It was a notable date: on December 31, 2014, the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) began requiring public companies to disclose the number of women on their Boards, how women are identified and selected for Board seats, and what renewal or term-limit mechanisms are in place. | Read Article |

Each year when your company prepares its annual report it has a great opportunity to set the tone for the next year. Many companies already do this, especially when it comes to the ‘art’; the look of the annual report typically sets the ‘look’ for the rest of the year (quarters, business marketing, product marketing, etc.). Let me suggest that you not stop at the artwork. Consider what you can do better in all aspects of your business reporting and marketing – and use the annual report as a launch pad to refresh your company’s look. | Read Article |

Over the last several years, the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV”) has faced increasing competition from various alternative exchanges. In December 2015, following extensive consultation and collaboration with venture industry participants, the TSXV released a white paper describing certain initiatives aimed at revitalizing the TSXV. Specifically, the white paper outlines the TSXV’s strategy for making a positive tangible impact in three important areas. | Read Article |

In our last column, we explored an overview of the new international leases standard, IFRS 16, issued by the International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) earlier this year and effective for calendar year companies in 2019. This standard fundamentally changes lease accounting, requiring lessees to bring previously unrecognized operating leases on-balance sheet. A recent survey of the Canadian business community conducted by KPMG found that 69% of respondents believe the new standard will have a moderate to significant impact on their organization. In this column, we take a closer look at the impact the standard will have on KPIs for companies that currently lease assets through operating leases ("lessees"). | Read Article |

Trust me, I get it. Your time is limited, to-do lists are endless and efficiency is the key to getting through the day. As an IRO you have to be resourceful and adaptable, continuously prioritizing...and then reprioritizing. | Read Article |

It is like a game of survivor out there these days. Commodity prices have plummeted to levels we have not seen in years, if not decades, the Canadian dollar has fallen about 25%, and access to capital is becoming more challenging. | Read Article |