Many people use social media to post job opportunities in Canada with promising salaries and offers of employment. P4

ALBERTA FILIPINO JOURNAL JANUARY 2023 Experior Financial, Greatway Financial, WFG Insurance under FSRA-led Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators review

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) is focused on protecting consumers and maintaining public confidence in the life and health insurance sector. Consumers should be confident that their licensed agents recommend suitable life and health insurance products with the coverage that they need. Most individual life and health insurance policies in Ontario are sold through agents contracted with Managing General Agencies (MGAs). A life and health insurance MGA is an intermediary which is generally licensed as a life insurance agent and/or corporate or partnership agency to distribute life insurance. It generally has an agreement with insurance companies to find agents to sell the insurers’ products. Typically, insurers delegate compliance duties such as agent screening, training, and monitoring to their MGAs. Since launching in 2019, FSRA has made MGAs a focus of its supervisory efforts. In its 2020-2023 Annual Business Plan, FSRA stated that it would develop a proposed regulatory framework and supervisory approach for distribution channels that rely on MGAs. This supported FSRA’s priority to enhance market conduct oversight to better protect consumers in the life and health insurance sector.

Read on for highlights of FSRA’s supervisory efforts and regulatory actions in this area.

Conducted thematic reviews

Review of Insurer-MGA relationship

Between September 2020 and March 2021, FSRA assessed the due diligence conducted by insurers in the key areas of agent screening, training, and monitoring delegated to MGAs. This evidence-based review identified gaps and a lack of clarity relating to the specific roles and responsibilities shared among insurers, MGAs, and independent agents. The review specifically found industry-wide, systemic issues related to insurer oversight of MGAs, the results of which were published in July 2021.

In the report, on the supervisory front, FSRA also committed to building its agent oversight capacity and continuing its risk-based supervision of the end-toend distribution. This includes assessing particular MGA business models that could potentially result in negative consumer outcomes due to the activities of persons regulated by FSRA.

Review of three MGAs

Building on the commitment to assess particular MGA business models, between December 2021 and June 2022, FSRA led a joint Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators (CCIR) cooperative review of three MGAs that followed a tieredrecruitment business model (may also be referred to as a multi-level-marketing, network-marketing, recruitment-focused, or tiered-level model). The review observations include potential market conduct and consumer risks requiring additional action by FSRA. It is recognized that this business model is not the standard practice for all life and health MGAs. As a follow-up to this initiative, FSRA: • is conducting a thematic review of selected life insurance agents licensed in Ontario and contracted with three MGAs: Experior Financial Group Inc., Greatway Financial Inc., and World Financial Group Insurance Agency of Canada Inc. • will develop an expanded supervisory plan and initiate a review of selected insurers that have a contract with the aforementioned MGAs in the fall of 2022, beginning with ivari and Industrial Alliance and Financial Services Inc. (Industrial Alliance) • ivari sponsored the most agents with two of the three reviewed MGAs • Industrial Alliance conducted the most business with the largest reviewed MGA during the most recent (2021) review period • will release draft interpretation Guidance for public consultation in the fall of 2022 • plans to consult on a proposed Rule to enhance the MGA regulatory framework in 2023 • will consider appropriate regulatory action

Sought expert insights

In 2020, FSRA established a Technical Advisory Committee (the Committee) to seek technical input and advice from industry experts on trends and issues related to MGAs. FSRA considers the Committee’s advice and recommendations when developing Guidance and approaches to regulating the insurance sector.

For example, the Committee was instrumental in verifying the observations of FSRA’s 2021 Insurer-MGA Relationship Thematic Review. Further, the Committee has informed FSRA’s initial work on a regulatory framework for distribution channels that rely on MGAs. FSRA will continue to engage the Committee and other stakeholders as the regulatory framework develops into the interpretation guidance and proposed Rule noted above.

FSRA will continue to enhance and execute on its regulatory framework and supervisory approach for insurers, MGAs, and agents. FSRA will work with the government on policy reforms, as necessary, and stakeholders to ensure that regulated entities better understand their obligations to treat customers fairly.

