Dave Patriarche founded Mainstay Insurance Brokerage in 1996 as a one-person shop
specializing in providing employee benefits to small and mid-sized businesses in the Greater Toronto Area. Mainstay has grown substantially and now has clients across the country, including Canadian subsidiaries of U.S. based organizations. Dave only accepts one or two new clients each year and upon referral only. This ensures that he has aligned and educated client partnerships that get the level of attention they deserve.
Dave is a strong believer in continuing education and recognized the need for the group insurance industry to broaden its efforts in this area. In 2003 he started a small networking group, which evolved into regular breakfast meetings across the GTA, then into regular educational seminars beginning in 2009.
In 2011 he founded CGIB, the Canadian Group Insurance Brokers, an organization dedicated to supporting networking and continuing education for the group insurance industry. He is an accomplished speaker both with CGIB and at other industry events across the country. Check out his typical survey results. Dave has worked “behind the scenes” acting as an expert witness in cases involving employee benefits (CV here) and is often chosen as the "go-to" expert for others in the business. Never one to leave things "as they were", Dave works tirelessly to improve the industry for advisors our clients alike. Recent examples include the protection of women returning from Maternity Leave, protecting employers in regards to LTD NEM increases, and helping to end the misguided G19 Guideline started by insurers. These are profound changes unlike anything seen in the industry in decades. Dave works with a number of advisors, TPA's and insurance companies to create or improve on product offerings for the SME market. One industry changing plan is the transparent and FULLY pooled hybrid plan created with Benefits By Design (a national TPA) designed to provide employer rate stability and employee flexibility. In December 2024 Dave was invited to be a member of the FSRA Technical Advisory Committee on Insurer Oversight of Managing General Agencies (MGAs). After much discussion and feedback, FSRA decided not to proceed with the June 1, 2026 implementation date (ADVOCIS post here). There is still GOOD work to be done here, but this ill thought out response seems to be shelved...at least for the moment. He continues to work with benefit advisors across the country, helping protect them and their clients when they run into difficult cases.
For more information on how his consulting and speaking services, Click HERE.
For photos/headshots try: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
A graduate of Seth Godin's altMBA14 program (October 2017). Dave joined an online, worldwide, workshop that brings together people of all ages, from a variety of backgrounds and experiences to "level up", produce and just "ship it". A great opportunity to expand networks, continue lifelong learning and with projects shipped every 48 hours, it may have been one of his toughest challenges yet.
I truly appreciate you coming to Windsor and presenting to my brokers at our Partner Forum. The feedback I’m receiving about your presentation is incredible!
Many Advisors don’t often get the opportunity to attend seminars that are held in Toronto as they are just too far away. The fact that you could bring it to them was amazing.
I look forward to supporting you, the CGIB and your seminars on an on-going basis.
Lindsay Gibson Regional Director, SW Ontario, BBD
Dave is pleased to work with Jason Watt of Business Career College to produce a quarterly podcast of all things benefit related. Together they will interview benefit advisors and those that work in the space including; insurers, TPA's, PBM's, pharmaceutical companies and anyone who plays an important role in group insurance plans.
Dave joins Howard Kettner, of BenefitsGenius.ca
, in a series of Employee Benefits Podcasts geared to brokers that want to specialize and grow their business. We talk on topics such as; choosing, obtaining, protecting and maintaining the best clients, understanding the difference between the price and cost of benefits, mentoring, and much, more.
You can listen to more of Dave's podcasts and webinars where he's featured HERE
A graduate of Seth Godin's altMBA14 program (October 2017). Dave joined an online, worldwide, workshop that brings together people of all ages, from a variety of backgrounds and experiences to "level up", produce and just "ship it". A great opportunity to expand networks, continue lifelong learning and with projects shipped every 48 hours, it may have been one of his toughest challenges yet.
