Poll

We need your opinion

How do you communicate with plan members about their pension plan/retirement savings plan?  



Result
Detailed Program


Time
 Event
7:45am-3:30pm
 ACPM Annual Golf Tournament  and BBQ
The Fairmont Chateau Whistler Golf Club

Carved out of the slopes of the Coast Mountain range, with elevation changes of more than 400 feet overall, this superb Whistler golf course is generous to the eye and provides enough fun and challenge for players of all levels.   This par 72, 18-hole course offers a golf opportunity unmatched in the region.  By allowing nature to dictate the path without constraints of commercial influence, the golf course traverses creeks, ponds, stands of ancient Douglas fir and granite rock faces that testify to the fact that this magnificent course follows closely the natural state of the rugged terrain. Remember to keep your camera with your clubs, so you can take full advantage of all this great course has to offer!

12:00pm-8:00pm
 Registration
10:00am-3:00pm
 Peak 2 Peak and Whistler Alpine Experience
Departs from Hotel Lobby

Enjoy an incredible day as you ascend high up into a land of glaciers and snow-capped peaks for a moderate hike.  Learn about alpine ecology and local natural history from experienced hiking guides. Hike through flower-filled meadows and look out for pikas, marmots and black bears. Experience the world record-breaking Peak 2 Peak Gondola as you take the breathtaking 4.4 kilometre journey spanning the distance between Whistler and Blackcomb Mountains.  You’ll also enjoy a mountain top lunch with your colleagues and mountain guides. 

5:00pm-7:00pm
 Welcome Reception
Araxi Restaurant, Whistler Village

The culinary cornerstone in the heart of Whistler Village, Araxi enjoys a long-held international reputation for excellence in food, wine and hospitality.  Araxi was selected by Chef Gordon Ramsay and the Producers of Hell’s Kitchen as the grand prize for season six.



Time
Event
7:00am – 5:00pm
Registration
Fairmont Chateau Whistler
7:30am-8:30am
Breakfast
8:30am-8:45am
Opening Ceremonies
 
Bryan Hocking, CEO, ACPM
Scott Perkin, President, ACPM
Don Ireland, Conference Chair, ACPM

8:45am-10:15am

Plenary I: (Not) Pension Reform

Speakers:
Robert Brown
University of Waterloo

Dr. Lisa Butler Beatty
Appleby (London)
 
Moderator:
Scott Perkin
ACPM

There has been unprecedented political interest in the issue of pension adequacy/coverage for Canadians.  Proposed options by expert panels across the country include expanding the CPP, various forms of government-sponsored DC plans, and amending pension and tax laws to enable increased coverage under private arrangements.  This Plenary considers expanding pension coverage in Canada by drawing on the experience (including lessons learned) of other countries and Canadian experience to date.  It also discusses contributions, replacement income, the roles of the employer and financial institutions, and whether the system should be mandatory, voluntary, or somewhere in between.
 
10:30am-3:00pm
Companion Program – Cultural Tour
Cultural Centre , Lunch and Gallery Row
Departs from Hotel Lobby

Spend your day exploring Whistler Village, named the 2009 Cultural Capital of Canada.  Begin your day at the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre viewing exhibits that explore the relationship to the land and objects that celebrate traditions of art, music and ceremony, past and present. You’ll then enjoy an authentic Italian lunch at one of Whistler’s most highly recommended restaurants, Trattoria di Umberto.  Your experience will continue with a guided tour of Whistler’s Gallery Row as well as interesting public art displayed throughout the Village.  Complete your afternoon with some shopping before heading back to the Chateau. 
10:15am-10:45am
Refreshment Break and Sponsor Showcase
10:45am-11:45am
Concurrent Sessions
 
Workshop 1: Deal or New Deal

Speakers:
Dr. Jim Tomkins
University of Regina

Judy Erickson
Teck Resources Ltd.

Moderator:
Jay Parker
UBC Staff Pension Plan

The traditional Defined Benefit promise is getting harder to sustain in today’s environment.  But DC plans are also affected by extreme market volatility.  How have sponsors addressed the issue of sharing costs and risks with plan members?  What strategies have they used to define a new partnership?  How have their new arrangements performed in the latest market cycle?  Find out how two sponsors have adapted their plans to the new realities – and worked with their employees to forge a new deal.
 

Workshop 2:  Funding DB Plans in Today’s World

Speakers:
Jay Mann
CN

Michael Peters
Financial Institutions Commission

Moderator:
Michel St-Germain
Mercer

With the current pension system, most private plan sponsors are inclined to minimize their pension contributions. Further to the recent economic crisis, funding requirements have blown up. Participants from companies facing bankruptcy even run the risk of having their benefits reduced. In that context, CAPSA issued a consultation paper in November 2009 to provide guidance and assistance to pension plan sponsors and plan administrators, by making them aware of key issues in pension plan funding. This workshop will include a plan sponsor perspective as well as a regulatory perspective linked to the CAPSA consultation and expected guidelines.
11:50am-12:10pm ACPM Annual General Meeting
Bryan Hocking, CEO, ACPM
Scott Perkin, President, ACPM
12:15pm-1:45pm
Luncheon & Keynote Speaker
Mr. Ken Melamed
Mayor, Resort Municipality of Whistler

2010 Olympic Winter Games – Preparing to Welcome the World to Whistler Village.
2:00pm-3:00pm
Concurrent Sessions
 
Workshop 3: Are MEPPs in your Future?
 
