Legal

Complaint-Handling Information

Centerpointe Financials takes concerns and complaints seriously. This page explains how to submit a complaint, what happens next, and when external regulators or ombudservices may apply.

Our Commitment

Centerpointe Financials is committed to treating clients and members of the public fairly, respectfully and professionally.

We take concerns and complaints seriously. A complaint gives us an opportunity to understand what happened, address issues within our responsibility and improve how we communicate and provide services.

You have the right to raise a concern without intimidation, retaliation or unnecessary barriers.

There is no fee to submit a complaint to Centerpointe Financials.

1. What Is a Complaint?

A complaint is an expression of dissatisfaction about a product, service, recommendation, representative, communication or experience where you expect a response or resolution.

A complaint may relate to:

  • Financial-planning services
  • Investment products or services
  • Life or health insurance
  • Disability or critical illness insurance
  • Home, auto, travel or business insurance
  • Employee or group benefits
  • Fees, charges or compensation
  • Product suitability
  • Advice or recommendations
  • Policy or account administration
  • Delays or service quality
  • Disclosure of important information
  • Unauthorized or disputed activity
  • Conduct of a representative
  • Conflicts of interest
  • Privacy or confidentiality
  • Accessibility
  • Website information
  • Marketing or electronic communications
  • An assessment, calculator or online tool

You do not need to use the word “complaint” for your concern to be treated as one.

2. Start by Contacting Us

Many concerns can be resolved quickly by speaking with the Centerpointe representative or team member involved.

You may submit your complaint through any of the following methods.

By email

Email: info@centerpointefinancials.com

By telephone

Telephone: (613) 400-2952

By mail

Complaint Officer

Centerpointe Financial Center Inc.

Carrying on business as Centerpointe Financials

84 Centrepointe Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K2G 6B1

Canada

Through our website

Use our Contact Us page to send a written message. Please mark the subject or message as a complaint so it can be directed appropriately.

If your complaint involves the person who normally handles your account, you may contact the Complaint Officer directly using the email, telephone or mailing details above.

3. Information to Include

Providing clear information can help us understand and investigate your complaint.

Where applicable, please include:

  • Your full name
  • Your preferred contact information
  • The name of the representative involved
  • The product, policy or account involved
  • The insurance company, investment dealer or other provider
  • Your policy or account reference number
  • The date or period when the issue occurred
  • A description of what happened
  • Why you are dissatisfied
  • The resolution you are seeking
  • Copies of relevant emails, statements, applications, illustrations, contracts or other records

Please send copies rather than original documents.

Do not send passwords, online banking credentials or unnecessary medical information through ordinary email.

If sensitive information is required, ask us for an approved secure submission method.

4. If You Need Help Making a Complaint

You may ask us to help document your complaint.

We will take reasonable steps to accommodate disability-related, language, literacy or communication needs.

You may also authorize another person to assist you or communicate on your behalf. We may require written authorization before discussing confidential information with that person.

Accessible formats and communication supports are available upon request.

5. What Happens After We Receive Your Complaint?

Step 1: We acknowledge it

We aim to acknowledge your complaint within five business days.

The acknowledgement may include:

  • The date the complaint was received
  • The name or position of the person handling it
  • Any additional information required
  • The expected next steps
  • Applicable response timelines
  • Information about the responsible insurer, dealer or affiliated entity

The final timeline must follow any stricter requirement imposed by the relevant regulator, dealer, insurer, credentialing body or applicable law.

Step 2: We identify the responsible organization

Centerpointe may not be the legal entity responsible for every product or service appearing on the Website.

Depending on the complaint, responsibility may rest with:

  • Centerpointe Financials
  • An individual representative
  • An insurance agency or brokerage
  • An insurance company
  • An investment dealer
  • A mutual fund dealer
  • A managing general agency
  • A benefits provider
  • A credentialing body
  • A third-party technology or service provider

We will explain where the complaint must be handled and, where permitted, help direct or forward it to the appropriate organization.

Step 3: The complaint is reviewed

The person reviewing the complaint may examine relevant records, speak with the people involved, request additional information, review applicable contracts and disclosures, consult compliance or supervisory personnel, contact an insurer, dealer or provider, and consider applicable policies, rules and legislation.

A person whose conduct is the subject of a complaint should not be solely responsible for deciding its outcome.

Step 4: You receive a response

Where Centerpointe is responsible for the investigation, our written response will normally explain our understanding of the complaint, the information considered, the outcome of the review, the reasons for the decision, any corrective or resolution action, and available escalation options.

If additional time is required, we will provide an update explaining the delay and, where possible, an expected response date.

6. Urgent Instructions and Insurance Claims

The complaint process should not be used for urgent transactional instructions.

Do not rely on a complaint submission to:

  • Place insurance coverage into effect
  • Report an urgent insurance claim
  • Cancel or replace a policy
  • Stop an investment transaction
  • Submit a time-sensitive trade instruction
  • Change a beneficiary
  • Transfer or withdraw funds
  • Meet a legal, tax or contractual deadline
  • Report immediate fraud or account compromise

For an urgent matter, contact the applicable insurer, dealer, financial institution, emergency service or representative using its designated process.

