BMT Insurance initiates legal action against Peter Politis

Timmins-based insurance broker claims that Mayor of Cochrane's comments to media have damaged the reputation of the company, its president of the company, and the manager of its Cochrane office.

TIMMINS, ON, Dec. 8, 2015 /CNW/ - BMT Insurance Brokers Limited (BMT Insurance) today served a Statement of Claim on Peter Politis, the Mayor of Cochrane, Ontario. The legal action is based on Mr. Politis's statements to the Cochrane Times Post on November 19, 2015, in which the Mayor of Cochrane made accusations of impropriety by BMT Insurance employee, Rheal Cousineau, and BMT Insurance as a company and an insurance broker. Rheal Cousineau manages the BMT Insurance office in Cochrane. The insurance brokerage, whose head office is in Timmins, was recently awarded a one-year contract to provide and service the Town of Cochrane's insurance needs. The Town of Cochrane selected BMT Insurance through a competitive request-for-proposal process (RFP). Town Council approved BMT Insurance's selection by a vote of six to one, with Politis casting the sole negative vote.

"We regret having to take this action against Mayor Politis," said Joel Bergeron, President, BMT Insurance. "We've asked him to publicly apologize for the false allegations he has made, repeatedly, both in council meetings and now in the media. He has not responded to our request. We have no choice but pursue this action as his comments have damaged the reputation of our company and our highly regarded employees."

The plaintiffs, BMT Insurance, Joel Bergeron, and Rheal Cousineau are seeking general damages of $500,000 each for harm to reputation and punitive damages of $200,000 each, as well as special damages in an amount to be determined for loss of business and economic harm, pre-and post-judgement interest, and the costs of their action.

Bergeron said, "We remain committed to supporting the Town of Cochrane as well as the community. For over 20 years, we have served the Town and provided it with the highest standards of service at the best possible price. Our actions in regard to Mayor Politis will not affect this commitment. However, we cannot allow Mr. Politis to use his platform as Mayor of Cochrane to slander our reputation and that of Mr. Cousineau."

BMT Insurance operates seven offices in Ontario, including Cochrane, Timmins, Porcupine, Smooth Rock Falls, Peterborough, Grand River (Oshweken), and Mississauga.

SOURCE BMT Insurance

Joel Bergeron, CIP, President, BMT Insurance Brokers Limited, Tel. [phone], [email protected]