THE NEWSLETTER FOR GOVERNANCE PROFESSIONALS OF CANADA
SEPTEMBER 2016
president's Message 
 
Lynn Beauregard_ GPC President

Recognizing the Contributions of Governance Professionals & Organizations in Canada: the 2016 Excellence in Governance Awards | #GPCEGAs ...DO YOU HAVE YOUR TICKET YET?

Now that our annual conference is behind us, get ready to attend the most exciting event of the year! Hold the date for November 15th 2016, for an evening of celebration at The Carlu in Toronto! Come celebrate the best practices and successes in Governance by attending our FIRST EVER standalone event for these awards. Traditionally held at our annual conference, this year marks the inaugural gala and dinner in the honor of our winners as a separate event.

The EG Awards recognize the important contribution governance professionals make in terms of best practices that build and sustain shareholder and stakeholder value. The awards underscore the critical role that good governance plays in sustaining the value of Canada's public companies, crown corporations, government agencies, and not-for-profit organizations, contributing to the competitiveness of Canada's economy and its capital markets. GPC is committed to support and enhance the role of the corporate secretary and governance professionals in Canada. GPC well positioned through reputation, influence and representation, to celebrate the practice of good governance in Canada.

We hope you will join us at the EG Awards Ceremony and Dinner being held on November 15th at The Carlu in Toronto. To view the organizations who have been shortlisted for this year's awards, click here.

If you are interested in being a sponsor for this event, please contact us for more information!

Purchase your tickets or table today by clicking here.

We look forward to seeing you on November 15th!
 

Sincerely,

Lynn Beauregard
President, Governance Professionals of Canada
Conference and sponsorship update

 

Thank You to our 2016 Conference Sponsors!


 

Official Partner of GPC 

 

Printed Material

 

 

 

 

         
   

   
 

 

 

         

 

 

         

 

 

 

 

Media Sponsors

 

 

 

Partners

 

 

         

 

       
EXcellence in governance Awards CEREMONY Sponsorship opportunity

Attend & Sponsor
We invite you to become a sponsor and attend the first ever standalone gala dinner and Excellence in Governance Awards ceremony!

When: Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Where: The Carlu, Toronto | 444 Yonge Street, 7th Floor
Time: Cocktail and Networking Reception begins @ 6:00 pm | Dinner and Awards Ceremony begins @ 7:00 pm

The EGAs recognize the important contribution that governance professionals contribute in order to build and sustain shareholder and stakeholder value in Canada. The awards also underscore the critical role that good governance plays in sustaining the value of Canada's public companies, crown corporations, government agencies, and not-for-profit organizations, and in contributing to the competitiveness of Canada's economy and its capital markets.

As a sponsor, you would support and promote the continued efforts and achievements of those who are at the forefront of maintaining good governance.

GPC expects that the recognition that the winners, nominees and sponsors of this program will gain from these awards will raise more awareness for the key role played by governance professionals, further the reputation of their organizations, and inspire others to follow their example.

Sponsorship opportinues include award categories (only a few remain!), event sponsorship and table hosting. Complete opportunity details and the awards sponsorship package can be found here.

Thank you for your continued support of GPC and I hope to see you out at the EGA event on November 15!


Tina Hutchinson
Director, Conference & Sponsorship
 

Professional development


This could not ring more true for us right now, especially given the outpouring of member support and excitement we have received regarding the receptions, luncheons, and seminars that are happening in the upcoming months and even the next year. We have some incredible educational, networking, and strategic events in the following months. Not to mention the 2016 Excellence in Governance Awards! We are so excited to be bringing more relevant information and professional opportunities for our members and their colleagues to connect.

Continuing to be a Leading Resource: Upcoming Professional Development and Seminars

  • Executive Compensation Disclosure for Corporate Secretaries with Facilitator Paul Gryglewicz, Senior Partner, Global Governance Advisors - Oct 4, 2016

  • Governance Essentials for the Corporate Secretary: Two Day Seminar in Vancouver - Oct 11/12, 2016

  • Governance Essentials for the Corporate Secretary: Two Day Seminar in Toronto - Nov 14/15, 2016

  • Trends in Governance Interactive Breakfast in Montreal - Oct 28, 2016

Encouraging Local and National Connections: Upcoming Networking Events

  • Name Rebrand Celebration & Networking Receptions:

    • Vancouver Oct 11, 2016

    • Calgary Oct 12, 2016

  • Networking Luncheon with ATB Financial in Edmonton - Oct 13, 2016

You can see all of our events at www.gpcanada.org/events.
 