Speaking on Benefits
Dave has a passion for his clients, employee benefits, and the group insurance industry as a whole. He is available to speak on a variety of topics to groups of any size from the boardroom to the ballroom. Target audiences include: insurers, TPA’s, GMGA’s, associations, the pharmaceutical industry, brokers, small and mid-sized business owners, lawyers, human resource professionals, and any others who might benefit from his message. He has spoken to a variety of audiences at events including: The 2022 Advocis Banff School (photo above), Business Career College, The Okanagan Advocis School, Atlantic Advocis School, Winnipeg Advocis Group Day, Conference for Advanced Life Underwriting (CALU), Canada Sales Congress (CSC), Group Insurance & Pharmaceutical Committee (GIPC), Arete Group Insurance Advisor Conference (AGIAC), Canadian Group Insurance Brokers (CGIB), the Canadian Pension and Benefits (CPBI) Forums (presentation), CPBI Northern Alberta, BenefitsGenius.ca events, Ontario and Prairie Region Chambers of Commerce, and a variety of insurer, GMGA and TPA broker groups from Vancouver to St. John’s.
Dave's most requested and repeated talk is the "Building and Using a Plan Administration Check List". This has been presented to thousands of benefit focused advisors across the country, with many of them using the content to add professionalism, grow their practice/business, all while reducing the liability on both their clients and themselves. If you have not attend one of these sessions, reach out for details (in Toronto and Vancouver in 2023), or have him perform for your group.
https://youtu.be/6G789YATOhA
Dave’s most requested and repeated talk is the “Building and Using a Plan Administration Check List”. This has been presented to thousands of benefit focused advisors across the country, with many of them using the content to add professionalism, grow their practice/business, all while reducing the liability on both their clients and themselves. If you have not attend one of these sessions, reach out for details (in Toronto and Vancouver in 2023), or have him perform for your group.
Looking for a menu of the topics Dave has spoken on? CLICK HERE.
Interested in having Dave present at your event, call for pricing and availability 1-877-624-6789 or dave@mainstayinsurance.ca.
Dave's first BIG adv
enture was a Heavy Weather Passage (HWP) with his good friend John Kretschmer from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, direct to Marigot, St. Martin in November 2014. It took 267 hours of non-stop sailing and covered 1,732 nautical miles. The name HWP was accurate as we hit the end of the bad weather created by Hurricane Patricia (de-powered after crossing Mexico) and as a result had no time to make landfall in Bermuda. A soggy voyage that held me back before doing another.
Dave's next big adventure (February 2019) was a more sedate “Atlantic Crossing” (w/ John again) from Cape Verde to Martinique. A trip of over 4,210 km (2,273 nautical miles).
We chartered a Lagoon 38' Catamaran to sail the Aeolian Islands off the northeast coast of Sicily in May 2022. Together with some friends we travelled these volcano based islands, enjoy tons of great food and a glass (read as bottles) of Italian red here and there.
Dave and Captain Jo finished a lap around the Abaco Sea with some friends in Feb. 2025. Sailing out of Marsh Harbour we hopped from cay to cay in some very shallow and protected waters. Sea turtles and Dolphins abounded, but the damage from Hurricane Dorian was still very apparent.
Dave and Captain and some friends had a one week sail (March 2025) around the Whitsunday Islands of Australia. This was a 40+ year dream for Captain Dave after seeing photos of Hills Inlet and Whitehaven beach (rated the best in the world). It did not disappoint and a highlight was being one of only 2 boats to overnight on this beautiful beach.
Interested in learning more about Dave’s passion for sailing?
Sailing the Dalmatian Cost of Croatia
Atlantic Heavy Weather Passage
Sailing the Canals of France
Crossing the Atlantic Ocean
INSURANCE
specializing in providing employee benefits to small and mid-sized businesses in the Greater Toronto Area. Mainstay has grown substantially and now has clients across the country, including Canadian subsidiaries of U.S. based organizations. Dave only accepts one or two new clients each year and upon referral only. This ensures that he has aligned and educated client partnerships that get the level of attention they deserve.
