FPStandard 2021 SPRING - FP Canada

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FPStandard 2021 SPRING - FP Canada
FPStandard
SPRING
2021
ISSUE 21

           Ideas, thoughts and trends in the Financial Planning Profession

                                        The Future Has Never Looked Brighter    1

                                        FP Canada Editorial                    3

                                        Meet Our New President & CEO           4

                                        Snapshot of a QAFP Professional        7

                                        Tale of Two Pandemics                  8

                                        Skills for the Next Generation
                                                                               10
                                        of Financial Planners

                                        Reports on Disciplinary Actions        16
FPStandard 2021 SPRING - FP Canada
By the Numbers

Profile of
the Profession
Here’s a snapshot of the financial
planning profession in Canada,                         Number of CFP®                                              Number of QAFPTM
based on FP Canada™ data as at                          Professionals                                                Professionals
December 31, 2020.
                                                            16,422                                                         3,643
Gender                                                Male               Female                                    Male                Female

                                                     68%                 31%                                       54%                43%
                                                           Other        1%                                              Other        3%

Annual Income

                                                   > $ 200k                     26%                              > $ 200k                      7%
                                                   > $ 100k                     55%                              > $ 100k                     41%

Age
FPStandard 2021 SPRING - FP Canada
On My Mind

                                         The Future Has Never
                                         Looked Brighter

                                         There’s been a lot of water under the bridge since FP Canada’s predecessor
                                         organization was established more than 25 years ago. While the organization’s
                                         founders could not have imagined that 25 years on, we’d still be debating
                                         restricting who can hold out as a financial planner, much has also been
                                         accomplished in furthering our goal of professionalization of financial planning.

Cary List, CFP
Retiring President & CEO                 As I reflect on our progress, I am                     1. In a decade, the “best interest”
of FP Canada                             reminded of our very first Financial                      debate of the 2010s will
                                         Planning Week symposium, back                             sound absurd
                                         in 2009. What stands out most to
                                         me about what’s changed this past                         The days of consumers accepting
                                         decade is reflected in my memory                          advice of any sort based on

“ Financial Planning                     of a debate that took place on the                        anything less than an expectation
                                         stage that day, on the relative merits                    that those providing advice are
  is Life Planning.”                     of whether financial planners should                      always acting with an appropriate
                                         be held to a “client interest first”                      duty of care and loyalty to their
                       - Cary List       standard. In fact, I remember well                        clients are, thankfully, rapidly
                                         the words of a senior executive of a                      coming to an end.
                                         large financial services provider at                      Consumers are becoming more
                                         the time, who sat on stage and told                       demanding, and more savvy.
                                         the audience “let’s face it, we’re a                      The next generation of clients
                                         sales organization first.” How times,                     are generally less trusting of
                                         and attitudes, have changed! While                        “professionals” and less likely
                                         much progress has been made in                            to blindly trust their “advisor”.
                                         professionalizing financial planning,                     Advisors (and firms that employ
                                         we still have some ways to go. With                       them) who cannot fully embrace
                                         the onset of new disruption brought                       this reality will not survive.
                                         on this past year by the global
                                         COVID-19 pandemic, the industry and
                                         the profession remain at a crossroads.
                                         As I pass the torch on to the next                     2. Technology and artificial
                                         President & CEO of FP Canada, rather                      intelligence will live
                                         than reflect on the past, I’d like to leave               symbiotically with
                                         you with four thoughts on the future of                   human advisors
                                         financial planning, particularly in light of
                                         all the disruption facing the profession:                 Human financial advice in its
                                                                                                   traditional form will not survive
                                                                                                   the onslaught of fintech tools and
                                                                                                   artificial intelligence (AI).

                                     F P S TA N D A R D • S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 • I S S U E 2 1                                       1
FPStandard 2021 SPRING - FP Canada
But as robo-advice platforms
   “The future of all professions               and AI continue to develop, it’s                  4. It all adds up to a future of
lies in the services that technology            become clear that tech without                       financial advice that lies in
    can’t supplant, and financial               humans is also unlikely to survive.                  3H Financial Planning
       planning is no different.”               At the end of the day, humans
                                                without tech and tech without                        If my first three predictions come
                                                humans both lead to inferior                         true, this fourth one becomes
                                                advice. It’s the symbiosis of the                    a foregone conclusion. Without
                                                two that will truly change the                       a paradigm shift in thinking of
                                                game for the betterment of all.                      what the financial advice industry
                                                                                                     needs to be, there is no future
                                                                                                     for human advice. If, however,
                                           3. A shift to financial planning                          financial advice becomes
                                              as a social science                                    synonymous with a professional
                                                                                                     service based on 3H financial
                                              It’s taken 30 years, but there is                      planning–that is, advice that sees
                                              finally an awakening happening.                        clients through a holistic lens,
                                              Without a direct link of financial                     that delivers on the human side
                                              goals to life goals, money is                          of the equation by employing
                                              only as valuable as the paper                          empathy and utilizing principles
                                              it’s printed on. Most people                           of behavioural economics
                                              don’t just want to make more                           to produce the right client
                                              money, they want to figure out                         outcomes, and that provides
                                              their lives, and they want the                         honest, ethical professional
                                              financial wherewithal to live life                     service, always putting the
                                              confidently. Financial planning is                     client’s interest ahead of all other
                                              life planning. As a result of this                     interests–financial planning will
                                              paradigm shift in thinking, in the                     finally be recognized by society as
                                              decades ahead we’ll see financial                      a true profession.
                                              planning education shift from
                                              solely focused on math, finance                     As I watch these ideas and ideals
                                              and business to include, and                        already being embraced, this is how
                                              in many cases be driven by, an                      I know financial planning will finally
                                              understanding of—and empathy                        become a profession, and that the
                                              for—people.                                         future has never looked brighter.

                                                     After 15 years as President & Chief Executive Officer of FP Canada,
                                                     Cary List will be retiring from FP Canada on June 30, 2021.

