The Conseil des professionnels en services financiers (CDPSF) and the Independent Financial Brokers of Canada (IFB) have formed a partnership to provide training for financial advisors.

The Conseil’s president Mario Grégoire notes that advisors in Quebec face challenges and risks that are not limited to the province. For example, he points out that advisors in Quebec are required to comply with the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) and federal anti-money laundering legislation. “With IFB as a partner, we can draw upon their experience in the regulatory arena, particularly as we consider Quebec’s Bill 188”, he says.

As for the IFB, it believes the partnership will help it to gain greater visibility. “Our organization has been fighting for thirty years for the rights of independent financial professionals in Canada, but we have not yet achieved the same stature in Quebec that we enjoy in the rest of the country,” comments IFB’s executive director Nancy Allan. “Working alongside the Conseil, we can expand our reach in Quebec to support both French and English speaking financial advisors. IFB is excited about this partnership. It’s a win for both associations.”

Both associations represent the interests of independent financial professionals, and both are not-for-profit organisations. As time goes by, the two groups say they expect they will find other opportunities to work together, particularly with regard to regulatory matters.