Past Seminars

DateTypeLocationSponsor(s)Topic(s)Speaker(s)
November 2025Full Day EventTorontoTAG, The Benefits Trust, GroupQuest, RMA, National HealthclaimThings to Consider when Changing Carriers
Client Building for Keeps
The Ontario Trillium Drug Program
Adding Value to your Benefits Clients
Blake Waddell; Mark Kempf; Doug Whitefield; Joanne Patriarche
October 2025Full Day EventTorontoTAG - The Advisor GroupEmployee Benefit Plans: Reducing Plan Sponsor LiabilityDave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.
June 2025Full Day EventCalgaryTAG, GroupForce, GroupQuestBenefit Plan Renewals
The People Behind the Claims
Employee Benefits and Taxation: Important Details You Didn't Even Know Existed
Price OR Value – Which are YOU Selling?
Growing your Group Business Without a Single New Sale
Jay Nadler; Hilary Becker; Jason Watt; Dave Patriarche
May 2025Full Day EventTorontoTAG, Sprout, Waddell Insurance, GroupForce, WawanesaEmployee Benefits and Taxation: Important Details You Didn't Even Know Existed
Price OR Value – Which are YOU Selling?
Employee Benefits Fraud – Learn to Identify Fraud and Protect your Clients
Growing your Group Business Without a Single New Sale
Justin Jones – Elevation CPA;
Dave Patriarche – Mainstay/CGIB;
Chris Gory – Orchard Benefits
April 2025WorkshopMonctonPC-GroupQuestPrice OR Value – Which are YOU Selling?
Growing your Business Without a Single New Sale
Dave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance
November 2024Full Day EventTorontoMEDCAN, PeopleCorp, Arcora, Simply BenefitsEmployee Benefit Plan Renewals
Creating Lasting Value: Building a Future-Proof Business
Everything You've Ever Wanted to Know About Long-Term Disability Claims
What's happening in the Canadian health care system
Navigating the Canadian Drug Space
CDIPC Report on High Cost Drug Claims
Employer Panel on Benefits
Suzanne Lepage – Private Health Plan Strategist;
Erica McGuinness CPA, CA, CBV – Sequeira Partners;
Penny Buckner RN;
Dave Patriarche – Mainstay/CGIB
June 2024WorkshopCalgaryWawanesa LifeBuilding and Using a Plan Administration ChecklistDave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.
June 2024Full Day EventVancouverMEDCAN, PeopleCorp, Wawanesa, Simply BenefitsA Year in Review and a Look Forward
Group Renewals – The Math and more...
Employer Panel on Benefits
Dave Patriarche;
Jay Nadler;
Sean Carberry;
Heather Gherman;
Joanne Patriarche
June 2024WorkshopTorontoWawanesaBuilding and Using a Plan Administration ChecklistDave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.
June 2024WorkshopCalgaryDesjardinsBuilding and Using a Plan Administration ChecklistDave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.
May 2024Full Day EventTorontoThe Benefits Trust, Mapol, National Health Claim, RMA Inc., Simply BenefitsEmployee Benefit Plan Renewals
Navigating the Canadian Drug Space
CDIPC Report on High Cost Drug Claims
Employer Panel on Benefits
Anthony Feher;
Dan Berty;
Matthew Garrison;
Sabrina Mattiucci;
Joanne Patriarche
March 2024WorkshopHalifaxPC-GroupQuestBuilding and Using a Plan Administration ChecklistDave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance
November 2023Full Day EventTorontoNational Health Claim, medcan, PC-GroupQuest, Maximum BenefitThe People Behind the Claims
Creative Plan Designs
Client Leadership
A Year in Review and a Look Forward
Hilary Ballantyne;
Gordon Hart & Gavin Mosley – Selectpath / Mosley Benefits;
Brad Kotowich – Focussed Leadership Group;
Dave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance
June 2023WorkshopVancouverBest Doctors InsuranceBuilding and Using a Plan Administration ChecklistDave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.
May 2023WorkshopTorontoPC-GroupQuestBuilding and Using a Plan Administration ChecklistDave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.
