Starting in 2010 Canadian banks will be prohibited from selling insurance products via their primary websites. Currently Canadian top banks such as the Royal Bank of Canada, Bank of Nova Scotia, Bank of Montreal, CIBC and the Toronto Dominion Bank offer their customers the option of purchasing insurance online from their main banking websites. The Minister of Finance Jim Flaherty announced that the new rules regarding the sale of insurance products over the internet will become applicable when the next budget comes into effect in early 2010. This will essentially reverse a decision that had been made in favor of the banks earlier this year.

The Bank Act prohibits the banks from directly selling insurance in their branches; however the Office of the Superintendant of Financial Institutions (OSFI) ruled in June that a bank website is not the same as a bank branch, thereby allowing for the sale of insurance products online. However, Flaherty considers a bank’s primary website a virtual bank branch, making the sale of insurance against the rules. Recently Flaherty faxed letters to the CEOs of Canadian banks requesting that they change their websites to preclude the sale of insurance; most banks have not complied with this request. Flaherty has stated that he intends to change the Canada’s Bank Act to prohibit banking websites to sell insurance, making this current practice illegal.

The Canadian Bankers Association, which represents 50 Canadian banks, claim that Flaherty made this recent change without any consultations with either the public or the banking industry. In an emailed statement, the CBA said they were “shocked that Mr. Flaherty would want to limit how and where consumers can access information about insurance.” Flaherty’s decision to amend the current legislation came as a result of Liberal MP Alexandra Mendes introducing a private member’s bill, which, in her opinion, would level the playing field between independent insurance companies and Canadian banks. The insurance brokerage industry has previously complained to the federal government as well as lobbied MPs about this issue.

While some members of the insurance brokerage industry are welcoming these proposed changes, others fear these new rules will impede Canadians from being able to make informed choices due to insurance information being restricted. The internet affords Canadians the opportunity to quickly and efficiently be able to compare insurance quotes, the type of insurance products offered, etc, without being pressured by a sales agent. Currently people can ‘surf the net’ and research the different types of insurance that are available, and can compare the not only the costs of available insurance policies, but to also compare the different types of policies available. This allows people to benefit from having the most information available in which to make their decisions. It also allows for people to become aware of different types of insurance which they may not have known was available. As well, a healthy competitive market means that the consumer benefits from no one specific company being able to monopolize the industry.

It is important for anyone contemplating purchasing insurance to do their own independent research and compare quotes as well as what those specific policies offer. While it may make sales a little more competitive for the insurer, it allows for the consumer to benefit.

The WC is an indicator of health risk that is associated with abdominal obesity. There are greater health risks associated with excess fat around the waist and upper body (also recognized as an ‘apple’ body shape) than with excess fat located in the hips and thighs areas (also recognized as a ‘pear’ body shape).A WC measurement of 102 cm. or more in the male population, and a measurement of 88 cm. or more in the female population is associated with the increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease as well as high blood pressure.

Other health conditions can interact with obesity that greatly elevates the risk of developing a wide range of chronic health issues. Age and family medical history as well as other health conditions such as high cholesterol, high blood pressure and/or high blood sugar levels combined with obesity all increase the likelihood of developing more serious diseases and/or medical conditions. Lifestyle choices such as poor eating habits, lack of physical activity and/or smoking not only increase the risks of chronic health problems, but actually exacerbate the burden on the individual’s health.

Achieving as well as maintaining a healthy body weight is essential for good health. Healthy body weight is usually achieved through healthy eating as well as regular physical exercise. Some helpful ways to help control body weight are:

• Find a way to incorporate regular physical activity into your daily routine. This can be achieved by such simple things as talking a walk during your lunch break, using stairs instead of the elevator, etc. Splitting up exercise time into shorter sessions starting with 10 minutes of activity 3 times a day may be easier to incorporate into your schedule. Set up an exercise routine that you can maintain; sporadically going to the gym is not going to give you the desired results.
• Make your meal portions smaller. Many times people are not aware of how much they eat and how many calories they consume because they think they are eating a regular sized portion. Start serving smaller portions; those who are still hungry can always have ‘seconds’. Avoid eating out in establishments that offer ‘all you can eat’ and/or restaurants that serve very large portions. As alcoholic and other sweetened beverages are high in calories avoid them and substitute instead non-sweetened beverages.
• Eat a nutritionally balanced diet. Pay attention to the labels on food products, many times what we think are low-fat and low in calories actually isn’t.

