Category: Economic

Appeal of Alberta Securities Commission 2014 ABASC 376 ASC ruling on Platinum Equities and Shariff Chandran.

WireService.ca Press Release (10/02/2014) Alberta – While understanding the seriousness of the decision, there were a combination of factors that culminated in the outcome relating to Platinum Equities, its companies and Mr. Chandran. We encourage everyone to read the decision in its entirety.

As the rulings of the Alberta Securities Commission note, Mr. Chandran cooperated fully and transparently in the investigation. Appreciating the seriousness of the matters Mr. Chandran did not disagree with bans and fines. However in light of other rulings that the Alberta Securities Commission has placed on other individuals and companies, the level of fines and the totality of the bans are too extreme. The fines are significant and these fines do not compensate the investors nor do the fines assist towards any recovery of assets for the investors It was hoped that Mr Chandran would have some exceptions or “carve outs” that would permit him to continue to advance steps he is taking to ensure the recoupment of investor monies, in legal proceedings that are still ongoing today.

The absoluteness of the bans will impede Mr Chandran’s ability to continue to assist the group of investors to recoup any of the funds. Based on the willingness of Mr Chandran to rectify and be actively transparent with the proceedings by the Alberta Securities Commission, Mr Chandran has continued to work with a group of investors in their best interest of their recovery and restitution while under the jurisdiction of the Alberta Securities Commission.

Based on a combination of events dating back to the financial crisis of 2008 and with third party lawsuits, assets are still being held to date through the actions that are out of his control. The intent of Mr Chandran is to appeal the sanctions as stated, because the absoluteness of the bans will prevent Mr Chandran from working towards and recouping any of the restitution monies owed to his investors and will inhibit him from his intentions as stated in the hearings.

The group of investors continues to support a “carve out” plan in order to achieve the common goals of the recovery and restitution of funds as documented in the hearings. Mr Chandran believes that he must be able to operate and direct his companies in order to regain control and recover assets that will be returned to the investors of Platinum Equities. Mr. Chandran is persistent in working towards a favourable outcome for the group of investors and has their support in obtaining a decision through the courts in the proceedings he has advanced to offset the losses of the investor.

Source:: http://www.wireservice.ca/index.php?module=News&func=display&sid=12473&title=appeal-alberta-securities

      

Microsoft announces the release of Dynamics CRM 2015 expected to become available in Q4 2014 and announces key features designed to increase collaboration within the organization to improve fundraising campaigns and social media management.

WireService.ca Press Release (10/01/2014) TORONTO, ON – Microsoft is providing solutions that enable fundraisers, campaign managers and other departments to deliver amazing constituent experiences – together. With the release of Dynamics CRM 2015 Microsoft has focused on breaking down the silos between Marketing, Sales, Customer Service and Social Communication. They also continue to deepen Dynamics CRM’s inter-operability with other leading Microsoft applications such as Office 365, Lync, Yammer, Skype and SharePoint. “Unlike vendors that want to separate businesses by selling them countless different clouds and solutions, we have designed Microsoft Dynamics CRM to facilitate the kind of collaboration that businesses need to thrive and grow,” said Bob Stutz, corporate vice president, Microsoft Dynamics CRM. This release is designed to enhance the collaboration across the organization and meet the needs of evolving organizations and their constituents.

“At Altus Dynamics we know our customers in the non-profit and public sector will benefit immensely from the new campaign management and social listening features coming in Dynamics CRM 2015,” comments James Faw, CTO at, Altus Dynamics. “It will break down operational and solution silos and create a more cohesive understanding of the success drivers throughout the organization.”

New campaign features such as email templates, drag and drop email components, as well as A/B and split testing offer more built in email marketing tools for campaign managers, allow them to eliminate some third party tools and work more efficiently within one product. This will also give them better campaign reporting options and an overall better picture of campaign success and performance.

Microsoft’s in-built Social Listening tool is something our non-profit/ public sector clients will also love. Organizations can monitor their social activity within Dynamics CRM, pulling information from Twitter, Facebook, Blogs, and other social networks. Within Dynamics CRM, you will see what people are saying about your organization and gain social insight by narrowing data sets by location or social network in 19 different languages from all over the world! Building on that theme, it was recently announced that Dynamics CRM Online is now available for purchase in more than 65 markets worldwide and they expect to reach over 130 markets in 44 languages by the end of calendar year 2014. This is a huge plus for global non-profits allowing them to use one system throughout the entire organization containing all the same information just offered in a variety of languages for remote sites.

“Technology plays an important role in allowing organizations to engage effectively with their constituents. Dynamics CRM 2015 will help organizations link their funders, member managers, student recruiters, campaign managers, service teams etc with the insights they need to deliver amazing experiences and add real value to the work carried out in their communities.” adds Colin Dickinson, CEO and Managing Partner at Altus Dynamics.

About Altus Dynamics

Altus Dynamics is a Canadian based information technology consulting and services company applying practical innovation through services and solutions that deliver tangible results for non-profit, education and government clients. Services include application development, ERP and CRM implementations utilizing the Microsoft Dynamics platform, including Microsoft Dynamics® NAV and Microsoft Dynamics® CRM as well as Microsoft SharePoint for employee portals.

Founded in 2003 and headquartered in Toronto, ON, Altus Dynamics operates across Canada and the United States. Altus Dynamics is a multi-award winning Gold Certified Partner, and Microsoft Dynamics Industry Solutions Vendor (“ISV”). For more information about Altus Dynamics please visit www.altusdynamics.com.

