Code of Ethics and Business Conduct

At Co-operators, our success is tied to the way we work and interact with others.

Living the Code

Whether people know us as an insurer, a financial services organization, an investor, an asset manager, an employer, or a co-operative, we’re committed to acting in a way that stays true to our values and fulfills our purpose of financial security for Canadians and our communities. The Code of Ethics and Business Conduct (the "Code") is a clear set of principles for how everyone at Co-operators should behave while conducting work tasks and representing the organization.

“At the Co-operators group of companies, holding ourselves to the highest standard of integrity plays a critical role in achieving our purpose. That starts by acting honestly, respectfully, and fairly in all situations.”

Rob Wesseling, President and Chief Executive Officer, The Co-operators Group Limited

Acting with integrity in our workplace

At Co-operators, our people are our greatest asset. When we treat others with respect, we:

Foster an environment based on trust and mutual respect that encourages open and honest communication and values diversity
Promote mental, physical and financial wellness in the workplace

Inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility (IDEA)

At Co-operators, we embed inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility in everything we do to positively impact our members, clients, employees and communities. Our mission for IDEA is guided by our action pillars.

Action pillar one: Our employees

Increase representation of under-represented groups and create equitable accessible and inclusive practices and experiences for employees.

Action pillar two: Our leaders

Establish inclusive leadership practices that promote IDEA and psychological safety for the benefit and welfare of our employees, members and communities.

Action pillar three: Our culture

Cultivate an inclusive culture that embraces diversity where everyone feels valued, empowered and a sense of belonging.

Action pillar four: Our business

Innovate our business services and their delivery to fulfill the unmet needs of our equity-deserving clients, members and communities.

Action pillar five: Our community

Engage and build partnerships that advance IDEA within our communities.

Learn more about how we embed IDEA in everything we do. Read our IDEA strategy

Safety and security in the workplace

At Co-operators, we strive to demonstrate our commitment to health and safety in all aspects of our operations.

We foster a culture of safety by:

Observing safe work practices
Complying with all physical security policies
Speaking up about unsafe conditions

We model good behaviour

At Co-operators, we represent an array of experiences, ideas, perspectives and backgrounds, all focused on innovating and inspiring. Every day, in every way, we work to create the kind of environment where our people can achieve excellence and communicate openly with respect and candour.

Acting with integrity in our industry

Honesty and integrity are at the heart of what we do and how we do it. That means we follow laws, comply with regulatory expectations and consider how to act ethically.

At Co-operators, financial integrity is everyone’s responsibility. That means:

Following policies regarding invoicing, receipts and other travel and expense-related matters
Accurately recording travel expenses and timecards
Not making unauthorized charges or credits to customer accounts

At Co-operators, we build trust by avoiding conflicts of interest. There are guidelines and measures set in place to prevent, identify, report and resolve any potential, perceived or actual conflict of interest.

All employees, contract workers, advisors and their staff, and contractual third parties of Co-operators are responsible for the proper use and management of Co-operators intellectual property and other proprietary subject matter.

Any work product and associated intellectual property, such as inventions, processes, proposals, writings, computer programs and software, created, developed or prepared by an individual with Co-operators, is owned by Co-operators including after the relationship with the company ends.

We recognize that information security, as well as physical and environmental security, are interconnected. We’ve got clear policies to:

Protect our assets and our information and systems from accidental or unauthorized access
Prevent the improper use of technology and services

At Co-operators, we have a responsibility to protect the personal and confidential information entrusted to us by others, including our employees, clients and third parties. Whether it takes the form of proprietary business or personal data, we keep confidential information safe and secure, and disclose it only to those who have a right or need to know the information.

We have a responsibility to create and maintain reliable and complete records of our activities, transactions and decisions. Falsifying company information or coercing or asking others to submit false information or documentation is prohibited. Maintaining reliable business records helps us meet our obligations to clients, members, business partners and regulators.

At Co-operators, we all have a responsibility to use Generative Artificial Intelligence tools in a manner that ensures data protection, data security, intellectual property rights, and bias and discrimination are considered.

It’s illegal and against our policy to buy or sell stock (or other securities) of Co-operators or any other company while having material non-public information about that company.

Bribing a person or company is not acceptable behaviour. We win business with integrity, and we don’t tolerate acts of bribery or corruption.

At Co-operators, we practice fair, open and honest competition. This means we promote vigorous competition, obtain information fairly and legally, act independently and do not collude with competitors.

Preventing fraudulent acts requires an ongoing commitment from all of us. This includes actively participating in the prevention, detection and reporting of suspected fraud, whether committed by an internal or external party.

At Co-operators engaging directly or indirectly in any form of bribery, kickbacks, account falsification, false claims, misrepresenting the eligibility of discounts and rating factors in writing insurance policies, evasion of company guidelines and policies for personal gain, or any other fraudulent or corrupt business practices in strictly prohibited.

At Co-operators, we all have a responsibility to help prevent financial crime, such as money laundering, or violating trade or economic sanctions.

Co-operators strives to maintain the confidence of clients and vendors when acquiring goods and services. To achieve this goal, we conduct procurement activities in an open, fair and transparent manner.

Acting with integrity in our communities

We have built a reputation in our communities for doing things the right way.

Fair treatment of customers

We’re committed to the fair treatment of our customers and clients. This responsibility is embedded in our organization’s co-operative values, culture and ethics.

Social media and external communications

At Co-operators, everyone is expected to act responsibly when using both personal and professional social media accounts.

Sustainability and citizenship

Sustainability is a vital piece of who we are, how we work and what we deliver. It’s embedded within our strategic plans and long-term goals, and it helps to differentiate us in the marketplace and attract, engage and retain individuals.

Political involvement

Communication with public officials on behalf of Co-operators must be reported to protect the trust and reputation of the organization and comply with applicable lobbying laws.

How to report a concern

Speaking up as a client

At Co-operators, we’re committed to providing the best possible client experience. If you have a concern about one of our products or the service you have received, we want to hear from you. To get started, visit our Concerns and Complaints page. If you suspect you’ve been a victim of fraud, we encourage you to report it. You don’t need to be 100% certain to say anything. Even if your report is based on reasonable suspicion, we’ll investigate and get to the bottom of it. To report fraud, visit our fraud prevention page.

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