In the Matter of The FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS ACT (the "Act") (RSBC 1996, c.141)
and The INSURANCE COUNCIL OF BRITISH COLUMBIA ("Council")
and PATRICIA JEANNETTE HAY (the "Former Licensee")
ORDER As Council made an intended decision on February 15,2011, pursuant to sections 231, 236 and 241.1 of the Act; and
As Council, in accordance with section 237 of the Act, provided the Former Licensee with written reasons and notice of the intended decision dated March 9, 2011; and
As the Former Licensee has not requested a hearing of Council's intended decision within the time period provided by the Act;
Under authority of sections 231, 236 and 241.1 of the Act, Council orders: 1. the Former Licensee is not eligible to hold an insurance licence for a minimum period of two years from the date on which the Order takes effect;
2. the Former Licensee is assessed Council's investigative costs of $562.50; and 3. as a condition of this Order, the Former Licensee is required to pay the investigative costs no later than July 5, 2011.
This Order takes effect on the 5 th day of April, 2011. Barbara MacKinnon, CAIB Chairperson, Insurance Council of British Columbia
INTENDED DECISION of the INSURANCE COUNCIL OF BRITISH COLUMBIA ("Council")
respecting PATRICIA JEANNETTE HAY (the "Former Licensee")
INTRODUCTION Pursuant to section 232 of the Financial Institutions Act (the "Act"), Council conducted an investigation to determine whether there was compliance by the Former Licensee with the requirements of the Act.
In April 2010, the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia ("ICBC") contacted Atkinson & Terry Insurance Brokers (Langley, N.W., Surrey) Ltd., Don Sache Enterprises Ltd., Grove Agencies Ltd., & W.e. Courtenay Insurance Agency Ltd. (the "Agency") and advised that the premiums for its automobile insurance policies sold at the Agency were not being remitted in a timely manner. The Former Licensee was responsible for making deposits into ICBC's account. Shortly thereafter, managers ofthe Agency addressed the matter with the Former Licensee and she admitted that she had misappropriated cash payments from the Agency's customers, which were intended for payment ofICBC automobile insurance premiums.
An investigation report was presented to Council at its February 15,2011 meeting. At the conclusion of its meeting, Council determined the matter should be disposed of in the manner set out below.
INTENDED DECISION PROCESS Pursuant to section 237 of the Act, Council must provide written notice to the Former Licensee of the action it intends to take under sections 231, 236 and!or 241.1 of the Act before taking any such action. The Former Licensee may then accept Council's decision or request a formal hearing. This intended decision operates as written notice of the action Council intends to take against the Former Licensee.
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INTENDED DECISION Patricia Jeannette Hay File Number: 158325-1825 March 9, 2011 Page 2 of8
FACTS Based on the information contained in the investigation report, Council made the following findings of fact:
1. the Former Licensee began working at the Agency after retiring from a 35 year career as an auditor;
2. the Former Licensee was a batcher at the Agency; 3. commencing in June 2009, she was the sole employee at the Agency responsible for making deposits into ICBC's account. She was licensed as a Level 2 general insurance agent at that time;
4. in April 2010, ICBC contacted the Agency and advised that premium deposit slips for April 9, 2010, had not been received;
5. on April 13, 2010, a manager of the Agency addressed the matter with the Former Licensee. The Former Licensee confessed that she had been taking cash from ICBC batches and using subsequent newer cash deposits to replace older premium momes;
6. according to the Former Licensee, she took the money during a period of personal financial duress;
7. the Agency produced a document which accounts for the date when batches were closed as well as the delays in deposit of premium monies into ICBC's account. It indicates that the Former Licensee failed to remit the cash in a timely manner beginning in March 2010, with delays ranging between three and sixteen days. ICBC verified the accuracy of the contents of the document;
g. the Former Licensee could not immediately replace the premiums received in relation to the batches closed on April gt\ 10 $5,122.73;
9. the Former Licensee was eventually able to pay back the deficit through a personal bank loan;
10. the Agency confirmed that the Former Licensee only took cash and did not take any ICBC documents or customer cheques outside of the Agency;
11. ICBC requested audits to determine if there were further premium remittance concerns and has since been satisfied that there are no further concerns with the Agency;
th and li h in the total amount of
INTENDED DECISION Patricia Jeannette Hay File Number: 158325-1825 March 9, 2011 Page 3 of8
12. the Agency did not report the matter to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police because the Former Licensee made full restitution for the outstanding amount of $5,122.73;
13. the Former Licensee submitted a written statement in which she explained how she had misappropriated cash intended for deposit to ICBC. She stated that she had applied for a bank loan in the hopes of repaying the cash she had taken before either the Agency or ICBC detected any issues, which clearly did not transpire. Ultimately, she apologized for her actions; and
14. the Former Licensee further advised Council that she has no intention ofretuming to work in the insurance industry. She is aware that her licence has been terminated for non-filing.
