The growth of passive ETF strategies has also led to an increased concentration of proxy advisor voting rights amongst a handful of large firms. While these votes can be used for social good, this more activist approach begs certain questions:

• If a “passive” investment firm exercises its rights to influence, should it still be considered passive?
• What is the company’s position if it is not aligned with that of the end unitholder?
• What conflicts of interest arise and how are they managed?
• What impact does this activist approach have for both the fund and the firm?

Moderator:

• Darin Renton, Partner, Stikeman Elliott

Speakers:

• Steve Hawkins, President & CEO, Horizons ETFS
• Amy Freedman, Chief Executive Officer, Kingsdale Advisors
• Jeff Olin, President & CEO, Vision Capital
• Talbot Babineau, President & CEO, IBV Capital

Venue Sponsored by: