2012-01-19
The Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) has issued a notice establishing administrative monetary sanctions for insurers, reinsurers, and related entities that fail to file required information or documents within prescribed deadlines. Sanctions are calculated daily based on a filer’s total assets, ranging from $500 to $1,800 per day with maximum caps of $13,700 to $67,800 over a 45-day period, and are doubled for repeat offenses. Upon issuing a sanction notice, the AMF allows filers fifteen days to submit written observations before confirming or adjusting the penalty, which must be paid within thirty days and is directed to a consumer benefit fund.
Notice of the Autorité des marchés financiers relating to administrative monetary sanctions imposed for late filing of information or documents (sections 405.1 and following of An Act respecting insurance) Note: This Notice of the Autorité des marchés financiers updates the notice on the same subject published in section 5.1, p. 57 and following of the AMF Bulletin of November 30, 2007 - Vol. 4, no. 48. Importance of filing, within the prescribed time periods, the information required under An Act respecting insurance and the documents requested by the Autorité des marchés financiers Part of the mission of the Autorité des marchés financiers (the "AMF" or the “Authority”) is to ensure that the financial institutions and other regulated entities of the financial sector comply with the solvency standards applicable to them as well as with the obligations imposed on them under An Act respecting insurance, R.S.Q., c. A-32 (the “Act”). The filing of the information required under the Act or requested by the AMF within the prescribed time periods helps the AMF fully assume this mission and protect the interests of consumers of financial products and services. Every insurer, federation of mutual insurance associations and guarantee fund (collectively the “filers”) must ensure that reliable and complete information is submitted to the AMF on a timely basis in accordance with the due dates stipulated in the Act or determined by the AMF. Accordingly, under section 405.1 of the Act, the AMF may impose an administrative sanction on a person or company for failure to comply with a provision of the Act or a regulation thereunder and collect payment of the sanction. 1 Every insurer must, before March 1 of each year, prepare and file with the AMF, in the form it determines, a statement of income for the year ending on the preceding December 31 (first paragraph of section 305 of the Act). A similar obligation applies to federations of mutual insurance associations (section 93.186 of the Act) and to the guarantee fund (section 93.263 of the Act). Where an insurer holds a licence restricted to the business of reinsurance (a “reinsurer”), it must file an income statement before March 15 of each year (second paragraph of section 305 of the Act). The annual statement of every insurer must be certified under oath by at least two of its directors and must be accompanied with the report of the auditor and with the actuary’s certificate for the annual report on provisions and reserves (first paragraph of section 309 of the Act). A similar obligation regarding the certification by directors and the auditor’s report applies to federations of mutual insurance associations (section 93.188 of the Act) and to guarantee funds (section 93.265 of the Act). In addition, section 285.16 of the Act sets out the date by which insurers constituted under the laws of Québec (with exceptions provided for in the second paragraph of section 285.1 of the Act) must send the AMF a report on the activities of the ethics committee. The information stipulated in sections 298.13, 298.14 and 298.15 and in the second paragraph of section 309 of the Act (actuary’s reports) are required at the request of the AMF. Please also refer to section 303 of the Act, which stipulates that every insurer must furnish to the AMF the additional statements and information requested by the AMF on the dates and in the form fixed by the AMF.
1 Section 405.1 of the Act states as follows: “Following the establishment of facts brought to the attention of the Authority showing that a person or partnership has failed to comply with a provision of this Act or a regulation thereunder, the Authority may impose an administrative sanction on that person or partnership and collect payment thereof. The amount of the sanction shall be proportionate to the seriousness of the violation and may, in no case, exceed $1,000,000.”
