IBAO Announces 2026 Awards of Excellence Winners, Honouring the Best of Ontario’s Broker Channel

The Insurance Brokers Association of Ontario (IBAO) announced the winners of the 2026 Awards of Excellence at its annual Gala during IBAOcon on October 21 at the Sheraton Centre Toronto Hotel. This year’s program drew the most nominations in its history and introduced a more rigorous judging process, with a panel of brokers and industry representatives scoring every submission independently against a standardized framework. 

“Ontario’s brokers show up for their clients and their communities every single day,” said IBAO President Pam Derksen. “This year’s record number of nominations tells us how much this community values recognizing excellence. Congratulations to every winner, finalist and nominee.” 

At the Gala, IBAO also announced a $50,000 donation to Youth Wellness Hubs Ontario, which connects young people aged 12 to 25 with free, integrated mental health and wellness services across the province. 

2026 IBAO Awards of Excellence Winners 

Large Brokerage of the Year | Solutions Insurance Group 
Founded in 2024 and based in Mississauga, Solutions Insurance Group is recognized for its client-advocacy model, office-based mentorship culture, and investment in broker education ahead of Ontario’s 2026 auto reforms. 

Finalist: McDougall Insurance Group 

Small Brokerage of the Year | Stan Darling Insurance Inc. 
Serving Bracebridge and the Muskoka region since 1938, Stan Darling Insurance Inc. pairs modern systems with the personal advice and long-term relationships that have defined the brokerage for generations. 

Finalists: Canopy Insurance, Insurance Portfolio Inc. 

Broker of the Year | Trevor McIntosh, Coverboo Insurance Brokers 
Trevor is a principal broker, educator and mentor who has supported the launch of several new brokerages, delivered RIBO-accredited continuing education, and created the course “How to Start Your Own Insurance Brokerage.” 

Finalists: Somit Seth, Billyard Insurance Group; Uzair Zamir, Billyard Insurance Group 

Rising Talent Award | Muhammad Fahad, Truly Insurance 
Four years into his career, Muhammad is building a new brokerage team and developing technology-enabled processes that free brokers to spend more time advising clients. 

Finalists: Saidababu Keetha, Solutions Insurance Group; Peter Lee, CHAT Insurance Services 

Rodney Hancock Affiliate Award | Ottawa Insurance Brokers Association 
Established in 1910, OIBA delivered eight sold-out educational and networking events this year, raised $10,000 for Upstream Ottawa, and extended its programming to brokers in communities without a local affiliate. 

Finalists: Insurance Brokers of Toronto Region, St. Thomas Elgin Insurance Brokers Association 

DEI Leadership Award | Solutions Insurance Group 
Solutions Insurance Group is recognized for embedding inclusion into its hiring, development and leadership practices, including a 40% increase in women’s representation across the organization. 

InsurTech Award | Instant Risk Coverage Inc. 
This Toronto-based MGA lets facility users get insured in minutes through a broker-distributed digital platform, supporting more than 100,000 events in the past year while keeping brokers at the centre of every policy. 

Finalists: Solutions Insurance Group, Vertafore 

Presidential Award | Steve Whitelaw, Applied Systems Canada 
Selected at the sole discretion of the IBAO President, the Presidential Award honours Steve, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Applied Systems Canada and former Chair of CSIO, for his collaborative leadership and support of Ontario brokers through the 2026 auto reforms.