Submitting a complaint does not extend a claim, appeal, legal or regulatory deadline.

7. Insurance Complaints — Life and Health

Life and health insurance may include:

  • Life insurance
  • Critical illness insurance
  • Disability insurance
  • Health and dental insurance
  • Certain travel insurance
  • Annuities
  • Segregated funds
  • Employee health-benefit products

If your complaint concerns a life or health insurance policy, claim, underwriting decision, premium or insurer’s administration:

  1. Contact Centerpointe or the representative involved.
  2. Follow the insurance company’s internal complaint process.
  3. Ask the insurance company for its final position in writing.
  4. If you remain dissatisfied, consider the external options identified in the final position letter.

Applicable insurance company: See your policy documents for the name of the issuing insurer and its complaint-handling contact information.

Insurance complaint officer: Use the contact details provided by your insurer or in your policy materials.

Centerpointe’s insurance agency or MGA: Where applicable, ask your representative to confirm the agency, brokerage or managing general agency involved. Individuals associated with Centerpointe may also be associated with World Financial Group Insurance Agency, LLC / World Financial Group, Inc. (see our Legal Documents for the full affiliation statement).

7b. OmbudService for Life and Health Insurance

The OmbudService for Life and Health Insurance, known as OLHI, provides a free and impartial review of eligible complaints involving member life and health insurers.

You may generally approach OLHI after receiving the insurer’s final position or if the insurer has not responded within the applicable period.

Website: https://olhi-oap.ca

Telephone: 1-888-295-8112

OLHI is independent from Centerpointe Financials.

7c. Insurance Complaints — Home, Auto and Business

If your complaint concerns home, auto, commercial property or other property and casualty insurance:

  1. Contact Centerpointe, the broker or agent involved.
  2. Follow the insurance company’s internal complaint process.
  3. Request the insurer’s final position letter.
  4. If you remain dissatisfied, review the external options identified by the insurer.

Applicable insurance company: See your policy documents.

Brokerage or agency: Ask your representative to confirm the brokerage or agency that placed the coverage, and use the insurer’s complaint process identified in your policy materials.

7d. General Insurance OmbudService

The General Insurance OmbudService, known as GIO, provides free and impartial dispute-resolution services for eligible complaints involving home, auto and business insurers that participate in its service.

You must generally attempt to resolve the complaint with the insurer and receive its final position before GIO reviews the matter.

Website: https://giocanada.org

Telephone: 1-877-225-0446

GIO is independent from Centerpointe Financials.

8. Investment Complaints

Investment products and accounts may be provided through a separate registered dealer or investment firm.

Centerpointe representative’s investment dealer: Ask your representative to confirm the full legal name of the registered dealer through which any investment account or recommendation is provided. Dealer details also appear on account documents and trade confirmations.

Dealer complaint contact: Use the compliance or complaint contact published by that dealer, or ask us to help identify it.

If your concern involves an investment account, transaction, recommendation, fee or investment representative, you may submit the complaint directly to:

  • The representative
  • The representative’s supervisor or branch manager
  • The dealer’s Compliance Department
  • The Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization

Where the dealer is regulated by the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization, known as CIRO, qualifying complaints are generally acknowledged within five business days, investigated by appropriate supervisory or compliance personnel, and addressed through a substantive written response within 90 calendar days.

If the firm cannot respond within the required period, it should explain the delay and provide an expected response date.

The applicable dealer’s official complaint policy and current regulatory requirements will govern.

8b. Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization

CIRO receives complaints concerning firms and individuals it regulates and may investigate potential regulatory misconduct.

CIRO does not generally award financial compensation.

Website: https://www.ciro.ca/office-investor/how-make-complaint

Telephone: 1-877-442-4322

You may contact CIRO directly without completing Centerpointe’s internal process.

8c. Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments

The Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments, known as OBSI, provides free and independent dispute-resolution services for eligible complaints involving participating investment firms.

For investment complaints, you may generally contact OBSI after receiving the investment firm’s final written response and remaining dissatisfied, or if the investment firm has not provided its substantive response within 90 calendar days.

You generally have 180 calendar days after receiving the investment firm’s final response to submit your complaint to OBSI.

Website: https://www.obsi.ca

Telephone: 1-888-451-4519

TTY: 1-844-358-3442

OBSI is independent from Centerpointe Financials and the investment dealer.

9. Complaints About a Financial Planner or Financial Advisor Title

Ontario regulates the use of the Financial Planner and Financial Advisor titles.

If your complaint concerns the conduct of an individual using one of these protected titles, you may use FSRA’s credential-checking tool to identify the approved credentialing body responsible for that individual.

The complaint may then be submitted to the appropriate credentialing body.

If your concern involves unauthorized use of a protected title, a false claim about an approved credential, an organization falsely representing itself as an approved credentialing body, or potential non-compliance by a credentialing body, you may submit information to the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario.