Dave is a strong believer in continuing education and recognized the need for the group insurance industry to broaden its efforts in this area. In 2003 he started a small networking group, which evolved into regular breakfast meetings across the GTA, then into regular educational seminars beginning in 2009.
In 2011 he founded CGIB, the Canadian Group Insurance Brokers, an organization dedicated to supporting networking and continuing education for the group insurance industry. He is an accomplished speaker both with CGIB and at other industry events across the country. Check out his typical survey results. Dave has worked “behind the scenes” acting as an expert witness in cases involving employee benefits (CV here) and is often chosen as the "go-to" expert for others in the business. Never one to leave things "as they were", Dave works tirelessly to improve the industry for advisors our clients alike. Recent examples include the protection of women returning from Maternity Leave, protecting employers in regards to LTD NEM increases, and helping to end the misguided G19 Guideline started by insurers. These are profound changes unlike anything seen in the industry in decades. Dave works with a number of advisors, TPA's and insurance companies to create or improve on product offerings for the SME market. One industry changing plan is the transparent and FULLY pooled hybrid plan created with Benefits By Design (a national TPA) designed to provide employer rate stability and employee flexibility. In December 2024 Dave was invited to be a member of the FSRA Technical Advisory Committee on Insurer Oversight of Managing General Agencies (MGAs). After much discussion and feedback, FSRA decided not to proceed with the June 1, 2026 implementation date (ADVOCIS post here). There is still GOOD work to be done here, but this ill thought out response seems to be shelved...at least for the moment. He continues to work with benefit advisors across the country, helping protect them and their clients when they run into difficult cases.
For more information on how his consulting and speaking services, Click HERE.
For photos/headshots try: 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
"I’ve never met Dave, but wow, he certainly garners my respect. He comes at benefits with an almost life and death seriousness – much like a surgeon. He carries about him a sense that there is a WEIGHT on his shoulders – and that weight is the responsibility of providing advice on something that can ACTUALLY make or break a business – AND, advice that, for the employees themselves, can actually make the difference between life and death. Like the surgeon, he knows there are consequences when he makes a recommendation – and that the patient needs to know AND UNDERSTAND all the potential outcomes before making these important decisions. There is nothing about him that comes across as “sales guy”, like many brokers do – he comes across not only as a subject expert; he comes across as the type of serious professional a business owner would want to have in his corner – much like his accountant and his lawyer.... If I were to envision how I WANT our clients to view me – and our team – it is with the same no-nonsense, this is not a hobby or a money-maker for me, image that Dave portrays. He exudes expertise, trustworthiness, and a genuine CONCERN for his clients (and for the industry)."Kathryn Ritter, Benefits Advisor, Vancouver BC
A graduate of Seth Godin's altMBA14 program (October 2017). Dave joined an online, worldwide, workshop that brings together people of all ages, from a variety of backgrounds and experiences to "level up", produce and just "ship it". A great opportunity to expand networks, continue lifelong learning and with projects shipped every 48 hours, it may have been one of his toughest challenges yet.
Selling Benefits is a best seller and is available in soft, hardcover and e-book versions
- How to establish lifelong relationships no one will be able to break.
- Lessons to help strengthen client partnerships
- How to build client loyalty that won't be compromised
- Ways of using storytelling to make business lessons stick.
Articles
Dave is recognized as a leader in the group benefits industry and is a contributor to various industry publications. He mentors and acts as an informal resource to other benefit brokers, especially those new to the benefits field. He participates in industry think tank groups and panels such as; the Benefits Advisors’ Drug Plan Outlook, National Pharmaceutical Advisory Boards, the Canadian Leadership Council on Drug Plan Partnerships, MAPOL & H3 Consulting panels, and has been featured in the PDCI Market Access Insights magazine. He was also been a member of the Sanofi Canada Healthcare Survey Advisory Board from 2015 to 2020, and participated in Health Canadas roundtable on National Strategy for Drugs for Rare Diseases. You can view some of his recent articles and interviews on the site HERE.