LEGISLATION Rule 3 of the Council Rules Licence Applications
Applicants to Satisfy Council (2) If an applicant satisfies Council that the applicant: (a) has met all of the requirements set out in the Act and Council Rules; (b) is trustworthy, competent and financially reliable; (c) intends to publicly carryon business as an insurance agent, salesperson or adjuster in good faith and in accordance with the usual practice of the business of insurance;
(d) has not in any jurisdiction: (i) been refused, or had suspended or cancelled, an insurance licence or registration; (ii) been convicted of an offence; or (iii) been refused or had suspended or cancelled a licence or registration in any other financial services sector or professional field for a reason that reveals the applicant unfit to be an insurance agent, salesperson or adjuster; and (e) does not hold other business interests or activities which would be in conflict to the duties and responsibilities of a licensee, or give rise to the reasonable possibility of undue influence.
then the Council may consent to issuing a licence.
INTENDED DECISION Patricia Jeannette Hay File Number: 158325-1825 March 9, 2011 Page 4 of8
Section 231 of the Act Part 7 - Administration of the Regulation of Financial Institutions Division 2 - Insurance Council of British Columbia
Council may suspend, cancel or restrict licences and impose fines (1) If, after due investigation, the council determines that the licensee or former licensee or any officer, director, employee, controlling shareholder, partner or nominee of the licensee or former licensee (a) no longer meets a licensing requirement established by a rule made by the council or did not meet that requirement at the time the licence was issued, or at a later time, (b) has breached or is in breach of a term, condition or restriction of the licence of the licensee, (c) has made a material misstatement in the application for the licence of the licensee or in reply to an inquiry addressed under this Act to the licensee, (d) has refused or neglected to make a prompt reply to an inquiry addressed to the licensee under this Act, (e) has contravened section 79, 94 or 177, or (e. 1) has contravened a prescribed provision of the regulations, then the council by order may do one or more of the following: (f) reprimand the licensee or former licensee; (g) suspend or cancel the licence of the licensee; (h) attach conditions to the licence of the licensee or amend any conditions attached to the licence; (i) in appropriate circumstances, amend the licence of the licensee by deleting the name of a nominee; U) require the licensee or former licensee to cease any specified activity related to the conduct of insurance business or to carry out any specified activity related to the conduct of insurance business; (k) in respect of conduct described in paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), or (e.l), fme the licensee or former licensee an amount (i) not more than $20 000 in the case of a corporation, or (ii) not more than $10 000 in the case of an individual.
(2) A person whose licence is suspended or cancelled under this section must surrender the licence to the council immediately.
(3) If the council makes an order under subsection (l)(g) to suspend or cancel the licence of an insurance agent, or insurance adjuster, then the licences of any insurance salesperson employed by the insurance agent, and of any employees of the insurance adjuster are suspended without the necessity of the council taking any action.
(3.1) On application of the person whose licence is suspended under subsection (1 )(g), the council may reinstate the licence if the deficiency that resulted in the suspension is remedied.
(4) If an insurance agent's licence or an insurance adjuster's licence is reinstated, the licences of any insurance salespersons or employees of the insurance adjuster who (a) were employed by that agent or adjuster at the time of the suspension, and (b) remain employees of that agent or adjuster at the time of reinstatement, are also reinstated without the necessity of the council taking any action.
INTENDED DECISION Patricia Jeannette Hay File Number: 158325-1825 March 9, 2011 Page 50f8
Section 236 of the Act Part 7 - Administration of the Regulation of Financial Institutions Division 2 - Insurance Council of British Columbia
Power to impose conditions (1) The commission, superintendent or council, depending on which of them has the power to make the order, give the consent or issue the business authorization permit or licence may (a) impose conditions that the person considers necessary or desirable in respect of (i) an order referred to in section 235(1), (ii) a consent referred to in section 235(2), (iii) a business authorization, (iv) a permit issued under section 187(1), or (v) a licence issued under Division 2 of Part 6, and (b) remove or vary the conditions by own motion or on the application of a person affected by the order or consent, or of the holder of the business authorization, permit or licence.
(2) A condition imposed under subsection (1) is conclusively deemed to be part of the order, consent, business authorization, permit or licence in respect of which it is imposed, whether contained in or attached to it or contained in a separate document.
(3) Except (a) on the written application or with the written permission of the holder, or (b) in the circumstances described in section 164, 231 or 249(1), a power of the commission, superintendent or council under this Act to impose or vary conditions in respect of (c) a business authorization is exercisable only on or before its issue date, or (d) a permit under section 187(1) or a licence under Division 2 of Part 6 is exercisable only on or before its issue date with effect on and after that date.