FSRA website: https://www.fsrao.ca/submit-complaint-fsra

FSRA’s authority and available remedies depend on the subject and nature of the complaint.

10. Complaints to the Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario

FSRA regulates several Ontario financial-services sectors, including insurance and the use of protected Financial Planner and Financial Advisor titles.

For many insurance complaints, FSRA expects the consumer to first complete the insurance company’s internal complaint process and obtain a final position letter.

FSRA may review potential breaches of regulatory requirements, but it does not resolve every contractual dispute or award compensation in every matter.

Website: https://www.fsrao.ca/submit-complaint-fsra

Telephone: 1-800-668-0128

FSRA is independent from Centerpointe Financials.

11. Privacy Complaints

If your complaint concerns the collection, use, disclosure, retention, accuracy or protection of personal information, contact our Privacy Officer.

Privacy Officer: Privacy Officer

Email: info@centerpointefinancials.com

Telephone: (613) 400-2952

Mailing address: 84 Centrepointe Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K2G 6B1

We will handle privacy complaints according to our Privacy Policy and applicable privacy law.

If your privacy concern is not resolved, you may have the right to contact the Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada or another applicable privacy authority.

Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada: https://www.priv.gc.ca

Telephone: 1-800-282-1376

12. Accessibility Complaints

If you experience a barrier involving our Website, documents, communications, appointments, facilities or services, contact:

Accessibility Contact: Accessibility Contact

Email: info@centerpointefinancials.com

Telephone: (613) 400-2952

We will consult with you about an appropriate accessible format, communication support or accommodation.

Accessibility feedback can be provided through an accessible method upon request.

13. Marketing and Electronic Communication Complaints

If your concern involves email, SMS or another marketing communication, you may:

  • Use the unsubscribe link or opt-out instructions in the message
  • Contact us at info@centerpointefinancials.com
  • Ask us to review how your consent or contact information was obtained

Please provide the email address or telephone number that received the communication and, where possible, a copy or screenshot of the message.

Service, transaction, security and legally required communications may continue where permitted or required even after marketing consent is withdrawn.

14. What Centerpointe Can and Cannot Do

Depending on the circumstances, we may be able to:

  • Explain a communication or process
  • Correct an administrative error
  • Update inaccurate information
  • Refer the complaint to the responsible organization
  • Request that a provider review a matter
  • Improve a process or communication
  • Provide a written response
  • Offer another reasonable resolution within our authority

Centerpointe cannot:

  • Change the terms of an insurance policy
  • Guarantee that an insurer will approve a claim
  • Reverse a dealer or provider decision outside our authority
  • Require a regulator or ombudservice to accept a complaint
  • Guarantee financial compensation
  • Provide legal representation
  • Extend limitation periods or filing deadlines
  • Prevent you from pursuing available external remedies

15. Records and Confidentiality

We will maintain complaint information according to applicable legal, regulatory, contractual and record-retention requirements.

Complaint information may be shared with parties who reasonably need it to review or resolve the matter, including:

  • The representative involved
  • Supervisory or compliance personnel
  • An insurer
  • An investment dealer
  • An agency or brokerage
  • A managing general agency
  • A professional advisor
  • A regulator
  • An ombudservice
  • A service provider supporting the investigation

Information will be handled in accordance with applicable privacy requirements and our Privacy Policy.

Absolute confidentiality cannot be promised where disclosure is required to investigate the complaint, comply with law or meet regulatory obligations.

16. Your Rights

Making a complaint does not prevent you from:

  • Contacting a regulator
  • Contacting an ombudservice
  • Obtaining independent legal advice
  • Pursuing a claim through a court or another available process
  • Exercising rights under a policy, contract or applicable law

Internal complaint reviews and external ombudservice processes may not suspend a legal limitation period.

If you are considering legal action or are uncertain about a deadline, obtain independent legal advice promptly.

17. No Retaliation

Centerpointe will not retaliate against anyone for making a complaint in good faith, requesting an accommodation, contacting a regulator or participating in a complaint review.

This does not prevent us from addressing fraudulent, abusive, threatening or unlawful conduct through appropriate measures.

18. Contact the Complaint Officer

Complaint Officer

Centerpointe Financial Center Inc.

Carrying on business as Centerpointe Financials

Email: info@centerpointefinancials.com

Telephone: (613) 400-2952

Mailing address: 84 Centrepointe Drive, Ottawa, Ontario K2G 6B1

Secure complaint form: Until a dedicated secure form is published, use Contact Us and mark your message as a complaint, or ask us for an approved secure submission method for sensitive information.

Business hours: Please call during regular business days (Eastern Time). Emails may be sent at any time and will be reviewed on the next business day where possible.

If you require an accessible format or communication support, please tell us how we can assist you.

Important Notice

This page provides general information about possible complaint routes.

The process that applies to your complaint depends on the product, service, representative, insurer, dealer, agency, credentialing body and jurisdiction involved.

If an applicable insurer, dealer, regulator or law imposes a different complaint process or timeline, that process or timeline will govern.