I truly appreciate you coming to Windsor and presenting to my brokers at our Partner Forum. The feedback I’m receiving about your presentation is incredible!
Many Advisors don’t often get the opportunity to attend seminars that are held in Toronto as they are just too far away. The fact that you could bring it to them was amazing.
I look forward to supporting you, the CGIB and your seminars on an on-going basis.
Lindsay Gibson Regional Director, SW Ontario, BBD
Employee Benefits Podcasts
Dave is pleased to work with Jason Watt of Business Career College to produce a quarterly podcast of all things benefit related. Together they will interview benefit advisors and those that work in the space including; insurers, TPA's, PBM's, pharmaceutical companies and anyone who plays an important role in group insurance plans.
Dave joins Howard Kettner, of BenefitsGenius.ca, in a series of Employee Benefits Podcasts geared to brokers that want to specialize and grow their business. We talk on topics such as; choosing, obtaining, protecting and maintaining the best clients, understanding the difference between the price and cost of benefits, mentoring, and much, more.
You can listen to more of Dave's podcasts and webinars where he's featured HERE
A graduate of Seth Godin's altMBA14 program (October 2017). Dave joined an online, worldwide, workshop that brings together people of all ages, from a variety of backgrounds and experiences to "level up", produce and just "ship it". A great opportunity to expand networks, continue lifelong learning and with projects shipped every 48 hours, it may have been one of his toughest challenges yet.
Speaking on Benefits
Dave has a passion for his clients, employee benefits, and the group insurance industry as a whole. He is available to speak on a variety of topics to groups of any size from the boardroom to the ballroom. Target audiences include: insurers, TPA’s, GMGA’s, associations, the pharmaceutical industry, brokers, small and mid-sized business owners, lawyers, human resource professionals, and any others who might benefit from his message. He has spoken to a variety of audiences at events including: The 2022 Advocis Banff School (photo above), Business Career College, The Okanagan Advocis School, Atlantic Advocis School, Winnipeg Advocis Group Day, Conference for Advanced Life Underwriting (CALU), Canada Sales Congress (CSC), Group Insurance & Pharmaceutical Committee (GIPC), Arete Group Insurance Advisor Conference (AGIAC), Canadian Group Insurance Brokers (CGIB), the Canadian Pension and Benefits (CPBI) Forums (presentation), CPBI Northern Alberta, BenefitsGenius.ca events, Ontario and Prairie Region Chambers of Commerce, and a variety of insurer, GMGA and TPA broker groups from Vancouver to St. John’s.
Dave's most requested and repeated talk is the "Building and Using a Plan Administration Check List". This has been presented to thousands of benefit focused advisors across the country, with many of them using the content to add professionalism, grow their practice/business, all while reducing the liability on both their clients and themselves. If you have not attend one of these sessions, reach out for details (in Toronto and Vancouver in 2023), or have him perform for your group.
https://youtu.be/6G789YATOhA
Dave’s most requested and repeated talk is the “Building and Using a Plan Administration Check List”. This has been presented to thousands of benefit focused advisors across the country, with many of them using the content to add professionalism, grow their practice/business, all while reducing the liability on both their clients and themselves. If you have not attend one of these sessions, reach out for details (in Toronto and Vancouver in 2023), or have him perform for your group.
Looking for a menu of the topics Dave has spoken on? CLICK HERE.
Interested in having Dave present at your event, call for pricing and availability 1-877-624-6789 or dave@mainstayinsurance.ca.