April 2023WorkshopTorontoBest Doctors InsuranceBuilding and Using a Plan Administration Checklist
Ontario Employment Law Update
Dave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.;
Aleksandra Pressey – Williams HR Law LLP
October 2022Full Day EventTorontoPC-GroupQuest, Maximum Benefit, Vumi Canada, Business Career CollegeKnow Your (Group) Client
Selling on Value, not just Price
Changes in the Dental space in Ontario
Disability cases gone wrong
Rob Crowder – The Benefits Trust;
Dave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.;
Dr. David Stevenson – Ontario Dental Association;
David Share – Share Lawyers
October 2022Full Day EventVancouverPC-GroupQuest, Equitable, Maximum Benefit, Business Career CollegeSelling on Value, not just Price
Concerning trends in benefits
Employment Law update
Building a practice, being approached, and then merging. Is there life after?
Dave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance;
Cameron R. Wardell – Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP;
Derrek Quon – Arbutus Financial Services Ltd
October 2022Full Day EventCalgaryPC-GroupQuest, Equitable, Maximum Benefit, Business Career CollegeSelling on Value, not just Price
Concerning trends in benefits
Employment Law update
Ethics in Group benefits
Dave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance;
Shane King – McLeod Law LLP;
Jason Watt – Business Career College
March 2022WorkshopTorontoDesjardinsBuilding and Using a Plan Administration Checklist
Ontario Employment Law Update
Dave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.;
Aleksandra Pressey – Williams HR Law LLP
October 2021Full Day EventTorontoPocketPillsBenefit Advisor Panel
An Employer's View
Everything about E&O
Sarah Becker – Barill & Company;
Maureen Campbell – Flashlite Benefits;
Sam Pasternak – Alliance Income;
Yafa Sakkejha – Beneplan;
Roberta Tasson – Magnes Group

 

DateTypeLocationSponsor(s)Topic(s)Speaker(s)
September 2020Full Day EventVancouverGroupQuest, BBD, Equitable, MaximumEmployment Law – The Risks Employers Face in Benefits
An Advisors Perspective
Building and Using a Plan Administration Checklist
When Tech Meets Benefits
Cameron R. Wardell – Mathews, Dinsdale & Clark LLP;
Laurie MacNeil – MacNeil Benefits;
Dave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance;
Chris Gory – Orchard Benefits
September 2020Full Day EventCalgaryGroupQuest, BBD, MP Benefits, MaximumEmployment Law – The Risks Employers Face in Benefits
An Advisors Perspective
Building and Using a Plan Administration Checklist
When Tech Meets Benefits
Shane King – McLeod Law LLP;
Lori Power – MP Benefits Inc.;
Dave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance;
Chris Gory – Orchard Benefits
September 2020WorkshopTorontoDesjardinsBuilding and Using a Plan Administrators ChecklistDave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.
March 2020Full Day EventTorontoBeneplan, National HealthClaim, Business Career CollegeEmployment Law – A Year in Review and Trends to Watch for in 2020
Contract Wording – What You Need to Know to Avoid Trouble
A View from the Pharmacy – What You Should Know
Doing Disability Benefits Right
Laura K. Williams – Williams HR Law Professional Corporation;
Dave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.;
Mike Sullivan – Cubic Health Inc.;
Lawrence Ian Geller – Geller Insurance
November 2019Full Day EventTorontoGroupQuest Benefit ResourcesWhat’s the Future of Pharmacare?
Advisor Risk & Liability, Where Insurers Put your Client at Risk
Marilee Mark – Marilee Mark Consulting;
Jim Bullock – Expert Witness;
Dave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.
October 2019TorontoThe Benefits TrustGroup Benefits from a P&C Perspective & Why I Think Change is your FriendBlake Waddell – Waddell Insurance;
Dave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.
August 2019WorkshopTorontoBest Doctors InsuranceBuilding and Using a Plan Administrators Checklist WorkshopDave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.
