The Latest

Submission regarding PMPRB's Guideline Monitoring and Evaluation Plan

Published on 07/07/2021

CLHIA Comments on FSRA financial professionals title protection rule and guidance

Published on 21/06/2021

On June 21, the CLHIA made a submission supporting the overall objective of FSRA’s title protection rule and guidance. The submission raised concerns and sought clarification in certain areas, specifically that the rule clearly allow the term “advisor” in the context of life and health insurance distribution.  Additionally, we followed up with FSRA’s response to our first submission that noted that the LLQP training, and being subsequently life licenced, would not exempt advisors from having to acquire an additional credential to use the Financial Advisor (FA) title.  Our submission sought to better understand what the training gaps are, and what paths (e.g., top-up courses) may be required to address them.  Further, we noted that the policy objectives of creating a credentialing framework overlap with the current licensing regime, particularly, those that relate to training and oversight.  Additionally, we indicated our concern about fees, and the costs to new entrants.  The CLHIA will continue to engage with FSRA on this initiative, including a third consultation that will focus on fees, which is expected over the summer.   

Submission to the Government of Saskatchewan on the Consultation on a Review of the Pension Funding Framework for Single Employer Defined Benefit Plans in the Private Sector and Other Complementary Reform Measures Applicable to all Defined Benefit Plans

Published on 16/06/2021

On June 11, the CLHIA responded to the Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan’s “Review of the Pension Funding Framework for Single Employer Defined Benefit Plans in the Private Sector and Other Complementary Reform Measures Applicable to All Defined Benefit Plan,” released on March 23. The CLHIA commended the Government of Saskatchewan for its actions in examining issues related to solvency funding, restrictions on contribution holidays, and annuity discharge provisions. 

Advisory: Refunds from travel providers will affect travel cancelation insurance claims and payouts

Published on 11/06/2021

As Canadian airlines have begun to refund customers for cancelled trips, the CLHIA issued a public advisory helping consumers understand the steps they should take if they have already received reimbursement from a travel insurer for the same expense.

CLHIA Federal Submission on Targeted Infrastructure Investment

Published on 26/05/2021

Recently, the House of Commons Standing Committee on Transportation, Infrastructure and Communities held hearings on the topic of targeting infrastructure investment to achieve social, economic and environmental outcomes. The CLHIA made a submission to the committee highlighting the industry’s ability to make significant, long-term investments in infrastructure and sustainable assets. 

Submission to the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) on the Proposed Guidance: Administration of Pension Benefits Upon Marriage Breakdown

Published on 04/05/2021

On May 3, the CLHIA made a submission to the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) on the proposed “Interpretation and Approach Guidance regarding the processes for the valuation and division of pensions upon marriage breakdown,” released March 18. The CLHIA commended FSRA’s role in providing the industry with a comprehensive and current guide on the processes for the valuation and division of pensions on marriage breakdown.

Submission to the Government of Canada on Possible Accession to the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement

Published on 03/05/2021

The CLHIA provided its views to the federal government on Canada’s possible accession to the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement (DEPA). The agreement’s current signatories include Chile, New Zealand, and Singapore. Given the  importance  of  the  digital  economy  to the international  operations  and  the economic  success of some insurers, we note in our submission that the industry supports Canada’s accession to the DEPA. Further, we encouraged the government to consider expanding the provisions in the DEPA to include financial services. The full submission can be found here. 

Submission to the New Brunswick Health Council on its healthcare system review

Published on 30/04/2021

On April 30, the CLHIA responded to a New Brunswick government consultation on its healthcare system review, which included a discussion paper detailing the challenges that the public system currently faces. This includes an aging population, hospitals providing care to individuals better served outside of hospital and a lack of family physicians.  Over the month of April the government engaged New Brunswickers and other stakeholders in the review.  The CLHIA provided suggestions around three areas of mutual interest, including New Brunswickers who are under-insured or not insured for prescription drug coverage, expanding access to virtual healthcare and, lastly, providing appropriate access to mental healthcare.

Consultation on The Professional Supervision of Osteopaths

Published on 30/04/2021

On April 30, the CLHIA responded to a consultation by the Office des professions du Québec on the professional supervision of osteopaths in Quebec. The consultation’s primary aim was to identify osteopaths’ scope of practice and reserved acts, the reservation of a professional title and the creation of a separated order. The CLHIA’s response did not address the proper scope of practice per se, since other associations and health care providers can be expected to deal with this in their own submissions. Rather, our comments focused on considerations for creating and implementing an osteopath order, including public awareness; a code of conduct; ethics and accountability; training and ongoing education; a registry and memberships; and pricing and billing guidelines. We also advocated for a clear cut-off date by which members must be registered and comply with the regulatory body in order to legally be allowed to perform osteopathy in Quebec.

Submission to the Government of Saskatchewan on the Consultation on Financial Hardship Unlocking from a Locked-in Retirement Account

Published on 30/04/2021

On April 6, the CLHIA made a submission to the Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan on amendments to the Pensions Benefits Act, 1992 released on March 11, 2021 regarding the unlocking of locked-in pension benefits. The submission, while recognizing the importance of considering an array of policy levers to assist Canadians experiencing financial pressures, stated the priority should be to preserve funds in pension plans in order to provide secure, adequate, post-retirement income.  A main recommendation was to limit withdrawals from locked-in pension funds to a set of specified purposes with required supporting documentation. Further, the CLHIA urged the province to consider harmonizing legislation for unlocking with other provinces that have introduced similar provisions, such as Alberta.

Newfoundland and Labrador 2021 Pre-Budget Submission

Published on 30/04/2021

On April 30, the CLHIA made recommendations to the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador in advance of its 2021 budget. The submission highlighted the need to support workplace and individual drug plans that currently provide hundreds of thousands of residents with comprehensive access to medicines; encourage private sector investment in sustainable assets and long-term infrastructure projects; and support a dynamic and innovative business climate by reducing and eventually eliminating the five per cent tax on life, health and disability premiums, which is the highest in Canada.

Submission to the Government of Canada on future trade with the United Kingdom

Published on 28/04/2021

The CLHIA provided its views to the Government of Canada on an anticipated free trade agreement with the United Kingdom and its possible accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). Canadian insurers have significant operations within the UK and sell a wide range of life and health insurance products within the nation. Our submission notes that the industry supports entering into a free trade agreement with the UK and its accession to the CPTPP to strengthen the long-standing trade relationship with the UK. The full submission can be found here.

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.