Remember that life and health insurance premiums are based on health status. Obesity, like smoking, lowers your health status meaning you may be paying higher rates. If you are obese, and have lost the weight, consult with your life insurance broker about this new development in your health status, you may be eligible for a reduction in your rates.

One of the longest ongoing health studies in the United States claims that obesity is now a bigger overall threat to adults’ health than smoking cigarettes. The study, which is conducted by researchers from Columbia University and the City College of New York, claims that obesity causes just as much, and possibly even more diseases than tobacco consumption. While smoking rates are starting to actually decline, obesity shortens the lifespan. While smoking generally impacts health in such ways as heart disease and/or cancer, the impacts of obesity are much larger.

The study was conducted over a period of fifteen years, and involved interviewing more than 3.5 million people. The study calculated the number of ‘quality adjusted life years’ (QALYs) that were lost due to obesity and smoking. Quality adjusted life years are a measurement of the quality as well as the quantity of a lived life; it assigns higher scores for good and/or perfect health and lower scores for illness, injury and/or death. The study showed that between 1993 to 2008 smoking in the American adult population decreased by 18.5%; meanwhile the proportion of obese American adults increased by 85%. There is no valid reasoning to suggest that these figures are not mirrored in the Canadian population. Statistics Canada has reported that two out of every 3 Canadian adults is either overweight and/or obese.

Obesity can cause such complex health problems such as:

• Type 2 diabetes;
• Liver disease;
• Coronary heart disease;
• Sleep apnea and/or other respiratory issues;
• Joint issues, resulting in joint replacements;
• Hypertension and/or high blood pressure;
• Stroke;
• Gallbladder disease;
• Osteoarthritis;
• Cancers such as breast cancer, colon and endometrial cancer;
• Mental health issues such as low self-esteem and/or depression.

Health professionals assess a person’s weight status by using 2 tools, the body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC). These tools are used on all adults 18 years of age and older, with the exception of pregnant and/or breastfeeding women. The BMI is calculated on a weight-to-height ratio. Rather than directly measure the amount of body fat in the individual, it is an indicator of the health risks that are associated with being either under or over weight. In the Canadian weight classification system, there are four categories of BMI:

• Underweight (less than 18.5);
• Normal weight (between 18.5 and 24.9);
• Overweight (between 25 and 29.9);
• Obese (30 and over).

This article will be continues in Part II.

Many Canadians think of the environmental impact when it comes to purchasing products, but how many think of being eco-friendly when it comes to planning a funeral? Although this concept is quite new in Canada, there are now 2 cemeteries (one in Brampton ON, the other in Victoria BC) that offer green burial services. This includes such services as quick interment (which makes embalming unnecessary), as well as caskets that are made from natural wood products, or even cardboard, which allow for a natural breakdown of the elements. Wildflowers are used in lieu of traditional gravestones as well.

Many Canadians have not even considered the environmental impact of a traditional burial and/or cremation. Consider that the average burial/cremation has the following impact on its natural surroundings:

•    An average embalming consumes more than 15 liters of formaldehyde; North America typically uses over 4 million liters every year;
•    The equivalent of the Golden Gate Bridge could be built every year with the amount of metal used in North America every year to build vaults and coffins;
•    The amount of concrete used in traditional burials every year is sufficient enough to build a 2 lane highway between Montreal and Toronto, and back again;
•    For a typical 10 acre cemetery, enough wood is used that is sufficient enough to build 40 homes; it also typically uses 1,000 tons of casket steel and 20,000 tons of concrete;
•    Pesticides are commonly used in these traditional facilities;
•    The average cremation uses 27 liters of gas, the box containing the body is incinerated at temperatures from 760 to 1150 degrees Celsius;
•    The organs and soft tissue of a cremated body are vaporized and oxidized due to the tremendous heat used, and these gases are discharged through the exhaust system;
•    The United Nations estimates that 0.2% of global emissions of dioxins and furans are contributed through worldwide cremation, as well cremation is considered the second largest source of airborne mercury in Europe.

