A Quarter of a Century for the Chambre de la sécurité financière

• CSF concludes its AGM by highlighting the benefits of multidisciplinary oversight
• Professor Hélène Belleau provides updates on the Argent, inégalités et société Chair
• CSF acknowledges the contribution of Ms. Anne Côté, outgoing board member

Québec, May 9, 2024 – The Chambre de la sécurité financière ("CSF") held its annual general meeting (AGM) today, marking a quarter of a century of commitment to public protection and supporting its members' professionalism. The event was an opportunity to highlight the organization's significant achievements, both over the past year and throughout its journey, in the presence of over a hundred member delegates.

"The expertise and knowledge of good governance principles by our directors, including our colleagues appointed by the Minister of Finance, form a strong board. I want to emphasize that this board fully understands the complex issues faced by an organization dedicated to public protection," said the Chairman of the Board, Mr. Gino-Sebastian Savard. "Throughout the year, we have adhered to the highest standards of administration and governance, in addition to continuing our important work on our organization's strategic planning and ensuring the integration of new directors."

The multidisciplinary oversight of professionals is a characteristic of the Quebec system that ensures optimal supervision of intermediaries operating in more than one discipline, as well as facilitating integrated professional advice for Quebecers. This system gives consumers the advantage of being advised holistically by professionals and therefore being better protected. "We had thegood idea, 25 years ago, of this multidisciplinary oversight of financial services intermediaries, and although we are still the only ones in Canada with this comprehensive approach, we are convinced that this is how professionals can add value to consumers. So it’s here, in our province, that consumers of financial products and services are best protected, which is why we encourage our members to be multidisciplinary in their professional practice. It is also in Quebec that advisors are best trained, due to our demanding criteria that align standards with the responsibilities of the professionals we oversee," Savard added.

2023: a busy and productive year

In 2023, the CSF demonstrated continued commitment and great proactivity. It responded with determination to the growing challenges faced by the distribution industry of financial products and services, while actively engaging with its approximately 34,000 members and industry stakeholders to ensure better public protection.

"I am pleased with this wonderful year 2023, marked by structuring actions aimed at bolstering consumer confidence and better supporting the professionalism of our members," said President and CEO, Ms. Marie Elaine Farley. Among these actions, the successful conclusion of the 2021-2023 strategic plan, which made CSF an essential player within its ecosystem, should be noted. Similarly, the elaboration of a new professional development strategy, aimed at democratizing access to quality training, and the establishment of a research and training chair (the Argent, inégalités et société Chair), were significant milestones demonstrating CSF's continued commitment to excellence and support for the professional development of advisors," Farley concluded.

Argent, inégalités et société Chair

On the sidelines of the annual general meeting, delegates had the opportunity to hear from the Institut national de recherche scientifique (INRS) Professor, Ms. Hélène Belleau, who is also the holder of the Argent, inégalités et société Chair, inaugurated in the fall of 2023. Ms. Belleau discussed the advantages of this partnership for Quebec society in general as well as for CSF members.

Ms. Belleau also took the opportunity to continue her research as part of the Chair's work, with the first project focusing on the complex life situations of Quebecers, by holding consultations with the attending delegates. "The commitment of CSF member advisors impresses me, and today is no exception," she said. "Advisors are conscientious, concerned about their clients, and highly interested in new knowledge, and what a pleasure it is to interact with all these professionals who play such an important role for our fellow citizens."

As it did, for example, with the creation of this Chair, CSF is committed to continue to innovate and respond to the changing needs of its members, the financial community as a whole, and the public it protects.

CSF acknowledges the contribution of Ms. Anne Côté

After nine years on CSF's board of directors, Ms. Anne Côté will step down, as provided for by the Loi sur la distribution de produits et services financiers, having completed three terms. The Minister of Finance will appoint a successor shortly. Ms. Côté has been involved in multiple committees, in addition to being Vice Chair of the board and chairing the CSF's Governance and Ethics Committee, which addresses governance rules and practices, ethics policies, deontology, risk management, board and committee composition, recruitment of independent directors, and board performance evaluation for many years.

"Anne has played a very important role in the credibility of our organization since 2014. And she had all the moral authority to assume it, with her deep knowledge of the law, her vast expertise in governance, and her unwavering integrity," emphasized Mr. Savard.

To learn more, download the 2023 CSF Annual Report (in French).