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CCIR and CISRO Release Consolidated Segregated Funds Guidance for Consultation

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TORONTO and MONTREAL, Jan. 8, 2025 /CNW/ – The Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators (CCIR) and the Canadian Insurance Services Regulatory Organizations (CISRO) have released proposed consolidated segregated funds guidance for public consultation.

The proposed guidance sets out expectations for insurers and intermediaries relating to the design, sale and servicing of individual variable insurance contracts (IVICs) (also known as individual segregated fund contracts).

“This guidance closes gaps in the conduct standards related to the sale and servicing of IVICs as opposed to mutual funds, ensuring that customers are treated fairly,” said Huston Loke, Chair of CCIR.

“The proposed CCIR/CISRO Consolidated Segregated Funds Guidance creates a consistent national standard for insurers and intermediaries, to be implemented by each province and territory,” said Patrick Ballantyne, Chair of CISRO.

The proposed Consolidated Segregated Funds Guidance includes expectations concerning:

Know your customer, know your product, needs analysis and recommendations;Robust controls around the use of a sales charge option in which an insurer pays an intermediary for selling segregated fund contracts and requires the intermediary to repay some or all of the commission if customers withdraw money within a specified time (advisor chargeback sales charge option or ACB) as per the CCIR-CISRO Position on Upfront Compensation in Segregated Funds published May 15, 2023;IVIC Ongoing Disclosure (TCR) (final guidance published April 20, 2023); andCorporate governance, segregated fund administration and financial matters.

CCIR and CISRO invite all interested parties to review and comment on this guidance. The guidance is available on the CCIR and CISRO websites. The consultation period will be 90 days in length and the deadline to provide written submissions is April 8, 2025. Please send comments to the CCIR Secretariat at ccir-ccrra@fsrao.ca.

Please note that CCIR and CISRO may publish on their respective websites all submissions received pursuant to this consultation process.

About CCIR

The Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators is an inter-jurisdictional association of insurance regulators. The mandate of the CCIR is to facilitate and promote an efficient and effective insurance regulatory system in Canada to serve the public interest. CCIR members work together to develop solutions to common regulatory issues.

About CISRO

The Canadian Insurance Services Regulatory Organizations is a forum of Canadian regulatory authorities who are dedicated to consistent qualifications and conduct of business standards for insurance intermediaries. CISRO members collaborate on initiatives that support a consistent approach to consumer protection through the regulation of insurance intermediaries.

Media Contacts: 

Russ Courtney

(For English media – Toronto)

russ.courtney@fsrao.ca

Sylvain Théberge

(For Francophone media – Montréal)

514-940-2176

SOURCE Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators (CCIR)

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Aleut Achieves Prestigious CMMI Level 3 Certification in Four Key Domains

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RESTON, Va., Jan. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Aleut Federal LLC (Aleut) proudly announces it has earned Capability Maturity Model Integration (CMMI) Level 3 certification in four key domains: Development (CMMI-DEV), Services (CMMI-SVS), Security (CMMI-SEC), and People Management (CMMI-PPL). This significant achievement highlights Aleut’s commitment to operational excellence and its ability to deliver high-quality, efficient and secure solutions. It demonstrates Aleut’s strength in optimizing product development, improving service delivery, enhancing security, and aligning workforce management to drive performance and engagement. 

CMMI, developed by the globally recognized CMMI Institute, is a framework for assessing and improving organizational performance. Achieving Level 3 certification affirms that Aleut’s processes are clearly defined, consistently applied, and supported by robust standards, tools, and methodologies. This milestone underscores the company’s ongoing dedication to operational excellence, mitigating risk, and delivering measurable performance success.

“This certification shows our customers that Aleut doesn’t just meet their mission-critical needs – we excel at it,” said Nick Trzcinski, President of Aleut Federal. “We are committed to continuous improvement, innovation, and delivering exceptional value. Aleut is a partner our customers can trust.”

Aleut’s CMMI Level 3 certification enhances its ability to deliver high-quality outcomes across all projects while optimizing efficiency and minimizing risks. Complemented by the company’s ISO 9001 certification for quality management, these achievements reinforcing Aleut’s adherence to internationally recognized standards, solidifying its position as a reliable and innovative partner for federal clients.

To read Aleut Federal’s CMMI Appraisal, click here.

ABOUT ALEUT FEDERAL
Aleut Federal LLC, a holding company within The Aleut Corporation’s federal services portfolio, is an Alaska Native-owned enterprise delivering vital services to the U.S. government across four primary sectors: Technology, Mission Support, Environmental, and Construction. Established under the Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act (ANCSA) of 1971, The Aleut Corporation is one of 12 regional Alaska Native corporations. Aleut Federal’s subsidiaries, including Small Business Administration (SBA) certified 8(a) program participants and Small Disadvantaged Business (SDB) entities, bring specialized capabilities to meet the diverse needs of federal agencies.

