The financial services sector would be a vital component of the Canadian economy if measured according to its output and employment alone. It is more than that, however, because the efficiency and effectiveness of the financial sector is critical to economy-wide performance. The financial sector constitutes the infrastructure of commerce; financial intermediation is also the mechanism that facilitates risk-sharing and risk mitigation, as well as regional and intertemporal exchange of financial assets and obligations. These factors warrant special attention to the policy influences on the financial sector’s performance.

The C.D. Howe Institute’s Financial Services Research Initiative is a multi-year program organized by the Institute to report and advise on financial sector policy. Its unique work program addresses the economic environment within which financial intermediation takes place, the regulatory environment, and the future of financial intermediation. The Initiative is informed by regular meetings of experts in the sector, policymakers and supporters engaged in the financial services sector, including financial intermediaries, securities market participants and their regulators, among others. The Initiative publishes research by prominent scholars from academia, associations, and the private and public sectors.

Chair

Maureen Jensen

Maureen Jensen

Senior Fellow
Peter Levitt

Peter Levitt

Corporate and Philanthropic Director

Members

Bob Dugan

Bob Dugan

Chief Economist, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation
Stephen Frank

Stephen Frank

President, Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association Inc.
Louis Gagnon

Louis Gagnon

President, Canadian Operations, Intact Financial Corporation
Rob Galaski

Rob Galaski

Head of Financial Services, Americas Region, Deloitte

Debbie Gamble

Chief Officer Innovation Labs & New Ventures, Interac Corp.
Curtis Gergley-Garner

Curtis Gergley-Garner

Chief Risk Officer, Canada Guaranty
Ali Ghiassi

Ali Ghiassi

Vice-President, Industry Affairs and Government Relations, Canada Life
Blake C. Goldring

Blake C. Goldring, C.M., M.S.M., CD

Executive Chairman, AGF Management Ltd.
Victor Gomez

Victor Gomez

AVP, Government and Regulatory Affairs, Sun Life Financial
Jeff Guthrie

Jeff Guthrie

President & CEO, Canadian Credit Union Association

Content

Research Papers