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FPStandard 2021 SPRING - FP Canada
FP Canada Editorial

Renewing Canada’s National Strategy
for Financial Literacy

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada’s well-timed consultation on renewing the National Strategy for Financial
Literacy presents an opportunity to take stock of past efforts and think big about the future.

This winter, the Financial Consumer           The renewed strategy sets out a                        The strategy must prioritize
Agency of Canada (FCAC) wrapped               number of ambitious new goals                          Canada’s youth. While it is important
up public consultations on renewing           including encouraging Canadians to                     to improve financial behaviours in
Canada’s National Strategy for                focus on and plan for their futures,                   adults, there is long-term value in
Financial Literacy for the next five          helping them protect themselves,                       prioritizing youth in financial literacy
years. The FCAC launched Canada’s             boosting understanding of financial                    outreach, to instil positive habits and
first national strategy, called Count         products and services, increasing                      behaviours early, before bad ones are
me in, Canada, for financial literacy         savings, and decreasing debt habits.                   formed. The strategy must lean into
back in 2015. The strategy was                The strategy also outlines action                      the notion of a future focus. It must
launched with a vision to strengthen          items for the public, private and                      help Canadians to gain a clear-eyed
the financial well-being of Canadians         non-profit sectors.                                    view of their financial situations,
and their families. It sought to                                                                     understand how they spend money
mobilize and engage public, private,                                                                 today and enable them to chart a
                                              Strategic focus areas
and non-profit sectors to empower                                                                    course for their futures.
Canadians to achieve three key goals:         The success of the overall strategy,
                                                                                                     The FCAC’s finalized strategy is set
                                              and its positive impact, will depend
                                                                                                     to be unveiled this spring. FP Canada
1. to manage money and debt wisely,           in large part on three things. The
                                                                                                     will continue to support the FCAC’s
                                              strategy must treat self-efficacy
                                                                                                     financial literacy efforts and work
2. to plan and save for the future, and       as fundamental. While financial
                                                                                                     closely with other stakeholders in
                                              knowledge is critical, emerging
                                                                                                     support of the strategy’s vision to
3. to prevent and protect against             behavioural research suggests
                                                                                                     increase the financial literacy and
   fraud and financial abuse.                 knowledge alone may not necessarily
                                                                                                     financial well-being of all Canadians.
                                              lead to positive financial decision-
                                              making or outcomes. Rather, higher
                                              self-efficacy (the belief in one’s own
Consumers need confidence
                                              ability to succeed) drives action. The
While these goals continue to be              strategy must endeavor to instil this
important, the development of a               self-efficacy and self-confidence in
renewed financial literacy strategy is        all Canadians.
well-timed. Canadians’ financial lives
are complicated in the best of times.
The financial challenges caused by
the pandemic have reinforced the
importance of ensuring Canadians                                                                                     FINANCIAL
                                                                                                                     LITERACY
have the financial knowledge and
confidence they need to succeed.

                                          F P S TA N D A R D • S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 • I S S U E 2 1                                            3
FPStandard 2021 SPRING - FP Canada
Introducing

                                       Meet Our New President & CEO:
                                       Q&A With Tashia Batstone

                                       We sat down with Tashia Batstone, FP Canada’s new President
                                       & Chief Executive Officer to talk about her career and her interests.

Tashia Batstone, MBA, FCPA, FCA
Incoming President & CEO               Congratulations and welcome to                         my sense of curiosity that led me to
                                       FP Canada. Tell us about your                          initiate a multi-stakeholder strategic
                                                                                              foresight initiative to explore the
                                       career, and factors that shaped it.
                                                                                              future of the accounting profession.
                                       My career always had a strong focus                    Understanding the impact of drivers
                                       on professional education and learning.                of change including technological,
“ I have always had a deep             I began my career in academia and
                                       spent the first 15 years as a university
                                                                                              environmental, and societal issues is
                                                                                              something all professions, including
    admiration for FP Canada.          lecturer, teaching accounting and                      financial planning, must consider. I
    Financial planning has             finance. I loved teaching but as                       believe all these experiences have
                                       someone who is an avid learner with                    enriched me and prepared me for my
    matured over the years and                                                                new role at FP Canada.
                                       a curious mind, I realized in 2007 that
    FP Canada has played an            I wanted to try something different.
    important role in shaping          This led me to accept the CEO role at
                                                                                                  “As someone who is an avid
    this advancement. ”                the Institute of Chartered Accountants
                                       of Newfoundland and Labrador.                               learner with a curious mind,
			            - Tashia Batstone
                                       But my interest in education and
                                                                                                      I love a challenge and
                                                                                                     love being challenged.”
                                       learning continued and in 2012,
                                       during the unification of the
                                       accounting profession I accepted                       Why did you decide to join
                                       the role as Vice-President of
                                                                                              FP Canada?
                                       Education at CPA Canada. In
                                       this role I had the opportunity to                     After a very successful tenure at
                                       lead the development of the new                        CPA Canada, I was ready for a change,
                                       CPA Certification program. After                       and I wanted to lead a purpose driven
                                       successfully launching the new                         organization. I have always had a
                                       program, in 2016 I was promoted                        deep admiration for FP Canada.
                                       to the role of Senior Vice-President                   Financial planning has matured over
                                       where, in addition to pre-certification                the years and FP Canada has played
                                       education, my portfolio expanded                       an important role in shaping this
                                       to include member services, financial                  advancement, which is a testament
                                       literacy and research. I think it was                  to the strategic vision and exceptional

