Short Tips For Preparing For The 2013 Proxy Season In Canada

Last year was an unusual year in Canada with regards to developments that affect public company securityholder meetings. Unlike in past years, the changes did not focus so much on initiatives by the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) requiring, in particular, enhanced disclosure to securityholders. Rather, in 2012, shareholder activists, Canadian courts, stock exchanges and proxy advisors, in addition to the CSA, all contributed to a dynamic environment that should affect issuers’ thinking about this year’s securityholder meetings.

To assist in preparing for the 2013 proxy season, this article highlights certain developments over the last year which may be of particular relevance to corporate secretaries and in-house counsel of public companies.