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Profiles of IFIE Members' Financial and Investor Education Programs

Investment Dealers Association of Canada (IDA)

	Investment Dealers Association of Canada (IDA) (416) 364-6133 (416) 364-4878 http://www.ida.ca

As Canada's national self-regulatory organization for the securities industry, the Association regulates the activities of investment dealers in terms of both their capital adequacy and conduct of business. To qualify as a Member firm, an organization must meet stringent capital requirements, demonstrate an ability and willingness to conduct its business in a manner consistent with the by-laws, rules and regulations of the Association, and be subject to ongoing supervision. Member firm employees who deal with the public must be appropriately licensed. Investor protection is a top priority.

Financial and Investor Education Program Profile:

IDA provides its investor education information electronically and in print.

• The IDA's Investor's Corner provides information for clients of IDA Member firms and investors in general. www.ida.ca/investors_en.asp



• Investor Education publications: www.ida.ca/Investors/InvEducation_en.asp

What Works Particularly Well and Why:

• The brochures, Opening Your Retail Account and A Question & Answer Guide to Bond Investing, available on the IDA Web site, and in hard copy from some IDA Member firms, have been very successful because they address common questions from investors.



• The Member Firm/Registrant Information Service has proven to be an effective tool, and is used often by investors who wish to research the backgrounds of investment advisors.



• The Information Service provides details of registration for individuals, including what types of products they may sell, and of disciplinary history, if any.

How We Learn About Our Audiences' Investor Education Needs:

The principal audience of the IDA's investor education information is clients of IDA Member firms. The firms themselves are a good source for understanding the needs of clients, and make recommendations for materials. This was the case with the Opening Your Retail Account brochure.

What Kinds of Tools We Use:

• The IDA's Web site has a dedicated search function for looking up any possible disciplinary history of individuals or firms.

Different Delivery and Marketing Strategies to Reach Our Audiences, Educate and Help Them Use Our Materials:

• The IDA collaborates with other organizations, such as the British Columbia Securities Commission, to reach audiences in different parts of the country. The IDA will also be using the permission-based distribution system of 50Plus magazine to target older investors.



• The IDA participates in events and programs such as the Financial Forums, Junior Achievement, OSC Town Hall, etc. to reach investors directly.

How We Measure the Impact of Our Investor Education Programs:

• The IDA monitors visits to the Investor's Corner section of the Web site and tracks the number of brochures and other documents that are distributed.