For Advisors and Planners

FOR ADVISORS & PLANNERS

RESOURCES

Today is the day to make a good business decision. Renew your Advocis membership today and help ensure that Advocis continues to be a strong and credible voice for the interests of financial advisors and planners in Canada.
In December, Regulatory Affairs dispatched three must-read bulletins.

AGM Online Voting Closes Saturday at 8 p.m.
Please note that online voting for Advocis’ 2011 Annual General Meeting closes this Saturday, November 12, 2011 at 8 p.m. EST. Click here for AGM information and voting.
AGM To Be Webcast Live
Once again this year Advocis will offer a live webcast of its Annual General Meeting. Stay tuned for more information in the coming days.
Advocis Symposium Sold Out
Advocis’ third annual Regulatory Affairs Symposium – "Convergence – The Next Wave: New Products, Regulatory Responses and the Role of the Advisor” has sold out. The event will be held on November 23 in Toronto.

Successful Conversion to CHS
October 31 was the last day for RHU designates to convert to a CHS without requiring completion of an additional course. During the preceding five months, The Institute successfully converted over 1,500 RHUs to the CHS designation.

Submission re Use of Third Party Back-Office Service Providers
On September 30, Advocis submitted a response to the MFDA’s consultation paper on the Use of Third Party Back-Office Service Providers. Click here to read the submission.
Submission re Electronic Commerce Protection Regulations
On September 7, Advocis submitted its response to the proposed Electronic Commerce Protection Regulations. Click here to read the submission.

Submission re Tax Rules for Pooled Registered Pension Plans (PRPPs)
On August 19, Advocis responded to a request for submissions from the Department of Finance regarding tax rules for PRPPs. Click here to read the submission.

Submission re OBSI Suitability Assessment Process
On July 25, Advocis responded to an OBSI consultation paper regarding its Suitability Assessment Process. Click here to read the submission.

Submission re FSCO Draft Statement of Priorities and Strategic Directions
On June 6, Advocis responded to the Financial Services Commission of Ontario’s Draft Statement of Priorities and Strategic Directions for Fiscal 2011/12. Click here to read the submission.
The Institute Launches New CHS Designation
On June 1, The Institute for Advanced Financial Education launched its new Certified Health Insurance Specialist (CHS) designation to replace the RHU.
Advocis, in partnership with the Workopolis Niche Network, has launched FinancialAdvisorJobs.ca to connect job seekers with potential employers. Now live, this website already features dozens of positions from some of the leading financial services providers in Canada.

Regulatory Affairs recently dispatched four must-read submissions. Read about Advocis' position on:
In his latest video blog, Greg Pollock talks about the political environment and encourages members to lend their voices to Advocis' advocacy efforts. [More]

Did you know that more than seven out of ten members join Advocis because of the work of its Regulatory Affairs department? For more on what members think of their Association, click here.
In response to a March 4th column by the Toronto Star's Carol Goar, Greg Pollock explains in a letter to the editor why financial education and retirement preparedness are not mutually exclusive. [More]

The Task Force on Financial Literacy final report is now here! Greg Pollock offers his insights on what the report's recommendations mean for Canada's financial advisors and planners. [More]
On February 1, Greg Pollock and Marian Passmore presented Advocis' pre-budget submission to the Ontario legislature's Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs. Click here to watch Greg make Advocis' positions known to Committee members.

Advocis & the Media
Recently, the insurance industry was in the media spotlight. As your industry voice, Advocis spoke on your behalf.

The Association issued timely statements and made pointed responses as necessary. The articles in question cannot obscure the good work your Association has been doing to promote the value of sound financial advice.

For a video message on this issue from Advocis president and CEO Greg Pollock, click here.

For media coverage of Advocis going back several years, click here.

Submission to Executive Director, BC Insurance Council
On December 17, Advocis made a submission to Gerry Matier, Executive Director, Insurance Council of British Columbia, regarding the regulatory model governing the distribution of life insurance products and related activities by life insurance agents in BC. To read the submission in its entirety, click here.

Advocis Symposium
On November 22, the second Advocis Regulatory Affairs Symposium – "The Regulation of Financial Advice in Canada: The Game has Shifted" – took place at the Westin Harbour Castle Hotel in downtown Toronto. For full details of the event, go to page three of this document.
Submission to Canadian Department of Finance
On November 18, Advocis made a submission to the Canadian Department of Finance regarding a review of legislation governing federally regulated financial institutions. To view the submission in its entirety, click here.
Legislature Day
On November 4, Advocis had its sixth annual Legislature Day at Queen's Park in Toronto. Advocis members from across Ontario met with over 20 Members of Provincial Parliament. A reception was later held. Click here for full details on the day.

Response to Nova Scotia Department of Finance
On October 15, Advocis sent a response to the Nova Scotia Department of Finance regarding mechanisms for enhancing the retirement income system in Canada. To view the response in its entirety, click here.
Submission to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services
On October 15, Advocis made a submission to the Select Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services regarding British Columbia 2011 Pre-Budget Consultation – Building B.C for Your Family. To view the response in its entirety, click here.
The Institute launched
On October 13, the CLU Institute launched its new name, look and web site. It is now known as The Institute for Advanced Financial Education (IAFE). These changes mark the next step in the evolution of the Institute as the professional standards body for financial practitioners holding the CLU and RHU designations in Canada. You can visit the Institute online at www.iafe.ca.