OLHI’s governance is designed to ensure its independence, integrity and accountability.
Our governance documents available on this page establish the structures and mechanisms that support OLHI’s work. These measures underpin our ability to carry out our mandate in a fair and objective manner, while maintaining public confidence in our processes.
The Board of Directors also plays a central role in this regard and is composed of a majority of directors who are independent from the life and health insurance industry.
Documents
Independent Reviews
In accordance with the Insurance OmbudServices Coorperation and Oversight Framework, OLHI also undergoes independent reviews to ensure the quality, effectiveness, and impartiality of its processes. These external reviews help strengthen our governance, support continuous improvement, and maintain public confidence, as well as the confidence of participating companies, in our activities.
In 2008, the independent review was conducted by Leslie H. Macleod & Associates, whose principal, Leslie H. Macleod, is a legal professor specializing in alternative dispute resolution and does not have any ties to the life and health insurance industry.
In 2012, the independent review was conducted by The Honorable Robert Wells, Q.C. Judge Wells was chosen through a national public search from among 30 candidates qualified in alternative dispute resolution. He has no ties to the insurance industry.
In 2018, OLHI engaged The Honorable Robert Wells, Q.C., to conduct the scheduled five-year review on OLHI’s operations and review any changes implemented since the completion of the second independent review in 2012.
For OLHI’s Fourth Independent Review, OLHI commissioned Laurie Wright and Serge Dupont of Bennett Jones. Ms. Wright is a former senior leader with Canada’s Department of Justice, and Mr. Dupont is the former Deputy Clerk of the Privy Council of Canada. The relevant period for the report is from 2018, when the previous report was completed, up to and including 2022.