For those who do not live near a green burial property, there are still ways to reduce the impact on the environment for traditional burials. The Natural Burial Association recommends:

•    Plan  your funeral ahead of time, and let your friends and family know of  your intentions to have an environmentally conscious burial/funeral;
•    Include these burial plans in your will, so that there can be no dispute about your final wishes;
•    When selecting a coffin, try to choose one that is a simply made box out of local sustainably harvested wood, or even cardboard;
•    If cremation has been selected, ask for the removal of teeth that have mercury fillings in them beforehand, so the mercury does not get released into the environment;
•    Consider offsetting the greenhouse gas emissions with carbon credits;
•    Ask for donations to your favorite charity (or environmental project) in lieu of flowers.

For more information on green funerals and the association between funerals and the environment, visit the Natural Burial Association.

The Government of Canada announced in September 2008 that $1.9 billion dollars, over 5 years, would be made available for housing and homelessness programs for low-income Canadians. As part of this initiative, the renovations programs were extended for an additional 2 years, up until March 31, 2011. These programs are available to Canadian seniors, those with disabilities, as well as low-income households; most are delivered by the Provinces and Territories.

The Home Adaptations for Seniors' Independence (HASI) offers financial assistance for seniors who require minor home adaptations that will allow low-income seniors to remain living independently and safely. Eligible adaptations are minor items that are related to loss of ability and daily activities. In order to be eligible these adaptations must:

•    Be permanently installed/fixed to the dwelling;
•    Improve the access to basic facilities in the dwelling;
•    Increases the physical safety for the affected resident, i.e. handrails, easy-to-reach work/storage areas in the kitchen, grab bars in the bathroom, etc.

Either the homeowner or the landlord can apply for this assistance if:                                     

•    The occupant of the residence if at least 65 years of age and is experiencing difficulties with activities that are related to daily living that is brought on either by illness or advancing age;
•    The total household income is or below the program income limit for that specific area;
•    The home is a permanent residence.

Financial assistance for this program is available via a forgivable loan with a maximum of $3500. This loan will not be required to be repaid as long as the homeowner agrees to continue residing there for a minimum of 6 months (the loan forgiveness period). In the case of rental properties, the landlord must agree to not increase the rent of the property as a result of the new adaptations.

For Canadians with disabilities, financial assistance is available through the Residential Rehabilitation Assistance Program for Persons with Disabilities (RRAP – Disabilities). This program is designed to help homeowners/landlords to make modifications to the property that will make the property more accessible to persons with disabilities, i.e. eliminate physical barriers and safety risks. Modifications must be related to housing as well as the occupant's disability, i.e. handrails, chair lifts, bath lifts, etc. All work to bring the home up to minimum health and safety standards must be completed in order to be eligible; if this amount exceeds the maximum forgivable loan then the owner must assume the additional costs.

Homeowners and/or landlords may qualify for this program as long as the property is:

•    Already occupied, or will be occupied, by a low-income person with a disability;
•    Is owned and has a value below a certain amount;
•    If a rental property, the rent is less than the established levels for that specific area;
•    Meets minimum health and safety standards.

Assistance for this program is in the form of a forgivable loan and will not have to be repaid as long as the terms and conditions of the program are followed. Homeowners must agree to continue to own the home for as long as the loan forgiveness period (up to 5 years.) Landlords must agree to an established rent that can be charged during the lifetime of the agreement as well as an occupancy restriction to a household with an income that is below a set CMHC level.

This program is set into 3 different geographical zones for Canada; loan amounts vary depending on the region:

Zone 1: Includes the southern areas of Canada; homeowners can receive a loan of up to $16,000, landlords up to $24,000.

Zone 2: Includes the northern areas of Canada; homeowners can receive a loan of up to $19,000, landlords up to $28,000.

Zone 3: Includes the far northern areas of Canada; homeowners can receive a loan of up to $24,000, landlords up to $36,000.

As well, areas that have been defined as remote may be eligible for additional assistance.

For additional information on these, as well as other programs, visit the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.