Moves & Views (March 01, 2004)

The Toronto Metro Convention Centre was home to the Insurance Institute of Ontario (IIO) Convocation and Awards Dinner. Amongst the honorees were (clockwise from top) Sunit Datta, Rajdeep Chopra and Richard Y.K. Liu, all of whom were presented with multiple awards by IIO president Patrick King (left) and Insurance Institute of Canada chairman Glenn Gibson (right). This year’s Honorary CIP was Igal Mayer, CEO of Aviva Canada Inc. In his address to the event, Gibson noted the importance to graduates of recognizing themselves as insurance professionals, and the need to bring public attention to the “meaningful and important” work being done by the insurance industry to restore lives after such devastation as was caused by Hurricane Juan and the B.C. forest fires in 2003.

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As part of the recent Ontario Insurance Adjusters’ Association Claims 2004 show, the OIAA hosted a career fair with about 100 insurance program graduates from post-secondary schools including Mohawk and Fanshawe colleges and Laurier University. Claims 2004 was highlighted by a luncheon address by “Elvis” impersonator and motivational speaker Rev. Dorian Baxter. Also at the luncheon, the OIAA was able to present a cheque for more than $26,000 to the Arthritis Society.

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SIAA Canada has signed its latest Strategic Master Brokerage partnership with Cambrian Insurance Brokers of Sudbury, ON to create the Northern Brokers Alliance. Cambrian joins Omni Insurance Brokers, the Southwest Brokers Network. SIAA regional president Ken Rayner says Cambrian “has a long history of professionalism and strong market relationships”. SIAA currently includes nearly 1,350 independent agents and brokers across North America.

Jane Voll has been named permanently to the position of vice president of policy development and chief economist for the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC). She has held the role on an interim basis since the departure of Paul Kovacs late last year. Voll has been with the IBC since 1993.

Sovereign General Insurance finished construction in January on the first home to receive an occupancy permit after being destroyed in last summer’s Kelowna forest fire. The home, owned by firefighter Rob Buchanan (pictured with Dave Gould, senior adjuster at Sovereign General’s Kelowna office), symbolizes the beginning of the rebuilding of people’s lives following the devastating fires. “There are a lot of emotions involved in losing one’s home and having to live in hotels for an extended amount of time,” says Doug Edward, Pacific region manager for Sovereign General. He says insurers and brokers worked hard to help evacuees, including those whose policies were expiring at the time of the fires. “A lot of companies took a responsible position in dealing with those situations,” he remarks. Sovereign insures about 2,000 homes in Kelowna, 11 of which were destroyed by the wild fires. Sovereign General also did its part to honor the efforts of B.C.’s firefighters, donating $10,000 to the B.C. Professional Firefighters’ Burn Fund. Pictured is Edward making the donation to Tony Burke, executive director of the fund, which supports burn prevention, survivor support and recovery programs. “Their [the firefighters’] bravery and determination are an example for us all,” says Edward. “While some things can never be recovered or replaced, it is sometimes possible to recover, rebuild and move on.”

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The Quarter Century Club is hosting its 45th annual reception on Thursday May 6, 2004 at Toronto’s Hilton International. The club was established as an informal gathering of veteran claims adjusters, but has grown to include many others, explains John Cherrie. This year will feature a “good natured” roasting of Douglas Cutbush, who Cherrie calls “one of the most lovable players in the game”. The event is open to anyone with 25 years in the industry, and for more information please contact John Cherrie at 1-800-463-3856, Stewart Ponton at 905-671-0185 or Doug Hurlbut at 416-288-5234.