4                                  F P S TA N D A R D • S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 • I S S U E 2 1
FPStandard 2021 SPRING - FP Canada
leadership of the team at FP Canada.           curiosity, empathy, decision making                    leader it is important to be strategic,
In particular, FP Canada’s vision for          and team building, have very much                      to always look at the big picture first
the future, IMAGINE 2030 really                shaped the leader I am today. To me,                   and then manage the details.
resonated with me. All Canadians               it is an obligation—and a privilege—
who strive to build a better life              to give back to an organization that                   Finally, as a woman, I think one of the
deserve the opportunity to have                has had such a deep impact on my                       challenges we all face is trying to
access to a trusted professional               own personal development.                              balance family life and a successful
financial planner. I am excited to now                                                                career. What gets lost sometimes
lead a purpose driven organization                                                                    is finding time to take care of
                                               You are a strong advocate for                          yourself–I struggle with this every
with such high aspirations for the
                                               diversity and inclusion. How do                        day. To be at our best at work and in
prosperity of all Canadians.
                                               you see organizations responding                       our personal lives we need to take
                                               over the next five to 10 years?                        time to rejuvenate–whether that is
  “Working with girls, watching                                                                       through exercise, mindfulness or
                                               Diversity programs in the work-                        just enjoying time with friends I think
   them grow and develop into                  place focus on the organization’s                      its important to find what gives you
 confident young women is one of               demographic blend and it’s important                   energy. Finally, I would say no one
 the most rewarding experiences                to be aware of this in our recruitment                 can do it all alone–you need
         I’ve ever had.”                       and hiring practices. Inclusion is about               champions and supporters both in
                                               ensuring everyone feels a part of the                  your personal and professional lives
                                               team, which means they are treated                     so proactively cultivating strong
What is your leadership style?                 fairly, have equal opportunities and                   networks is really important.
                                               resources, and can bring their whole
I am a strong believer in teamwork.            selves to work regardless of race,
I like to work with collaborative                                                                     What does your day look like
                                               age, gender or background. Over the
teams to bring about real change.              next five years I think organizations                  when you’re not working?
I attribute much of my success to              are going to have to change their
working in high-performing teams,                                                                     Life can be very busy these days
                                               recruitment models to move away
where the whole is always greater                                                                     and work can become all consuming
                                               from traditional networks and
than the sum of parts. As a leader I           be more deliberate in how they                         but to be a good leader I very
have always supported open, honest             source diverse talent. Organizations                   much believe we all need time to
communication and fostered an                  must develop a focused strategy                        decompress and recharge. As a native
inclusive environment where people             that targets diverse populations                       Newfoundlander, I grew up enjoying
feel empowered to speak openly and             with objectives around diversity                       the ocean and the outdoors. In my
challenge the status quo.                      and inclusion initiatives that are                     spare time I really appreciate just
                                               actionable and measurable.                             getting back to nature. For me that
There has been a very strong vein                                                                     is usually hiking, skiing, kayaking or
of volunteering in your career.                                                                       scuba diving. I often say to people
You are the Vice-Chair of World                     “I am excited to now lead a                       that I am happiest when I am either
Association of Girl Guides and Girl                purpose driven organization                        on, or under the water. My days start
                                                   with such high aspirations for                     early as I often love to go for a run
Scouts. Can you tell us more?
                                                 the prosperity of all Canadians.”                    or, if the weather is good, for a kayak
I have always been a strong advocate                                                                  before starting work.
for girls and women, both as a leader
and as a mother. Over the years, I             You are the first woman President
have volunteered with girl guides as           & CEO of FP Canada. As a

                                                                                                         IMAGINE2030
a unit guider and in governance roles          seasoned leader, what advice
at the provincial, national, and now           do you have for other women
international level. Working with girls,       aspiring for leadership positions?
watching them grow and develop into                                                                             To learn more, visit
confident young women is one of the            I would start with finding passion and
most rewarding experiences I’ve ever           purpose. If you truly love what you                                fpcanada.ca/
had. I have been a Girl Guide since I          do, your abilities will shine through
was six and the skills I learned within        and people see will you as a natural
                                                                                                               about/imagine2030
the guiding movement including                 leader. I would also suggest that as a

                                           F P S TA N D A R D • S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 • I S S U E 2 1                                             5
FPStandard 2021 SPRING - FP Canada
FP Canada’s CE Search Tool contains nearly 2,000
approved CE activities from well over 100 providers
• Absolute Engagement             • CE-Credits.ca                     • Industrial Alliance Insurance     • One Art Nation
• Academy of Financial            • Chartered Professional              and Financial services            • Ontario Securities Commision
  Divorce Specialists               Accountants of Ontario            • Inside ETFs Canada                • Pascal Financial Options Inc.
• Accelerate Financial            • CI Global Asset Management        • Institute for Divorce Financial   • Payments Canada
  Technologies Inc.               • CI Investments Inc.                 Analysts                          • PEAK Financial Group
• ADB Insights                    • CIBC Asset Management Inc         • Institute of Advanced             • PFM Capital Inc.
• Advice2Advisors                 • CLIFE Inc.                          Financial Planners
                                                                                                          • PIMCO Canada
• Advisor Practice                • Comfort Keepers                   • Invesco
                                                                                                          • Private Capital Markets
  Management                      • Comfort Keepers BC                • Invesco Canada Ltd.                 Association of Canada
• Advisor.ca                      • Comfort Keepers Victoria          • Investments & Wealth              • ProDio Audio Learning Inc.
• Advocis                                                               Institute (formerly IMCA)
                                  • Community First - YNCU                                                • Pro-Seminars Ltd.
• Age-Friendly Business                                               • Investors Group
                                  • Concentra Financial Services        Securities Inc.                   • Quality Mental Health
• AGF Investments Inc.              Association                                                             Interventions Training and
• Bank of Montreal Private                                            • Kingdom Advisors                    Consulting
                                  • Concentra Trust
  Banking                                                             • KMI Publishing and Events         • Radius Financial Education
                                  • Conference For Advanced             Ltd. / Wealth Professional
• BMO - Bank of Montreal            Life Underwriting (CALU)                                              • RBC Dominion Securities Inc
                                                                        Canada
• BMO Financial Group             • Corporate Finance Institute                                           • RBC DS Financial Services Inc.
                                                                      • Knowledge Bureau
• BMO Global Asset                • Credit Canada Debt                                                    • RBC Global Asset
  Management Inc.                                                     • Langley Memorial Hospital
                                    Solutions                           Foundation                          Management Inc.
• BMO Institute for Learning      • Credit Counselling Society                                            • RBC Royal Bank
                                                                      • Learnedly
• BMO Trust Company               • CUSO Wealth Strategies Inc.                                           • ReSolve Asset Management
                                                                      • Learning Partner
• BMO Wealth Management           • Dynamic Funds                                                         • Responsible Investment
                                                                      • Legacy Capitals LLC
• Bridgehouse Asset Managers      • Empire Life Insurance                                                   Association
                                                                      • Lesniewski Moore Consulting
• Bruce Etherington &               Company                             Group                             • SEI Investments Canada
  Associates                      • ETFGI                                                                   Company
                                                                      • Life Centered Partners
• Business Career College Corp.   • Ethics Audit                                                          • Skillsoft Corporation
                                                                      • Life Transitions by Dr. Amy
• CacheFlo Inc.                   • Family Enterprise Xchange                                             • SmartBe Wealth Inc
                                                                      • Louis Jolicoeur
• Canada Life                     • Fidelity Investments                                                  • Spring Planning Inc.
                                                                      • MD Management
• Canada Life Assurance             Canada Ltd.                                                           • Steadyhand Investment
  Company                                                             • Meridian Credit Union               Funds Inc.
                                  • Financial Planning
• Canadian Association of           Association of Canada             • Mindpath Corp.                    • STEP Canada
  Farm Advisors (CAFA) Inc.       • Foran Financial Institute         • Mindset Consulting                • Strategy Institute
• Canadian Association of Gift    • FP Canada                         • Monkey Credits Inc.               • Sunshine Coast Community
  Planners (CAGP)                                                     • Morrison Mortgage Team              Foundation
                                  • FP Canada Institute™
• Canadian Compliance &                                               • MRD Training                      • The Legacy Companies, LLC
                                  • Gen-Connect Training
  Regulatory Law                                                        & Consulting Inc.                 • The Personal Coach
                                  • Global X Management
• Canadian ETF Association                                            • MY-CPE LLC                          Program Inc.
                                    Company LLC
• Canadian Institute of                                               • Neurose Corporation               • Transcontinental Media. G.P.
                                  • Harbourfront Wealth
  Certified Executor Advisors                                         • New School of Finance             • Vancouver Foundation
                                    Management
• Canadian Institute of                                               • Newcom Media Inc                  • Vision Systems Corp.
  Financial Planning (CIFP)       • Home Trust Company
                                  • iA Clarington                     • Ninepoint Partners LP             • XTRAcredits
• Canadian Securities Institute
  (CSI)                           • IFSE Institute
• Capital International Asset     • ILS Learning Corporation                                   For more information, visit
  Management                      • Independent Financial                                 fpcanada.ca/cesearchtool
                                                                                          fpcanada.ca/researchtool
• CDSPI Advisory Services Inc.      Brokers of Canada

