Saskatchewan Government Insurance
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The Saskatchewan Auto Fund is the province’s compulsory auto insurance program, operating the driver’s licensing and vehicle registration system. The Auto Fund is financially self-sustaining, operating on a break-even basis over time. It does not receive money from, nor pay dividends to, the government.
SGI CANADA is fully competitive, selling property and casualty insurance products such as home, farm, business and extension auto in seven Canadian provinces. It operates as SGI CANADA in Saskatchewan, SGI CANADA Insurance Services Ltd. in Manitoba and Alberta, the Coachman Insurance Company in Ontario and as a major partner in the Insurance Company of Prince Edward Island in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island.
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History
When SGI was created in 1945, high insurance costs were one of the serious problems plaguing the people of Saskatchewan. Also, at least 90 per cent of the insurance in the province was written by companies established in Eastern Canada.
The provincial government saw a publicly-owned insurance company as a means to solving those problems.
Working out of the Saskatchewan Legislative Building, Michael Allore, SGI’s first president, sold the first policy – Fire Policy Number 1 – to Minister O.W. Valleau on May 1st, 1945 and appointed the first broker, Oscar Sawby of Maple Creek, on May 17th.
By the end of 1945, SGI had 60 employees with numerous agents across the province. This growth has continued over the past 60-plus years.
| # | President | Took position | Left position |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Michael Allore | 1945 | 1953 |
| 2 | Herbert Hammond | 1953 | 1965 |
| 3 | Jim Dutton | 1965 | 1972 |
| 4 | John Green | 1973 | 1980 |
| 5 | Murray Wallace | 1981 | 1982 |
| 6 | Don Black | 1983 | 1985 |
| 7 | Alex Wilde | 1985 | 1991 |
| 8 | Bill Heidt | 1992 | 1994 |
| 9 | John Wright | 1995 | 1997 |
| 10 | Larry Fogg | 1997 | 2004 |
| 11 | Jon Schubert | 2004 | – |
Corporate Governance
Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) and SGI CANADA are governed by The Saskatchewan Government Insurance Act, 1980, and The Automobile Accident Insurance Act, and are subject to the provisions of The Crown Corporations Act, 1993, which gives the Crown Investments Corporation of Saskatchewan (CIC), the holding company for Saskatchewan’s commercial Crown corporations, the broad authority to set the direction of the Corporation.
Where required by legislation or policy directive, SGI submits performance management and investment decisions for review and approval by CIC and the provincial cabinet. Through its Chair, who is an outside director, the SGI Board of Directors is accountable to the Minister Responsible for SGI. The Minister functions as a link between the Corporation and CIC and cabinet, as well as the provincial legislature.
Board of Directors
SGI’s Board of Directors is responsible for setting direction, monitoring and reporting achievement, and analyzing, evaluating and taking corrective action for the corporation. The Board is responsible for the stewardship of the corporation in general terms. In meeting this responsibility, the Board works with management to develop and approve the corporation’s strategic plan, operating goals, annual budget and business plans. It participates in identifying business risk and overseeing the implementation of appropriate systems to achieve a balance between the risks incurred and potential returns.
SGI’s Board of Directors is appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council. The Board consists of ten external directors and one director appointed as representative of the Canadian Office and Professional Employee's (COPE) union. Both the Chair and Vice-Chair of the Board are external directors.
Stucture and Functions
SGI employs approximately 1,700 people and works with a network of almost 300 independent insurance brokers and about 450 motor licence issuers in Saskatchewan, as well as numerous brokers in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
SGI's head office is in downtown Regina, Saskatchewan. The corporation also operates 20 claims centres in 13 Saskatchewan communities and has a branch office in Winnipeg.
In addition, SGI operates five Salvage branch offices across Saskatchewan that recycle and sell used vehicles, auto parts and general items.
