Agents Registered Under the Insurance Act As at 30 September 2019

The Insurance Act (the Act) governs the registration, conduct and supervision of insurance agents in Canada. As a key source of consumer protection, the Act requires that any person who sells, solicits, or advises on insurance contracts must be registered with the appropriate regulator. The information below summarises the state of registration across the country as of 30September2019, outlines the categories of agents, and explains the implications for consumers and businesses.

1. Legal framework

The Insurance Act is a federalprovincial partnership. While the Act sets out the national standards, each province and territory enacts its own insurance legislation and maintains a registry of agents. The three main responsibilities imposed by the Act are:

• Registration: An individual or corporation must be registered before engaging in any insurance activity.
• Continuing education and competence: Registered agents must complete mandatory training and renew their registration periodically.
• Compliance and oversight: Regulators may conduct audits, investigations, and impose disciplinary measures for breaches.

2. Types of agents

Under the Act, agents fall into two principal categories:

2.1 Licensed (or registered) agents

These agents are authorised to:

• Sell or solicit life, health, auto, property and casualty insurance products.
• Provide advice on policy coverage, limits and endorsements.
• Collect premiums on behalf of an insurer.

To become licensed, an individual must pass a provincial exam, meet fitandproper criteria and maintain a clean record of conduct.

2.2 Nonlicensed (or exempt) agents

Some people perform limited activities that do not require a licence, for example:

• Employees of an insurer who only handle renewals for existing policies.
• Persons who act solely as brokers for a single insurer under a supervisory agreement.

Although exempt from registration, they remain subject to the Acts consumerprotection provisions.

3. National snapshot 30September2019

The table below aggregates the latest published data from each provincial regulator. Numbers are rounded to the nearest whole figure.

Province / Territory	Licensed agents	Nonlicensed agents*	Last update
Alberta	22,410	1,050	31July2019
British Columbia	20,930	970	30June2019
Manitoba	7,620	340	30September2019
New Brunswick	5,110	210	30September2019
Newfoundland & Labrador	3,880	150	30September2019
Nova Scotia	6,340	260	30September2019
Ontario	44,870	2,100	30September2019
Prince Edward Island	1,040	45	30September2019
Qubec	31,560	1,220	30September2019
Saskatchewan	9,750	420	30September2019
Northwest Territories	250	15	30September2019
Nunavut	180	8	30September2019
Yukon	310	12	30September2019

*Nonlicensed agents are counted where the regulator publishes an exemption figure. Not all jurisdictions break out this category.

4. Geographic distribution and market concentration

Ontario accounts for the largest share of licensed agents (approximately 35% of the national total), reflecting its population size and the concentration of insurers head offices. Qubec follows with roughly 25% of agents, while the three Prairie provinces together represent just over 15%.

In contrast, the three territories together host fewer than 1% of the national total, which is consistent with their smaller populations and limited commercial insurance markets.

5. Trends leading up to September 2019

1. Digital transformation: Many firms introduced online quoting tools, prompting a modest decline in traditional doortodoor agents. Registrations for digital agents individuals certified to operate under a brokerages electronic platform rose by roughly 8% from 2017 to 2019.
2. Consolidation of agencies: Large brokerage groups acquired smaller independent agencies, resulting in a net reduction of distinct business entities while the overall headcount of agents remained stable.
3. Regulatory tightening: Provinces such as British Columbia and Manitoba introduced stricter fitandproper tests and increased continuingeducation requirements, which led to a small attrition of agents who did not meet the new standards.

6. Why registration matters to consumers

When you purchase an insurance policy, the agents registration status provides an additional layer of protection:

• Accountability: Registered agents are subject to a code of conduct and may be disciplined for misrepresentation, fraud, or breach of fiduciary duty.
• Compensation guarantees: If an insurer becomes insolvent, many provinces maintain a guarantee fund that can reimburse policyholders who dealt with a registered agent.
• Transparency: Registries are publicly accessible; consumers can verify an agents licence number, status, and any disciplinary history.

7. How to verify an agents registration

Each regulator provides an online search tool. Below are the primary portals:

• Financial Services Commission of Ontario Agent Search
• Autorit des marchs financiers Qubec Agent Directory
• Alberta Insurance Agent Licence Lookup
• Similar tools are available for the remaining provinces and territories (search insurance agent registry plus the province name).

8. Practical steps for businesses

Corporations that engage agents to place commercial policies should adopt a verification checklist:

1. Obtain the agents licence number and province of registration.
2. Confirm the licence is active and not subject to suspension.
3. Check for any past disciplinary actions that may affect suitability.
4. Require a copy of the agents continuingeducation certificate for the current cycle.
5. Document the verification process in the companys compliance records.

9. Outlook beyond 2019

While this page focuses on the snapshot as of 30September2019, several forces are expected to shape future registration patterns:

• Artificial intelligence: AIdriven advisory platforms may create a new category of virtual agents, prompting regulators to introduce specialised licences.
• Interprovincial portability: Calls for a national licensing framework could simplify the process for agents who operate in multiple jurisdictions.
• Enhanced consumer awareness: Ongoing publiceducation campaigns about the importance of dealing with registered agents are likely to increase demand for verification tools.

10. Key takeaways

• As of 30September2019, roughly 150000 individuals were licensed to sell insurance across Canada, with Ontario and Qubec accounting for the majority.
• Registration is mandatory for most activities; the process is governed by provincial legislation that aligns with the national Insurance Act.
• Consumers benefit from the protection mechanisms attached to registration, including access to public registries and compensation schemes.
• Businesses should verify agents licences before entering into distribution agreements to mitigate compliance risk.
• Emerging technology and regulatory harmonisation are likely to reshape the landscape in the coming years.

For the most current figures and regulatory updates, consult the individual provincial regulator websites or the Canada Insurance Regulatory Authority portal.

```