Shareholder Democracy Summit - inaugural Report

PREFACE 

The Shareholder Democracy Summit (the "Summit") is an initiative of the Canadian Society of Corporate Secretaries ("CSCS"). In their capacity as governance professionals our members are on the front line of the relationship between Canadian public companies and their shareholders.

Our members witness first-hand the efforts that issuers make to communicate effectively with their shareholders, and the results of those efforts as shareholders express them by exercising their voting rights and attending annual general meetings.

We know that the current processes of shareholder democracy deliver far less than issuers and shareholders alike have the right to expect.

CSCS has offered to participants and stakeholders in the Canadian capital markets that it will take the initiative of assembling the key players and working diligently and resolutely with them towards a fundamental renewal of shareholder democracy process.

The Summit, (and an earlier Symposium held in Toronto in preparation for the Summit), demonstrate clearly that a consensus has begun to form among participants that the time has come to work collaboratively and vigorously towards a renewed shareholder participation platform.

This Inaugural Report is a first step in that endeavor.

Toronto, February 2, 2012

Signed

David Masse
Chair, Organizing Committee
CSCS Shareholder Democracy Summit

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