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Focus on Financial Planning

Tashia Batstone

As President & Chief Executive Officer of FP Canada, Tashia leads the organization in its purpose of championing better financial wellness for all Canadians.

It’s time to dig deeper to understand how Canadians want to receive financial planning advice

  • August 19, 2024 August 16, 2024
  • 16:00

Understanding the skills and competencies to look for in a financial planner empowers the public

  • June 24, 2024 June 24, 2024
  • 16:00

Opinion: To provide clarity and protection to the public, the way forward requires transparency

  • April 25, 2024 April 25, 2024
  • 16:00

The profession plays a key role through meaningful advice, inclusivity

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

Make the most of tech while building trust with clients

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

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

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

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

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

Worldwide collaboration strengthens standards and advocacy, and leverages leadership

  • May 29, 2023 May 29, 2023
  • 15:29

Technical, professional and interpersonal skills are key to help clients achieve financial wellness

  • April 3, 2023 April 3, 2023
  • 15:00

A crucial measure of Canadians’ financial health has weakened, but together we can strengthen it

  • February 6, 2023 February 6, 2023
  • 15:00

More columnists

Investment Funds

Andy Mitchell

Investment funds industry bucks Canada’s low-productivity trend

Conference Board of Canada report details industry’s economic impact

  • October 7, 2024 October 7, 2024
  • 20:39

Financial literacy is a shared responsibility. Let’s get it right

Opinion: Education should be widely accessible and relevant to today’s youth

  • August 12, 2024 August 12, 2024
  • 16:48

Building trust with fee transparency

IFIC is working with the industry and regulators on TCR implementation

  • June 17, 2024 June 17, 2024
  • 16:00

Canada’s investment funds industry can lead in diversity

The result will be greater creativity and resilience

  • April 22, 2024 April 22, 2024
  • 16:00
Technology

David Reeve

Addressing internal challenges to wealth firms’ growth

Advisor time constraints, attrition are controllable factors

  • October 2, 2024 October 2, 2024
  • 15:04

Capturing the mass affluent wealth segment

This growth opportunity requires freeing advisors from time constraints and meeting demand for hybrid advice

  • July 29, 2024 July 29, 2024
  • 16:00

Leverage pre-trade compliance to drive value

New regulations come with cost but also opportunity

  • June 10, 2024 June 10, 2024
  • 15:58

Will 2024 be the year of compliance technology?

Several factors, including regulatory enforcement and improved productivity, are driving a surge in adoption

  • April 15, 2024 April 15, 2024
  • 16:00
Advisor at Risk

Ellen Bessner

Don’t go down with your client’s ship

Use these three steps to deal with clients who insist on unsuitable investments

  • September 30, 2024 September 30, 2024
  • 16:00

No note-taking requirements in CFRs? Think again!

The rules are in code. Here’s how to crack the code

  • July 26, 2024 July 26, 2024
  • 16:00

To protect yourself and clients, rethink trusted contacts

Why clients need to name different people as PoA and TCP

  • May 17, 2024 May 17, 2024
  • 14:25

Do your notes pass the sniff test?

Here are three steps to prove suitability

  • April 8, 2024 April 8, 2024
  • 15:35

Celebrating 10 years of ETF-based portfolio returns

Why one portfolio manager believes ETFs have revolutionized the investment landscape

  • September 10, 2024 September 16, 2024
  • 13:00

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

Permanent insurance also has a host of other tax benefits

  • June 11, 2024 June 6, 2024
  • 13:00

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
Compliance CX

Susan Silma

A better way to meet compliance disclosure requirements

Let’s use principles-based regulation to clients’ advantage

  • August 21, 2024 August 16, 2024
  • 16:00

A CRM2 report card

Good work all around, but more needs to be done

  • June 14, 2024 June 14, 2024
  • 16:02

Communication as the great differentiator

Use these tips to build an approach that engages clients and inspires referrals

  • April 24, 2024 April 24, 2024
  • 16:00

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
Focus on Financial Planning

Tashia Batstone

To deliver value, financial planners must move beyond tech assumptions

It’s time to dig deeper to understand how Canadians want to receive financial planning advice

  • August 19, 2024 August 16, 2024
  • 16:00

Canadians must be educated about financial planning qualifications

Understanding the skills and competencies to look for in a financial planner empowers the public

  • June 24, 2024 June 24, 2024
  • 16:00

Title protection in Canada must put consumers first

Opinion: To provide clarity and protection to the public, the way forward requires transparency

  • April 25, 2024 April 25, 2024
  • 16:00

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
Tax Matters

Jamie Golombek

Another reminder to help clients understand their TFSA room

Taxpayer penalized for overcontribution after relying on My Account information

  • July 25, 2024 July 25, 2024
  • 16:00

Considering capital gains post–June 25

Advisors should speak to clients annually about crystallization

  • June 25, 2024 June 25, 2024
  • 16:00

Ensure your client reports all RRSP contributions

In one case, failure to report resulted in an overcontribution penalty

  • April 10, 2024 April 10, 2024
  • 16:05

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
Responsible Investing

Dustyn Lanz

Investor stewardship and proxy voting: A new era of transparency

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

  • July 22, 2024 July 22, 2024
  • 16:00

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
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