June 2019TorontoGroup Force Benefits Inc.Benefits, Administration & Communication – A Broker PanelAllison Brown – Thorpe Benefits;
Michael Greenwood – Pelorus;
Chris Gory – Insurance Portfolio Financial Services;
Justin James – Harry James Group;
Cheryl Jones (CJ) – Corporate Benefit Consult.
May 2019WorkshopTorontoBest Doctors InsurancePrice vs Value & Adding Value Using CGIB WorkshopDave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance/CGIB
April 2019TorontoMaximum BenefitPrivate Plan Drug Cost Drivers & Forecasting & Public/Private Payor IntegrationJoe Farago – Innovative Medicines;
Brad Millson – IQVIA Canada;
Denise Balch – Connex Health
March 2019TorontoCollage Technologies Inc.Humans Behind the Benefits?Andrew Lawlor – Livewire Communications Inc.;
Bill Zolis – The Penmore Callery Group;
Denise Desrosiers – Human Resources Consultant;
Dave Patriarche – Canadian Group Insurance Brokers
November 2018TorontoCollage Technologies Inc.Generic Pricing Reductions and Biosimilars – Where Employers can Benefit
CGIB Survey Results – Where Are We and Where Are We Going?
Jim Keon – Canadian Generic Pharmaceutical Association (CGPA);
Leigh Doyle – Digital Journal Group;
Dave Patriarche – Canadian Group Insurance Brokers
October 2018TorontoGroupQuest, JungoHRYour Clients Don’t Need a Golf Tournament. Give them HR
Sharing the Client Experience – An HR Leaders View
Ariane Laird – ConnectsUs HR;
Sabrina Mattiucci, CHRL
August & September 2018WorkshopTorontoBenefits By Design (BBD)Building and Using a Plan Administrators ChecklistDave Patriarche – CGIB
June 2018TorontoGroup Force Benefits Inc.Medical Marijuana – An HR Perspective – Are You Ready?
The Pills that Killed the Plan (Not) – Prozac to Pot
Adding Value to your Benefit Clients
Jason Fleming – MedReleaf;
David Patriarche – CGIB
May 2018TorontoMaximum BenefitG19 Compensation Disclosure – An Update
When a Disability Claim Goes Wrong
Avoiding the Disability Claim Going Wrong
Erica Hiemstra – CLHIA;
David Share – Share Lawyers;
Liz Scott – Organizational Solutions
February 2018TorontoHavern Benefits StrategiesWhat Happens When an Employer Asks About a Drug Claim?Suzanne Lepage – Private Health Plan Strategist;
Blair Rutledge – Cameron Stewart Life Science
November 2017TorontoThe Benefits TrustEmployment Law Update: Existing Statutory Obligations and New Obligations Under Bill 148
Employer Policy Changes, Updated Leaves, Increasing Minimum Wage and More
George Vassos – Littler Global;
Bonni Titgemeyer – The Employers’ Choice Inc.
November 2017TorontoMaximum BenefitThe Ontario Exceptional Access Drug (EAP) Program is Improving
Threats/Challenges to your Business
Richard D’Iorio – Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care;
Chris Bonnett – H3 Consulting;
Denise Balch – Connex Health;
Dave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.;
Joan Weir – CLHIA
October 2017TorontoEquitable Life – My Flex BenefitsCustomer Relationship Management (CRM) Tools and Why YOU Need Them
Changing Tech and the Things Brokers NEED to Know
Aly Dhalla – Finaeo;
Julie Einarson – BBD;
Chris Gory – Insurance Portfolio
June 2017TorontoGroupQuest Benefit ResourcesBenefit Plan Renewals
Top 20 NEW Things Brokers Need to Know
Al Kaminskas – Net Worth;
Jeremy Stankov – PBL;
Dave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.
May 2017TorontoBenefitsGenius.caManaging Benefit Risk, Employment Law
Roles and Responsibilities of the Benefits Business
George Vassos – Littler Global;
Mark Sylvia – Empire;
Brent Collett – GWL;
Rob Crowder – The Benefits Trust;
Allan Sabat – Consulting House
March 2017TorontoPPI BenefitsOntario Assistive Devices Program
Selling Value, Not Just Price
Joan Stevens – Ontario MOH&LTC;
Dave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.
