Paul Bourque is president and CEO of the Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC), the voice of Canada’s investment fund managers and distributors. IFIC provides a forum for the industry and policy-makers to work together to foster integrity and investor confidence.
Advisors play an important role in enhancing resiliency
The best solution to the complex transition may be flexibility
The delivery of policy shouldn’t be a last step
Consistency would provide clarity to investors
Industry action will help provide clarity to investors
A collaborative approach with realistic timelines would help reduce strain on firms
The funds proved their resilience during the global pandemic
Research points to continued commitment to saving
The industry supports legislative changes made by the provinces, but there is still work to be done
Improving the CSA makes more sense than trying to create another national regulator
This emerging model requires investment in integrated tech
Tech can help protect firms and advisors against two key risks
Tech adoption isn’t optional given client expectations and trends
Leverage digital momentum to capitalize on trends
A client example illustrates the importance of currency calculations
Use these tips to start the conversation
Proactively share these details with clients
Owing CRA money will soon be more expensive
Advisors play an important role in enhancing resiliency
The best solution to the complex transition may be flexibility
The delivery of policy shouldn’t be a last step
Consistency would provide clarity to investors
A new approach is needed to replace failed government programs
Regulators require internal compliance expertise
Advisors and firms are well positioned to instil investor confidence
Taxpayer incentives, pension fund mandates are options worth exploring
As a constellation of social risks emerge, research points to opportunities for investors
The province is granting mining claims to battery mineral exploration in conservation zones
Supportive market forces outweigh growing pains
Although highly divisive among investors, nuclear represents an important transition fuel
Teach clients to meet you halfway — here’s how
Advisors must show that clients understood an investment and its risks
Advisors ignore this important know-your-client item to their detriment
Fulfil your KYC obligations without infringing on client privacy
Regulation can help firms and advisors deliver better client outcomes
TCR is coming for investment and seg funds
Support a maturing demographic by adapting to changing needs
Use these tips to meet their expectations
Realizing technology’s full potential for the profession requires a thoughtful, proactive approach
It’s time to talk about attracting new talent to the profession
Diversity, equity and inclusion are essential to enhancing access to financial planning
With minimum standards in place for use of “financial planner” in Ontario, it’s time for other provinces to act
Get the inside scoop, from fund features to volatility and risk
Volatility is stressful but not novel, and ETFs can work in a jarring investing climate
An enhanced Canadian ESG identification framework is advancing on a foundation of international and domestic norms
The CFRs are really about formalizing and documenting processes to prove they’re followed
If we want to serve our clients’ children, we must be comfortable teaching the basics of investing
Long-term conviction is often required if these strategies are to pay off over time
The funds are versatile enough to bolster both education accounts and post-graduation accounts
Simple investment options can help clients overcome resistance to working on their finances
Identify companies that understand the difference
Help clients identify companies with meaningful purpose
The increase in ESG reporting hasn’t been accompanied by improvements to society and the environment
The communities most affected by changing climatic conditions are the least likely to be invited to participate in discussions
Services include addressing investor requirements and mitigating compliance risk
Alain Brisebois of CWP Energy discusses these often-misunderstood products
Erika Toth of BMO Global Asset Management shares her thoughts on the ETF landscape
Vincent Beaulieu of Fiera Capital discusses his firm’s approach to ESG analysis
In his final column, Cary List shares his thoughts on the future of financial planning
The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada’s renewed national strategy for financial literacy can help Canadians focus on the future
Financial planners can play a key role in rebuilding Canadians’ confidence
A new regulatory framework, years in the making, is an opportunity for Ontario to be a model for other provinces
Financial planners and financial advisors need to understand millennials’ preferences to gain their trust and business
Financial advisors can build deeper connections with clients by using active listening skills
Financial advisors should be aware of how to identify and engage effectively with vulnerable clients
Financial planners and advisors should be aware that the act may go beyond title protection
The insurance industry is taking a page from the mutual fund industry, leveraging technology to address mounting disclosure regulations
AI is slowly making its way into the wealth-management industry and will ultimately transform financial advisors’ role
Blockchain technology may transform financial services just as peer-to-peer file-sharing technology changed the music industry almost 20 years ago
Far from replacing interaction with real people, technology strengthens the financial advisor’s client service
Read and follow your firm’s guidelines on social media use and take the necessary steps to protect yourself
Although it’s costly to upgrade key IT systems, the costs of not doing so could be much greater
Hacktivism, ideological insiders and intelligence gathering are key sources of cyberattacks threating financial services firms
Now is the time to adopt a concerted cloud migration strategy because the security challenges associated with this technology will be on our radar screens…
Advisors and their clients stand to benefit when corporate leaders focus on building socially and environmentally responsible enterprises
A growing base of investors are looking for investments that contribute measurably to environmental and social sustainability
Corporate boards and executive teams that lack gender and cultural diversity risk missing out on opportunities to generate long-term value
You can play an active role in ensuring company executives and directors are working in the best interests of their shareholders
Those still timorous and uncertain about introducing a best interest duty have a duty, themselves, to become decisive
Every company can calculate non-GAAP metrics however they want, so there’s real risk of investors and markets being misled
Overcautious courts are erecting barriers to securities class actions, even though these lawsuits are essential for maintaining the integrity and fairness of our capital markets
Data show that investors routinely receive, or are at risk of receiving, seriously bad disclosure from reporting issuers more than a quarter of the time
Two key issues — the best-interests standard and reform of mutual fund fees — require timely and effective action
FAIR Canada supports exemptions that have the key features of rights offerings or private placements in compliance with the TSXV’s private placement rules
Current regulations assume that an investor’s wealth is a proxy for sophistication. This has to change
Paying fees for financial advice separately from those of financial products would result in price competition and better advice