Our company history

160+ Years of Resilience and Growth

Explore key moments in Sunlife’s history and step inside our Canadian Headquarters at 227 King Street in Waterloo, Ontario. From our founding in Montreal to major milestones across generations, this page brings together the people, places and progress that have helped shape Sunlife over time. As we strive to fulfill our ambition – to be the best asset management and insurance company in the world – our history is a reminder of our record for supporting Clients through all types of uncertainty.

Our Purpose

Sunlife was built on long-term promises to Clients. From our earliest days over 160 years ago, we’ve focused on helping people protect what matters, plan for the future, and navigate change with confidence, care, and accountability. Today, that commitment continues to guide us through our Purpose: helping Clients build lifetime financial security and lead healthier lives.

Message from the CEO

Message from the CEO

Watch time: 1 minute 18 seconds

Our President and CEO Kevin Strain reflects on the history, values, resilience and unwavering sense of Purpose that continue to guide Sunlife today.

[Visual] Sunlife logo

[Music]

Kevin Strain: Hello. I’m Kevin Strain, President and CEO of Sunlife.

[Text on screen] Kevin Strain, President and CEO, Sunlife

Kevin Strain: I’m pleased to invite you to experience something truly special...a virtual tour of Sunlife’s historic offices in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. This is where I started my career here at Sunlife.

This remarkable building has played a major role in Sunlife’s story for more than 110 years, contributing to our 160 year legacy.

Within these walls, generations of dedicated Employees have shaped our future.

[Text on screen] Helping Clients achieve lifetime financial security and live healthier lives

Kevin Strain: Throughout this virtual tour you’ll move through beautifully preserved spaces, explore interesting artifacts, and learn more about some of the moments that have defined Sunlife’s history.

Did you know that Sunlife is older than Canada itself? Or that as far back as the 1800s, we were already expanding into Asia? And shortly after that we expanded into the U.S.

These are just a few of the milestones you’ll uncover along the way.

Whether you’re passionate about history, a long-time Client, or someone who appreciates architecture, this virtual tour offers a behind-the-scenes look at Sunlife’s enduring legacy and the core values that continue to inspire us today.

I hope you enjoy the tour and the history it celebrates.

[Visual] Sunlife logo

Sunlife Canada’s Historic Waterloo Headquarters

Step inside 227 King Street in Waterloo, Ontario—Sunlife’s Canadian Headquarters and a landmark with deep roots in our story. First completed in 1912 as the home of The Mutual Life Assurance Company of Canada, the building still features original details including marble, wrought iron and preserved historic spaces.

The visual content on this website and virtual tour, including photos and images, is the exclusive property of Sunlife.

Tour Highlights

Browse selected moments from the tour, from the building’s exterior and grand interior spaces to artifacts and stories that are foundational to Sunlife’s more than 160-year history.

Our Canadian HQ

Welcome to 227 King Street in Waterloo, home to Sunlife’s historic Canadian Headquarters. First completed in 1912, this landmark building became part of Sunlife’s story following our 2002 acquisition of Clarica, formerly The Mutual Life Assurance Company of Canada.

Great Hall

Once the centre of daily operations, the 16,000-square-foot Great Hall reflects the scale and evolution of work in 1912. Originally designed with large windows and awnings, the space changed over time as the building expanded. At its entrance, the Cashier’s Department was enclosed by a protective cage, reflecting the volume of cash transactions handled there and the safeguards in place to support employees.

1912 Boardroom

The Boardroom is one of the best-preserved spaces in the building. It reflects the character of the original 1912 head office—and includes one unforgettable story. In 1970, when the boardroom table was expanded, it had to be lifted back into place by crane through a window.

First Female Employee

This photograph from 1895 at Sunlife’s early head office in Old Montreal captures an important milestone in our history: seated in the front row is Kate Andrews, Sunlife’s first female employee. Ms. Andrews began her career with Sunlife on May 11, 1894, in the Policy Department, before she later transferred to the Medical Department.

Early International Expansion

Along the tour through our historic Canadian headquarters, discover Sunlife’s early years through historic artifacts. Mementos from 1891, Sunlife’s first international ventures, include the suitcase of an employee who travelled to Asia with little more than blank applications and a willingness to expand beyond our Canadian origins. These offer a glimpse into the lives of the employees and advisors who helped shape our Company’s foundation.

Milestones

These milestones highlight key moments in Sunlife’s history—from our founding and early innovations to international growth, technology adoption and major company changes over time.

Founded in Montreal in 1865, Sunlife began with a focus on long-term protection, building trust through reliable service and a commitment to honoring policies for generations.

In 1880, Sunlife introduced the world’s first unconditional policy. It removed many traditional restrictions and set the precedent for what later became standard practice globally.

Sunlife's global reach is in our DNA. From the early 1880s onward, Sunlife expanded beyond Canada into new markets around the world, reaching Asia by the early 1890s. That international growth became a defining part of the Company’s story. By 1920, Sunlife had built a significant global footprint, operating in 55 countries, while staying connected to its Canadian roots.

In May 1912, the head office of The Mutual Life Assurance Company of Canada opened in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. Designed by Darling and Pearson, the building remains one of the most important historic sites connected to Sunlife.

The launch of group life insurance in Canada expanded access to protection through the workplace and created new ways to support employees and families.

During the Second World War, Sunlife continued serving Clients through extraordinary disruption while maintaining essential services through uncertain times.

In 1958, Sunlife’s first UNIVAC II mainframe computer was delivered to the then-head office in Montreal (until 1978). It saved thousands of hours of labour and made Sunlife an early technology pioneer.

The acquisition of MFS diversified Sunlife’s capabilities by adding investment expertise to complement insurance offerings and support Client financial security.

Demutualization transitioned Sunlife to a publicly traded company, introducing shareholder ownership, enhanced governance, and expanded reporting requirements—unlocking capital to accelerate investment in the Client experience. This period also coincided with broader transformation across the sector, including Mutual Life’s demutualization to form Clarica, which was subsequently acquired and integrated into Sunlife, making 227 King Street the headquarters of Sunlife Canada.

Since becoming publicly listed, Sunlife has scaled into a leading global asset management and insurance company, with $1.58 trillion in assets under management (as of March 31, 2026) across 28 markets. It has built a diversified investment platform spanning MFS, SLC Management, BGO, and Crescent Capital (now collectively known as GreenOak), while maintaining leading positions in dental, group retirement services, and group savings in Canada and the U.S.

In 2017, Sunlife moved to its new global headquarters at 1 York Street in Toronto, and in 2025, was named the world’s most sustainable insurance company by Corporate Knights. Supported by the largest dedicated life, health and investment services advisor network in Canada, Sunlife continues to expand its reach and Client impact.

Be Part of Our Next Chapter

Explore related information and resources, including share price history and career opportunities, for more on the next chapter we’re writing at Sunlife today.

Share price history

Explore and download historical Sunlife share price data including opening and closing price, high and low price, and trading volume.

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Make a bright career move

At Sunlife, you can do great work with greater purpose. Everyone on our team contributes to helping Clients build lifetime financial security and lead healthier lives.

Explore Careers at Sunlife