As part of the policy development process for enhancing the regulatory framework for MGAs, FSRA would engage a wide range of stakeholders, including its advisory committees and consumer advisory panel, consumer advocates, trade organizations, and other Canadian jurisdictions.(Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario). -News release from FSRA

from page 4 Do not fall victim to fake Canadian Job Postings…

Experience in Canada under the supervision of a Professional Engineer. 4. You cannot have an Offer Letter from a Canadian Employer if you are not a Professional Engineer in Canada. 5. Obtaining a work visa for any Profession in Canada is a lengthy process. The Employer/Sponsor needs to prove that there is no available Permanent Resident or Citizen that is in Canada for that particular position. This is impossible since the unemployment rate in Canada is still high. 6. Do not come to Canada as a Temporary Resident (tourist), hoping to land an Engineering Job. That will never be the case. Go with the right process. 7. Even if you have a Ph.D. and more than 15 years of experience from a Big Company, if try to apply for a job online, the chances of being accepted are very low. You have to be in Canada as a legal resident to be considered for a position. 8. If you have a Professional Engineering License from any State of the US (PE) – you can be employed as an Engineer in Canada, but you still have to be registered as an Engineer in the Province of your destination. 9. If you have a Chartered Engineering status from the UK, New Zealand, or Australia, you can be employed as an Engineer in Canada, but you still have to be registered as an Engineer in the Province of your destination. 10. If you are recognized as an Engineer in the Middle East or an ASEAN Engineer, there is still no equivalency that is in place for any of the Province of Canada at this time. You will still have to apply using the usual process.

In summary, do not be a victim to false promises of a better job in Canada without knowing the facts. Yes, Canada indeed needs Engineers. Use the internet to research facts for the licensing process for each province.

The Articles I am writing in Alberta Filipino Journal serve only as additional information base on my personal experiences and knowledge. For specific advice regarding your circumstances, you can email me and I am happy to answer all your concerns.

After two years of hiatus due to the pandemic. Sinulog events on Sunday, January 15, 2023, went well with no major untoward incidents even as thousands of spectators converged for the celebration. (PRO7) chief, Brig. Gen. Jerry Bearis said the festivities were generally peaceful. The celebration this year gave the city government and Sinulog Foundations Inc. (SFI) a benchmark for a more inclusive festival in the coming years.

A total of 16 contingents performed at the grand parade. 10 other contingents backed out due to venue preparation issues. Despite their decision, Cebu Mayor Michael Rama thanked the performers from different groups. He cited the enthusiasm of the Sinulog dancers to perform at the South Road Properties (SRP), where the festival was held for the first time.

The Grand Prize winners were: Sinulog Grand Parade 2023’s Sinulogbased Category Best in Musicality category - "Inayawan Talent Guild

LUMAD BASAKANON Photo source: Paradise Philippines/Facebook

and Cultural Troupe", Sinulog Grand Parade 2023’s Free Interpretation category Best in Musicality - "Lumad Basakanon", and Sinulog Grand Parade 2023's Street Dance Category - "Omega De Salonera" from Surigao del Norte.

No choice but to import onions - PH Government

The shortage in the supply of onions in the country has forced the Department of Agriculture (DA) to allow its importation. PBBM said they are looking for ways to increase the production of homegrown onions to avoid importation in the future. This includes helping the growers. The DA gave the green light for the importation of 21,060 metric tons (MT) of onions, 3,960 MT of fresh yellow onions, and 17,100 MT of red onions last week, to stabilize the continuous increase of its price and to address the supply gap prior to peak harvest in 2023.

Lawmakers from the House of Representatives and Senate called for an investigation on the matter as some of them expressed the belief that a cartel is behind the soaring prices of locally produced onions. The President raised the need to address smuggling in the country, noting that they are looking into the strategies implemented by other nations against illegal activity. One big part of the solution against smuggling is digitalization in the Bureau of Customs, the present system is not working. As his government works to prop up investments and business activities in the country, Marcos ordered

Photo source: SunStar.com.ph reform in the bureaucracy to curb smuggling, lower logistics costs, and ensure the ease of doing business.

Miss USA R’Bonney Nola and Miss Philippines Celeste Cortesi Photo source: R'Bonney Nola Gabriel/IG

Miss Universe 2022 R'Bonney Gabriel Photo source: Missosology Facebook

Filipino-American Miss USA R’Bonney Gabriel, Crowned Miss Universe 2022

R’Bonney Gabriel, the first Filipino American to win Miss USA has crowned Miss Universe on Saturday night (Jan 14) among the nearly 90 contestants from around the world who took part in the competition, involving “personal statements, in-depth interviews and various categories including evening gown & swimwear”. Gabriel a fashion designer, model, and sewing instructor is a former high school volleyball player and a graduate of the University of North Texas. A short bio posted on the Miss Universe website said she is also the CEO of her own sustainable clothing line.

At the moment of the dramatic reveal of the winner, Gabriel closed her eyes and clasped hands with runner-up Miss Venezuela, Amanda Dudamel, then beamed after her name was announced. The second runner-up was Miss Dominican Republic, Andreina Martinez. Miss Curacao, Gabriela Dos Santos, and Miss Puerto Rico, Ashley Carino, rounded out the top five finalists. Last year’s winner was Harnaaz Sandhu of India.

