Manitoba brokers focus lobby drive

Brokers across the country need to keep the pressure on federal and provincial legislators. This is the message Manitoba’s brokers heard at their annual conference in Brandon from the Brokers Association of Manitoba (IBAM) new president Gerry Corrigal. The recent release of the federal government’s new financial services legislation does not mean broker associations can rest easy, he says. “We haven’t let up any of our lobbying.”

Lobbying will also be a key role of the association at the provincial level. With Manitoba’s new government inheriting an unfinished package of legislation, IBAM will go back to the table to ensure its voice is heard. While the association supported certain aspects of the package, including insurance companies sponsoring brokerage owners, rather than individual employees, it took issue with the exclusion of hail insurers from having errors and omissions insurance or mandatory continuing education requirements. “The new government seems to understand our position,” says Corrigal. A subcommittee has been struck, including IBAM representatives, and Corrigal expects several meetings to take place in the coming months. He adds that allowing brokers to apply fees to certain commissions, as is done in other provinces, will be another issue to take up with the province.

Internally, Corrigal hopes Manitoba will follow Ontario’s lead on the senior designation program, and continue to lead in the development of young broker committees. “We were one of the first ones to establish that…a couple of years ago. It’s been very successful in Manitoba and we’ve brought it to the attention of other provincial associations.”