2 - Under section 316 of the Act, the AMF may request documents and information it considers appropriate. Therefore, filers must complete, in particular, the form “Attestation of Compliance of Versions” certifying that the files (PDF, Excel and ASCII) contain the same financial data as those submitted to the auditor and on which his report (paper version) was produced. Responsibility to file documents before the prescribed due dates To facilitate compliance by filers with their filing obligation, at the end of each reference period, the AMF prepares a list of the documents to be filed with the AMF and the dates by which they are to be filed. These documents may differ depending on the filer’s activities. The tables in the appendix to this Notice concern insurers, federations of mutual insurance associations and guarantee funds (Appendix 1) and reinsurers (Appendix 2). These tables specify the documents for which a sanction will be imposed for any filing failure and the filing due dates for these documents. The prescribed due dates shown in the tables are for filers with a December 31 year-end. For filers with a different year-end, the dates are determined by the AMF (third paragraph of section 305 of the Act). Filers must therefore ensure that the AMF receives the requested information, in the prescribed form, before the prescribed due date. Administrative sanction for late filing or failure to file one or more documents The table below shows the sanctions applicable for failure to file the required documents or failure to file them before the prescribed due dates. Sanctions are imposed where some or all of the documents are not filed. These sanctions are based on a filer’s total assets (excluding segregated funds assets for an insurer) for the preceding fiscal year. Total assets (excluding segregated funds assets for an insurer) Amount of sanction per day Maximum sanction $2.5 billion and more $1,800 for the first business day and, if applicable, $1,500 for each additional day $67,800 More than $250 million but less than $2.5 billion $900 for the first business day and, if applicable, $750 for each additional day $33,900 $250 million and less $500 for the first business day and, if applicable, $300 for each additional day $13,700 The amount of the sanction is higher on the first business day during which the filer is in default of its filing obligation. The maximum amount payable is based on a maximum default period of 45 days. After this period, the AMF may take any appropriate measures to ensure compliance with the Act. The amount of the sanction is doubled for repeat offences. A list of administrative monetary sanctions imposed will be published in the AMF Bulletin.
3 - Notice Where a filer has not sent the requested information to the AMF within the prescribed time period set out in the Appendix, the AMF will issue a notice to the filer, pursuant to section 405.3 of the Act, stating, in particular, the alleged facts and the grounds which appear to justify the administrative sanction. The AMF must give the filer fifteen (15) days in which to present written observations. Please note that the AMF will not contact filers to discuss their observations. Further to an assessment of the written comments and observations submitted, the AMF will issue a decision in writing confirming its intention to maintain, amend or cancel the administrative sanction previously announced by way of the notice. The default period begins on the dates shown in the appended tables. The administrative sanction is payable within 30 days from the date of the decision issued by the AMF, to the following address: Autorité des marchés financiers Direction de la surveillance des assureurs Place de la Cité, tour Cominar 2640, boulevard Laurier, 3e étage Québec (Québec) G1V 5C1 Payment of the administrative sanction may be made by cheque, bank draft or money order, payable to the Autorité des marchés financiers. Sums collected by the AMF from administrative sanctions imposed pursuant to section 405.1 of the Act will be paid in full, in accordance with section 38.2 of An Act respecting the Autorité des marchés financiers, R.S.Q., c. A-33.2, to a fund set up by the AMF for the benefit of consumers and earmarked in particular for information about insurance products and services. Additional information Additional information is available from: Direction de la surveillance des assureurs Surintendance de l’encadrement de la solvabilité E-mail: info-divulgations@lautorite.qc.ca Telephone: 1 (877) 525-0337
Appendix 1 DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED BY INSURERS, FEDERATIONS OF MUTUAL INSURANCE ASSOCIATIONS AND GUARANTEE FUNDS WITH A DECEMBER 31 YEAR-END AND SUBJECT TO LATE FILING SANCTIONS * Name of document Form Due before DAMAGE INSURERS (P&C) Québec Annual return P&C-1 March 1 Interim return (June) P&C-1 August 15 Attestation of compliance of versions March 1 Certification by directors March 1 Auditor’s report to AMF covering pages 20.10 through 20.60 March 1 Appointed actuary’s report, including certificate March 1 Annual report or audited financial statements presented to members or shareholders March 31 Ethics committee report March 1 Dynamic Capital Adequacy Testing (DCAT) June 1 Complaint examination policy reports Dates determined by the AMF. See AMF website - Insurance and financial planning / Insurers / Obligations and administrative procedures / Complaint examination Other Annual return P&C-1 or P&C-2 March 1 Interim return (June) P&C-1 or P&C-2 August 15 Attestation of compliance of versions March 1 Certification by directors March 1 Auditor’s report to primary regulatory covering pages 20.10 through 20.60 Extra-provincial and Canadian March 1 Foreign May 31 Appointed actuary’s report, including certificate March 1 Audited financial statements presented to members or shareholders Extra-provincial and Canadian March 31
The due dates shown in this table are established for insurers who have a December 31 year-end. For those with a different year-end, the filing due dates are determined by the AMF. For example, for an insurer with an October 31 year-end, the filing due date for documents requested on an annual basis is January 1, not March 1. The filing due date for interim returns and statements is June 15, not August 15.
