Canada’s Insurance CEOs: Leading Through Risk, Resilience, and Change
Time & Location
Oct 20, 2026, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Fairmont Royal York Hotel, Toronto, ON
About the event
On October 20, the Economic Club of Canada hosted "Canada’s Insurance CEOs: Leading Through Risk, Resilience, and Change", featuring David Harney, President and CEO of Great-West Lifeco and Canada Life; Denis Ricard, President and CEO of iA Financial Group; Kevin Strain, President and CEO of Sunlife; and Phil Witherington, President and CEO of Manulife. The discussion was moderated by Nik Nanos, Chief Data Scientist and Founder of Nanos Research.
The discussion examined global trends influencing the insurance industry and Canada’s position in a changing landscape, including demographic shifts and longer life expectancies, as well as gaps in Canadians’ life insurance protection and retirement preparedness. Panelists discussed applying AI and digital tools in improving customer-service processes, and helping advisors serve more clients, while human advice remains important. They also discussed Canada’s workplace retirement savings market, policy changes to support insurers’ infrastructure investment, access to talent and managed immigration, and the role of an international outlook in supporting long-term economic growth. Speakers David Harney, President and CEO, Great-West Lifeco and Canada Life
Denis Ricard, President and CEO, iA Financial Group
Kevin Strain, President and CEO, Sunlife
Phil Witherington, President and CEO, Manulife
Nik Nanos, Chief Data Scientist and Founder, Nanos Research (Moderator)
Stephanie Zee, Chief Product Officer, Payments Canada (Opening Remarks)
Rohit Thomas, President and CEO, BMO Insurance (Closing Remarks)
Tim Tutsch, Managing Director and Head of Financial Institutions Investment Banking, BMO Capital Markets (Closing Remarks)
*The views expressed on the Economic Club of Canada platform are not that of the Economic Club or its affiliates but of the speakers alone and the organizations they represent.*
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Key Takeaways
Longer life expectancies and extended retirements are increasing the need to address gaps in life insurance coverage and retirement preparedness.
AI and digital tools can support underwriting, fraud detection and customer-service processes, and help advisors serve more clients, while trusted human advice and oversight remain important.
Infrastructure investment, access to talent, managed immigration and an international outlook could contribute to Canada's long-term economic growth.
To read further and explore the full insights from this event, download the complete Key Takeaways document below.