December 2016TorontoMainstay InsuranceBuilding and Using a Plan Admin ChecklistDave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.
November 2016TorontoEquitable LifeA Broker Panel: Present and Future, Where Are We Going?
The Ontario Trillium Drug Program – A Refresher
Sophia Nizamuddin;
Tim Spark;
Peter Demangos;
Jay Sharkey;
Menzies Jardine – Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care
October 2016TorontoGroupQuestFraud, Waste and Abuse in Health Care
Amending Contracts – Why Can’t Insurers Wait Until Renewal?
Joel Alleyne – Alleyne Inc.;
Dave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.
September 2016WorkshopTorontoBBDBuilding and Using a Plan Admin ChecklistDave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.
June 2016TorontoAssocium, MDMUnderstanding the Divide Between Short-Term and Long-Term DisabilityDisability Claims – Looking Behind the Curtain;
Penny Buckner – Disability Management Consultant;
Peter Gove – Green Shield Canada
April 2016TorontoCarePathGroup Benefits – Back to Basics
The Death of a Salesman
HR & Administration Issues around Benefits
Harry Matheis – Matheis Financial Group;
Joanne Patriarche – Apotex Inc.;
Dave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.
March 2016TorontoMaximum BenefitFood For Thought When Implementing Drug Plan Changes
Drug Caps? Do We or Don’t We?
Suzanne Lepage – Private Health Plan Strategist;
Margie Lambert – CIB Financial Services Inc.;
Chris Pryce – Human Capital Benefits

 

DateTypeLocationSponsor(s)Topic(s)Speaker(s)
December 2015TorontoCIGNAA Year in Review
TPA’s, the New Reality
Dave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.;
Scott Southward – BBD
October 2015TorontoMaximum BenefitLegal Issues for Advisors
Employer Liability in Plan Administration
Jim Bullock – Expert Witness;
Elizabeth Forster – Blaney McMurtry LLP
September 2015TorontoEquitableBuilding and Using a Plan Admin ChecklistDave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.
June 2015TorontoBenecaidBuying and Selling a Group BusinessAdrian Chandran – BMO;
Roberta Tasson – Magnes Group;
Glenn Pittman – PeopleCorp
May 2015TorontoBeneplanRising Drug Costs
Ontario Trillium Drug Plan
Barb Martinez – Great-West Life;
Cathy Fuchs – White Willow;
Rob Campbell – MOHLTC – EAP
March 2015TorontoGroupQuestBuilding a Group Business
Best Practices in Group Insurance
Chris Gory – Insurance Portfolio;
Dave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.;
Jeff Stinchcombe – PeopleCorp/HSP;
Drew Hubbard – Hubbard Financial
November 2014TorontoGroup ForceWhat You Miss May Be What Gets You!
A Unique Perspective on the Business of Dentistry
Dave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.;
Dr. Rollin Matsui D.D.S., LL.B.
October 2014TorontoNFPGroup MGA’s – What They Offer, Who They Are, How They Work and MoreNeil Iddon – Associum Partners;
Mario Malatesta – GroupQuest Benefit Resources Inc.;
Vince Carmada – Group Force Benefits Inc.
June 2014Toronto–Associum Group GuruMarketing Group Insurance – A Marketing Package
Educational Seminars, Staying Top of Mind, Centres of Influence, Why We Blog?
Nick Acocella – ProBenefits;
Zoltan Barzso – Accurate Design Benefits;
Peter Demangos – PDF Financial;
Jennifer Estall – WSC Insurance;
Bill Zolis – The Callery Group
April 2014TorontoMerckPrivate Insurance Spending on Drugs, Dental & Vision in Canada
Selling Value, Not Just Price
Brett Skinner – Health & Economic Policy – Rx&D;
Dave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.