6                                        F P S TA N D A R D • S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 • I S S U E 2 1
FPStandard 2021 SPRING - FP Canada
Professional Certification

                                       Making a Difference to Clients’ Lives:
                                       Snapshot of a QAFP Professional
                                       Wendy Brookhouse knows about                           time. “That process took her from
                                       money. The 15-year veteran of                          someone scared and worried about
                                       financial services has an Executive                    money, to someone who feels in control
                                       MBA, among other credentials,                          and super confident.” Brookhouse also
                                       and serves a few hundred clients                       lauds the course’s analytical approach
                                       at Black Star Wealth, the firm she                     to managing client behaviours. “I’ve
                                       founded in Halifax in 2013. But it                     always believed that the behavioural
                                       was not until she recently received                    economics piece was key to the
                                       her Qualified Associate Financial                      success of our clients,” she says.
Wendy Brookhouse, QAFP                 Planner certification that she became                  How people manage their money has
Financial Advisor & Money Coach,       fully confident about using her                        a profound impact on their lives but
Founder of Black Star Wealth           accumulated knowledge to craft                         making those decisions can be hard.
                                       financial plans for clients.                           With QAFP certification under her belt,
                                       In her practice, Brookhouse says                       Brookhouse says she now has a deeper
                                       she takes a “holistic,” approach; that                 appreciation of people’s priorities and
                                       includes counselling her clients,                      diverse needs and offers advice that
“ I was a skeptic before               who include physicians and business
                                       owners as well as individuals with
                                                                                              supports their goals. “That’s where
                                                                                              confidence begins,” she says.
  taking it,” but “I got to
                                       every day financial planning needs,
  appreciate the nuances               about everything from spending
  and the technical aspects            to debt reduction, to investing.                                “I consider myself
                                       Brookhouse says a lot of people
  and the background that              worry about money, and often don’t
                                                                                                    a friction point remover.”
  I really didn’t understand           know whom to turn to or where to
                                       start. She uses what she calls a
  or know; it has really               “one-number” solution, that helps                      Ongoing learning
  upped my game.     ”                 clients take the pain out of dealing
                                       with their money, and frees them up
                                                                                              Brookhouse also believes that
              - Wendy Brookhouse                                                              all advisors should pursue QAFP
                                       to focus on the rest of their lives.                   certification as part of their
                                                                                              continuous professional development.
                                       Elevating your knowledge                               That’s partly because of the changes
                                                                                              in the financial advice industry
                                       Brookhouse says she wasn’t at first
                                                                                              that are occurring faster than ever,
                                       certain but after pursuing the QAFP
                                                                                              both with respect to products and
                                       designation, she now believes everyone
                                                                                              regulation. She also notes that
                                       who meets with clients should add the
                                                                                              technology is evolving rapidly,
                                       QAFP certification to their toolkit.
                                                                                              which will change the nature of the
                                       As an example, she recalls recently                    profession. “That means to remain
                                       helping a nervous client understand                    relevant we have to change what we
                                       that she could afford to retire at any                 do for our clients,” she says.

                                   F P S TA N D A R D • S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 • I S S U E 2 1                                         7
FPStandard 2021 SPRING - FP Canada
Research

               Helping Canadians Emerge in
               Strong Financial Shape After COVID-19
               The COVID-19 pandemic has presented many Canadians across the country
               with major financial challenges. Yet still too few are turning to professional
               financial planners to help them manage their money and chart a roadmap
               towards long-lasting financial well-being. This historic crisis has shown how
               financial planners can step up to the challenge by tailoring their expertise to
               meet this urgent need.

