I am currently a principal with the company. I will address that.
I am honoured to appear before the committee on behalf of Morneau Sobeco as the committee continues its study related to the administration of the RCMP pension and insurance plans.
First, allow me to provide the committee with some brief background information about Morneau Sobeco and my tenure at the company.
For more than 40 years, Morneau Sobeco has provided integrated human resource solutions for all types of pension, group benefits, and compensation plans for both private and public sector clients. We have grown to become a leader, and have the distinction of being the largest Canadian-based company in our field, with approximately 1,000 employees in 11 offices across Canada and the United States.
I have been proud to be part of the Morneau Sobeco team over the course of two decades. I first joined Morneau Sobeco in 1987 as a student. Following my graduation in actuarial mathematics from Concordia University, I was hired as a full-time employee in 1988. I continued to work for the firm in its pension practice, and was appointed partner in 1997. In September 2003 I left Morneau Sobeco to spend more time with my children; however, I returned in late 2006, on a part-time basis, and in 2007 I assumed my current role of principal. I would also note that I am a fellow of both the Society of Actuaries and the Canadian Institute of Actuaries.
With regard to the matter before the committee, I would like to begin by emphasizing that Morneau Sobeco's client relationship with the RCMP was first established through an extensive competitive and transparent process led by the Department of Public Works and Government Services.
In 2000 Morneau Sobeco was contacted by the RCMP and was requested to provide information about the various types of service models available for the administration of pension plans. This is a normal practice by organizations contemplating outsourcing. Further to that request, Morneau Sobeco provided to the RCMP indicative pricing and other information for service models ranging from partial to full outsourcing.
In 2001 the Department of Public Works and Government Services issued a competitive request for proposal, or RFP, for pension administration services for the RCMP. The RFP indicated the RCMP would be moving towards a full outsourcing model, which is in line with overall market trends among large organizations in Canada. This was one of the most complex RFPs we had ever come across, and required considerable effort on our part to respond.
Following our submission, we were advised that the RFP had been rescinded. When another RFP for this work was issued by PWGSC a short time later, Morneau Sobeco once again submitted a bid. And, in March 2002, PWGSC awarded the pension administration services contract to Morneau Sobeco.
Around the same time, we were approached by the RCMP with questions relating to outsourcing insurance plan administration. And, as before, we were more than happy to provide the RCMP with information on the potential outsourcing models. Sometime following these discussions we were asked to provide insurance plan administration services to the RCMP as a subcontractor to its insurance underwriter, Great-West Life. Morneau Sobeco subsequently entered into a contract with Great-West Life, which came into effect in May 2002.
Since entering the contractual agreements with Public Works and Government Services Canada and Great-West Life, Morneau Sobeco has been committed to providing the highest level of services to RCMP pension and insurance plan members, in accordance with our contractual agreements and service standards. Our fees are flat monthly fees that are commercially reasonable and competitive with market rates. Additional fees are only approved based on contract amendments.
In 2003 we were surprised to learn about the concerns surrounding the management of the RCMP pensions. Since that time, Morneau Sobeco has been committed to working with the RCMP and all oversight bodies to ensure there is a complete and transparent understanding of our relationship with the RCMP and the services we provide.
Morneau Sobeco has carefully examined all of the reported concerns about the management of the RCMP pensions. Following an internal review, I can firmly say that we are satisfied that our company has acted appropriately in all instances and in accordance with the highest standards of our industry.
We continue to proudly serve the RCMP as an important client. Last year we answered 35,000 calls from RCMP plan members, and 77,000 members visited our RCMP branded pension and benefits website.
To the best of our knowledge, our services have been well received by the RCMP and the RCMP plan members, from whom we have received generally positive feedback.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would be pleased to answer any questions from the committee.