Meanwhile, Philippine bet Celeste Cortesi failed to enter the Top 16. She showcased her advocacy for children’s rights as she strutted her pink swimwear with a cape that featured colorful handprints made by kids from Marawi in outreach work and showed elegance in her bedazzled yet subtle sky-blue strapless gown during the preliminaries.

Deportations from Canada went into overdrive even during the pandemic. Most migrants who lost their status and were being processed by CBSA (Canada Border Service Agency) were lined up for deportation. Some were made to apply for “PRRA (Pre-Removal Risk Assessment)”, which is an opportunity for the applicant to seek protection by describing, in writing, the risks you believe you would face if you were removed. Others applied for a “Judicial Review”, which is not an appeal but a way for the Federal Court to examine the process that led to the decision and determine if the process was fair and reasonable. This delays their deportation for a few months but in the end, many were not lucky enough and were deported while others went into hiding.

According to published documents, there were 12,122 people removed in 2020. That is 875 more than the previous year and the highest number since 2015. Some of these deportations were “administrative removals” or people who decided to “leave on their own”. Immigration Canada imposed a moratorium on deportation in March 2020 but lifted it in November while were still at the height of the Covid Global Pandemic. Immigration Canada ignored public health experts who warned that travel of any kind can spread COVID-19 from one place to another. It was a risk, especially during times where more highly transmissible COVID variants were coming out.

Prior to 2020, Canada’s Corporate Documents show that The Canadian government deported 117,531 people between 2006 and 2014. In the last several years, despite official moratoriums on deportation to these countries, more than 500 people were sent to Iraq, Haiti, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Syria, Somalia and other politically volatile states. The 2012 “Refugee Exclusion Act” (Bill C-31, officially known as Protecting Canada’s Immigration System Act) allows the Immigration and Refugee Board to strip accepted refugees of their permanent residency

MIGRANTS' VOICES

Marco Luciano

mluciano2@gmail.com

Marco Luciano is the Global Council Representative of Philippine based Migrante International. He is also the current Secretary General of its chapter Migrante Canada.

status and face deportation. The federal government is currently pursuing reopening asylum files under “cessation applications” and forcing refugees whose circumstances may have changed to leave Canada.

In 2022, while the whole world was transitioning to post-Covid society and economy, more deportation continued. In a published inquiry, the numbers disclosed by IRCC indicated that in 2022, 1,688 people were ordered deported, and 409 of them left or were forced to leave the country while others were awaiting enforcement. Many of these migrants have gone underground, undocumented. This process and policy of deportation has become a failure, not to mention inhumane. Many stayed and hid. Joselito (not his real name) is a construction worker. He said “When I got my deportation order I just went into hiding. I changed my name when I started working for a construction company”. Joselito has been undocumented in Edmonton for 12 years and has no plans of leaving any time soon. “My children are in high school and college. I cannot afford to send them to school when I go back home” he added.

A majority of people that are being deported in Canada came in “legally”. They were workers with

1/10/23, 2:11 PM

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proper work permits or students with proper visas. For one reason or another they lost their status. These individuals came with hopes and dreams and have families to support. Many came from countries of the “global south” or third world. Going back means losing their hopes and dreams. Most importantly, they will lose the means to support their families. They made the hard decision to stay without status even at a risk of getting detained and deported.

On January 3rd, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Minister Sean Fraser proudly announced that Canada welcomed a record number of immigrants last year, hitting its target of 431,645 new permanent residents. It exceeded the 2021 numbers. He also announced that his government plans to settle more immigrants to help address labour shortages in various sectors. Immigration targets will increase as planned every year for the next three years, according to its 2023-2025 Immigration Levels Plan, tabled Nov. 1, 2022. The government’s goals are to bring in 465,000 new permanent residents this year, 485,000 in 2024, and 500,000 in 2025. Fraser said in a news release, “Newcomers play an essential role in filling labour shortages, bringing new perspectives and talents to our communities, and enriching our society as a whole”.

This is good news at face value. It was not clear if these figures will come from outside Canada. There are over 500,000 undocumented migrants across Canada that were good workers and are ready to work to fill the so-called labour needs of Canada. In light of the announcement, the next humane thing to do is to put an indefinite moratorium on deportation and prioritize those that are undocumented by regularizing their status.

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ORDER/ADDRESS OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS

ORDRE/ADRESSE DE LA CHAMBRE DES COMMUNES

Q-921 Mr. Kmiec (Calgary Shepard) Oct 25, 2022 / Le 25 oct. 2022

Mr. Lamoureux

PRINT NAME OF SIGNATORY INSCRIRE LE NOM DU SIGNATAIRE

December 13, 2022 / Le 13 décembre 2022

(TABLED FORTHWITH /DÉPOSÉ AUSSITÔT)

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