Section 241.1 of the Act Part 7 - Administration of the Regulation of Financial Institutions Division 2 - Insurance Council of British Columbia
Assessment of Costs (1) If an order results from an investigation or hearing, the commission, the superintendent or the council may by order require the financial institution, licensee, former licensee or other person subject to the order to pay the costs, or part of the costs, or either or both of the following in accordance with the regulations: (a) an investigation; (b) a hearing. (2) Costs assessed under subsection (1) (a) must no exceed the actual costs incurred by the commission, superintendent or council for the investigation and hearing, and (b) may include the costs of remuneration for employees, officers or agents of the commission, superintendent or council who are engaged in the investigation or hearing.
INTENDED DECISION Patricia Jeannette Hay File Number: 158325-1825 March 9,2011 Page 6 of8
(3) If a person fails to pay costs as ordered by the date specified in the order or by the date specified in the order made on appeal, if any, whichever is later, the commission, superintendent or council, as the case may be, may file with the court a certified copy of the order assessing the costs and, on being filed, the order has the same force and effect and all proceedings may be taken on the order as if it were a judgment of the court.
ANALYSIS Council found that contrary to section 231(1)(a) of the Act, the Former Licensee does not meet the licensing requirements of trustworthiness and having an intention to carryon the business of insurance in good faith. In particular, Council concluded that the Former Licensee had taken cash payments received from clients for ICBC insurance premiums and used the cash for her own purposes.
As set out in Council's Code of Conduct (the "Code"), trustworthiness means conducting all professional activities with integrity, reliability and honesty. Good faith, as defined in the Code, means honesty and decency of purpose and a sincere intention on a licensee's part to act in a manner which is consistent with a client's or principal's best interests, remaining faithful to the duties and obligations as an insurance licensee.
The Former Licensee's misappropriation of insurance funds clearly is contrary to the requirements oftrustworthiness and good faith, thereby bringing her suitability to hold an insurance licence directly into question.
In determining an appropriate disposition, Council sought direction from its policy on convictions for indictable offences, which they determined could be applied in this case since the Former Licensee's conduct was tantamount to an indictable offence. Council also considered its K Wagenaar decision, wherein the former licensee was found to have misappropriated funds belonging to the insurance agency she was authorized to represent at the material time, for her own personal benefit in the amount of $28,340.00. In that case, the agency opted to pursue a restorative justice initiative rather than proceeding with criminal charges against the former licensee. To that end, the former licensee agreed to pay the agency financial restitution for the full amount, provide an apology letter and complete 100 community service hours. Council found that the former licensee was not suitable to hold an insurance licence for a minimum period of two years from the date on which she completed all of the conditions of the restorative justice agreement, and ordered her to pay the costs of Council's investigation.
Council noted the Former Licensee has made full restitution in the matter. She has already retired from a lengthy career and is reportedly seeking alternative employment in an office setting.
INTENDED DECISION Patricia Jeannette Hay File Number: 158325-1825 March 9, 2011 Page 7 of8
Ultimately, Council determined that the Former Licensee is not suitable to hold an insurance licence for a minimum period of two years, commencing from the date on which its decision takes effect. Council also determined the Former Licensee should be responsible for the investigative costs.
INTENDED DECISION Pursuant to sections 231, 236 and 241.1 of the Act, Council made an intended decision: 1. that the Former Licensee is not eligible to hold an insurance licence for a minimum period of two years from the date on which the Order takes effect; and
2. to assess Council's investigative costs of $562.50. The Former Licensee is advised that should the intended decision become final, the above costs, which form part of the Order, will become due and payable within 90 days of the date of the Order.
The intended decision will take effect on AprilS, 2011, subject to the Former Licensee's right to request a hearing before Council pursuant to section 237 of the Act.
RIGHT TO A HEARING lfthe Former Licensee wishes to dispute Council's findings or its intended decision, the Former Licensee may have legal representation and present a case at a hearing before Council. Pursuant to section 237(3) of the Act, to require Council to hold a hearing, the Former Licensee must give notice to Council by delivering to its office written notice of this intention by April 4, 2011. A hearing will then be scheduled for a date within a reasonable period of time from receipt of the notice. Please direct written notice to the attention of the Executive Director.
lfthe Former Licensee does not request a hearing by April 4, 2011, the intended decision of Council will take effect.
INTENDED DECISION Patricia Jeannette Hay File Number: 158325-1825 March 9, 2011 Page 8of8
Even if this decision is accepted by the Former Licensee, pursuant to section 242(3) of the Act, the Financial Institutions Commission still has a right to appeal this decision of Council to the Financial Services Tribunal ("FST"). The Financial Institutions Commission has 30 days to file a Notice of Appeal, once Council's decision takes effect. For more information respecting appeals to the FST, please visit their website at www.fst.gov.bc.ca or contact them directly at:
Financial Services Tribunal PO Box 9425 Stn Prov Govt Victoria, British Columbia V8W9Vl
Reception: 250-387-3464 Fax: 250-356-9923 Email: FinanciaIServicesTribunal@gov.bc.ca
Dated in Vancouver, British Columbia, on the 9 th day of March, 2011. For the Insurance Council of British Columbia
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