THE NEWSLETTER FOR GOVERNANCE PROFESSIONALS OF CANADA
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Greetings!
As your professional governance association, we are very grateful for the continuing engagement that we have received from our members, as we work to inform and equip each of you while you remain on the frontlines, supporting your board and your organizations.
Governance has never been more crucial than in these ever-changing times, and we want to celebrate the resilience and resourcefulness of the GPC community at a time when Governance should be top of mind for any business.
In order to help, GPC has gathered a team of subject matter experts and created our
COVID-19 Assistance and Resource Centre and Advisory Panel
, offering key answers to your pressing questions, as well as webcasts on top COVID-related issues. We hope that these have helped you with useful insights and practical tools.
There has never been a better time to connect with us at the GPC governance community.
Warm regards,
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Lynn Beauregard
President, Governance Professionals of Canada
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- Excellence in Governance Awards
- GPC Education Program
- Membership News
- Request for Assistance
- News and Updates
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Are you interested in advertising your product, service and/or business to the GPC market. Our website and monthly e-newsletter both offer the opportunity to reach our targeted market.
Contact any one of the GPC staff members to discuss your options today:
[email protected].
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Sponsorship & Partnership Opportunities
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The Corporate Governance Summit registration is just a few weeks away! Mark your calendar for October 6
th
and 7
th
, 2020
Why attend?
The GPC Governance Summit will be the leading and largest annual meeting place and forum for governance professionals in Canada in 2020. The summit will bring together participants from all across Canada and feature two-days of expert panels and breakout sessions on top of mind issues, the evolving corporate governance landscape in Canada and internationally, and on best practices in governance.
We are taking this event to an innovative and mobile friendly platform which will stimulate a physical event with stunning virtual interactive spaces, and with unique navigation to make you feel like you are in a visually rich conference environment. We will also be hosting our regular annual tradeshow within our virtual space with customized exhibitor booths, on-demand content and demos, chat forums and online transaction capabilities for optimal sponsor engagement!
Our annual conference attracts governance professionals from organizations of all sectors across Canada. We expect an even bigger audience from across the country this year as we will extend our reach online! It is a unique opportunity to network with clients and colleagues and provides invaluable opportunities to exchange ideas, to discuss current challenges and to share best practices
Check out the virtual platform for the summit
HERE
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2020 Sponsorship & Partnership Opportunities with GPC
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GPC Virtual Summit: Book now! your sponsorship or exhibitor booth for the GPC Virtual Governance Summit on October 6th and 7th! Exhibitor and session sponsor opportunities are limited, so contact us to get involved
ASAP!
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PD Sessions: As a direct result of COVID-19 and social distancing regulations, we have pivoted to alternative and innovative delivery channels to keep delivering top of mind content through virtual platforms. National level coverage is guaranteed to provide your brand with exposure to executives and decision makers in governance, in a wide array of organizations in Canada.
GPC has created
this detailed package on all of our 2020 sponsorship opportunities including:
Professional Development Sessions through the year, Our
‘Excellence in Governance Awards (EGAs)’ , the
Governance Education Certification Program, our
monthly E-Newsletter: ‘Governance Matters’, more online brand visibility through our website and program web pages, as well as our new
virtual Governance Summit!
We invite you to review our various offerings and how you can leverage more visibility with GPC, especially in these challenging times, and let us know how we can customize any solution to meet your needs. We offer discount bundles, multi-item options and added value packages, if more than one opportunity is considered.
Contact us for any questions, ideas, or to finalize your sponsorship package!
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Stay Informed with our Free Webcasts & COVID-19 Assistance and Resource Center
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If you missed GPC's timely webcasts on COVID-19 and governance implications, or our session on Moving to Virtual AGMs, you can access the webcasts by clicking on the boxes below, or on our new
COVID-19 ASSISTANCE AND RESOURCE CENTER
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As part of our COVID-19 Advisory Panel and Resources initiative, we invited our GPC community, and those impacted by the COVID-19 crisis, to leverage the information we have available to help. Governance Professionals of Canada have gathered key experts and leaders via our free webcasts on key issues and questions. Thank you to every member who has submitted a question to us so far. Our panel has answered an number of key questions, and we are very excited to share their insight with you.
If you are still interested in presenting a question to our panel, it is not too late! We encourage you to reach out to us with your most pressing questions and the panel will provide answers or direction. Your questions can be submitted anonymously.
