21st Jun 2018
IFB Staff
June 21, 2018 IFB welcomes the announcement today that Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) members have reached agreement on a set of reforms to enhance the relationships between investors, advisors and firms. IFB says the CSA has presented a balanced set of reforms that will be positive for investors, while not harming market competition by introducing certain changes that would have had a disproportionately negative effect on smaller, independent firms and advisors. “In particular, IFB is pleased that the CSA has not proposed a ban all embedded commissions”, said Scott Findlay, IFB’s Chair. “At an OSC roundtable on this topic, I said that – as an advisor myself – I share with many IFB members the concern that a ban on […]
02nd Mar 2018
IFB Staff
Click HERE to read IFBs comments on CLHIA Guideline 19
16th Feb 2018
IFB Staff
In a move that few in the financial advisor community favour, insurance companies soon will begin disclosing the value of compensation paid to intermediaries who sell group retirement services and group benefits plans. That intent raises questions about whether advisors selling individual life insurance soon could be subject to similar compensation disclosure. The Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association Inc. (CLHIA) instituted its new disclosure regime through Guideline G19, issued last month. Instituting the disclosure rule follows consultation with CLHIA members, notification of the insurance industry’s regulators and ratification by the CLHIA’s board of directors. However, G19 was ratified without prior consultation of affected advisors and intermediaries. The disclosure is expected to commence on Jan. 1, 2019 – six months […]
16th Nov 2017
IFB Staff
TORONTO, November 15, 2017 – Many proposals contained in the Ontario Fall Economic Statement affect members of Independent Financial Brokers of Canada (IFB) as financial advisors and small business owners. IFB supports the government’s plan to develop legislation that will regulate financial planners in Ontario and restrict the use of titles related to financial planning. IFB has long held the position that those who call themselves Financial Planners should hold appropriate credentials to do so. In addition, other financial advisory titles, which do not accurately reflect the proficiency of the individual or firm, can be misleading or confusing to consumers seeking financial advice. IFB welcomes the government’s intention to pursue both initiatives through extensive consultation with stakeholders. IFB looks forward […]
13th Oct 2017
IFB Staff
The growing costs and efforts associated with compliance are taking a toll on smaller dealers and independent advisors, the association states in a submission to Finance Canada The federal government needs to take action to help independent financial services firms compete against the increasingly dominant big banks in Canada as well as to improve consumer protection, Independent Financial Brokers of Canada (IFB) argues in a recent submission to the federal Department of Finance Canada. Notably, the IFB expresses its support for the government’s intention to consider proportionality in the development of policy and regulation in its submission to Finance Canada on the department’s review of the federal financial services sector framework. To read the full article, click HERE.
25th Sep 2017
IFB Staff
Susan Allemang, head of regulatory and policy affairs with Independent Financial Brokers of Canada was interviewed by Investment Executive on the Coalition for Small Business Tax Fairness. To read the full article, please click HERE.
17th Aug 2017
IFB Staff
OSC Announces Agenda for Roundtable on Option of Discontinuing Embedded Commissions TORONTO – The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) today announced the agenda and list of panellists for the upcoming roundtable to discuss Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) Consultation Paper 81-408 Consultation on the Option of Discontinuing Embedded Commissions. The roundtable is being held as part of the CSA’s ongoing consultation on the possible impacts of discontinuing embedded commissions. The event will include three panel discussions, each of which will explore a different alternative to the option of discontinuing embedded commissions and discuss the extent to which the alternative may address the CSA’s concerns with respect to embedded commissions. To read the full article, please click HERE.