By achieving CMMI Level 3 certification, Aleut Federal strengthens its standing as an industry leader, driving performance excellence while delivering mission-focused solutions with unmatched quality and efficiency.

Contact:
Berlyn Martin
Aleut Federal, LLC
Phone: 276-244-3319

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aleut-achieves-prestigious-cmmi-level-3-certification-in-four-key-domains-302347358.html

SOURCE Aleut Federal, LLC

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Lowell Observatory Scientists to Present New Research at American Astronomical Society Winter Meeting- Including New and Unexpected Insights on Planet Formation

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Lowell Observatory researchers will join more than 3,000 astronomers at AAS245 in Maryland from January 12-16, 2025

FLAGSTAFF, Ariz., Jan. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — The American Astronomical Society’s winter meeting is the largest annual gathering of astronomers in the United States, and Lowell Observatory will be well-represented this year. Executive Director Dr. Amanda Bosh and Director of Science Dr. Gerard van Belle—both of whom just stepped into their positions—lead a contingency of more than a dozen scientists and support staff attending the meeting.

Lowell Observatory will be in attendance at Exhibitor Booth 521, with its astronomers, postdocs, predocs, and other researchers available to discuss their latest science research. Of particular note, Postdoctoral Fellow Taylor Kutra will share unexpected new ways planets may form, based on a study of a binary star system in Taurus that she leads. Kutra will present her findings during both a Tuesday (January 14) science session and Thursday (January 16) press conference.

Other Lowell Observatory scientists will present on topics including comets, asteroids, the Sun and Sun-like stars, exoplanets, a variety of star types, dwarf irregular galaxies, and space-based interferometry.

Bosh says, “The winter meeting of the AAS is a critical opportunity for astronomers at all stages of their careers to share their latest research and interact with colleagues from around the world. Lowell Observatory is pleased to send a strong contingency of our science team to actively participate in this year’s meeting in National Harbor.”

Media are welcome to attend AAS245 in person. A limited virtual attendance option is also available, with live access to press conferences, plenary talks, select town halls, and a virtual oral session. See https://aas.org/meetings/aas245/press.

AAS245 website: https://aas.org/meetings/aas245

AAS245 Presentations by Lowell Observatory Scientists: Full Schedule Here

About Lowell Observatory
Founded in 1894, Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff, Arizona, is a renowned nonprofit research institution. It is the site of historic and groundbreaking discoveries, including the first evidence of the expanding universe and the discovery of Pluto. Today, Lowell’s astronomers utilize global ground-based and space telescopes, along with NASA spacecraft, for diverse astronomical and planetary science research. The observatory hosts over 100,000 annual visitors for educational tours, presentations, and telescope viewing through a suite of world-class public telescopes.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lowell-observatory-scientists-to-present-new-research-at-american-astronomical-society-winter-meeting–including-new-and-unexpected-insights-on-planet-formation-302347343.html

SOURCE Lowell Observatory

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CRTC consults on market dynamics within Canada’s broadcasting system

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OTTAWA, ON and GATINEAU, QC, Jan. 9, 2025 /CNW/ – Today, the CRTC is taking another step forward to implement the modernized Broadcasting Act (the Act) by launching a public consultation on market dynamics within Canada’s broadcasting system.

Through this consultation, the CRTC will explore the dynamics between small, medium and large broadcasters, television service providers and online streaming services. The goal is to help ensure that Canada’s broadcasting system is sustainable, fair and competitive.

The CRTC is welcoming comments until February 24, 2025. Interested persons can participate by:

filling out the online form;writing to the Secretary General, CRTC, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0N2;sending a fax to 819-994-0218.

As part of this consultation, the CRTC will hold a public hearing starting on May 12, 2025.

All comments will form part of the public record and will inform the CRTC’s decision.

The launch of today’s consultation follows a number of recent actions the CRTC has taken to implement the modernized Act. To find out more, check out the CRTC’s regulatory plan.

Quick facts

The CRTC is an independent quasi-judicial tribunal that regulates the Canadian communications sector in the public interest. The CRTC holds public consultations on telecommunications and broadcasting matters and makes decisions based on the public record.First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples and Indigenous organizations requiring assistance submitting comments, including oral interventions, can contact the CRTC’s Indigenous Relations Team.

Associated links

Participate in the consultationRegulatory PlanModernizing Canada’s broadcasting framework

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SOURCE Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission

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