McDougall Insurance Brokers Limited has expanded its national presence through a merger with Keyes Insurance Brokerage Limited, marking its first office in Atlantic Canada.
The Halifax-based Keyes Insurance, a family-owned firm with a 45-year history, will join McDougall’s growing network of brokerages across the country. The deal supports McDougall’s ongoing strategy to build a coast-to-coast presence through targeted acquisitions.
Ross McDougall, CEO of McDougall Insurance, said the company has consistently partnered with brokerages that share its values of customer service and community focus. He said Keyes Insurance aligns with this approach and will help extend McDougall’s offerings to clients in Nova Scotia and the Atlantic region.
Shaun Keyes, president of Keyes Insurance, will remain in his role while also leading McDougall’s growth in Atlantic Canada. He said the merger will expand the firm’s expertise in commercial insurance, including construction, real estate, and manufacturing. The partnership will also introduce additional services such as risk management and specialty underwriting, while increasing market access for clients.
The Keyes acquisition follows a series of recent deals by McDougall. Earlier this month, the company merged with Duliban Insurance Brokers Limited and its sister firm, Duliban Life & Benefits Inc., extending its footprint across Ontario’s Niagara and Haldimand regions.
The Duliban brand remains in place, operating as a divisional brokerage within McDougall. Jason Duliban, Principal Broker, has joined McDougall’s national leadership team.
In May, McDougall acquired Active Insurance & Financial Group Inc. in Etobicoke, Ontario, strengthening its presence in the Greater Toronto Area. In late 2024, the company also integrated Cornell Insurance Brokers Ltd., based in Markham, into its operations.
These acquisitions are part of a broader growth strategy that has accelerated since Definity Financial Corporation increased its ownership stake in McDougall to 75% in 2022. Since then, McDougall has expanded to more than 60 offices and now manages over $900 million in property and casualty premiums.
