Our history – Great-West Life
Canada Life, Great‑West Life and London Life are now together as one company – The Canada Life Assurance Company™.
The Great-West Life Assurance Company
On Jan. 1, 2020 The Great-West Life Assurance Company, London Life Insurance Company, The Canada Life Assurance Company and two holding companies amalgamated. They are now one company – The Canada Life Assurance Company™.
Each of the companies has a vibrant and proud history, having formed more than 125 years ago.
Now together as one company, we look forward to continuing to deliver on our purpose – to improve the financial, physical and mental well-being of Canadians.
View Great-West Life’s history below, or view the history of Canada Life and London Life.
2020
On January 1, 2020, Great-West Life, London Life and Canada life came together to form one company – The Canada Life Assurance Company.
2016
We celebrate 125 years!
2015
Winnipeg employees were treated to a Ferris wheel, carnival games, mini doughnuts and more in honour of United Way! The Winnipeg office achieved an all-time high in contributions to United Way.
2007
The Great-West Life Centre for Mental Health in the Workplace is launched, supporting initiatives and research and developing tools and resources designed to help with the prevention, intervention and management of workplace mental health issues.
2003
Canada Life - the country’s first life insurance company - joins our group of companies.
1997
London Life Insurance Company joins our group of companies - a watershed event in Canada’s life insurance industry.
1983
On May 25, 1983, our new head office in Winnipeg opened its doors. More than 630 employees previously housed in offices on the outskirts are joining their colleagues in the sprawling complex.
1979
The company’s U.S. headquarters open in Denver.
1969
Power Corporation becomes Great-West Life’s significant shareholder.
1962
The company registers the Great-West Life key trademark as its corporate symbol.
1958
The first computer is installed. The IBM 650 is the first of its kind in Western Canada.
1942
Great-West becomes the first Canadian company to enter the accident and health insurance business.
1930
The “Mother and Child” billboard campaign is introduced, becoming one of the company’s most popular.
1920
The first female member of the Hundred Thousand Club, celebrating Great-West agent sales success, was Mrs. I.A. Joness of Form William, Ontario.
1919
Great-West enters the new field of group insurance - one of the first Canadian companies to do so.
1911
The company’s first head office is built in Winnipeg’s Exchange District, on the corner of Rorie St. and Lombard Ave.
1906
The first U.S. office opens in North Dakota.
1897
Great-West Life is now represented in every province across Canada.
1893
The first death claim is submitted in July, for an insured who was killed in a bicycle accident. The $1,000 his wife received reportedly saved her from destitution.
1891
The Great-West Life Assurance Company launches in Winnipeg by founder Jeffry Hall Brock as a western-based alternative to eastern competitors. The company is incorporate on August 2.