Main Content

As a financial advisor you are required to comply with numerous regulatory and industry standards in the course of operating your practice. It is critical for you, your clients and Empire Life that you operate your practice in a compliant manner. The material and links in this section have been included to assist you with your compliance responsibilities. However, the materials and information are not inclusive and it is your responsibility to keep abreast of all regulatory requirements and ensure your practice includes up-to-date compliant practices.

Code of Conduct

Outline what Empire Life expects of our Distribution Partners when dealing with customers

The Best Practices Handbook is a compilation of rules, procedures and guidelines relating to distribution compliance and market conduct.

Compliance – The Approach

"Serving clients through needs–based sales practices". This industry initiative summary outlines six elements of needs-based selling that should be used to assess and reinforce your own sales practices.

Reference Information

Needs-Based Sales Practices for IVICs

This CLHIA reference document includes a section for advisors which is intended to expand on and provide practical guidance in the area of Individual Variable Insurance Contracts (IVICs) and how “The Approach” should be applied.

Advisor Disclosure

At Empire Life, we believe that full written disclosure to clients is an important business practice that all advisors should follow. This section provides the Empire Life communications on Advisor Disclosure, reference materials and sample letters for your use.

Circulars

Reference Information

Fronting

If two advisors are working together, both advisors must be coded with Empire Life and disclose on the application for insurance. Fronting occurs when an advisor who was not involved in the completion of the sales transaction with the client, signs the application as the soliciting advisor.

Circulars

Anti-Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing

The Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act was introduced to aid in the detecting and deterring of money laundering and the financing of terrorist activities. Advisors, as well as insurance companies, have certain responsibilities including, but not limited to: maintaining client information records, verifying identity of the owner, verifying any third party where the transaction is being made on behalf of a third party, reporting possession of terrorist property and reporting suspicious transactions.

Circulars

Reference Information

Fair Treatment of Customers

The focus on fair treatment of customer continues to be a top priority for the insurance industry. Treating customers fairly means conducting business ethically and ensuring a culture that places the interest of the consumer at the center of all business decisions.

Reference Information

Protecting Vulnerable Clients

The Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) recently released A practical guide for the financial services industry – Protecting vulnerable clients.  This guide outlines possible courses of action to follow to help clients protect themselves if circumstances make them vulnerable or to assist them in dealing with situations regarding their financial well-being.

Reference Information

Corporate Errors and Omissions Insurance

Empire Life has always been a strong believer in E&O insurance for those working in our industry.  This document provides clarification on corporate coverage requirements from Empire Life and the industry.

Circulars

Privacy

The protection of personal information is an integral part of doing business at Empire Life.  Protecting personal information is important to us and this policy sets out how we collect and manage personal information in a manner that protects the personal privacy of our clients, contractors and employees.

Reference Information

Privacy Breach

A privacy breach is the loss of, unauthorized access to, or disclosure of, personal information.  Some of the most common privacy breaches happen when personal information is stolen, lost or mistakenly shared.

 
Reference Information
Disclaimer: Empire Life has prepared the privacy breach template to assist advisors in the creation of their own privacy breach procedures. It is up to the advisor to ensure he/she/it fully understands The Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (PIPEDA) or other applicable legislation.  Advisors are encouraged to educate themselves about their obligations by reviewing PIPEDA and the guidelines provided by the Office of the Privacy Commissioner on their website at www.priv.gc.ca. Empire Life is not responsible for reviewing completed procedures or determining if the procedures are suitable. 

Policy Replacement

Replacement disclosure is required when a customer is considering the purchase of a new life insurance contract that will replace an existing or recently lapsed or surrendered contract.

Life Insurance Replacement Declaration

Quebec Notice of Replacement of Insurance

Guide to preparing an LIRD

Canada’s new anti-spam legislation

The Government of Canada introduced the Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL) to helps protect Canadians while ensuring that businesses can continue to compete in the global marketplace.

Reference information

Enhanced Financial Account Information Reporting in Canada in response to  FATCA and CRS

Canada has enacted legislation which has been incorporated into the Income Tax Act which is intended to reduce tax evasion and improve tax compliance around the world. 

Referred to as “Enhanced Financial Account Information Reporting”, these  requirements oblige  Canadian financial institutions to provide specific information about certain account holders whose tax residence  is not in Canada to the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), who in turn transfers that information to:

  • The Internal Revenue Service, in the case of ‘US persons’ who are subject to the US law known as FATCA; and
  • Other countries regarding their residents as a result of Canada’s adoption of the Common Reporting Standards (CRS)

Insurance and annuity contracts that are reportable include non-registered life insurance policies with cash value and annuity contracts (including segregated fund contracts) held by individuals or entities resident for tax purposes in countries other than Canada or entities with primarily investment income controlled by persons who are tax resident in a country other than Canada.

Reference information

This document should not be construed as providing tax, legal or financial advice.

Sponsorship

Many provincial insurance regulators require advisors to be sponsored by an insurance company under certain circumstances. This comes with many obligations on the part of insurance companies.

Circulars

National Do Not Call List

Due to amendments to the federal Telecommunications Act, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) has introduced new and revised telecommunications rules and the National Do Not Call List (NDNCL).

Presentation

Circulars

Reference documents

To ensure you fully understand your obligations under this new law, please go to http://www.crtc.gc.ca for a complete copy of the Act.