Partner Perspectives: Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association

The interns were deeply appreciative for the opportunity to meet with our esteemed partner, the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA). We had the privilege of learning from the insights of Vice President of Policy, Sarah Hobbs; Director of Policy, Stephanie Wong; Senior Policy Analyst, Andrea Mayer; and Assistant‑Vice President, Risk and OLIP alumna, Beth Elder. 

 The Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association is a not‑for‑profit, membership‑based organization that represents 99 % of Canada’s life and health insurance companies. CLHIA works to support a strong, competitive, and trusted insurance sector by advocating on behalf of its members, conducting research, and engaging with policymakers, regulators, and the public on issues that matter to Canadians’ financial security and wellbeing. 

During our meeting, we discussed CLHIA’s foundations and mandate, gaining a clearer understanding of how life and health insurance supports individuals and families across the country. Our conversation explored complex contemporary challenges, including the evolving role of artificial intelligence in underwriting and claims processes, and how environmental changes — such as climate‑related risks — are increasingly factored into insurance determinations and risk assessments. Hearing from CLHIA’s policy experts about how they approach these issues, and how they engage with government and industry partners to shape thoughtful solutions, was incredibly informative. 

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Sarah Hobbs, Stephanie Wong, Andrea Mayer, and Beth Elder for taking the time to meet with us and share their perspectives in an engaging and insightful conversation. We would also like to thank the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association for being a valued partner of the OLIP programme and for continuing to support our professional journeys!