IR Leader
April 07, 2015

Find Out Why 10% of CIRI's Members Hold the CPIR Designation

Looking to take your career to the next level? Accelerate your career and expand your network with the CIRI/Ivey Investor Relations Certification Program.

"I thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from the CIRI/Ivey Investor Relations Certification Program. It  gave me the opportunity to connect with IR professionals from across Canada, in addition to learning from the highly regarded faculty at the Ivey Business School.  I took away something meaningful from every session."
Nathalie Megann, CPIR
Director, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations
Chorus Aviation Inc.

Registrations are now being accepted for the next session, beginning September 2015. Click here for more information on the Belle Mulligan Scholarship and the application requirements. The deadline for the Belle Mulligan Scholarship is April 27, 2015 and the deadline to apply for the 2015-2016 intake is July 15, 2015.

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Call For CIRI Award Nominations

Deadline for Nominations: April 27, 2015

Time is running out to recognize your colleagues or yourself for exceptional contributions made to the IR profession. Don't delay - get your nominations in today!
 
CIRI is calling for nominations for the Awards programs listed below.
    

Belle Mulligan Award for Leadership in Investor Relations

This Award is given in honour of the late Belle Mulligan to recognize individuals who have shown singular leadership in one or more aspects of the practice of IR. This could include, but is not limited to, new or improved applications of technology, progressive approaches to disclosure, outstanding mentorship, or remarkable leadership in many other aspects of IR. 
Click here to download the Nomination Form.
 

CIRI Award for Excellence in Investor Relations

This award is given by CIRI to honour individuals who have made an outstanding contribution throughout their career to the investor relations profession and to CIRI.
Click here to download the Nomination Form.
 

The Belle Mulligan Scholarship

The Belle Mulligan Scholarship is awarded annually to one deserving individual for participation in the CIRI/Ivey Investor Relations Certification Program. This Scholarship recognizes individuals who have chosen investor relations as their career and are keen to participate in this program to help them excel, through a deeper knowledge of the key areas of this dynamic profession. 
Click here for more details and to apply.
 
If you know of a CIRI Member that you think would make a worthy candidate for any of the above awards, please take a few moments to complete and submit the application form by the April 27 deadline.  
 
We welcome and encourage your submission.
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Top Stories

Amendments to Take-Over Bid Rules Will Deliver More Support to Boards

On March 31, 2015, the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) published a CSA Notice and Request for Comment with respect to proposed amendments to Multilateral Instrument 62-104 - Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids (MI 62-104) and changes to National Policy 62-203 - Take-Over Bids and Issuer Bids.

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Canadian Securities Regulators Propose Significant Amendments to Canada's Take-Over Bid Regime

The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) today published for comment proposed amendments to the Canadian take-over bid regime (the Proposed Bid Amendments). The 90-day comment period on the Proposed Bid Amendments ends on June 29, 2015.

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50-10-120: A New Code for Hostile Bids

The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) published today for comment proposed rules to implement previously announced changes to the Canadian take-over bid regime. These rules will significantly change the way that hostile take-over bids are conducted in Canada.

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CDS Proposed Fee Amendments Expected to Come into Effect April 1st

CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc. ("CDS") published last November proposed amendments to the fees it charges securities issuers for certain services. The new fee regime, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected to come into effect on April 1, 2015.

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Canadian Regulators Issue Regulation Exemptions for U.S. Dealers and Advisors

Canadian securities regulators, other than Ontario, yesterday released omnibus blanket orders to exempt certain U.S. broker-dealers and advisers from registration requirements where they have offices or employees in Canada but are not registered in Canada and do not trade for or advise Canadian clients.

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SEC Charges Highlight Importance of Updating Early Warning Reports

On March 13, 2015, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced charges against eight directors, officers and major stockholders for failing to make timely updates to their beneficial ownership reports on Schedule 13D - the U.S. counterpart to a Canadian early warning report - regarding steps taken in connection with potential going private transactions.

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Important Changes to Investment Canada Act Coming: Fewer Transactions to be Reviewed, But Information Burden Will Increase for All Filings

On March 25, 2015, the Canadian government published two long-awaited regulations amending the Investment Canada Act. One is intended to reduce the number of transactions that are subject to pre-closing review and approval, but will increase the amount of detailed information required in routine filings for transactions that are not reviewable. The second will lengthen the period for transactions undergoing a national security review by providing the government additional time to complete such reviews.

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Canadian Government Announces Changes to Foreign Investment Review Regime

On March 25, 2015, the Canadian government announced that it would implement long-awaited changes to Canada's foreign investment review regime under the Investment Canada Act (ICA). These changes will significantly alter the threshold used in most transactions to determine whether foreign investments will be subject to review under the ICA. The changes will also implement more detailed information requirements for notifications and applications for review. In addition, the government announced that it has increased the maximum possible review period under the ICA's national security review provisions.

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U.S. SEC to Propose Registration Rules for High-Speed Traders

Proprietary high-speed trading firms that execute trades on dark pools and other electronic platforms would be subject to greater regulatory oversight under a proposal unveiled on Wednesday by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

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The Evolving Landscape of Shareholder Activism: Developments and Potential Actions

It is clear that shareholder activism continues to evolve, expand and increase in influence. There is a growing emphasis, in particular by large mutual funds and other institutional investors, on shareholder engagement and shareholder-friendly governance structures that, together with the increased activity of activist hedge funds and other 'strategic' activist investors, make shareholder engagement and preparedness an essential focus for public companies and their boards.

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SEC's White Says 'Closely Monitoring' Proxy Access Efforts

Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Mary Jo White told lawmakers on Tuesday the agency would not try anew to craft rules to make it easier for shareholders to nominate corporate directors but that she was closely watching activists' attempts to do just that.

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Shareholder 'No' Votes on Directors Rise

Shareholder support for directors and say-on-pay proposals declined in the second half of 2014, according to a new report that shows 344 directors of U.S. public companies failed to win the support of at least 70% of shares voted.

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