The Canadian ETF Association Adds Eight Portfolio Manager Members

ETF Industry Association Bolsters Its Ranks with Some of Canada's Top ETF Investors

TORONTO, March 25, 2014 /CNW/ - The Canadian ETF Association ("CETFA") is pleased to announce that eight portfolio managers have joined the association as Portfolio Manager Members. The Portfolio Manager category of membership is reserved for a group of elite Canadian portfolio managers, who place a heavy emphasis on Exchange Traded Fund (ETF) investing.

Portfolio Managers are welcome to join CETFA, and generally meet the following requirements: manage more than $100 million in assets, where a minimum of 50% of the assets are managed on a discretionary basis, and 25% of which are exposed to ETFs. In addition, each portfolio manager must have at least five years of investment management experience.

The following portfolio managers have joined the association:

Portfolio Manager	Firm
Tim Morton	The Morton Group - CIBC Wood Gundy -
Thane Stenner	Stenner Investment Partners - Richardson GMP
Terry Shaunessy	Shaunessy Investment Counsel
Reg Jackson	JMRD Wealth Management Team - National Bank
David Bruce	The David Bruce Group - BMO Nesbitt Burns
Jeff Black	Crestridge Asset Management
Michael Bowman	Wickham Investment Counsel
Brent Vandermeer	Fraser Vandermeer Asset Management  - HollisWealth

These new portfolio managers join Cougar Global Investments, which was the first portfolio manager to join the association in September of 2013. CETFA recently introduced the Portfolio Manager category to allow for a deeper and more diverse discussion of ETF uses in the marketplace.

"We are thrilled that such a high caliber group of portfolio managers have chosen to join CETFA," said Howard Atkinson, CETFA's current chair and president of Horizons ETFs Management (Canada) Inc. "Our portfolio manager category is now a real reflection of the 'who's who' of ETF investing in Canada - they are an invaluable resource for our association due to the industry feedback they provide on best practices, as well as their ability to help us with educational outreach for the broader investing public."

Each of the portfolio manager members share CETFA's commitment to ETF investing and improving the Canadian public's understanding of how ETFs can be best used in an investor portfolio.

"ETFs are the fastest growing financial instrument globally, and we've seen their significant uptake in Canada over the last few years," said Thane Stenner, Director, Wealth Management, and Portfolio Manager with Stenner Investment Partners (Richardson GMP). "When something like ETFs transform the financial landscape to the degree they have, it's important to add educated voices that can help Canadian investors truly understand how these rapid changes impact them."

Jeff Black, president and chief investment officer, Crestridge Asset Management Inc., added, "I feel it is important to have advocacy as part of my practice and I believe that CETFA's focus on education and transparency within the industry is a best practice for all constituents."

In addition to helping the CETFA promote ETF educational initiatives, CETFA will actively promote its portfolio managers as key contacts for any media or investors seeking more information on ETF investing.  CETFA will provide their contact details on the CETFA website www.CETFA.ca.  Investors or media wishing to learn more about ETF investing can contact these firms to learn more.

"CETFA is the voice of the ETF industry, and in many ways, our Portfolio Manager Members are the voice of the ETF investor," said Mr.  Atkinson.  "It's important that we provide a platform for both voices in the Canadian investment landscape."

Reg Jackson, vice president and portfolio manager, with JMRD Wealth Management Team, National Bank, added: "I fully expect ETFs to continue to grow in popularity and with that, additional oversight will be needed; CETFA will be able to fill this role for all participants.  I look forward to being part of this exciting initiative."

The Portfolio Manager category also allows members to network and share best practices, which was the key appeal for Brent Vandermeer, portfolio manager, Fraser Vandermeer Asset Management - Scotia Capital.

"The big appeal in joining CETFA for me is the chance to network with other like-minded professionals. We can help each other stay on top of the new products and industry initiatives in order to help build and manage the best portfolios for our clients," said Mr. Vandermeer.

About the Canadian ETF Association
CETFA is the national voice of Canada's ETF industry, representing the majority of ETF providers in Canada. Canadian investors have over $60 billion invested in more than 300 Canadian-listed ETFs. As ETF usage continues to grow in Canada, CETFA seeks to educate Canadians on the appropriate use of exchange traded funds, as well as work proactively with members and regulators to ensure the ETF industry adopts best practices and standards.

Full membership in CETFA is open to all Canadian ETF providers. Supporting service providers may join as Affiliate Members. The newly established Portfolio Manager category is open to professional investment managers who are considered leaders in the field of constructing portfolios utilizing ETFs.

SOURCE: Canadian ETF Association

Pat Dunwoody
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