On May 4, 2017, the Federal Government passed the Genetic
Non-Discrimination Act. This law makes it illegal to require someone to take a genetic test or disclose the results of a genetic test as a condition to obtain goods or services, or enter into a contract, such as insurance.
We have taken the necessary measures to conform to the new law. In particular, we have updated our internal policies and procedures as well as the guidelines for our distribution. They now indicate that genetic testing or the disclosing of genetic test results is not a condition to qualify for insurance.
We have also conducted a thorough review of our forms and questionnaires across all product lines to ensure that we are not requesting an applicant’s genetic testing information both at time of application or change of coverage.
Our employees, including those in the regional Business Development Offices, are prepared to answer your questions.
We continue to monitor this law, especially the Justice Minister’s announcement that she intends to ask the Supreme Court of Canada to assess the constitutionality of the law as it may intrude into insurance law, a provincial matter.
MB 472 (2017/05/23)