               As we pass the one-year anniversary                    with one-in-six Canadians, and nearly
               of the World Health Organization                       one-in-five women, forced out of the
               declaring COVID-19 a pandemic, the                     labour force entirely.
               crisis continues to wreak personal and                 The survey also found that Canadians
               financial havoc on many Canadians.                     were experiencing two vastly
               While millions of us continue to work                  different pandemics. Half of workers
               from home, many Canadians still find                   in Western Canada said the pandemic
               themselves displaced. FP Canada’s                      impacted their work life, compared
               Tale of Two Pandemics survey took                      to just over a third (34%) of workers
               the pulse of Canadians’ feelings about                 in Eastern Canada. Canadians who
               their financial situation via a series of              worked with a professional financial
               questions about the past year.                         planner were almost 25% less likely
               The survey found that nearly two-in-                   to say household expenses rose (28%)
               five Canadians (39%) working at the                    during the pandemic compared to
               outset of the crisis have either lost                  those who did not (37%) work with
               their jobs, taken a pay cut or had their               a planner.
               hours decreased over the past year—
                                                                      Critical information for
                                                                      financial planners
                                                                      The survey results contain valuable
                                                                      information for financial planners in
                                                                      every region of the country.
                                                                      “Now more than ever, Canadians
                                                                      across the country need our help —
                                                                      yet too few of them are reaching out
                                                                      to us,” says Stacy Whytewood, a
                                                                      Qualified Associate Financial Planner
                                                                      professional in Moncton, N.B. “It’s
                                                                      important for people to take a hard
                                                                      look at their finances and expenses
                                                                      and put together a sound financial plan
                                                                      to help them weather any storm, but
                                                                      most importantly, reach their goals.”

8          F P S TA N D A R D • S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 • I S S U E 2 1
Nationally, the survey found only             The value of financial planners                        on Eastern versus Western Canada,
three-in-ten Canadians are working            The survey also contains insight into                  with a figurative line drawn along the
with a professional financial planner.        potentially beneficial marketing and                   Manitoba-Ontario border.
                                              outreach efforts of financial planners:                49% of Western Canadians who
                                              • Many of the 30% of Canadians who                     were working as the pandemic began
  “It’s important for people to take                                                                 say their professional lives have
   a hard look at their finances and             say they work with a professional
                                                 financial planner report they’re                    been negatively impacted by the
 expenses and put together a sound               better able to control their spending.              crisis, compared to 34% of Eastern
financial plan to help them weather                                                                  Canadians. Workers in Western
  any storm, but most importantly,
                                              • More Canadians who don’t work                        Canada, already hurting due to the oil
                                                 with a planner reported an increase                 price collapse, were also 50% more
          reach their goals.”                    in expenses (37%) during the                        likely to have been forced from the
                   - Stacy Whytewood,            pandemic compared to those who                      labour market (21%) or experienced a
                      QAFP professional          do (28%).                                           pay cut (19%) than Eastern Canadians
                                              • In fact, those who work with a                       (14% and 13%, respectively).
While most Canadians are not                     planner were 50% more likely to say                 What’s more, nearly two-in-five
currently using a financial planner,             their expenses decreased during the                 (37%) Western Canadians say their
the survey reveals an additional 12%             pandemic, in part due to having the                 household expenses have increased
would like to, particularly Canadians            know-how and guidance to budget                     during the pandemic, compared to
aged 18 to 34 (22%).                             and prepare for an emergency.                       32% of Eastern Canadians.
“It’s crystal-clear what this data                                                                   Amid a historic crisis, Canadians
is telling us,” says Kevin Cork,              The East-West divide                                   everywhere can greatly benefit
a Certified Financial Planner                 Regional differences in the data                       from the unique expertise offered by
professional at Calgary-based the             highlight the need for financial                       professional financial planners who
Absolute Group/FundEX Investments             planners in Western Canada in                          step up to the challenge by tailoring
Inc. “Canadians everywhere, especially        particular. The survey showed a clear                  their expertise to meet these urgent
younger Canadians, want and need              difference in the pandemic’s impact                    and unique needs.
help. But it must be specific to their
individual challenges as they navigate
the pandemic and take into account
                                                                           For a more detailed look at the research,
their preferences, as digital natives—
25-year-olds, for example— will
                                                                           visit the Updates and Insights section at
demand a digital-first approach to                                                   fpcanada.ca/news
a financial plan.”

                                          F P S TA N D A R D • S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 • I S S U E 2 1                                            9
The FP Canada Institute

                                     Skills For the Next Generation
                                     of Financial Planners
                                     Financial planning is undergoing a dramatic transformation, driven by
                                     technological advancements, and shifting consumer needs. To stay at the
                                     leading edge of the profession, financial planners of the future will need strong
       Advanced Certificate          holistic financial planning skills, a deep understanding of human behaviour and
     in 3H Financial Planning
                            TM

                                     an enduring commitment to honesty and ethics.

                                     The FP Canada Institute recently                       The feedback from participants has
                                     introduced the Advanced Certificate                    already been exceptional.
                                     in 3H Financial PlanningTM, a program
                                     specifically designed for CFP                          The flexibility of choice
                                     professionals’ continuous professional
                                     development. Developed after extensive                 The program comprises 15 interactive
                                     surveys and consultations with CFP                     courses that participants can take
                                     professionals and employers, the                       at their own pace. To receive the
                                     program goes beyond technical skills,                  Advanced Certificate in 3H Financial
                                     and offers hands-on learning in the                    Planning, participants must complete
                                     areas of Holistic Financial Planning,                  all 15 courses. However, students may
                                     Human Behaviour and Honesty                            choose a set of courses packaged into
                                     and Ethics (3H). The program was                       “concentrations”, or select individual
                                     developed after in-depth research into                 courses according to their preference.
                                     how technology and automation are                      CFP professionals said the program
                                     reshaping the role of a financial planner              offers in-depth insights into how the
                                     and an analysis into the skills financial              3H concepts apply to all stages of the
                                     planners will need for effective client                financial planning process, from the
                                     engagement to drive stronger client                    initial discovery conversation all the
                                     outcomes, today and in the future.                     way to reviewing and supporting
                                                                                            client actions.

