Markham, Ont.-based Equity Associates Inc. has joined The Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC), the investment funds industry association announced on Wednesday.

Equity Associates is a privately held mutual fund dealer founded in 2003. As of June 2017, the firm has 175 advisors managing over $2.6 billion in assets under administration for more than 40,000 Canadians.

“We look forward to Equity Associates’ input as the industry works together to empower investors to make sound financial decisions and to promote a strong and stable investment sector,” says Paul Bourque, president and CEO, IFIC, in a statement.