Notice to the Profession: Bereavement Authority of Ontario names Jim Cassimatis as CEO/Registrar

Jim Cassimatis has served as Interim Chief Executive Officer and Registrar of the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) since December 2022.

The BAO Board of Directors is pleased to announce that he will continue in the same role on a full and substantive basis, effective Feb. 16, 2024.

His confirmation to the position followed an extensive six-month, national search led by a special committee of the Board of Directors. He was selected following the thorough vetting process of more than 70 original applicants.

“The Board of Directors is thrilled to see Jim Cassimatis’ continuance as Chief Executive Officer and Registrar confirmed,” says Leith Coghlin, Chair of the BAO Board of Directors.

Coghlin adds, “Jim’s experience in government and his steady and thoughtful leadership over the past year were well-received by consumer interests and our regulated sectors.”

Jim Cassimatis says, “I’m delighted by this news of course. I thank the board for its due diligence and commitment to its responsibility in the search process. It will continue to be my pleasure to work with the board on constantly improving our information and protection services for grieving families, who are the consumers of the bereavement sector. I also look forward to leading and collaborating with our dedicated hard-working staff, who are responsible for the achievement of many goals of the BAO during the last year in particular.”

Cassimatis adds, “The professionals we license have been a key part of our achievements as they continue to consistently comply with regulations and the law, with many telling me that they appreciate our attention to the tiny minority of licensees who require greater scrutiny on behalf of families across Ontario.”  

About Jim  

Jim Cassimatis joined the BAO in 2021 as its Director of Operations following a 32-year career with the Ontario Public Service. He was an Assistant Deputy Minister for the last nine years in a variety of roles and ministries. A collaborative and solutions-oriented leader, he has a track record of building capacity and growing staff in the organizations he has led. He has had roles in finance, infrastructure and information technology planning, policy development and analysis, consumer protection, communications and client operations. Cassimatis has an Honours B.A. in Public Policy and Administration from York University and a Master of Public Administration from Dalhousie University. 

About the BAO 

The Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) is a government delegated authority and not-for-profit corporation administering provisions of the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002 (FBCSA) on behalf of the Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery. Responsible for protection of the public interest, the BAO regulates, ensures compliance with the law, provides resources and services to licensed:

• Funeral establishment operators, directors and preplanners;
• Cemetery, crematorium and alternative disposition operators;
• Transfer service operators; and
• Bereavement sector sales representatives across Ontario.

The BAO is funded via licensing fees paid by regulated professionals and establishments in Ontario’s bereavement industries. The BAO does not receive funding from the Government of Ontario or its 444 municipalities for its operations.

Media contact

For more information contact:
David.Brazeau@thebao.ca
Manager, Communications