Canadian market News

Canada’s Desjardins Acquires Insurance Company of Prince Edward Island

Canada-based Desjardins, through its subsidiary Desjardins General Insurance Group Inc., and ICPEI Holdings Inc. announced they have entered into definitive agreements for Desjardins to indirectly acquire all of ICPEI’s issued and outstanding shares. ICPEI Holdings operates The Insurance Company of …

Hub Int’l Acquires Canada Employee Benefits Specialist Zavitz Insurance and Wealth

Hub International Ltd., the Chicago-based insurance brokerage and financial services firm, announced it has acquired Zavitz Insurance and Wealth Inc. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Located in London, Ontario, Canada, Zavitz Insurance and Wealth provides group employee benefits, …

Trudeau to Hold National Summit in Response to Canada’s Massive Spike in Auto Thefts

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government is holding a summit next month to coordinate a national response to a massive spike in auto thefts across Canada in recent years. Toronto, Canada’s largest city, has borne the brunt of the crime wave, …

Aviva to Acquire Canadian Vehicle Replacement MGA Optiom for Circa £100m

Aviva plc announced the acquisition of Optiom O2 Holdings Inc. from Novacap and other minority shareholders for a consideration of approximately £100 million (US$126 million). Calgary, Canada-based Optiom, which operates as a managing general agent (MGA), is a provider of …

Small Businesses Underestimate Cyber Risks Despite Increased Threats: IBC Survey

Most small businesses don’t believe they will experience a cyber attack, yet many employees are concerned they are putting their organizations at risk, according to a recent poll by Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC). IBC’s 2023 Cyber Security Survey found …

Nova Scotia Floods Cost Insurers More Than C$170 Million

An atmospheric river event that led to significant flooding in parts of Nova Scotia on July 23, 2023, is estimated to have caused over C$170 million (US$125.5 million) in insured damage, according to the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), quoting …

Canada Financial Regulator Proposes Capital Guidelines for Cryptoassets

Canada’s financial regulator on Wednesday proposed changes to its capital and liquidity approach to cryptoassets, citing a risky environment and in response to international banking standards. The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI)said guidelines were for federally regulated …

Canada Regulator Proposes Banks, Insurers Hold More Capital to Tackle Mortgage Risks

Canada’s banking regulator on Tuesday proposed changes to capital adequacy guidelines that would require lenders and mortgage insurers to hold more funds to better manage risks from a sharp rise in home loan rates. Variable home loan rates have risen …

Markets/Coverages: Coalition Launches Active Cyber Insurance in Quebec

Coalition, the San Francisco-based cyber managing general agent and cyber-security firm, announced its cyber insurance and technology errors and omissions (E&O) insurance offerings are now available in Quebec. Brokers can receive highly streamlined quotes for small businesses to large enterprises, …

Definity’s McDougall Insurance Brokers to Acquire Canada’s Drayden Insurance

McDougall Insurance Brokers Ltd., the Belleville, Ontario-based subsidiary of Definity Financial Corp., announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% of Drayden Insurance Ltd. for C$208 million (US156.9 million), subject to closing and post-closing adjustments. The transaction …