Atlantic Insurance Legislation Harmonization

The Industry-Consumer-Government Committee of the Atlantic Provinces Insurance Legislation Harmonization Project reports a successful working session held recently in Moncton.

It was the second sitting of the 20-member committee charged with advising provincial governments on a common regulatory environment for the insurance industry. At the meeting, the chair expressed appreciation on behalf of the project steering committee for the continuing participation of all sectors of the insurance industry.

The committee received a summary of broad policy issues that will require resolution before proceeding to draft legislation. John Weir, project consultant, presented the list of concerns, issues and recommendations compiled from meetings with consumers and industry stakeholders, and through written submissions.

The exercise was intended to provoke further discussion and feedback during the policy-decision stage.

The recommendations proposed by Mr. Weir were based on personal interpretation of regional and national input from stakeholders as well as his understanding of current and future trends in insurance legislation.

Mr. Weir is a former Ontario superintendent of insurance and a professor of law at the University of Windsor.

Superintendents in each province will review the recommendations and accept comments from committee members and other interested parties as deliberations on policy issues begin. Decisions made during these deliberations will form the basis for developing a draft of a plain language insurance act. The draft is expected this summer, at which time the committee will reconvene for further discussions.

Contract: Glenn Davis
Regional co-ordinator
Conference of Atlantic Premiers
902-424-7606
E-mail: gdavis@cmp.ca

AU CHEF DES NOUVELLES: Ce communique est egalement disponible en francais; c. elec. rossng@gov.ns.ca .