MONTREAL, November 21, 2023 – The Chambre de la sécurité financière (CSF) is proud to collaborate with the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) to establish a new research and training chair, the Chaire argent, inégalités et société. The work of this new research body will focus on the social aspects of personal financial management, aiming, among other things, to identify resulting inequalities and to propose solutions  that will help reduce them.

"We are very proud to collaborate with the INRS and Professor Hélène Belleau, who will be the chairholder. This is a long-term investment for the CSF that will enable us to provide our advisors with the tools and training necessary to support them in their relationships with clients. These resources will help them guide clients through the various aspects of their financial security and savings. Thus, the CSF will further ensure public protection by contributing to greater financial equity and addressing various social aspects that may hinder it," said Marie Elaine Farley, President and CEO of the CSF.

"The creation of this Chair is excellent news for society and our fellow citizens. Our partnership will undoubtedly benefit the academic research community by training future researchers, graduate and postgraduate students, but will also allow our two organizations to contribute to raising awareness about social inequalities and, hopefully, reducing them through concrete actions. Thanks to the training and tools developed by the Chair, the research results will directly serve professionals supervised by the CSF who advise the Quebec public, particularly in retirement and financial planning," stated Hélène Belleau, professor at INRS since 2004 and holder of the Chaire argent, inégalités et société.

Three research tracks have been identified to date:

1. Specific financial stakes and  challenges faced by Quebecers in complex family situations;

2. Economic dynamics of immigrants: equity, diversity, and inclusion in personal financial management;

3. Financial perceptions and practices based on the Quebec region and gender.

The topics studied will be selected by a strategic orientation committee based on their potential to provide meaningful data for Quebec society. This will lead to the development of training and reference tools for financial services professionals, thereby contributing to their development and, ultimately, to public protection.