Ian Russell
Industry Perspectives

Ian Russell

Ian Russell is past president and CEO of the Investment Industry Association of Canada, the national association representing the position of Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada–regulated dealer member firms on securities regulation, public policy and industry issues.

Federal budget did little to invigorate sluggish investment spending

  • April 4, 2023 April 4, 2023
  • 15:00

Tech, profound shocks have changed investor behaviour

  • January 16, 2023 January 16, 2023
  • 15:00

A new approach is needed to replace failed government programs

  • November 21, 2022 November 21, 2022
  • 15:00

Regulators require internal compliance expertise

  • September 26, 2022 September 26, 2022
  • 15:00

Advisors and firms are well positioned to instil investor confidence

  • August 3, 2022 August 3, 2022
  • 15:00

Taxpayer incentives, pension fund mandates are options worth exploring

  • June 8, 2022 June 8, 2022
  • 15:00

Action is critical given the importance of small business to the economy

  • April 5, 2022 April 5, 2022
  • 15:00

Positioning, sound policy will help firms weather the inflationary storm

  • February 18, 2022 February 18, 2022
  • 12:43

Advisors can offer a personalized experience through deeper client engagement

  • September 15, 2021 September 13, 2021
  • 15:00

The CSA is expected to propose new cost reporting for investors

  • July 21, 2021 July 22, 2021
  • 16:14

More columnists

My secret weapon for better portfolio management

Primarily using ETFs has helped one advisor to make better investment decisions, but she attributes some success to a powerful non-financial practice

  • March 12, 2024 March 13, 2024
  • 13:00

Reasons to be cautious when investing in AI

Opinion: Artificial intelligence represents a huge opportunity but must be approached carefully

  • December 12, 2023 November 27, 2023
  • 13:00

Real estate investing vs. equities investing: which is better?

Opinion: The answer comes down to diversification and liquidity factors

  • August 17, 2023 August 17, 2023
  • 14:58

New ETF offerings require careful due diligence       

Opinion: The cease-trade order on Emerge ETFs provides a cautionary tale for investors and advisors

  • May 9, 2023 May 9, 2023
  • 15:00
Focus on Financial Planning

Tashia Batstone

Empowering women as clients and as financial planning professionals

The profession plays a key role through meaningful advice, inclusivity

  • March 4, 2024 March 6, 2024
  • 15:00

In a digital landscape, financial planning relationships matter

Make the most of tech while building trust with clients

  • December 11, 2023 December 6, 2023
  • 15:00

How financial planners can ease financial vulnerability

World Financial Planning Day offers opportunity to consider the profession’s critical role

  • October 4, 2023 October 4, 2023
  • 08:32

Is financial planning ready for a new generation?

Professional financial advice is in demand as millennials and gen Z inherit and accumulate wealth

  • July 31, 2023 July 28, 2023
  • 15:00
Investment Funds

Andy Mitchell

Mutual fund and ETF assets grew in 2023 amid investor caution

IFIC’s annual investment funds report provides insights on sales, market effect, investor trends

  • February 26, 2024 February 26, 2024
  • 15:00

Regulatory issues for fund industry not unique to Canada

Total cost reporting, ESG challenges discussed at IFIC conference

  • December 4, 2023 December 4, 2023
  • 15:00

Help clients understand fees ahead of total cost reporting

Annual IFIC survey uncovers opportunity to improve investor understanding

  • October 6, 2023 October 6, 2023
  • 15:00

Championing improved investor outcomes

IFIC outlines current initiatives, from supporting CIRO to surveying investors

  • August 28, 2023 August 28, 2023
  • 15:00
Tax Matters

Jamie Golombek

As RRSP deadline approaches, a reminder about tax-free growth

A hypothetical scenario compares dividend investing inside and outside this registered account

  • February 21, 2024 February 21, 2024
  • 15:00

If your client is buying a home in 2024, read this first

Make the most of these tax planning strategies

  • January 29, 2024 January 29, 2024
  • 15:00

Last-chance RRSP opportunities for your 71-year-old client

Before 2023 ends, take advantage of these two planning points

  • December 18, 2023 December 18, 2023
  • 15:00

Get ready for CPP2!

