Insights Header image
Insights Header image
Insights Header image

Captive Insurance Emerging in Alberta

November 22, 2021 Financial Services Bulletin 2 minute read

On October 27, 2021, the Alberta legislature introduced the Captive Insurance Companies Act[1] (the “Act”).  If passed, the Act will expand insurance options for Alberta businesses; a positive development for those currently unable to find adequate insurance in the challenging insurance market.

A captive insurer is an alternative to the traditional insurance market.  The defining characteristic of a captive insurer is that they are wholly owned by the entity they insure.  For example, a parent company may create a captive insurer for the purpose of providing insurance to the parent company.  Approximately 70 jurisdictions worldwide have some form of captive insurance scheme, although British Columbia is currently the only Canadian jurisdiction.  Alberta’s proposed legislation was developed with influence from British Columbia’s legislation and other global schemes, as well as from best practices within the industry.[2]

Among other provisions, the Act outlines the formation and management of captive insurers and licensing requirements, which the Superintendent of Insurance will oversee.  Under the Act, a captive insurer may be formed either as an incorporated body under the Business Corporations Act or as a limited partnership under the Partnership Act.[3] A captive insurance company may insure the risks of a single entity, members of an association, or of a knowledgeable client with complex insurance needs.[4] Accompanying regulations will further outline financial and corporate governance requirements, which are expected to be announced in 2022.[5]

Captive insurers can be used by businesses in any sector, though in Alberta the energy, agriculture, forestry, and manufacturing sectors are expected to especially benefit from this new option.  The President of Treasury Board and Minister of Finance, Travis Toews, says that allowing captive insurance will benefit Alberta businesses by offering reasonable insurance pricing, attracting business, and sustaining jobs,[6] which is in line with the government’s efforts to strengthen the financial services sector more broadly.

[1] Bill 78, Captive Insurance Companies Act, 2nd Sess, 30th Leg, Alberta, 2021 (First Reading 27 October 2021).
[2] Government of Alberta, “Captive insurance coming to Alberta”, (27 October 2021).
[3] Bill 78, supra note 1, s 2.
[4] Government of Alberta, supra note 2.
[5] Government of Alberta, supra note 2.
[6] Government of Alberta, supra note 2.

by Darcy Ammerman and Ricki- Lee Williams (Articling Student)

A Cautionary Note

The foregoing provides only an overview and does not constitute legal advice. Readers are cautioned against making any decisions based on this material alone. Rather, specific legal advice should be obtained.

© McMillan LLP 2021

Insights (5 Posts)View More

Featured Insight

Update for Federal Employers: What’s in Store For 2024

Federal employers should be preparing for key dates upcoming in 2024, including updates to the Canada Labour Code and a key deadline under the Pay Equity Act.

Read More
Dec 6, 2023
Featured Insight

Transformative Change: Your Guide to Canada’s Breathtaking Competition Act Changes

We provide a summary of far-reaching Competition Act amendments proposed in 2023.

Read More
Dec 5, 2023
Featured Insight

Class Actions May Now Be Easier to Defeat in Ontario

It is now clear: the revised preferability analysis under the amended Class Proceedings Act is a strict, more onerous hurdle for plaintiffs to satisfy.

Read More
Dec 4, 2023
Featured Insight

R. vs Greater Sudbury Webinar

Following a brief overview of the case and the SCC’s split decision, this discussion will focus on the implications of the decision to the roles and responsibilities of each project party, including the owner, contractor and design consultant (architect and engineer). The discussion will be interactive and will include an extensive Q&A period.

Details
Wednesday, December 13, 2023
Featured Insight

Client Alert – Certain Canadian Corporations May Be Subject to US Corporate Transparency Act Reporting Requirements

Certain Canadian Corporations Conducting Business in the United States May Be Subject to US Corporate Transparency Act Reporting Requirements

Read More
Nov 29, 2023