Name of document Form Due before Foreign May 31 Dynamic Capital Adequacy Testing (DCAT) December 31 Complaint examination policy reports Dates determined by the AMF. See AMF website - Insurance and financial planning / Insurers / Obligations and administrative procedures / Complaint examination FEDERATIONS OF MUTUAL INSURANCE ASSOCIATIONS Financial statements March 1 Attestation of compliance of versions March 1 Certification by directors March 1 Auditor’s report to AMF March 1 GUARANTEE FUNDS Financial statements March 1 Attestation of compliance of versions March 1 Certification by directors March 1 Auditor’s report to AMF March 1 INSURERS OF PERSONS (LIFE) Québec Annual return LIFE-1 March 1 Interim return (June) LIFE-1 August 15 Attestation of compliance of versions March 1 Certification by directors March 1 Auditor’s report to AMF covering pages 20.010 through 20.060 and 60.010 March 1 Capital Adequacy Requirements QFP March 1 Appointed actuary’s report on policy liabilities, including certificate March 1 Annual report or audited financial statements presented to members or shareholders March 31 Ethics committee report March 1 Dynamic Capital Adequacy Testing (DCAT) December 31 Complaint examination policy reports Dates determined by the AMF. See AMF website - Insurance and financial planning / Insurers / Obligations and administrative procedures / Complaint examination
Name of document Form Due before Canadian and Extra-provincial Annual return LIFE-1 March 1 Interim return (June) LIFE-1 August 15 Attestation of compliance of versions March 1 Certification by directors March 1 Minimum Continuing Capital and Surplus Requirements (MCCSR) OSFI-87 March 1 Minimum Continuing Capital and Surplus Requirements (MCCSR) (June) Canadian companies only OSFI-87 August 15 Auditor’s report to primary regulator covering pages 20.010 through 20.060 and 60.010 March 1 Appointed actuary’s report, including certificate March 1 Audited financial statements presented to members or shareholders March 31 Dynamic capital adequacy testing (DCAT) December 31 Complaint examination policy reports Dates determined by the AMF. See AMF website - Insurance and financial planning / Insurers / Obligations and administrative procedures / Complaint examination Foreign Annual return LIFE-2 March 1 Interim return (June) LIFE-2 August 15 Attestation of compliance of versions March 1 Certification by directors March 1 Test of Adequacy of Assets in Canada and Margin Requirements (TAAM) OSFI-86 March 1 Test of Adequacy of Assets in Canada and Margin Requirements (TAAM) (June) OSFI-86 August 15 Auditor’s report to primary regulator covering pages 20.010 through 20.060 and 60.010 May 31 Appointed actuary’s report, including certificate March 1 Audited financial statements presented to members or shareholders May 31 Dynamic Capital Adequacy Testing (DCAT) December 31 Complaint examination policy reports Dates determined by the AMF. See AMF website - Insurance and financial planning / Insurers / Obligations and administrative procedures / Complaint examination
Name of document Form Due before MUTUAL BENEFIT ASSOCIATIONS Québec Annual statement S-3 March 1 Interim statement (June) August 15 Attestation of compliance of versions March 1 Certification by directors March 1 Auditor’s report to AMF March 1 Appointed actuary’s report, including certificate March 1 Annual report or audited financial statements presented to members March 31 Complaint examination policy reports Dates determined by the AMF. See AMF website - Insurance and financial planning / Insurers / Obligations and administrative procedures / Complaint examination Extra-provincial and Canadian Annual return LIFE-1 March 1 Interim return (June) LIFE-1 August 15 Attestation of compliance of versions March 1 Certification by directors March 1 Minimum Continuing Capital and Surplus Requirements (MCCSR) OSFI-87 March 1 Minimum Continuing Capital and Surplus Requirements (MCCSR) (June) OSFI-87 August 15 Auditor’s report to primary regulatory covering pages 20.010 through 20.060 and 60.010 March 1 Appointed actuary’s report, including certificate March 1 Audited financial statements presented to members or shareholders March 31 Dynamic Capital Adequacy Testing (DCAT) December 31 Complaint examination policy reports Dates determined by the AMF. See AMF website - Insurance and financial planning / Insurers / Obligations and administrative procedures / Complaint examination
