The Independent Financial Brokers of Canada re-elected Merlin Chouinard to serve his second term as president at the national not-for-profit’s annual general meeting in Toronto on Tuesday.

The IFB, which is professional association representing independent life insurance and mutual fund advisors, also held an election for positions open on the board. Along with Chouinard’s re-election, the association also re-elected Alex Beelich (Nepean, Ont.), Merlin Chouinard (Saskatoon), John Dargie (Oakville, Ont.), Allan Donald (Winnipeg), Scott Findlay (Abbotsford, B.C.), Johanne Ouellette (Toronto), and Sharon Piper (Whitby, Ontario) to three-year terms of office. New to the board this year is Bruce Bell of Toronto. He will serve a one-year term of office.

At a meeting of the board of directors held immediately following the Annual Meeting, Chouinard was unanimously re-elected to his second term as president. Completing the cxecutive of the association are John Dargie (vice president, mutual funds), Wayne Harbin (vice president, member relations), Allan Donald (treasurer), David Barber (past-president), and Neil MacLean (board representative).

In his speech to members at the AGM, Chouinard emphasized the role that IFB plays as a service organization focused on the needs and concerns of the independent broker: “One of our greatest strengths is that we do not try to be all things to all people, but rather, we have chosen to remain true to our original mandate: to serve the independent broker.”

Chouinard noted, that, in an era of steady decline in club, group, and association membership, IFB has enjoyed steady growth and an increase in membership of 200% in just five years. He attributed this growth to the “sound value proposition” the association provided its members in the areas of professional liability insurance, continuing education through the IFB Summit program, and pro-active regulatory affairs initiatives.

IFB offers a comprehensive errors and omissions insurance plan for members, with rates starting at $654, and offers continuing education for financial services professionals via its Summit Education Program. Fall Summits are scheduled for Nov. 1-2 in Toronto, Nov. 21 in Calgary and Nov. 27 in Vancouver.