March 2014TorontoManulife FinancialGroup: Then and Now + Small Group Renewals
Patient Choice Cards – Pros & Cons – A Discussion
Mike Duggan – Duggan Insurance;
Bill Adams – Smart STI;
Jeff Connell – CGPA
November 2013TorontoWellknit, Shepell-fgiCLHIA Drug Policy & Pooling Report
Trillium: Where Are We Now?
Stephen Frank – CLHIA;
Shirley Leong – CDIPC;
Barb Martinez – Great-West Life;
Dave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.
October 2013TorontoCharter RXChanging Travel Coverage
Benefit Plans & CRA IT Bulletins
Robin Ingle – Ingle International;
Scott Maclagan – Maclagan Inc.
June 2013TorontoWawanesa3 Companies, 3 Plans, 3 Stories
CRA Changes on Independent Contractors
A Panel of Policy Holders;
Dave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.
April 2013TorontoESORSE Corp.Building and Using a Plan Admin ChecklistDave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.
March 2013TorontoMaximum BenefitA Pound of Cure
An Ounce of Prevention
Allan Stordy – Arete Human Resources Inc.;
Chris Bonnett – H3 Consulting
November 2012TorontoBBDLong Term Disability Pricing – How It Works
Forecasting or Fortune Telling – Things to Consider
Ron Smitko – SSQ Financial Group;
Dave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.
October 2012TorontoAccertaEmployer Liability in Plan Administration
Human Rights Issues in Insurance
Elizabeth Forster – Blaney McMurtry LLP;
Maria Kotsopolus – Blaney McMurtry LLP
June 2012TorontoMaximum BenefitThe New WSIB – Surviving the Changes
Avoiding Fraud in Employee Benefits
Dr. Liz R. Scott PhD – Organizational Solutions Inc.;
Joel Alleyne – Canadian Health Care Anti-Fraud Association
April 2012TorontoWawanesaOverview of Private Payer Drug Pooling Framework
Ontario Trillium Drug Program
Stephen Frank – CLHIA;
Doug Whitefield – Exceptional Access Program Branch, MOHLTC
March 2012TorontoEmpire LifeHow to Have a Successful Renewal and Keep your ClientsDave Patriarche & Tammy Rahman
November 2011TorontoMainstayWritten Employment Contracts
‘Independent Contractors’ – Offers, Terms & Independent Contractors
William Anderson – Blaney McMurtry LLP;
Barry Prentice – Blaney McMurtry LLP;
Dave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.
October 2011TorontoMainstayDrug Cost Issues Faced by Plan SponsorsMike Sullivan – Cubic Health Inc.
May 2011TorontoAccertaBuilding and Using a Plan Admin ChecklistDave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.
April 2011TorontoMaximum BenefitAdministrative Services Only – ASO
The Illness Continuum – Approvals, Pitfalls & Perils
Craig Terry – Corporate Benefit Consult.;
Dr. Liz Scott – Organizational Solutions Inc.
March 2011TorontoEmpire LifeGroup Insurance Policies & ContractsDave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.
November 2010TorontoNorfolk MobilityOntario AD Program
Good Faith Claims
Joan Stevens – Ministry of Health;
Rod Winsor – Blaney McMurtry
October 2010TorontoAccertaGroup Travel InsuranceRobin Ingle – Ingle Intl.
June 2010TorontoAssociumTrillium Program
E&O Claims
Doug Whitefield – Exceptional Access Program MOHLTC;
Roger Horst – Blaney McMurtry
May 2010TorontoAccertaBuilding and Using a Plan Admin ChecklistDave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.
April 2010TorontoMainstayMarketing Group
Life After Work
Dave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.;
Joan Lowden
March 2010TorontoEmpire LifeTechnology
Effective Communications
Dave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.;
Joan Lowden
October 2009TorontoMainstayBuilding and Using a Plan Admin ChecklistDave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.
September 2009TorontoEmpire LifeLiability in Benefit Administration
LTD Benefits
Elizabeth Forster – Blaney McMurtry;
Lawrence Ian Geller – Geller Insurance Agencies Ltd.
April 2009TorontoMainstayBuilding and Using a Plan Admin ChecklistDave Patriarche – Mainstay Insurance Brokerage Inc.