Reach out to clients to ensure they understand the changes and implications

  • November 22, 2023 November 22, 2023
  • 15:00
Compliance CX

Susan Silma

Annual statements: An unparalleled client engagement opportunity

It’s time to think differently about client communications and disclosure documents

  • February 7, 2024 February 7, 2024
  • 15:00

Your role in financial literacy

Ideas for advisors and firms to address the challenge

  • December 6, 2023 December 6, 2023
  • 15:00

Serving women clients: We’re not there yet

Six ideas to fill the service gap and grow your business

  • October 11, 2023 October 11, 2023
  • 15:00

Harness the power of transparency

Real talk about fees and value is good for business

  • August 18, 2023 August 18, 2023
  • 15:00
Advisor at Risk

Ellen Bessner

A perfect storm lies ahead for advisors and dealers

Mitigate your risk amid potential enforcement delays, CFR audits

  • November 20, 2023 November 20, 2023
  • 15:00

Thinking of leaving your dealer? Here’s what to consider

Protect your business, reputation and clients by knowing your rights and obligations

  • July 19, 2023 July 19, 2023
  • 15:00

Key legal and regulatory issues to heed

Follow these tips to protect your licence and reputation

  • May 31, 2023 May 31, 2023
  • 15:00

Pass compliance audits and win credibility with the 5Cs

Protect yourself by creating a robust client communication trail

  • March 13, 2023 March 13, 2023
  • 15:35
Technology

David Reeve

AI has arrived in wealth management

Opportunities and challenges must be weighed

  • November 15, 2023 November 15, 2023
  • 15:00

Leverage compliance tech to grow your business

Tech-assisted recommendations can improve client outcomes

  • September 25, 2023 September 25, 2023
  • 15:00

Technology can drive better financial decisions

An InvestorCOM analysis of KYP outcomes provides positive evidence

  • March 15, 2023 March 15, 2023
  • 15:00

Post-Covid risks and opportunities for advisors

Position yourself to effectively address clients’ evolving needs and expectations

  • January 23, 2023 January 23, 2023
  • 15:00
Responsible Investing

Dustyn Lanz

5 actions for fund managers to overcome ESG pain points

Evolving expectations leave some managers struggling

  • 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

  • July 26, 2023 July 26, 2023
  • 15:00

Understanding Canada’s proposed climate finance taxonomy

The goal is to create a common language for the issuance of financial instruments

  • April 19, 2023 April 19, 2023
  • 16:10

Tidal wave of ESG disclosure rules will trigger flight to quality

Opinion: Investors want leadership in sustainability, and transparency will help them find it

  • February 13, 2023 February 13, 2023
  • 15:00
Industry Perspectives

Ian Russell

Opinion: Tax reform needed to lift gloom in corporate sector

Federal budget did little to invigorate sluggish investment spending

  • April 4, 2023 April 4, 2023
  • 15:00

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

Tech, profound shocks have changed investor behaviour

  • 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

  • November 21, 2022 November 21, 2022
  • 15:00

For fair and balanced regulation, displace expert committees

Regulators require internal compliance expertise

  • September 26, 2022 September 26, 2022
  • 15:00
Investment Funds

Paul Bourque

Reducing regulatory burden: An ongoing priority

Regulatory efficiency saves costs and ultimately benefits investors

  • January 25, 2023 January 25, 2023
  • 15:00

Financial advice and the resilient investor

Advisors play an important role in enhancing resiliency

  • November 23, 2022 November 23, 2022
  • 15:00

Investment funds and the move to T+1

The best solution to the complex transition may be flexibility

  • September 12, 2022 September 12, 2022
  • 15:00

Successful rule implementation requires industry collaboration

The delivery of policy shouldn’t be a last step

  • July 18, 2022 July 18, 2022
  • 15:00

5 things to know about leveraged and inverse-leveraged ETFs

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

  • September 13, 2022 August 31, 2022
  • 13:00

How ETFs can help you navigate volatility

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

  • July 12, 2022 June 28, 2022
  • 13:00

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

  • April 14, 2022 April 13, 2022
  • 13:00

Validate your processes and think “win-win” when it comes to applying CFRs

The CFRs are really about formalizing and documenting processes to prove they’re followed

  • November 9, 2021 November 3, 2021
  • 13:00
ESG and DEI

Shilpa Tiwari

Sustainability or ESG?

