Issue 2006-24: June 13, 2006
Policy and Product Management
Mutual Concept Computer Group Inc. receives significant Investment Tax Credits from both Federal and Provincial governments.
May 30, 2006 (London, Ontario) - Mutual Concept Computer Group Inc. (MCCG) of London, Ontario is pleased to announce the approval of its Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) filings with the Federal and Provincial governments for advancements made in the field of computing science during the course of development of its latest generation software platform, Insurance Business System™ version 5 (IBS™ 5).
eBusiness and Technology
NewLink Launches New Vista™ Industry Frameworks, Models and Methodologies for Insurance, Wealth Management and Banking.
NewLink Group, a consulting company, focused on the financial industry, announces its new release of affordable Vista™ knowledge products. Vista™ is a practical suite of industry frameworks, models and methodologies for the insurance, wealth management and banking industries.
Whitehill Technologies, Inc. Acquires InSystems.
MONCTON, NB, Canada, and DAYTON, OH, United States - June 6, 2006 - Whitehill Technologies, Inc. today announced that it has purchased InSystems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Standard Register, a premier document services provider based in Dayton, Ohio, United States. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Product Announcements
La Capitale adds Best Doctors(R) service to its group insurance plans.
QUEBEC CITY, May 31 2006 - Starting next June 1, La Capitale will automatically be adding Best Doctors(R) to the benefits included in certain of its group insurance plans. Any plan member facing serious illness or suffering from major injury can call on Best Doctors(R) for access to over 50,000 specialists around the world and personalized consultation with leading medical experts, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from the comfort of home.
Distribution
More than 7,500 Answer ACORD-User Groups Information Exchange (AUGIE) Agent Tech Survey; Point to Workflow Frustration, Needed Changes.
LAS VEGAS. NV - May 22, 2006 - While the Independent Agency System has benefited by real-time communication improvements among carriers, agencies and customers, frustration remains over multiple workflows brought on by carrier-unique systems, according to findings in the ACORD-User Groups Information Exchange (AUGIE) 2006 Agency Technology Survey.
Ranking the Vendors of Wealth Management Technology 2006: Financial Planning: by Celent.
In a new report, Ranking the Vendors of Wealth Management Technology 2006: Financial Planning, Celent examines ten leading financial planning solutions in the North American market. The following vendors are included: AdviceAmerica, CGI, EISI, eMoneyAdvisor, Financeware, Financial Profiles, Impact Technologies, PIE Technologies, RiskMetrics, and SunGard.
Marketing and the Market Place
Trucking Sector Dominates Transborder Trade in 2005: Transport Canada
(Ottawa: May 26, 2006) - Canada's trucking sector dominated cross border trade with the US in 2005, moving $188.8 billion in exports ($2.1 billion more than in 2004), and $164.5 billion in US imports (as compared to $162.6 billion in 2004), according to Transport Canada's recently released annual report Transportation in Canada 2005.
Business of Insurance
Unity Life of Canada to acquire remaining Canadian Individual Life and Health Insurance business of The Prudential Insurance Company of America.
MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 5, 2006 - Unity Life of Canada (Unity Life) today announced it has entered into an agreement to acquire the remaining Canadian block of individual life and health insurance business of the New Jersey based insurer, The Prudential Insurance Company of America (Prudential). The acquisition is subject to regulatory approval, and is expected to be completed later this year.
Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association elects 2006-2007 Chairman and Board of Directors.
MONTREAL, June 5, 2006 - At the Annual Business Meeting of the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association, Inc. held in Montreal today, Yvon Charest, President and Chief Executive Officer, Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc., was elected Chairman of the Association for the year ahead.
Claims
IBC hosts 2006 Auto Theft Export Summit (June 8, 9) - "Combating Auto Theft, Organized Crime & Terrorism".
OTTAWA, June 8, 2006 - If you think stealing a car is a small-time crime motivated by the need for thrill-seeking or a quick buck, it's time for a reality check. Today, auto theft is big business. Organized crime and terrorist organizations routinely raise funds through auto theft, a felony that is on the rise globally.
Guy Carpenter Announces Launch of Electronic Claims File Initiative.
London, May 2, 2006 - Guy Carpenter & Company, Inc., the leading global risk and reinsurance specialist and a part of the Marsh & McLennan Companies (NYSE: MMC) today announced that it is formally launching its Electronic Claims File (ECF) initiative for reinsurers in the London market after development, testing and implementation of a pilot project with select Lloyd's managing agents.
Insurance in the Community
Manulife Bike and Hike for Heart surpasses goal as riders, walkers raise $200,000 for cardiac care in Waterloo Region.
WATERLOO, ON, June 4, 2006 - More than 1,350 cyclists, walkers and volunteers took part in the 14th annual Manulife Bike and Hike for Heart today as organizers continue to tally donations to fight one of Canada's number one killers - heart disease.
Consumer Information
When it comes to heavy vehicles, watch out for blind spots. . . and save your life!
QUEBEC, June 7 - Motorists are often unfamiliar with the magnitude of the blind spots that heavy-vehicle drivers have to contend with, and many avoidable accidents occur as a result, says CAA-Quebec.
It Doesn't Mix with Water: Canadian Safe Boating Council.
Boating is a great recreational pastime and part of what makes it fun is the social aspect. For some, part of that socializing may mean an occasional cool one, but when it comes to boating, water and alcohol don't mix. That's not only common sense, it's the law.
Life and health insurance industry responds to Quebec consultation on healthcare.
MONTREAL, June 7, 2006 - In its submission to the Parliamentary Committee conducting public hearings on the Quebec government's recent health reform proposals, the life and health insurance industry commended the Quebec government's highly consultative approach to developing its health reform plans which include a somewhat increased scope for private delivery and private financing to contribute to meeting the health needs of Quebecers.
Drug spending reaches almost $25 billion in 2005: CIHI.
May 10, 2006-Total spending on drugs in Canada is estimated to have reached $24.8 billion in 2005, an increase of 11% over the previous year. The annual report released today by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) looks at drug spending in Canada over the last 20 years. The estimated total drug expenditure per person in Canada for 2005 was $770, an increase of 10.2% over the previous year.
from Doug:
Having "retired" from the Presidency of the heritage group I belong to, I am already, after only two weeks, suffering from the usual retiree affliction – being busier than ever before. In the midst of this turmoil, I do need to find some time to do the family things, especially with Father's Day round the corner. Which reminds me, guess I had better get that card into the mail today.