Jason Contant

Toronto

Associate Editor at Canadian Underwriter

Associate Editor with @CdnUnderwriter magazine

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Articles

BrokerLink acquires three more brokerages in two provinces

1 week ago | canadianunderwriter.ca | Jason Contant

BrokerLink has expanded its footprint in two provinces with the acquisition of two brokerages in Ontario and one in Alberta. BrokerLink said in a press release last week it has made deals involving Avergate Insurance Inc. in the Greater Toronto Area, Keyes Insurance Brokers in Gananoque, Ont., and Calgary-based CDM Insurance Brokers Ltd. The Avergate Insurance deal closed May 1, while the Keyes Insurance Brokers and CDM Insurance deals closed June 1, BrokerLink said in the June 12 release.
MGA conference talks trust following TruStar's receivership

1 week ago | canadianunderwriter.ca | Jason Contant

Good corporate governance and compliance controls can help ensure trust in the MGA channel following the fallout from the TruStar Underwriting legal case, speakers suggested last week at an industry conference. In December 2024, MGA TruStar accused its former CEO, two unnamed defendants and two unnamed corporations of jointly scheming to defraud the company and its clients of $6 million.
Some 30% more Quebec homes to be in flood zones when new mapping takes effect

1 week ago | canadianunderwriter.ca | Jason Contant

MONTREAL - The number of Quebec homes located in flood zones will likely increase by 30 per cent when new maps are introduced next year, the province's environment minister said Thursday. At a news conference on Quebec's new guidelines to manage flooding, Benoit Charette said the government's goal is to protect people and their properties, and to make sure residents understand the risk they're exposed to. The number of homes in flood zones, he said, should rise to 35,000 from about 25,000.
Steve Masnyk to leave CAMGA, search on for next chief executive

2 weeks ago | canadianunderwriter.ca | Jason Contant

Steve Masnyk will be departing from his role as executive director of the Canadian Association of Managing General Agents (CAMGA) in July, the association's board of directors announced Thursday at its annual general meeting in Toronto. The board has begun the process of finding the next chief executive of the association. Masnyk was appointed as executive director in October 2020, an announcement made by newly appointed president Pete Tessier.
Squamish, B.C., reports progress in fire fight, as northeast hopes for rain

2 weeks ago | canadianunderwriter.ca | Jason Contant

There's optimism from firefighters and local authorities as crews battle blazes in opposite corners of British Columbia heading into the weekend. The District of Squamish is reporting minimal overnight growth in the Dryden Creek fire that triggered a local state of emergency this week, while the BC Wildfire Service expects rain to help suppress the Pocket Knife Creek wildfire in the northeast.
Lost RCMP memory key with informant details was offered for sale by criminals: report

2 weeks ago | canadianunderwriter.ca | Jason Contant

OTTAWA - The RCMP lost a memory key containing personal information about victims, witnesses and informants, and later learned it was being offered for sale by criminals, the federal privacy watchdog says. A detailed report from the office of privacy commissioner Philippe Dufresne reveals the RCMP told the watchdog about the breach in March 2022, prompting a lengthy investigation.
Squamish, B.C., declares wildfire state of emergency as blaze looms over community

2 weeks ago | canadianunderwriter.ca | Jason Contant

The District of Squamish has declared a local state of emergency due to an out-of-control wildfire that it says poses an imminent threat to people and property. The declaration signed by Mayor Armand Hurford says the blaze is threatening the neighbourhoods of Brackendale, Tantalus Road and Skyridge in the community about 60 kilometres north of Vancouver.
Ways for specialty insurance clients to navigate U.S. tariffs

2 weeks ago | canadianunderwriter.ca | Jason Contant

Insurers' clients and brokers are considering adjustable insurance policies to help mitigate potential impacts of U.S. tariffs, Markel Canada president David Crozier tells Canadian Underwriter in an interview.
Ottawa's plan for climate change adaptation is falling short, report says

2 weeks ago | canadianunderwriter.ca | Jason Contant

OTTAWA - The federal government's program for preparing Canada for the effects of climate change has stumbled since its launch in 2023, says a new report from environment commissioner Jerry DeMarco. The report says the National Adaptation Strategy has faced significant challenges in its design and implementation. The report says the strategy was not effectively designed, did not prioritize Canada's climate change risks and only established one of three components since its release in 2023.
Merger takes McDougall into Atlantic Canada

2 weeks ago | canadianunderwriter.ca | Jason Contant

McDougall Insurance Brokers Limited has entered Atlantic Canada following its merger with Halifax-based Keyes Insurance. "Keyes is McDougall's first Atlantic Canadian office and represents a significant moment for our organization's national ambitions," says a June 5 press release from McDougall, a Definity Financial Corporation subsidiary.