Identify companies that understand the difference

  • June 29, 2022 June 28, 2022
  • 13:00

Social purpose: A business imperative

Help clients identify companies with meaningful purpose

  • October 26, 2021 October 26, 2021
  • 15:00

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

  • July 27, 2021 July 27, 2021
  • 16:00

Does the climate change movement have a diversity, equity and inclusion problem?

The communities most affected by changing climatic conditions are the least likely to be invited to participate in discussions

  • April 27, 2021 April 27, 2021
  • 14:09

Fund administrator: Understanding this essential support role

Services include addressing investor requirements and mitigating compliance risk

  • December 3, 2021 December 3, 2021
  • 15:00

Hedging against climate risks using weather derivatives

Alain Brisebois of CWP Energy discusses these often-misunderstood products

  • September 10, 2021 September 10, 2021
  • 16:27

The future of ETFs

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

  • June 4, 2021 June 8, 2021
  • 15:30

Integrating ESG factors into portfolio management

Vincent Beaulieu of Fiera Capital discusses his firm’s approach to ESG analysis

  • March 5, 2021 March 5, 2021
  • 13:52
Focus on Financial Planning

Cary List

The future has never looked brighter

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

  • 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

  • January 29, 2021 January 29, 2021
  • 15:00

Toward a grand renewal

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

  • November 27, 2020 November 26, 2020
  • 15:00

On the cusp of momentous change in Ontario

A new regulatory framework, years in the making, is an opportunity for Ontario to be a model for other provinces

  • October 2, 2020 October 2, 2020
  • 17:57
Focus on Financial Planning

Keith Costello

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

  • November 15, 2019 November 16, 2019
  • 15:31

Listening is key to conversation

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

  • September 20, 2019 November 16, 2019
  • 10:50

Vulnerable clients need special care and due diligence

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

  • August 7, 2019 November 16, 2019
  • 17:02

Deciphering Ontario’s Financial Professionals Title Protection Act

Financial planners and advisors should be aware that the act may go beyond title protection

  • May 31, 2019 November 16, 2019
  • 15:54

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

  • January 2, 2018 November 14, 2019
  • 10:30

AI is not just another fad

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

  • October 29, 2017 November 14, 2019
  • 13:00

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

  • September 4, 2017 November 14, 2019
  • 17:00

Clients want humans, not robots

Far from replacing interaction with real people, technology strengthens the financial advisor’s client service

  • July 10, 2017 November 14, 2019
  • 05:00
Cybersecurity

Yan Huard

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

  • 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

  • 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

  • May 25, 2017 November 17, 2019
  • 09:30

Cloud computing: Bringing light to security issues

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…

  • March 23, 2017 November 17, 2019
  • 06:00
Responsible Investing

Deb Abbey

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

  • 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

  • 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

  • August 18, 2016 November 17, 2019
  • 05:00

Good corporate governance matters

You can play an active role in ensuring company executives and directors are working in the best interests of their shareholders

  • June 16, 2016 November 17, 2019
  • 05:00
Protecting Investors

Neil Gross

Be bold, regulators

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

  • 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

  • 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

  • September 6, 2016 November 10, 2019
  • 09:00

Why is deficient issuer disclosure allowed to persist?

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

  • August 8, 2016 November 10, 2019
  • 06:30
Protecting Investors

Ermanno Pascutto

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

  • March 2, 2014 November 10, 2019
  • 16:31

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

  • February 3, 2014 November 10, 2019
  • 06:15

Reform of accredited investor exemption is needed

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

  • January 6, 2014 November 10, 2019
  • 06:30

Canadians deserve real price competition in mutual funds

Paying fees for financial advice separately from those of financial products would result in price competition and better advice

  • November 25, 2013 November 10, 2019
  • 06:00