                                                                                                 “There’s a lot of technical
                                                                                              content out there that explains
                                                                                             the ‘what’, but this program does
                                                                                               a great job of focusing on ‘the
                                                                                             how’ through the use of tools and
                                                                                             examples. It has really changed
                                                                                             the way I approach interviews.”
                                                                                            - Daniel Dessureault, CFP,
                                                                                              Vice-President, Advanced Sales, Ontario,
                                                                                              PPI Advisory in Toronto, ON

10                               F P S TA N D A R D • S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 • I S S U E 2 1
Real-life case studies
                                                 “There aren’t too many opportunities to study ethics in the financial
The Advanced Certificate program in               planning space. It’s great to be able to go directly to the licencing
3H Financial Planning also contains             body and understand how they interpret the Code of Ethics in real-life
real-life case studies and other tools
that financial planners can readily                    scenarios. It really doesn’t get much better than that.”
implement to help them better serve             - Tracey Britt, CFP, professor, George Brown College, Toronto, ON
their clients. Candidates who took
the Honesty and Ethics concentration
found great value in how the program
helped reinforce the Standards of
Professional Responsibility, cutting
through the jargon to walk them
through concepts that are applicable
to the work they do.

 “I just love how the course focuses
  on one topic and the worksheets
 at the end are like ‘now let’s apply
      this to real life situations’.                3H Financial Planning
  That’s really powerful and it has
given me the confidence to ask those                At its heart, the concept of 3H is about looking at people’s lives as a
                                                    whole and the ability to see clients’ needs through this holistic lens.
   deeper questions with clients.”
                                                    In fact, 3H financial planning—planning that is human, holistic, and
 - Shane Schneider, CFP,                            honest—is the foundation of the FP Canada Institute’s approach to
   Senior Financial Advisor,                        education for the profession.
   ATB Securities, Lloydminster, AB
                                                    Beyond just the technical skills, 3H financial planning places a strong
                                                    emphasis on behavioural and relationship skills so that financial
                                                    planners can better connect with their clients on a human level,
                                                    and communicate more empathetically. Financial planners will also
                                                    benefit from a deeper understanding of how factors that drive client
                                                    decisions, and how behavioural economics and client psychology
      Learn more about the                          influence financial decisions. Above all, 3H also emphasizes the need
                                                    for financial planners to always put their clients’ interest ahead of all
     Advanced Certificate in
                                                    other interests.
     3H Financial Planning at
                                                    As the financial planning profession continues to evolve and adapt to
   fpcanada.ca/planners/                            the changing times, the FP Canada Institute will fulfil its mandate of
  continuous-professional                           elevating professional financial planning practice by helping planners
                                                    enhance their knowledge and skills, and by equipping them with the
       -development                                 tools they need to serve their clients as fully and as effectively as possible.

                                         F P S TA N D A R D • S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 • I S S U E 2 1                                     11
Volunteers

                                           Giving Back to the Profession
                                           FP Canada fulfils its mandate                          What’s involved with
                                           through the support of its many                        volunteering with the Media
                                           volunteers. Each year, more than
                                           250 professional financial planners
                                                                                                  Ambassador Program?
                                           and other stakeholders generously
                                           volunteer their time and expertise to
                                                                                                  Jackie:
                                           a range of important activities. We                    One of the reasons I volunteered
                                           asked two volunteers what it was                       with FP Canada is because I deal
                                           like volunteering with FP Canada:                      with the media so much in my
Jackie Porter, CFP                                                                                professional life. My role as a Media
                                           • Jackie Porter, CFP, and founder
                                                                                                  Ambassador involves sharing with
                                             of Team Jackie Porter, a division
                                                                                                  Canadians messages on the benefits
                                             within Carte Wealth Management
                                                                                                  of financial literacy and why it’s so
                                             Inc., Mississauga, Ontario. Jackie is
                                                                                                  important for every Canadian to have
                                             a volunteer Media Ambassador
                                                                                                  a financial plan, irrespective of their
                                           • Robert An, CFP, a financial                          age or wealth. I do interviews with
“ Volunteering with FP Canada                planning specialist with CIBC and
                                             works closely with the firm’s Wood
                                                                                                  TV, print and radio outlets, discussing
                                                                                                  economic trends, consumer surveys
     means you are working with              Gundy clients. Robert is a member                    that FP Canada publishes and other
     an organization that’s                  of the CFP exam panel                                trends that impact the personal
                                                                                                  finances of Canadians. FP Canada
     supporting you, supporting                                                                   offers intensive media training to
                                           Describe your FP Canada
     your efforts, and helping             volunteering experience
                                                                                                  all Media Ambassadors, which has
                                                                                                  helped me enhance my knowledge
     you grow professionally. It’s                                                                and skills and engage with the news
     important for planners to             Jackie:
                                                                                                  media as a personal finance expert.
                      ”
     give back to that.                    It has been a really positive
                                           experience. One of the reasons I
                                                                                                  What’s involved with
                     - Jackie Porter       volunteered with FP Canada is that
                                           I’m really passionate about promoting                  volunteering on the FP Canada’s
                                           financial literacy. I am just grateful                 CFP Exam Panel?
                                           for the opportunity to do that. It’s a
                                           win-win.                                               Robert:
                                                                                                  In a broader sense, we review
                                           Robert:                                                questions [that will be asked on the
                                           I can’t say enough about the good job                  FP Canada certification exams].
                                           the FP Canada team is doing. They’re                   Typically, the work involved is five
                                           very courteous, professional, and very                 months on and one month off.
                                           prepared in terms of onboarding new                    So, in the five-month period, we
                                           volunteers and explaining the processes                look at two sets of different
                                           and expectations.                                      questions–one multiple choice and
                                                                                                  the other is constructed response.

