canada government affairs office

Published on 23/02/2021

CLHIA Budget 2021 Submission to the Department of Finance

Published on 22/02/2021

On February 21, the CLHIA made its submission to the federal government in advance of budget 2021, including seven recommendations. In addition to long-standing recommendations such as supporting workplace and individual drug plans and eliminating the capital tax on Canadian financial institutions, this year the CLHIA also recommended the establishment of a 20-year federal debt instrument in order to aid in economic recovery.  The submission also urges the government move ahead expeditiously with Bill C-11 to ensure a modernized and coherent regulatory framework across Canada.

Submission to the Canadian Government on a Possible Economic Partnership Agreement with Indonesia

Published on 22/02/2021

On February 22, the CLHIA provided its views to the government of Canada on a possible comprehensive economic partnership agreement with Indonesia. Given the international operations of the industry and its presence in Indonesia, the industry is supportive of entering into such an agreement with the country. The submission highlighted key issues that need to be considered as part of the economic partnership agreement, including further opening the Indonesia market to foreign investment and the free flow of data across borders. The full submission can be found here.

Manitoba 2021 Pre-Budget Submission

Published on 18/02/2021

On February 18, the CLHIA made its submission to the Manitoba 2021 pre-budget consultation. The document makes five recommendations including those geared towards protecting workplace and individual health benefits and removing tax disincentives on insurance. 

Ontario 2021 Pre-Budget Submission

Published on 11/02/2021

On February 11, the CLHIA submitted its recommendations to the government of Ontario in advance of its 2021 budget. The submission made seven recommendations including supporting access to affordable prescription drugs, protecting vulnerable Ontario seniors from financial exploitation and reducing and eventually eliminating the retail sales and premium taxes on life and health insurance.

New Brunswick 2021-22 Pre-Budget Consultation

Published on 11/02/2021

On February 11, the CLHIA made its submission to the government of New Brunswick in advance of its 2021 budget. The submission made seven recommendations including supporting access to affordable prescription drugs, modernizing the agent licensing regime and prohibiting self-insured employer long-term disability benefits. 

Letter to Ontario MPPs Re: Bill 219, Life Settlements and Loans Act

Published on 25/01/2021

Prince Edward Island 2021 Pre-Budget Submission

Published on 22/01/2021

On January 22, the CLHIA submitted its comments to the Prince Edward Island government in advance of its 2021 budget. The submission made five recommendations including supporting access to affordable prescription drugs, pension innovation to provide more secure retirement income options and removing tax disincentives on insurance. 

CLHIA's submission to the Ontario Low-Carbon Hydrogen Strategy Consultation

Published on 18/01/2021

On January 18, the CLHIA submitted its comments to the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks in response to its consultation on the development of a low-carbon hydrogen strategy. The submission highlighted the industry’s support for the government creating new opportunities for investment in sustainable, long-term infrastructure assets. 

Submission to the Department of Finance on Federally Regulated Private Pension Plans

Published on 18/01/2021

On January 14th, the CLHIA made its submission to a Finance Canada consultation on “Strengthening Canadians’ Retirement Security – Proposals to Support the Sustainability of and Strengthen the Framework for Federally Regulated Private Pension Plans.” The submission commended the department for initiating this consultation on the security and governance of Canada’s pension plans.  However, it also proposed some enhancements to the proposal to ensure that they are workable and provide necessary retirement income security so that Canadians may retire with confidence: 

Letter to the Secretariat of the Canadian Association of Pension Supervisory Authorities (CAPSA) re: Quarterly Meeting 3 year planning priorities

Published on 27/03/2020

CLHIA Process on Electronic Declarations

Published on 24/12/2019

Enhancing retirement income options for Canadians

Published on 29/11/2019

Letter to Minister of Social Development and Poverty Reduction re: British Columbia Framework for Accessibility Legislation

Published on 29/11/2019

Insurers and healthcare groups collaborate to help providers and patients better understand health insurance benefits

Published on 13/11/2019

Understanding Claims for Treatment of Obstructive Sleep Apnea with Positive Airway Pressure (PAP) Devices

Published on 03/01/2018

A Canadian Success Story: PROMOTING TRADE IN LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE

Published on 16/05/2017

This position paper briefly describes the benefit of trade in financial services to Canada, the participation of our insurance companies in foreign markets, and the policy directions the Canadian government should take to promote and facilitate trade, particularly for financial services.

Understanding Claims for Footwear and Orthotics

Published on 01/03/2018

Guaranteed Withdrawal Benefit (GWB) Illustrations

Published on 22/03/2011

The purpose of this Guideline is to describe the information that should be included in illustrations of IVICs offering guaranteed withdrawal benefits. In particular, the Guideline identifies features that could be misunderstood by consumers or which are affected by consumer decisions and recommends practices to assist in explaining these.