Shareholder activism the focus of 3rd annual Institute of Corporate Directors National Conference

450 Canadian Directors to Attend the Conference in Toronto

TORONTO, May 22, 2013 /CNW/ - The Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) will host its third annual ICD National Conference in Toronto, Ontario today. During the one-day conference, ICD members and non-members, along with distinguished speakers and moderators will examine critical topics relating to shareholder activism, including how and why more shareholders are taking an active interest in the future of the companies in which they invest.

"With shareholder activism on the rise in Canada over the past twelve months, we felt it was important to take a closer look at what has quickly become a critical issue for corporate directors," said Stan Magidson, President and CEO of the ICD. "We are pleased that so many of Canada's leading corporate directors are joining us to discuss this issue at our national conference in Toronto. It is our hope that, following our national conference, our members will continue these discussions in boardrooms across the country."

Delegates will explore the theme of the 2013 National Conference, "Shareholder Activism: Short vs. Long-Termism", in sessions led by a faculty of distinguished directors, executives, experts and journalists, including:

• A discussion of the lessons learned from the Canadian Pacific proxy contest, and what it means for directors, led by moderator Patricia Olasker, Partner, Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP with panelists Eileen A. Mercier, Chair of Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board, Thomas C. O'Neill, Chair of BCE and Bell Canada, and Chris Young, Managing Director and Head of Contested Situations, Mergers and Acquisitions group in the Investment Bank, Credit Suisse.
  
  
• A discussion on the role of media, proxy advisory firms and high frequency trading in proxy contests, moderated by Jacquie McNish, Senior Writer at the Globe and Mail. Panelists include Wesley J. Hall, CEO Kingsdale Shareholder Services, Katherine Rabin, CEO Glass Lewis & Co., Doug Steiner, Partner at BEworks Inc., and Walied Soliman, Partner (Business Law) at Norton Rose.
  
  
• A discussion on policy implications and how current trends should impact policy choices. This session will be moderated by Peter Dey, Chairman, Paradigm Capital and panelists include Yvan Allaire, Executive Chairman of the Board, Institute for Governance of Private and Public Organizations, Brian A. Canfield, Chair of Telus Corporation and Kenneth Hugessen, Partner Hugesson Consulting Inc.
  
  
• A keynote address will also be given by Dominic Barton, Global Managing Director, McKinsey & Company and Mark Wiseman, President and CEO, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board on a groundbreaking initiative between their organizations to understand how leaders can embrace long-term thinking and action to create greater value for both businesses and society.

"This conference will provide participants with key takeaways on how to act proactively as shareholder activism continues to gain momentum," said Magidson. "By using our collective experience and insight, we can continue to optimize sustainable value creation over the longer term for the benefit of the Canadian economy and society."

About The Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD)
The Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD) is a not-for-profit, member-based association representing Canadian directors and boards across the for-profit, not-for-profit, and Crown sectors. The ICD has more than 7,200 members and 11 local chapters across Canada. The ICD fosters the sharing of knowledge and wisdom through education, professional development programs and services, and thought leadership and advocacy to achieve the highest standard of directorship. For more information, please visit: www.icd.ca.

SOURCE: Institute of Corporate Directors (ICD)

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