IN ADDITION, and to best support governance professionals, this COVID-19 page will also be providing useful links and resources. Here, you can find all of our recent COVID-related webcasts, relevant articles, links and useful resources.
CLICK HERE to go check out this page and feel free to also reach out just to provide feedback and additional resources, templates, stories or expertise.
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GPC Education Program
: ‘Governance in Practice’
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New Dates are now available for the Governance in Practice Education Program (GPC-EP)!
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The only practical certification available for governance professionals in Canada. It is designed to provide you with hands-on knowledge and tools to ensure that your overall corporate governance processes are effective, and to ensure your organization's success. In this program you will focus on key governance trends, developments and practices such as managing board processes, minutes, by-laws, records, as well as explore the role of governance professional in board strategy, CSR sustainability and ESG and minutes management, among others.
Visit our
website for more information and secure your spot today!
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COMING TO YOUR INBOX AUGUST 4
th
2020:
GPC - Corporate Governance Partners will launch 2020 Corporate Governance Best Practices Survey
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Governance Professionals of Canada, in partnership with Corporate Governance Partners, will conduct our 8
th annual comprehensive survey on corporate governance practices in the Canadian market.
This survey assists both CGP and GPC in obtaining valuable insight into the current corporate governance landscape in Canada. Our
2020 Corporate Governance Practices Survey Report will analyze corporate governance practices, trends and issues across Canada and the results will be presented at the end of the year.
This survey also assists in creating a short-list of companies for each of the categories in the
GPC Excellence in Governance Awards. If you are involved in managing the governance responsibilities for your organization, watch your inbox to take part in this important survey! Take a look at the
2019 survey results,
(GPC members only). Deadline to participate in the survey is
September 30, 2020.
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SAVE THE DATE for The Governance Professionals of Canada
Annual General Meeting of Members!
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Please mark and calendars and save the date the GPC AGM that will be taking place online on Thursday
September 17
th
, 2020 at 1:00 EDT. More details to follow.
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GPC has been successfully offering informative and insightful courses and webinars, and now due to the evolving situation surrounding COVID-19, we are continuing to deliver our professional development sessions in a virtual format. Please have a look at the list of sessions below for the list of our regular and new offerings over the coming months. We look forward to seeing you online!
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- Business Planning Boot Camp, August 13, 2020, Webinar
- Navigating COVID-19 Recovery and Governance: What’s Next for Boards and Organizations?, August 25, 2020, Webinar
- Not-For-Profit Governance Boot Camp, August 27, 2020, Webinar
- CEO Succession Planning: How Directors Can Raise their Game on the Board’s Single Most Important Governance Decision, September 10, 2020, Webcast
- Governance in the New Decade: The Rise of Boardroom ESG, September 14, 2020, Webcast
- Élaboration soignée de règlements : comment simplifier de manière proactive la gouvernance, le 24 séptembre, 2020.
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Keep an eye on our
Event Listings for more details and for other upcoming virtual workshops and webinars!
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GPC PAST WEBINARS ARE AVAILABLE YEAR-ROUND!
Have you missed any of our recent education sessions or webcasts? If you are interested in learning on your own schedule, you can access GPC’s impactful education sessions and webcasts, which can all be found on our
On-Demand Learning page.
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Our current Webinar and Webcast Offerings include:
- Covid-19: Governance, Risk Implications, and the Role of the Board
- Moving to Virtual AGMs in the age of COVID-1
- The ‘New Normal’ in Governance: Managing Shifting Board Priorities in COVID Times and Beyond
- Organizational Culture and the Role of the Board
- Cybersecurity Preparedness
- The Case for ESG Governance: Best Practices and Perspectives on the Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility Role of the Board and Governance Professional
- Strategy and Business Planning Bootcamp for the Governance Professional
…and MORE!
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Membership News And Benefits
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GPC Membership Benefits
Not a member yet? Join today and become a part of a community of like-minded professionals:
www.gpcanada.org/join
It is important now more than ever for governance professionals to keep up with the changes in this fast-paced environment, and to ensure the most effective and reliant governance processes are in place.
Interested in sampling what GPC has to offer? Enjoy a
FREE 3-month Trial Membership to explore the benefits of our nation-wide association of professionals. Email
[email protected] to get your Trial Membership started!
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What people say about GPC
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" GPC has provided our Board Secretariat team with comprehensive training and tools to support our good governance journey, and to innovate our processes to adapt to rapidly changing environments. In addition, these enhanced skill sets put in practice, have supported the team in successfully navigating more challenging and complex governance matters. GPC offers best in class governance training, education and networking for governance professionals in Canada. The GPC course offerings and annual conference respond to emerging issues in the governance sphere, and provide new governance professionals with appropriate tools and ideas for implementing or amplifying good governance in their own organization. "
Colleen Ouellette | Board of Management Secretary
Canada Revenue Agency
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"GPC provides up to date information on key trends and is our governance professionals’ main resource for development. The GPC community also constitutes a valuable network to share best practices in governance. You should become a member of GPC and join a unique community of governance professionals."
Karen Farbridge | Chair of the Board of Directors
Meridian™
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July 2020 Member Spotlight
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Shelagh Donnelly
Speaker/trainer and writer
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Our GPC members are the driving force that moves our organization towards greater levels of achievement, service and support. For this reason, we are starting a new feature in our newsletter to highlight and recognize the individuals that reflect the essence of Governance Professionals in Canada.
Every month, GPC will be featuring an exceptional and dedicated member and leader, so that you can learn more about your peers and your fellow members at GPC.
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Do you or someone you know want to be featured and celebrated for their professional accomplishments in our monthly Member Spotlight?
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GPC Chapters And Local Events
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GPC local chapters provide an opportunity to engage with your local peers to exchange ideas, connect with like-minded individuals and grow your corporate network.
We want you to get involved!
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Are you interested in volunteering for a local activity? Do you have an idea for a local event or topic for learning? Let us know! GPC is keen to expand local engagement to better serve you.
For more information on your local chapter happenings, or to volunteer - contact your local chapter representative.
- Vancouver Chapter: Arne Gulstene
- Calgary Chapter: Amy Anderson
- Edmonton Chapter: Aaron Friedenthal
- Toronto (GTA) Chapter: Contact GPC National Office directly
- Ottawa Chapter: Kathy Cauchon and Christine Thomas
- Montreal Chapter: Guy L'Espérance and Sophie Van Houtte
- Saskatchewan Chapter: Sheldon Stener and Bronwynn Cutts
Click here
for the member directory to contact your local representative today.
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Upcoming Local Chapter events:
GPC Ottawa Chapter Networking & Connecting Session: August 17th (virtual event) -
RSVP HERE
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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 is appreciated.
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Does anyone by chance have an example of how to capture the consent agenda items in the minutes?
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With remote working continuing for my organization into the Fall, we are moving our annual Board orientation online. How have other organizations succeeded in making an virtual orientation engaging, robust and meaningful?
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To Respond
Please submit your response by going to the
GPC Forum.
If you wish to remain anonymous,
click here
for instructions on how to manage your privacy setting.
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Tell a friend, share a tweet, and spread the news about GPC! Be sure to add us to your network for up-to-date news, networking and governance information.
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Survey - The Role of the Corporate Secretary in Climate Change
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CSIA (Corporate Secretary International Association) and PwC have collaborated on a research project to explore how climate change is managed in different jurisdictions across the globe, but will focus specifically on the role of the corporate secretary and governance professional in driving climate change in organisations. The project aims to get an understanding of the regulatory environment and the extent to which the guidance provided has been adopted by corporates, as well as the awareness of climate change within corporates and the measures they have taken to ensure that accountability is allocated and sufficient capacity exists to embed climate change in corporate cultures.
The research will be conducted using an electronic questionnaire and participants will be requested to complete the survey on their experiences with climate change in their organisations. Please see the link to the survey below:
Please click on the link to complete and submit the survey.
The results of the survey will be analysed and a research report will be drafted which will be made available to all CSIA members, including GPC, and stakeholders for further distribution to the global governance community.
It is anticipated that this report will not only raise awareness of the impact of climate change on organisations and the related risks and opportunities that it presents, but will highlight the critical role played by the corporate secretary as a governance professional in driving climate change in organisations.
To this end, CSIA members are kindly requested to distribute the survey link to their members and stakeholders and respondents are requested to submit their survey responses by
31 July 2020.
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British Columbia Emergency Order Permits Virtual-Only Shareholder Meetings
Stikeman Elliott LLP
This post was originally published on April 23, 2020 and has been updated as of July 15, 2020 to incorporate the impact of applicable provisions contained in the COVID-19 Related Measures Act (British Columbia), which came into force on July 10, 2020. The COVID-19 Related Measures Act (British Columbia) extends orders made under the Emergency Program Act (British Columbia) to provide a transition period so that the orders will not immediately end when the declaration of a state of emergency ends.