Source:: http://www.wireservice.ca/index.php?module=News&func=display&sid=12462&title=microsoft-dynamics-crm-2015-has-plenty-of-appeal-for-non-profits

      

It’s Investor Education Month! Only one in three New Brunswickers with a financial advisor have ever completed a background check.

WireService.ca Media Release (10/01/2014) SAINT JOHN – During investor education month, the Financial and Consumer Services Commission (FCNB) is encouraging New Brunswickers to make use of its free, online investor education tools before making investment decisions.

According to research by the Canadian Securities Administrators, only one in three New Brunswickers with a financial adviser has completed a background check. Individuals and the firms they work for must be registered with the commission in order to give advice about investment products or to buy and sell products on an investor’s behalf. The Financial and Consumer Services Commission provides investors with free, impartial and unbiased tools and resources to help them choose a financial adviser as well as make informed decisions.

“Registration helps protect investors because it verifies the firms and individuals have met the regulatory standard,” said FCNB’s senior education coordinator Marissa Sollows. “Those already investing or wanting to invest should use our resources to ensure an adviser is registered, there are no conditions or limitations on their registration and determine what products they are qualified to sell.”

The commission’s website has online tools including:

· Check Before You Invest – steps to take to complete a background check, including a workbook to record results;

· Understanding Registration – a resource to help investors understand the results of their search;

· Investment Planning Workbook – a resource to help investors set financial goals, identify the resources available to them, and assess the level of risk they are prepared to take;

· Introduction to Mutual Funds Brochure – an overview of the most commonly held investment product in New Brunswick;

· Investing Basics – includes information on creating a basic financial plan and being an informed investor; and

· Working with a Financial Adviser – includes information about choosing a financial adviser, questions for your financial adviser about their fees and what to expect from an adviser.

“Almost 30 per cent of Canadians believe they have been approached about a suspicious investment at some point,” said Sollows. “Being informed, asking questions and checking registration are the best ways for New Brunswickers to protect themselves from being a victim of a fraud or a scam.”

New Brunswickers are encouraged to contact FCNB if they discover the person with whom they are dealing is not registered or if they suspect investment fraud. Hearing from the public about suspicious financial and investment activity early is integral to combatting fraud. Please contact the Financial and Consumer Services Commission at 1-866-933-2222 (toll-free) or online to get further information, to make a complaint or to express other related concerns.

The Financial and Consumer Services Commission provides protection to consumers and investors from unfair, improper or fraudulent practices. It brings together regulatory authorities for securities, insurance, pensions, consumer affairs, co-operatives, credit unions, caisses populaires, and loan and trust companies. It is an independent Crown Corporation self-funded by the fees and assessments paid by the regulated sectors.

MEDIA CONTACT:

Sara Wilson, communications, Financial and Consumer Services Commission, 506 643-7045, sara.wilson@fcnb.ca

Source:: http://www.wireservice.ca/index.php?module=News&func=display&sid=12455&title=dont-leave-your-financial-future-to-chance

      

Ontario Chambers team up to draw attention and ask for an expedient review of the impact, in terms of both GDP losses and job losses, that competitor jurisdictions’ business attraction efforts are having on Canada’s economy.

WireService.ca Media Release (09/30/2014) Windsor, ON – The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce and the London Chamber of Commerce, along with 15 other Ontario Chambers, teamed up to draw attention and ask for an expedient review of the impact, in terms of both GDP losses and job losses, that competitor jurisdictions’ business attraction efforts are having on Canada’s economy. This resolution was successfully passed at the Canadian Chamber Annual General Meeting, which took place September 27-29 in Charlottetown, PEI.

The resolution passed by the Chamber of Commerce states that:

Canada’s international competitors are increasingly using hyper-aggressive techniques to lure Canadian businesses, causing job losses here at home and weakening the Canadian economy.

The resolution recommends that the Federal Governments take the following action:

In coordination with businesses and chambers of commerce from across Canada, undertake an expedient review of the full impact – in terms of both GDP losses and job losses – that competitor jurisdictions’ business attraction efforts are having on Canada’s economy.

The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber and the London Chamber raised the issue in a Chamber network call in June and the response from Ontario Chambers was strong and immediate.

“This is a huge win for Windsor-Essex, Ontario and all of Canada. The issue of hyper aggressive incentives came up time and time again at our First-Ever Policy & Solutions Forum, with our partners Unifor and the University of Windsor, in May 2014. There was a general consensus among business, labour and academia that there is a need to respond to hyper aggressive incentives from other jurisdictions,” said Matt Marchand, Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce President & CEO. “From here, we will work with our Chamber network, labour and academia to place this on the national policy agenda for the coming year. This is the first time this has ever been recognized by the national business community as a key issue.”

The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce was also behind a second successful resolution on the Maritime Goods Movements Act. This resolution states that:

The Maritime Goods Movements Act (MGMA) was proposed in the United States congress in 2013. The legislation would impose a fee on all cargo discharged at Mexican and Canadian ports and bound for the U.S. The fee was based on the value of the goods being shipped and would replace the current Harbour Maintenance Tax (HMT). Fortunately, the proposed tax was defeated in recent congressional negotiations, but is a clear indicator that there is some support for this type of tax potentially in the future.

“The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber wants to be proactive on this important issue to enhance and protect Windsor’s status as a key trade gateway,” said Marchand.

-30-

For more information contact:

Lindsey Rivait, Communications Coordinator
Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce
lrivait@windsorchamber.org
(519) 966-3696 ext. 25

Source:: http://www.wireservice.ca/index.php?module=News&func=display&sid=12425&title=windsor-essex-regional-chamber-and-its-partners-secure-national-support-for-federal-government-to-undertake-expedient-review-of-business-attraction-strategies-used-by-other-jurisdictions