Membership News
There's no better time to join then RIGHT NOW!

Tell your colleagues and friends about us. Bring a non-member to one of our events! By helping our membership grow, GPC's networks, information and resources grow. It is always collectively beneficial!

Membership Category
Cost*
Individual Professional, Commercial Interests
$515
Individual Professional, Non-Commercial Interest
$390
Non-Practicing
$85
Corporate Group - Commercial Interests: for 3 or more members from the same organization
Receive 15% off
 *plus applicable taxes

There are local networks/chapters across Canada, just waiting for you to join! Interested? Email your local governance leader!
 
Western Canada
 
Vancouver - Cyndie Kremyr
Director, GPC

Edmonton -
Amberly Strauss
Manager, Membership & Marketing, GPC

Calgary - Amberly Strauss
Manager, Membership & Marketing, GPC

Eastern Canada

Toronto - Amberly Strauss
Manager, Membership & Marketing, GPC

Ottawa -
Bonnie Oakes Charron
Director, GPC

Montreal - Alain Dussault
Director, GPC


Not represented? Contact Amberly Strauss to discuss local networks in your area.

We would like to welcome the following new and returning members to GPC
  • Robert Blacquiere
    OCAS
    Application Services Inc. Guelph, ON
     
  • Suzana Furtado
    CCL Industries Inc. Toronto, ON
     
  • Kevin Harper
    Toronto Rehab Foundation Toronto, ON 
     
  • Cindy Hewson
    FortisAlberta Inc. Calgary, ON
     
  • Murray MacMillan
    University of Toronto Schools Toronto, ON
     
  • Linda Moulin 
    LSM Consulting Ltd. Saskatoon, SK
     
  • Leanne Ratzlaff
    Langley, BC
     
  • Amy Lonsberry
    The Sinneave Family Foundation Calgary, AB
     
  • Rhonda Stang
    Non-practicing Saskatoon, SK
     
  • Paul Wemyss

    OCAS Application Services Inc. Guelph, ON

Amberly Strauss

Manager, Membership and Marketing

REQUEST FOR ASSISTANCE

Do you have a question you need an answer to? Looking for best practices? Our Request for Assistance service is an easy way to receive information from your peers. Below are some recent requests. Your response will be appreciated.

 

Consulting Agreement Template

Would anyone have a template with respect to formalizing the engagement of an "advisor" to a private company board of directors? This is for a small startup company in the biomaterials field. I imagine it would be some type of consulting agreement, but given that the candidate would be an advisor to the board of directors, I am wondering if there are any particular clauses that would need to be incorporated.

To Respond:

Please submit your response by going to GPC Forum.

 

If you wish to remain anonymous, click here for instruction on how to manage your privacy setting. 

 

To view responses to previous Request for Assistance, please click here or login and click on Members Only Section > Request for Assistance Responses.

NEWS AND UPDATES
Alberta Securities Commission Proposes Adoption of Gender Diversity Disclosure Requirements
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP.

On September 14, 2016, the Alberta Securities Commission (ASC) published for comment proposed amendments to National Instrument 58-101 - Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices and Form 8-101F1 - Corporate Governance Disclosure that establish disclosure requirements regarding the representation of women on boards of directors and in executive officer positions of non-venture issuers as well as with respect to term limits or other mechanisms of board renewal for board directors (Proposed Amendments).
Canadian Securities Regulators Publish Update on Cyber Security for Market Participants
Canadian Securities Administrators

Montreal - The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) today published CSA Staff Notice 11-332 Cyber Security to promote cyber-security awareness, preparedness and resilience in Canadian capital markets.

Read More

Alberta Securities Commission proposes gender diversity rule

The Globe and Mail

Alberta's securities regulator is reversing course and has unveiled a proposal to adopt new reporting rules requiring companies to disclose their approach to gender diversity on their boards.

New York unveils sweeping cybersecurity regulations
HousingWire.com

Banks, insurance companies and other financial services companies that operate within the state of New York will soon be required to significantly increase their cybersecurity programs in an effort to further protect consumers' personal and financial information.

Read More

Diversity Disclosure Practices 2016: Women in leadership roles at TSX-listed companies
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

In December 2014, Canadian issuers in participating provinces, with the exception of TSX Venture Exchange issuers and investment funds, became subject to new disclosure requirements with respect to the representation of women on boards and in senior management positions. Last year, we completed a comprehensive report on diversity disclosure practices, which reviewed disclosure relating to women in leadership roles by all TSX-listed companies, other than closed-end and exchange-traded funds, that made disclosure prior to July 31, 2015. The overall picture was disappointing.