Current "In-Person" Speaking Engagement Bookings
2025: April 2 Moncton, April 16 Toronto, May 6 Toronto, June 3 Calgary, June 5 Vancouver, Nov. 5 Toronto 2026: April 1 Toronto, May 6 Toronto, June 2 Calgary, June 4 Vancouver, Oct. 4 Toronto - Available for limited bookings
"The influence you have had on my team, both here in Kingston and Toronto is immense. You have been such a strong supporter of our cause to break the mold of traditional group benefits. Sure we've had some differences, but we always seem to come out of them learning something new, and being more informed going forward. Your superpower is most definitely your ability to bring people together with no pretence or overpowering ego. You have always been a fierce compatriot to both your clients and suppliers. This is such a unique quality that has paid off in spades for you and your business.I often feel that your operation is just an extension of your natural talent and compassion to see others succeed. There does not need to be a "loser" in every negotiation!! You have inspired numerous people within BBD and beyond, for that, I am truly blessed to have met you and had the opportunity to work closely with you."Troy Southward, Managing Partner at Benefits by Design
Community Work
Dave was a supporter of the Yonge Street Mission for over 20 years introducing many clients and industry members to the Evergreen Dinner Program for street youth. He has also worked with street-involved youth in their efforts to find employment and has spoken on a variety of topics including his famous “I am NOT a cop!” session that talks about starting your own business and using existing job opportunities to launch yourself to the next level. You also can find him at York Region blood donor clinics about every 56 days (except when his travels remove eligibility). Offer to tag along and bleed with him, and he'll feed you lunch after! His newest efforts see him helping out at the Children's Breakfast Club in Ashton Meadows Public School. Starting the day off with a good meal is the best aid to learning.Personal (and the "sailing stuff")
Dave spends his spare time with his wife Joanne (VP HR - retired) enjoying Lake Life. Their family consists of their son Matthew (teacher), his wife Kiki (home designer) and their wonderful daughter Scottie (our first Grandchild) as well as Mitchell (finishing his Masters at Cardiff University). He enjoys taking his clients, friends, associates and just about anyone that wants to come along, sailing on Lake Scugog, or on occasion on the Caribbean and Mediterranean seas. Somewhere along the way he fond time to write a book “SELLING BENEFITS- Lessons Learned, Voyages Travelled, Stories Shared”Dave's first BIG adventure was a Heavy Weather Passage (HWP) with his good friend John Kretschmer from Lunenburg, Nova Scotia, direct to Marigot, St. Martin in November 2014. It took 267 hours of non-stop sailing and covered 1,732 nautical miles. The name HWP was accurate as we hit the end of the bad weather created by Hurricane Patricia (de-powered after crossing Mexico) and as a result had no time to make landfall in Bermuda. A soggy voyage that held me back before doing another.
Dave's next big adventure (February 2019) was a more sedate “Atlantic Crossing” (w/ John again) from Cape Verde to Martinique. A trip of over 4,210 km (2,273 nautical miles).
We chartered a Lagoon 38' Catamaran to sail the Aeolian Islands off the northeast coast of Sicily in May 2022. Together with some friends we travelled these volcano based islands, enjoy tons of great food and a glass (read as bottles) of Italian red here and there.
Dave and Captain Jo finished a lap around the Abaco Sea with some friends in Feb. 2025. Sailing out of Marsh Harbour we hopped from cay to cay in some very shallow and protected waters. Sea turtles and Dolphins abounded, but the damage from Hurricane Dorian was still very apparent.
Dave and Captain and some friends had a one week sail (March 2025) around the Whitsunday Islands of Australia. This was a 40+ year dream for Captain Dave after seeing photos of Hills Inlet and Whitehaven beach (rated the best in the world). It did not disappoint and a highlight was being one of only 2 boats to overnight on this beautiful beach.
Interested in learning more about Dave’s passion for sailing?
Sailing the Dalmatian Cost of Croatia
Atlantic Heavy Weather Passage
Sailing the Canals of France
Crossing the Atlantic Ocean
Research Says Boating Improves YOU! DJP Sailing Resume
INSURANCE