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Climate Change Disclosures and Investor Stewardship
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
The Canadian Coalition for Good Governance ("CCGG"), which at last count has 53 Canadian institutional investor members that manage or oversee $4.5 trillion of assets, recently announced two new initiatives that build upon CCGG's previous work and upon events taking place around the world :
- Formally supporting the Financial Stability Board's Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures ("TCFD") framework
- Encouraging CCGG members and the broader investment community to publicly signal their support of CCGG's Stewardship Principles(PDF)
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New executive compensation strategies for uncharted waters
Torys LLP.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many public issuers have experienced increased share price volatility and significant share price decline. As a result, the value of their outstanding equity awards and certain cash incentives have decreased, and in some cases, those awards now provide their management teams with little or no value.
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Redefining your contracting practices for successful post-pandemic commercial relationships
Torys LLP.
During the most acute periods of the pandemic, parties were managing their commercial arrangements in crisis management mode as the disruption of COVID-19 rippled through the supply chain.
Suppliers monitored developments in real time to gauge their ability to fulfill contractual obligations. Customers likewise assessed the risk of non-performance by their suppliers and the potential impact of non-performance on their business, and whether there was enough cash on hand to pay for services. Advisors helped clients prioritize material contracts and understand their rights and obligations.
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Canadian securities regulators introduce guidance for flexible chief compliance officer arrangements for businesses
Canadian Securities Administrators
Toronto –The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) today announced guidance that will allow firms to implement more flexible chief compliance officer (CCO) arrangements that better align with their operational needs and business models. The guidance published today outlines three CCO models tailored to the needs of small businesses, specialized businesses, and firms with multiple lines of business.
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Insolvency: The Corporate Insolvency And Governance Act 2020 And How It Affects The Construction Industry
Gowling WLG International Limited.
The Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020 (the CIG Act) received Royal Assent on 25 June 2020 and effects wide ranging changes.
Further to our briefing note 'Corporate Insolvency and Governance Act 2020: How do the new protection of supplies of goods and services provisions work', we focus on the provisions in the CIG Act that are most relevant to the construction industry - those setting out restrictions on termination clauses in supply contracts and a new moratorium process.
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Diversity and inclusion: A look at current disclosure, challenges and improvements
Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP
On January 1, 2020, regulations supporting the amendments to the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA) regarding new diversity disclosure obligations for publicly traded corporations came into force. As discussed in a previous update, the amendments introduced a “comply or explain” regime whereby CBCA-incorporated publicly traded corporations must disclose, among other things, whether or not they have a diversity policy for their board of directors and senior management, whether or not the policy includes targets for the representation of four “designated groups” (i.e., women, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities and members of visible minorities) and statistics on the representation of these groups.
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Registered firms in Canada now have more choices to satisfy Chief Compliance Officer staffing requirement
McCarthy Tétrault LLP.
The current rules require one registered Chief Compliance Officer (CCO) per registered legal entity, but important new Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) guidance provides more ways to meet the CCO staffing requirement.
The CSA will on a case-by-case basis work with three new models summarized below as part of its burden reduction initiative.
Registered firms which are also members of IIROC or the MFDA should note that CSA Staff consulted with these self-regulatory organizations (SROs) to develop the new guidance, but the CCO requirements of these SROs have not changed. SRO Staff and CSA Staff will consult on a case-by-case basis to achieve, where possible, a coordinated approach on CCO staffing for SRO member firms.
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D&Os must watch Canada’s evolving response to twin challenges of COVID-19 and climate change
Clyde & Co LLP
As anyone can attest, the focus on climate change-related issues in Canada and internationally has gathered momentum in recent years. Now, amidst the global health crisis presented by COVID-19, governments, action groups, and citizens are reflecting on how to address these twin crises.
One proposed strategy is to leverage the pandemic into an opportunity by tying government stimulus packages to efforts to reach the Paris Agreement targets, thereby encouraging businesses to transition away from a fossil-fuel-based economy, rather than blocking these goals.
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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.
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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
[email protected]
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Governance Professionals of Canada
21 St. Clair Avenue East - Suite 802
Toronto, ON M4T
(416) 921-5449
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