Read More

Overview of Record Keeping Obligations for Non-Profit Organizations and Registered Charities
Miller Thomson LLP

While non-profit organizations and charities are usually busy carrying out the purposes of their organization, record keeping often takes a back seat to other priorities. However, good record keeping practices by a non-profit organization or a registered charity should not be overlooked as they will help the organization:
Technology for board materials
Corporate Secretary

Technology has made information sharing quicker and easier than ever, but traditional methods such as email or file-sharing platforms may not be secure enough for the distribution of confidential board materials. This has given rise to the board portal: a digital platform designed to handle the demands of today's boards. Diligent's report provides the answers to 10 questions about board portals, including how they keep information secure and whether they raise any discoverability concerns. Download this helpful resource today to find out how this technology can help your governance strategy.

Download '10 questions to ask about board portals' now >>.
 
New developments for proxy season 2016
Corporate Secretary

This report from Broadridge looks at evolving SEC rules for proxy season 2016 and how they could affect your campaign. With sections on proxy access, executive compensation, universal proxy, cyber-security and more, this report will inform your approach for this year.

Download '2016 trends in governance' now >>
 
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Job Postings
Do you have a career opportunity that you would like to share with our readers?  Click here for more details
 
Recent Job Postings:-
 
Paralegal Secretary
Oniva Group

Legal Assistant
Publicly Traded Company

Please login to www.gpcanada.org to view all the Job Postings. 
Board of Directors
David Masse 
(Chairman of the Board)

Toronto, ON
 
Janis McKenzie 
(Vice Chai and Treasurer)

Brampton, ON

Carmel Bellamy 
(Chair, Membership Committee)

Corporate Secretary and Sr. Director, Governance, Member & Co-operative Relations
The Co-operators Group Limited
Guelph, ON
 
Brigitte Catellier
Vice President & Corporate Secretary 
Sun Life Financial Inc.
Toronto, ON
 
Misti Christensen
(Chair, Governance and Nominations Committee)

Sr. Manager Governance and Assistant Secretary
Nexen Energy ULC
Calgary, AB
 
Alain Dussault 
(Chair, 2016 Conference Planning Committee)

Lawyer, Corporate Secretary's Office
Canadian National Railway Company
Montreal, QC
 
Glenn Keeling
(Chair, Sponsorship Engagement Committee)

Sr. Partner, Executive Compensation & Governance Global Governance Advisors
Toronto, ON
 

Cyndie Kremyr 

Independent Director 

Abbotsford, BC 

 
Sally Maziarz
(Secretary and Chair, Education Committee)
Assistant Corporate Secretary
EPCOR Utilities Inc.
Edmonton, AB
 

Bonnie Oakes Charron 

Special Assistant, Governance & External Relations 

Colleges and Institutes Canada  
 

Josée Turcotte
 
Senior Vice-President, Corporate Secretary and Head of Governance 

HSBC Bank Canada

 
Lynn Beauregard 
(President)

Governance Professionals of Canada
Toronto, ON

Are you aware of GPC's Membership Benefits?

 

GPC Members have access to a new and exciting Group Mortgage Program with David Benson at Mortgage Intelligence. A Mortgage 

Broker understands your mortgage needs, seeks out the best options for your situation, and guides you through the lending process. A mortgage broker does not work for any individual institution or lender, but is independent, and has up-to-the-minute loan rates for a wide array of banks and other lending institutions. This is a tax free, no cost, no obligation benefit program that is available to you. For more information click here.
 

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About GPC 

The Governance Professionals of Canada (GPC) is the voice of Corporate Secretaries and governance professionals in Canada. Its members deal with disclosure and matters affecting corporate governance, including the structure and meetings of the board of directors and its committees, the proxy process and annual meetings. As such GPC strives to provide valuable and timely information on recent changes and developments which affect our members - in all sectors. 


 

Specialties: Our members include professionals with positions such as Corporate Secretary, Manager Corporate Governance, General Counsel, Chief Compliance Officer, VP Regulatory Affairs, Associate Corporate Secretary, and Board Administrator.

 

Mission Statement

The promotion and advancement of effective governance and corporate secretarial practice in organizations in the private, public, not-for-profit and other sectors through the continued development and application of governance and corporate secretaryship best practices.

This e-newsletter is issued monthly to all GPC members.  Non-members may also subscribe and receive the newsletter without access to member only content. 
 
If you have comments or wish to contribute material to this newsletter, please e-mail us at info@gpcanada.org