REGINA (September 13, 2021) – The Insurance Brokers Association of Saskatchewan is announcing today its largest donation yet as part of the 2021 #BrokersCare Campaign for Mental Health.

IBAS has earmarked $7,500 for the Chief Red Bear Children’s Lodge at Cowessess First Nation. The contribution is being graciously matched by IBAS member Westland Insurance, for a total donation of $15,000.

Launched this past April, Chief Red Bear Children’s Lodge will be the first self-governing child welfare service in Canada under Bill C-92 legislation, which affirms Indigenous People’s jurisdiction over child and family services. The lodge will provide cultural identity and intervention supports, as well as ongoing healing programs and resources, to Cowessess band members across the country.

“With more than 175 branch locations nationwide, we have a responsibility to our customers, our 2,000-plus employees, and the communities we serve to fully commit to the truth and reconciliation calls to action,” says Don Thompson, executive vice president of insurance and prairie operations for Westland Insurance. “While this is just one very small step on that journey, we are proud to team up with IBAS to demonstrate that commitment and begin to address the destructive legacy of residential schools.”

Through the #BrokersCare Campaign, presented by Wawanesa Insurance, nearly $60,000 in project funding has been provided to-date to 14 different community organizations throughout the province.

For more information, please contact IBAS President & CEO Derek Lothian at derek.lothian@ibas.ca.

About Westland Insurance

Westland Insurance Group is one of the largest and fastest-growing independent property and casualty insurance brokers in Canada. With a national presence of over 175 locations and nearly 2,100 employees, the company continues to expand coast to coast. Westland's brokers provide expert advice to commercial, personal and farm clients. Since its founding in 1980, Westland has remained a family-owned company that is committed to supporting its local communities. For more information, please visit westlandinsurance.ca.

About IBAS

Founded in 1952, the Insurance Brokers Association of Saskatchewan (IBAS) is voluntary, membership-based organization, comprised of more than 95 per cent of all property and casualty insurance brokerages across the province. We directly represent roughly 175 brokerage members, with 1,600 licensed brokers, operating 375 branch locations in more than 240 different Saskatchewan communities.