Pension plans with an exposure to private equity should benefit from increased liquidity in those investments, as private equity exits are expected to increase in 2011, according to Ernst & Young. “In Canada, private equity’s comeback in 2010 proved its ability to adapt to a changing economic environment,” says Joe Telebar, transactions advisory services partner, […]
Celebrations at the demise of the recession may be a bit premature, as significant risks remain. Not least of these is another round of financial crises, which will threaten the solvency of even the most austere governments. “The banking and credit bubble have not yet played out. My prognostications are somewhat gloomy,” said Simon Hill, […]
Global consulting and investment services giant Mercer has announced it has struck a deal to acquire Hammond Associates, an American institutional fund consultant. Mercer has said it plans to build upon Hammond’s position as the third largest investment consulting firm serving endowments and foundations in the U.S. “Hammond is one of the three leading investment […]
Nearly two years after it was first made available, the tax free savings account (TFSA) continues to confuse many Canadians, according to a survey conducted for the Bank of Montreal. Only 20% of respondents knew that mutual funds could be held within a TFSA, while just 26% were aware they could hold a GIC in […]
The emerging markets will be pivotal in staving off another global recession, according to The Conference Board of Canada’s World Outlook, Autumn 2010. The report predicts that the global economy will finish 2010 with 3.6% growth, before slowing to 3.3% in 2011, with economic weakness in much of Europe, the United States and Japan acting […]
The Canada Revenue Agency has announced that the maximum pensionable earnings under the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) for 2011 will be $48,300, an increase of $1,100 from 2010. Contributors who earn more than $48,300 in 2011 are not required or permitted to make additional contributions to the CPP. The basic exemption amount for 2011 […]
John O’Connell, founding partner of The Harbour Group at RBC Dominion Securities, has struck a deal to buy discretionary money manager Davis-Rea Ltd. O’Connell is officially still an employee of RBC until the end of the month and says he wanted to give his current employer ample notice of the acquisition and leave the company […]
The federal government has announced it will scale back previously announced increases to Employment Insurance (EI) premiums, after intense pressure from unions and businesses. The employee-paid premium will rise by five cents per $100 of insurable earnings, starting in 2011, and 10 cents for subsequent years. The employer-paid premium will rise by seven cents […]
The Council of Canadians is calling on Ontario’s teachers to pressure their pension fund manager to divest from private water services in Chile, taking the issue directly to teachers. The social justice group has set up an information station at the Air Canada Centre as 20,000 teachers attend a Toronto District School Board professional development […]
Pension reform proposals tabled by the Ontario government continue to receive mixed reaction from industry groups and pension plan service providers. “We applaud Minister Duncan on his leadership on pension reform and for acting on the recommendations in the Arthurs Report in a timely manner,” said Scott Perkin, president of the Association of Canadian Pension […]