CAILBA Newsletter 2026
Issue #1
CAILBA’s 2025 in Review: Reflecting on Progress, Looking Ahead
As CAILBA closes another impactful year, this is an opportunity to reflect on the meaningful progress made across the organization and across the MGA and carrier community, while also looking ahead to what comes next.
2025 CAILBA Regional Meetings: Building on Strong Momentum
Following the success of the inaugural Regional Meetings, CAILBA continued to build national engagement in 2025 with events held in Vancouver, Toronto, and Montreal. Attendance and participation remained strong across all regions, with members and carrier partners once again highlighting the value of in-person connection and timely industry dialogue.
Feedback reinforced the importance of these annual regional gatherings as a forum for collaboration, insight, and relationship building within the MGA and carrier community.
VANCOUVER HIGHLIGHTS
Vancouver featured a discussion with Nina Kavalinas, CAILBA Compliance & Regulatory Director, and Janet Sinclair, Chief Executive Officer, Insurance Council of British Columbia.
The MGA Panel – Trends & Topical Concerns brought together panellists from IDC (Chris Connolley), HUB (Andrew Fink), and WealthLink (Mike Mervin) for a strong discussion on a broad range of topics. The panel explored FSRA’s approach to licensing and how proposed changes could both enhance oversight and create challenges for MGA stakeholders. Panellists also shared how their organizations are using AI, along with candid comments on what is keeping them up at night, including declining middle-market sales, integrating technology stacks, meeting advisors’ digital expectations, and the evolving regulatory demands that will shape how MGAs remain viable and relevant.
MONTREAL HIGHLIGHTS
The CAILBA regional meeting featured insights from Louise Gauthier and Melissa Perreault of the AMF, along with Lyne Duhaime from CLHIA. The panel highlighted upcoming AMF consultations focused on the role and accountability of MGAs, particularly the designated responsible officer, with potentially greater operational and financial impacts for smaller firms and independent advisors.
Discussion also addressed increased regulatory focus on governance, risk-based supervision, advisor training, and client transfers, including privacy obligations under Law 25 and emerging guidance affecting segregated funds. Industry participants raised succession and transition planning for aging advisors, as well as ongoing concerns related to fair treatment of clients and compensation renewals. The MGA Panel, consisting of Caroline Thibault, SFGT; Michael Tavares, MSA; and Andrée Couture, PPI, also shared strategic initiatives, including the use of AI to enhance advisor training and product selection, and the development of tools to improve advisor efficiency in the mass market segment.
TORONTO HIGHLIGHTS
Toronto’s session offered an insightful discussion on regulatory and industry developments. Presentations were delivered by Nina Kavalinas and Barb Leighton, CAILBA Compliance & Regulatory Directors, and Luke O’Connor, AVP, Market Conduct Policy & Regulation. Luke provided a CLHIA update covering MGA licensing and agent oversight, interprovincial agent licensing harmonization, and segregated fund reforms. Attendees left with a clearer understanding of evolving industry trends.
Kathy Hiscock, PPI, moderated the MGA Panel, Trends & Topical Concerns, with panellists Sean Downey, FHG; Kirk McMillian, Gryphin Advantage; and Rick Williams, WFG. The conversations were highly interactive and focused on the importance of AI implementation, FSRA’s Fee Rule Amendments, and the OneUp program backed by Munich.
2025 CAILBA Responds
CAILBA actively participates in industry regulatory committees to help ensure the Canadian life insurance industry remains vibrant, competitive, and responsive to emerging trends. Through these efforts, CAILBA provides input on key policy developments, advocates for MGA interests, and helps shape a regulatory environment that supports growth and innovation.
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2026 Strategic Planning Session
CAILBA’s Board of Directors met in Vaughan in February for a two day strategic planning session. The session provided an opportunity to reflect on the progress achieved over the past three years, assess the evolving landscape of the life insurance distribution industry, and identify key priorities that will guide the Association’s work over the next three years. The discussions focused on ensuring CAILBA remains proactive, relevant, and well positioned to advocate effectively on behalf of its members.
CAILBA Welcomes 2025/2026 New Members
CAILBA warmly welcomes you. Your commitment to excellence strengthens our community and drives our collective success. We look forward to innovating, sharing insights, and building meaningful industry connections together.
Thank you for being a member. We are excited to have you with us.
CAILBA REGIONAL MEETINGS 2026
Toronto, October 7th
Vancouver, November 4th
Montreal, November 10th
President
Adrien Legault
Past-President
Phil Marsillo
Treasurer
Ella Popescu
Vice-President
Andrew Fink
Secretary
Kirk McMillan
Compliance Director
Nina Kavalinas
Compliance Director
Barb Leighton
Quebec Director
Patrick Cloutier
Technology Director
Julie Martin
Communications Director
Jamie Prickett
National Accounts Director
Bassam El-Chami