16 | Investment Excellence Awards 2025 Excellence Award for Public Policy Advocacy Services 2025 & Client Dedication Excellence Award 2025 A catalyst for change, the CFFiM’s work revolves around moving forward with proposals that can boost Canada’s financial landscape, by mobilising savings/investments, unleashing entrepreneurship, and raising the living standards for citizens across Canada comprising its valiant mission. As part of this – its core mandate – the CFFiM pledges to push ahead with solutions that stimulate raising capital, advance a more competitive tax system, strengthen retirement savings frameworks, and transform the financial services industry. Guided by a value system based around cornerstones such as authenticity, creativity, inclusiveness, and professionalism, the CFFiM’s aligned network consists of thought leaders in this space; experts whose goal is to advocate thoughtfully and thoroughly for the betterment of Canada’s financial markets. Commenting on this network, Laura stated: “We strategically and selectively add to our network where it enhances our collective intellectual capital.” Participants range widely and include issuers, insurers, academics and practitioners. “Participants in our organisation enjoy the benefits of confidentiality and are committed to the success of financial markets in Canada for the greater good. They leave their egos outside, give and receive, and generously share their insights, comfortably receiving commentary.” Having recently changed its name – the CFFiM was previously known as the Investment Industry Association of Canada (IIAC) – the dedication of the organisation is today stronger than ever, something this name change has been designed to reflect. It is believed within the CFFiM that the word ‘Forum’ is a more accurate reflection of the work it does, highlighting it as an essential convening space when it comes to serious, evidencebased dialogue. More than a name, this is the embodiment of a promise. Covering such bases as household needs, the autonomy and property rights of vulnerable investors, retirement savings, and tax cuts, the CFFiM has recently completed its Pre-Budget Submissions for the House of Commons and Department of Finance, which address many of these issues as well as those impacting Canada’s financial markets more generally. Other recent initiatives include recommending a fully open banking system and changes to how the country markets its public offerings. Another big talking point for the CFFiM over the past couple of years has been AI, with the organisation leveraging Canada’s wellestablished regulatory framework to help address the risks that this technology has brought about so markets may grow. Alongside this, a rise in the number of individuals across Canada taking part in DIY investing has seen the CFFiM help secure support for nontailored advice to assist investors make better decisions for themselves. Hot off the heels of a recent webinar:’ Canada’s Banking Sector: Strength Through Concentration Or Stagnation Through Dominance?,’ the CFFiM is excited to announce the upcoming Financial Literacy Youth Competition for students in grades 5 through 12. Taking place in the second week of November, this event will see students provided with reallife scenarios to address topics ranging from income, expenses, and investments to financial planning, and they have three days to prepare and submit their solutions. These initiatives and events demonstrate the CFFiM’s ongoing commitment to being the essential Forum for credible policy engagement, with the organisation having proven itself instrumental in shaping Canadian legislation and regulation to improve the country’s financial markets. As it continues to navigate such issues as Canada’s declining IPOs and easing the challenges relating to normal course issuer bids, the organisation’s resolve is unmatched, something reflected across these award titles it has secured. Finally, reflecting on this acclaim and what it means for the CFFiM to be recognised here, Laura summarised: “Legislative and regulatory policy making for financial markets in Canada would be sleepy without our input.” It is hard to argue with claim, and the stellar track record the Canadian Forum for Financial Markets has for advocating for smart and practical legislation makes it an invaluable entity in shaping a bright future for Canada. More on any of the policies or events mentioned above can be found here: https://cffim-fcmfi.ca/ Credible. Constructive. Candid. These are three words that describe the Canadian Forum for Financial Markets (CFFiM), a mission-first, values-driven organisation that is committed to the broader economic interests of Canada. The CFFiM is a ‘practical think tank’ when it comes to nurturing healthy, competitive financial markets across the country, with its services ensuring that the challenges posed by the next decade can be tackled through proactive, forward-thinking solutions. President and CEO Laura Paglia caught up with us on the back of the CFFiM’s award wins.
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