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hands holding planet

Would an ESG safe harbour help our capital markets weather any new storms?

Issuers don’t need the protection of a second safe harbour — forward-looking information is already covered

Risks faced by retired clients
Robert Wilson

Applying a risk-budgeting framework

How to construct and reallocate portfolios through a risk-first lens

social media
Ellen Bessner

7 ways to build your book with Millennials and Gen Z

Use this uncertain time to shine brightly with young clients and prospects

An older man lovingly hugs a tree trunk and feels relaxed and good. Hugging a tree is good for the immune system, protects against heart attack, depression, stress and burnout.
Kevin Press

Responsible investing is about value, not values

Institutional investors are way ahead of financial advisors on the green economy

Woman giving a lecture on energy in front of a digital screen
Kevin Press

It’s time to step up on sustainability

Canada's asset management industry should start acting like the thought leader it is

Susan Silma

The case for taking on young clients

Advisory firms that fail to develop relationships with millennials and Gen Z clients will lose out in the long term

Mature couple walking along a rural road at sunrise
Michael Kulbak

Stock options and estate planning

What advisors and executors need to know about vested and unvested options

rock climbing risk
Industry News

Stop assuming your client understands risk

The confusing nature of risk-return tradeoffs is at the heart of Canadians' struggle with financial literacy

Worldwide trade
Kevin Press

‘Highly uncertain times’

Indrani De, head of global investment research at FTSE Russell, says that market behaviour "has fundamentally changed"

social media
Matthew Taylor

The trouble with finfluencers

Recent decisions by securities regulators highlight the harm social media influencers can do, and the trouble advisors can get into

Signing contract form
Kevin Press

Donald Trump — deal unmaker

This was going to be a banner year for M&A activity in the Canadian financial advice business; then the White House stepped in

Ones and Zeroes
Kevin Press

Canadian policymakers face AI test at ‘the brink of adoption’

The technology's potential to supercharge economic productivity is within reach; will regulators help Canadians get there?

Crypto money
Matthew Taylor

Ontario Court of Appeal decisions split on crypto platform class actions

Investor protections and the enforceability of international user agreements remain uncertain

Technology will drive harmonization, regulators say

The insurance industry is taking a page from the mutual fund industry, leveraging technology to address mounting disclosure regulations

AI is not just another fad

AI is slowly making its way into the wealth-management industry and will ultimately transform financial advisors’ role

Is financial services the next music industry?

Blockchain technology may transform financial services just as peer-to-peer file-sharing technology changed the music industry almost 20 years ago

The future has never looked brighter

In his final column, Cary List shares his thoughts on the future of financial planning

  • By: Cary List
  • March 26, 2021 March 26, 2021
  • 15:00

Financial literacy: taking the long view

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada’s renewed national strategy for financial literacy can help Canadians focus on the future

  • By: Cary List
  • January 29, 2021 January 29, 2021
  • 15:00

Toward a grand renewal

Financial planners can play a key role in rebuilding Canadians’ confidence

  • By: Cary List
  • November 27, 2020 November 26, 2020
  • 15:00

The need for sustainable business supply chains is growing

Advisors and their clients stand to benefit when corporate leaders focus on building socially and environmentally responsible enterprises

  • By: Deb Abbey
  • February 21, 2017 November 17, 2019
  • 06:00

Opportunity knocks for investors who want to make an impact

A growing base of investors are looking for investments that contribute measurably to environmental and social sustainability

  • By: Deb Abbey
  • October 20, 2016 November 17, 2019
  • 05:00

Diversity makes dollars and sense

Corporate boards and executive teams that lack gender and cultural diversity risk missing out on opportunities to generate long-term value

  • By: Deb Abbey
  • August 18, 2016 November 17, 2019
  • 05:00

Investor stewardship and proxy voting: A new era of transparency

Public database of proxy voting records aims to better align asset managers and owners

5 actions for fund managers to overcome ESG pain points

Evolving expectations leave some managers struggling

  • By: Dustyn Lanz
  • October 16, 2023 October 16, 2023
  • 15:00

Will Canada import America’s anti-ESG campaign?

Opinion: The backlash has limited prospects for four reasons

Don’t waste economic and political uncertainty to show clients how you can shine

5 dos and don’ts to help your clients and protect your licence

Advisors are at risk

Protect your business and reputation by managing these 5 risks

Breaking up doesn’t have to be hard to do

Three steps to reduce the risk and pain of advisor partnership breakups

The CSA must act on critical reforms

Two key issues — the best-interests standard and reform of mutual fund fees — require timely and effective action

Treat shareholders fairly when venture issuers raise capital

FAIR Canada supports exemptions that have the key features of rights offerings or private placements in compliance with the TSXV’s private placement rules

Reform of accredited investor exemption is needed

Current regulations assume that an investor’s wealth is a proxy for sophistication. This has to change

Opinion: Tax reform needed to lift gloom in corporate sector

Federal budget did little to invigorate sluggish investment spending

Does growth in self-managed accounts defy need for advice?

Tech, profound shocks have changed investor behaviour

  • By: Ian Russell
  • January 16, 2023 January 16, 2023
  • 15:00

Creating policy to improve business spending, productivity

A new approach is needed to replace failed government programs

  • By: Ian Russell
  • November 21, 2022 November 21, 2022
  • 15:00

CRA confirms its approach to interest deductibility

Agency provides examples of when income-earning purpose is met

Another reminder to help clients understand their TFSA room

Taxpayer penalized for overcontribution after relying on My Account information

Considering capital gains post–June 25

Advisors should speak to clients annually about crystallization

Millennials see retirement and financial planning differently than other generations

Financial planners and financial advisors need to understand millennials’ preferences to gain their trust and business

Listening is key to conversation

Financial advisors can build deeper connections with clients by using active listening skills

Vulnerable clients need special care and due diligence

Financial advisors should be aware of how to identify and engage effectively with vulnerable clients

Be bold, regulators

Those still timorous and uncertain about introducing a best interest duty have a duty, themselves, to become decisive

  • By: Neil Gross
  • October 31, 2016 November 10, 2019
  • 05:00

Non-GAAP metrics: investors’ little helpers or harmful nonsense?