Name of document Form Due before Foreign Annual return LIFE-2 March 1 Interim return (June) LIFE-2 August 15 Attestation of compliance of versions March 1 Certification by directors March 1 Test of Adequacy of Assets in Canada and Margin Requirements (TAAM) OSFI-86 March 1 Test of Adequacy of Assets in Canada and Margin Requirements (TAAM) (June) OSFI-86 August 15 Auditor’s report to primary regulator covering pages 20.010 through 20.060 and 60.010 May 31 Appointed actuary’s report, including certificate March 1 Audited financial statement presented to members or shareholders May 31 Dynamic Capital Adequacy Testing (DCAT) December 31 Complaint examination policy reports Dates determined by the AMF. See AMF website - Insurance and financial planning / Insurers / Obligations and administrative procedures / Complaint examination FUNERAL INSURANCE COMPANIES Québec Annual statement S-20 March 1 Interim statement (June) August 15 Attestation of compliance of versions March 1 Certification by directors March 1 Auditor’s report to AMF March 1 Appointed actuary’s report, including certificate March 1 Annual report or audited financial statements presented to members March 31 Complaint examination policy reports Dates determined by the AMF. See AMF website - Insurance and financial planning / Insurers / Obligations and administrative procedures / Complaint examination
Appendix 2 DOCUMENTS TO BE FILED BY REINSURERS WITH A DECEMBER 31 YEAR-END AND SUBJECT TO LATE FILING SANCTIONS * Name of document Form Due before DAMAGE INSURERS (P&C) Québec Annual return P&C-1 March 15 Interim return (June) P&C-1 August 31 Attestation of compliance of versions March 15 Certification by directors March 15 Auditor’s report to AMF covering pages 20.10 through 20.60 March 15 Appointed actuary’s report, including certificate March 15 Annual report or audited financial statements presented to members or shareholders March 31 Ethics committee report March 1 Dynamic Capital Adequacy Testing (DCAT) June 1 Other Annual return P&C-1 or P&C-2 March 15 Interim return (June) P&C-1 or P&C-2 August 31 Attestation of compliance of versions March 15 Certification by directors March 15 Auditor’s report to primary regulator covering pages 20.10 through 20.60 • Canadian and extra-provincial March 15 • Foreign May 31 Appointed actuary’s report, including certificate March 15 Audited financial statements presented to members or shareholders • Canadian and extra-provincial March 31 • Foreign May 31 Dynamic Capital Adequacy Testing (DCAT) December 31
The due dates shown in this table are established for reinsurers who have a December 31 year-end. For those with a different year-end, the filing due dates are two months after their year-end date. For example, for reinsurers with an October 31 year-end, the filing due date for documents requested on an annual basis is January 15, not March 15. The filing due date for interim returns and statements is June 30, not August 31.
Name of document Form Due before INSURERS OF PERSONS (LIFE) Québec Annual return LIFE-1 March 15 Interim return (June) LIFE-1 August 31 Attestation of compliance of versions March 15 Certification by directors March 15 Auditor’s report to AMF covering pages 20.010 to 20.060 and 60.010 March 15 Capital Adequacy Requirements QFP March 15 Appointed actuary’s report on policy liabilities, including certificate March 15 Annual report or audited financial statements presented to members or shareholders March 31 Ethics committee report March 1 Dynamic Capital Adequacy Testing (DCAT) December 31 CANADIAN AND EXTRA-PROVINCIAL Annual return LIFE-1 March 15 Interim return (June) LIFE-1 August 31 Attestation of compliance of versions March 15 Certification by directors March 15 Minimum Continuing Capital and Surplus Requirements (MCCSR) OSFI-87 March 15 Minimum Continuing Capital and Surplus Requirements (MCCSR) (June) – Canadian companies only OSFI-87 August 31 Auditor’s report to primary regulator covering pages 20.010 through 20.060 and 60.010 March 15 Appointed actuary’s report, including certificate March 15 Audited financial statements presented to members or shareholders March 31 Dynamic Capital Adequacy Testing (DCAT) December 31
Name of document Form Due before Foreign Annual return LIFE-2 March 15 Interim return (June) LIFE-2 August 31 Attestation of compliance of versions March 15 Certification by directors March 15 Test of Adequacy of Assets in Canada and Margin Requirements (TAAM) OSFI-86 March 15 Test of Adequacy of Assets in Canada and Margin Requirements (TAAM) (June) OSFI-86 August 31 Auditor’s report to primary regulator covering pages 20.010 to 20.060 and 60.010 May 31 Appointed actuary’s report, including certificate March 15 Audited financial statements presented to members or shareholders May 31 Dynamic Capital Adequacy Testing (DCAT) December 31