12                                     F P S TA N D A R D • S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 • I S S U E 2 1
The constructed response questions           your efforts, and helping you grow
are tied to a case study.                    professionally. It’s important for
We spend quite a bit of time with            planners to give back to that.
constructed response questions,              I’ve found in my experience of
which require different expertise. My        volunteering that it always comes
tax background complements skills            back in a positive way, whether it is
of other volunteers on the panel, who        enhanced skills and knowledge that I
may have a stronger estate planning          can take back to my clients or by way
or insurance background, for example.        of referrals.
We work collaboratively to examine           Your clients also recognize that you’re
how the questions are written and            giving back to an organization that
then refine them further. I have also        regulates you.
been a volunteer marking the CFP
exam on a few occasions.
                                             Robert:
                                             It’s fulfilling in the sense that we                   Robert An, CFP
Why should others consider
                                             are able to shape the future of the
volunteering with FP Canada?                 financial planning industry. That part
                                             is really rewarding. By volunteering
Jackie:                                      directly with an organization that
Volunteering with FP Canada means            issues designations, you also
you are working with an organization         connect with the latest industry
that’s supporting you, supporting            developments.                                           “ There are opportunities for
                                                                                                        professional development
                                                                                                        credit hours and networking.
              FP Canada Volunteer Opportunities                                                         It’s nice to get to talk to
                                                                                                        people from around the
  FP Canada                                    FP Canada Institute                                      country who do similar
   • Board of Directors                         • Professional Education                                things as you but with
   • Career Recruitment Ambassadors               Program Assignment and
                                                  Assessment Marker                                     different companies.”
   • Media Ambassadors
   • Public Policy Ambassadors
                                                • Part-time Faculty for
                                                  Professional Education Programs
                                                                                                     				                 - Robert An

   FP Canada Standards Council                 FP Canada
   • Certification Exam Item Writer            Research Foundation
   • Certification Mock Exam Writers            • Board of Directors
   • Certification Exam Marker                  • Research Committee
   • Standards Panel
   • Conduct Review Panel
   • Disciplinary Hearing Panel Roster
   • Certification Exam Panels

                                         F P S TA N D A R D • S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 • I S S U E 2 1                                    13
Recognition

President’s List, QAFP Exam Award of Merit Candidates
FP Canada President’s List and the newly instituted QAFP Exam Award of Merit recognize students who achieved the
highest scores on the CFP Exam and the QAFP Exam. FP Canada congratulates these individuals for their exceptional
performance on the November 2020 administration.

                                  Rory Drennen                                                              Jarrett Holmes
                                  President’s List                                                          President’s List
                                  1st place                                                                 2nd place
                                  RBC                                                                       Ironshield Financial
                                  Ottawa, ON                                                                Planning
                                                                                                            Winnipeg, MB

As financial markets become increasingly sophisticated,                 My decision to become a financial planner stems from my
the need to develop comprehensive financial plans for                   desire to help people take a proactive approach towards
clients and help them make the right decision is more                   planning their future. By helping clients align their financial
important than ever. Building relationships with clients and            affairs with their larger life goals, I believe clients experience
helping them achieve their financial goals is a gratifying              increased fulfillment and are able to live their lives more
process–and also the reason I chose to be in the financial              confidently. I recently started my virtual financial planning
planning industry. I am excited to be named to the President’s          practice and just began accepting clients. My long-term
List. The CFP certification has given me the skills necessary           career goal is to be a trusted advisor to my clients. I would
to advise clients on how to allocate resources in the most              eventually like to become a mentor to young planners
efficient way and help them achieve their personal goals.               who are starting out.

     Thinking of retirement?
     Retiring doesn’t have to mean losing all connection with the profession.
     The FP Retired status preserves your recognitions, helps you to stay connected
     and give back to the profession.
                                                                                                               To learn more
     With the FP Retired status, you will:                                                                     or apply, visit
     • Continue to be listed on FP Canada’s Find Your Planner tool, as a retired professional
                                                                                                             fpcanada.ca/
     • Be eligible to volunteer with FP Canada’s board and panels                                         planners/fp-retired
     • Receive newsletters, other relevant information from FP Canada and much more

14                                        F P S TA N D A R D • S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 • I S S U E 2 1
Kristopher Kibler                                                     Nicole Robyn
                               President’s List                                                      QAFP Exam
                               3rd place                                                             Award of Merit
                               Flight Path Financial                                                 RBC
                               Planning                                                              Hamilton, ON
                               Calgary, AB

I started my professional career at a Big Four accounting           I am honoured to be a recipient of the first QAFP Exam
firm, where I earned my Chartered Professional Accountant           Award of Merit. I chose financial planning as a career as
designation and developed the knowledge for financial               I have a deep passion to work with and help people make
literacy. Through conversations with a friend who worked            the right decisions. Many Canadians today are looking for
as a financial planner, I realized my real passion—working          reliable, trustworthy financial planners to help them make
directly with people—and I chose to become a Certified              complex financial decisions and navigate significant life
Financial Planner professional. I am humbled to be                  events. As a QAFP professional, I can confidently provide
named to the President’s List. This recognition gives me            clients the advice and guidance they need, and I look forward
further motivation to continue on the path of professional          to helping individuals and families achieve their goals, plan
development in the field of financial planning.                     for the future and deepen my knowledge along with way.

    Nominations Open
    for FP Canada Fellow distinction and
    Donald J. Johnston Lifetime Achievement Award!
    Know someone who’s had an outsized impact on the financial planning profession?