Every company can calculate non-GAAP metrics however they want, so there’s real risk of investors and markets being misled

  • By: Neil Gross
  • October 3, 2016 November 10, 2019
  • 05:00

Class dismissed

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

  • By: Neil Gross
  • September 6, 2016 November 10, 2019
  • 09:00

Managing the risks related to social media

Read and follow your firm’s guidelines on social media use and take the necessary steps to protect yourself

  • By: Yan Huard
  • September 20, 2017 November 17, 2019
  • 16:20

Why security professionals fell short on ransomware attacks

Although it’s costly to upgrade key IT systems, the costs of not doing so could be much greater

  • By: Yan Huard
  • July 27, 2017 November 17, 2019
  • 05:00

Cyberthreats extend beyond money

Hacktivism, ideological insiders and intelligence gathering are key sources of cyberattacks threating financial services firms

  • By: Yan Huard
  • May 25, 2017 November 17, 2019
  • 09:30

Supercharge your practice with growthtech

Client-facing technology plays a vital role in achieving organic growth 

  • By: David Reeve
  • February 17, 2025 February 14, 2025
  • 05:49

Intergenerational wealth transfer can be captured with tech

Engage younger investors on their terms

  • By: David Reeve
  • November 27, 2024 November 22, 2024
  • 16:00

Addressing internal challenges to wealth firms’ growth

Advisor time constraints, attrition are controllable factors

Reducing regulatory burden: An ongoing priority

Regulatory efficiency saves costs and ultimately benefits investors

Financial advice and the resilient investor

Advisors play an important role in enhancing resiliency

Investment funds and the move to T+1

The best solution to the complex transition may be flexibility

  • By: Paul Bourque
  • September 12, 2022 September 12, 2022
  • 15:00

The power of proactive communication to reassure clients 

In turbulent times, people need to hear from their advisors

8 ways to wow your clients in 2025

Exceed their expectations with high-quality meetings, proactive communication and more

  • By: Susan Silma
  • February 4, 2025 February 4, 2025
  • 09:06

In the advice industry, it’s all about technology

Make the most of tech with these tips for advisors, firms and providers

  • By: Susan Silma
  • December 10, 2024 December 10, 2024
  • 16:00

ETF outlook for 2025 and beyond

Continued growth and innovation are expected

Celebrating 10 years of ETF-based portfolio returns

Why one portfolio manager believes ETFs have revolutionized the investment landscape

Why holding index funds within a life insurance policy can be tax-efficient

Permanent insurance also has a host of other tax benefits

5 things to know about leveraged and inverse-leveraged ETFs

Get the inside scoop, from fund features to volatility and risk

How ETFs can help you navigate volatility

Volatility is stressful but not novel, and ETFs can work in a jarring investing climate

Better and more integrated ESG investing standards are progressing

An enhanced Canadian ESG identification framework is advancing on a foundation of international and domestic norms

Sustainability or ESG?

Identify companies that understand the difference

Social purpose: A business imperative

Help clients identify companies with meaningful purpose

ESG reporting: A means to progress…or a means to an end?

The increase in ESG reporting hasn’t been accompanied by improvements to society and the environment

Fund administrator: Understanding this essential support role

Services include addressing investor requirements and mitigating compliance risk

Hedging against climate risks using weather derivatives

Alain Brisebois of CWP Energy discusses these often-misunderstood products

The future of ETFs

Erika Toth of BMO Global Asset Management shares her thoughts on the ETF landscape

To connect with financial planning clients, building trust is essential

Planner-client relationships thrive on communication and confidence

Professional standards matter more than ever

We must continue to ensure the integrity of the profession, and strengthen Canadians’ trust in it

Breaking down barriers to financial planning access

Professional planners have a vital role to play in helping underserved Canadians

Older Canadians need flexibility to prosper in retirement

Government policies must align with economic realities and demographic trends

Global perspectives and trends shaping the investment funds industry

IFIC panel discusses ESG disclosures, fund sales and international collaboration

Investment funds industry bucks Canada’s low-productivity trend

Conference Board of Canada report details industry’s economic impact

Alternative investments offer diversification and more

They’re not right for all clients though, and not all advisors either

The total portfolio

Correlated markets demand a new best practice in portfolio construction: 40/30/30

Advisors can help investors navigate U.S. economic uncertainty

President Trump’s America First policies represent a ground shift, but it’s never a good idea to chase headlines

Ontario’s proposed civil procedure reforms could increase litigation costs for financial professionals

Draft changes risk driving up insurance premiums and making early settlement more difficult in advisor loss cases

Ontario Court of Appeal allows crypto class action

Losses have been claimed for cryptocurrency derivatives traded without a prospectus

Employers lack clarity on LTD insurance for 65-plus workers

As more Canadians choose to work past the traditional retirement age, employers are struggling with costs and unanswered legal questions

Here’s why young people aren’t becoming financial advisors

Too many firms don't want them and too few Gen Zs care — a new York University study offers an idea

No relief for Canada, as Trump tees up U.S.-China trade war

International trade is so dependent on China that a superpower trade war is just as bad as a global one