                   Nominate them for                                                     Nominate them for
           the FP Canada Fellow distinction at                                           the DJJ Award at
        fpcanada.ca/about/fp-canada-fellow                                      fpcanada.ca/about/djj-award

                                      F P S TA N D A R D • S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 • I S S U E 2 1                                 15
Enforcement

                  Reports on Disciplinary Actions
                  Where CFP professionals or QAFP professionals have been found by a
                  Hearing Panel of the FP Canada Standards CouncilTM (the “Standards
                  Council”) to have engaged in conduct that breaches FP Canada Standards
                  Council Standards of Professional Responsibility, the Hearing Panel may
                  impose disciplinary sanctions ranging from a letter of admonishment to
                  permanent revocation of certification.
                  The Standards Council publishes all Hearing Panel decisions in accordance
                  with the provisions of the FP Canada Standards Council Disciplinary Rules
                  and Procedures. Discipline Reports and Hearing Panel Decisions can be
                  accessed at: fpcanada.ca/canadian-public/disciplinary-actions

                  Allen, Barbara (Windsor, ON) November 2020
                  • Ms. Allen was certified by FP CanadaTM as a CFP® professional in April 1998
                    and was a member in good standing at the time of the disciplinary hearing.
                  • Ms. Allen admitted that she failed to act with integrity and engaged in conduct
                    involving dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation by advising her client
                    to sign her estranged husband’s name on two Registered Education Savings
                    Plan (RESP) withdrawal forms and by signing her own name in the agent
                    section despite knowing she was not the agent on record.
                  • The Hearing Panel ordered that Ms. Allen receive a Letter of Reprimand,
                    complete three hours of Continuing Education (CE) in the category of Practice
                    Management in addition to the existing annual CE requirement and pay costs
                    to the Standards Council in the amount of $1,200.
                  • As of December 3, 2020, Ms. Allen has complied with the cost requirement.

                  Majeed, Michael (Markham, ON) January 2021
                  • Mr. Majeed was certified by FP CanadaTM as a CFP® professional in January
                    2005. His certification was suspended by FP Canada on an exceptional interim
                    basis, in November 2014.
                  • Mr. Majeed admitted that he is presumptively barred from reinstating his
                    certification with FP Canada as a result of being convicted of a number of
                    criminal offences in two separate cases.
                         • Mr. Majeed was convicted, in June 2015, under the Criminal Code of
                           Canada of obtaining credit by false pretences and causing a mortgage
                           broker to act upon fraudulent rental agreements.
                         • In October 2017, Mr. Majeed was convicted of, among other things, a total of
                           18 counts of fraud, attempted fraud and money laundering. The conviction
                           was the result of Mr. Majeed’s involvement in a fraudulent scheme involving
                           26 fraudulent credit applications made by fictitious businesses to institutional
                           lenders to obtain loans and lines of credit in excess of $4.2 million dollars.

16            F P S TA N D A R D • S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 • I S S U E 2 1
Enforcement

                  • On December 3, 2020, the Hearing Panel found that Mr. Majeed engaged in
                    professional misconduct.
                  • Following receipt of written submissions from counsel to the Standards Panel
                    and Mr. Majeed, the Hearing Panel convened to deliberate on Penalty on April 13,
                    2021. In accordance with Article 8.3 of the Disciplinary Rules and Procedure, the
                    decision on Penalty is expected within thirty (30) days from that date.

                  Hucul, David (Coquitlam, BC) January 2021
                  • Mr. Hucul was certified by FP Canada™ as CFP® professional in August 1999
                    and was a member in good standing at the time of the disciplinary hearing.
                  • Mr. Hucul admits that he failed to act with diligence and failed to exercise
                    reasonable and prudent professional judgment, by processing a $500,000
                    redemption in a client’s account based on email instructions from a third party
                    who had gained unlawful access, unbeknownst to Mr. Hucul, to the client’s
                    email account. By the time the fraudulent conduct was discovered, $100,000
                    had been misappropriated from the client’s account.
                  • The Hearing Panel ordered that Mr. Hucul’s CFP certification and entitlement
                    to use the CFP marks be suspended for a period of six (6) months (from
                    January 8, 2021 to July 8, 2021). Prior to reinstatement, Mr. Hucul must
                    successfully complete the FP Canada Institute™ Introduction to Professional
                    Ethics program. Mr. Hucul was also ordered to pay costs to the Standards
                    Council in the amount of $1,500.

                     Note: an earlier version of the disciplinary action summary of Mr. Hucul incorrectly
                     stated that Mr. Hucul admitted that he failed to act with integrity. Mr. Hucul did not
                     admit this allegation and the FP Canada Standards Council Discipline Hearing Panel
                     accepted that removal of the allegation was appropriate, given the facts of the case.
                     FP Canada apologizes to Mr. Hucul for the error.

                  Movassaghi, Mo (Vancouver, BC) March 2021
                  • Mr. Movassaghi was certified by FP CanadaTM as a CFP® professional between
                    February 2015 and March 2017 when his certification lapsed due to voluntary
                    non-renewal.
                  • The Hearing Panel found that Mr. Movassaghi engaged in professional
                    misconduct by, among other things, engaging in conduct involving dishonesty
                    when he forged his client’s signature on account documents including trading
                    documents and account transfer documents; and that he failed to disclose
                    the conflict of interest to his client arising from the fact that he was both her
                    landlord and her financial planner, and failed to obtain her written consent to
                    continue managing her investments.
                  • The Hearing Panel reconvened to deliberate on Penalty on March 10, 2021.
                  • On March 23, 2021, the Hearing Panel ordered that, effective immediately,
                    Mr. Movassaghi is permanently banned from seeking renewal or reinstatement
                    of his CFP certification or any other certification with FP Canada, and from using
                    the CFP certification marks and/or holding himself out as a CFP certificant.
                    The Hearing Panel also ordered Mr. Movassaghi to pay costs in the amount
                    of $15,000 by May 24, 2021.

              F P S TA N D A R D • S P R I N G 2 0 2 1 • I S S U E 2 1                                   17
PW  2021
       F       ual!
        is virt matter
             s no
       Join u re you’re
          whe ated.
             loc

                                       Save the date
                  Join us at the Financial Planning Conference
                     from November 23 to November 25
                 during Financial Planning Week, where you can
                                          Connect, Grow, Achieve

                                                                                                                               fpcanada.ca

902-375 University Ave. Toronto, ON M5G 2J5 • info@fpcanada.ca • 416-593-8587 • Toll Free: 1-800-305-9886

CFP®, Certified Financial Planner® and CFP logo are trademarks owned by Financial Planning Standards Board Ltd. (FPSB) and used under license.
QAFP™, Qualified Associate Financial Planner™, QAFP logo and all other trademarks are those of FP Canada™. © 2021 FP Canada™. All rights reserved.
May 2021
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