Speakers:
 Terry Duggan
BC Maritime Employers Association

Roy Stuart
Hewitt

Moderator:
Kenneth Burns
Lawson Lundell LLP

Usually MEPPs are found in a unionized environment but more recently, MEPPs are being proposed as a way to increase pension coverage under widely different circumstances.   This workshop will explain how MEPPs work and what are their advantages and disadvantages compared to other types of pension plans.  Then our panel of experts will explore how they could be more broadly used and what the MEPPs of the future could look like.
 
Workshop 4: Managing Relationships
 
 
Moderators:
Rosalind Gilbert
Aon Consulting

Andrew Harrison
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP

M&A activity presents challenges to plan sponsors and administrators with respect to their retirement plans (and other benefits) and the service providers that are used by all parties.  This interactive session will explore the management of service providers in this context.  There are many factors that could present challenges in an M&A with respect to the retirement plan.  In a case study format, with the participation of attendees, this session will include both the consultant and the plan sponsor experience.
3:00pm-3:30pm
Refreshment Break and Sponsor Showcase

3:30pm-5:00pm

Plenary II: The Pension Promise


Speakers:
Judy Cameron
Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions

Robert Ferchat
Professional Corporate Director

Ian McSweeney
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP

The bankruptcy of large pension plan sponsors has grabbed the headlines, provoked demonstrations and caught the eye of politicians.  But what exactly happens when a pension plan sponsor files for creditor protection or declares bankruptcy?  What is the role of our law-makers and regulators?   What can be done to protect current retirees and strengthen the pension promises already made? What are the implications for the future of private sector pensions? Sort out what really happens in the alphabet soup of the BIA, the CCAA, the CBCA and the PBSA. Hear the view from a legal perspective, labour representative and a regulator who have been through the entire process.

6:30pm-10:00pm

Gala Reception, Dinner and Entertainment by Comedian Brent Butt    

Join your colleagues for our Gala evening headlined by acclaimed Canadian Comedian Brent Butt.  Born in Tisdale, Saskatchewan, Brent Butt discovered early that being funny was a good way to get attention.  His television series –Corner Gas, became an instant hit with unprecedented ratings.  Brent is currently starring in his new series for CTV and The Comedy Network called Hiccups as well as his own comedy special and a feature film set for 2010.  Get ready to laugh your “butt” off!

 


Time
Event
7:30am – 12:00pm
Final Registration
7:30am-8:45am
Breakfast

8:30am-10:15am

Plenary III: Your Investments Have Currency

Speaker:
Louis-Vincent Gave
GaveKal

Michel Malo
University of Toronto Asset Management

Moderator:
Becky J. West
Addenda Capital

With the globalization of the world economies, currencies play an important role which creates opportunities and challenges for investors.  Factors impacting currency markets include central bank behaviour, a nation's trade balance and commodity prices.  This Plenary explores the complex relationships driving the currency markets today and in the future as well as some of the tools that can be used to manage currency risk and to potentially generate excess returns.  This information is intended to help plan sponsors as they write their investment policies and formulate investment strategies.
10:00am- 2:00pm
Companion Program - Waterfall Explorer Tour and Picnic Lunch
Departs from Hotel Lobby

Enjoy this guided walk through Nairn Falls Provincial Park. The trail meanders between old growth cedars and firs following the cliff banks, about 100 metres up from the fast flowing Green River. The trail is well maintained, level and has just a slight elevation gain. Near the beautiful waterfall at the end of the trail is a small climb, providing you with majestic views of the falls. A second trail brings you to a rocky beach on the river where you will enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch with your guides.
10:00am-10:30am
Refreshment Break and Sponsor Showcase
10:45am-11:45am
Concurrent Sessions
 
Workshop 5: U.S. DC Plan Litigation: Coming to Canada?
 
Speakers:
Christopher A. Brown
Spectrum HR Law LLP

Margaret A. Clemens
Littler Mendelson, P.C. (Rochester)

Moderator:
Susan Nickerson
Hicks Morley LLP

U.S. defined contribution (DC) plan lawsuits are growing in number and frequency.  It is important for Canadian pension sponsors and consultants to understand the nature of the claims being made against U.S. DC plan sponsors in order to determine whether they can expect these types of claims in Canada and, if so, what steps can be taken to avoid such actions.  This session will examine recent U.S. DC pension actions.  
 
Workshop 6: Exploring Performance Based Fees

Speakers:
Christine Girvan
MFS Investment Management

William E. Tilford
CPPIB

Moderator:
Kathy Leavens
Connor, Clark & Lunn Investment Management

Whether DB or DC, few Canadian plans have experience paying performance-based fees to their investment managers. More usual in other countries and in non-traditional asset classes, this type of fee structure is garnering interest from Canadian sponsors looking to control costs and maximize returns.  This workshop will introduce the concept of performance-based fees, explain how they are intended to work, and discuss their application both internationally and in Canada.
12:00pm-1:30pm
Luncheon & Keynote Speaker
Robert Hill, Mountain Climber, IDEAS

Robert Hill is the inspiration behind the No Guts Know Glory 7Summits campaign. Diagnosed with Crohn’s disease at age 23, having had ostomy surgery several years later to remove his diseased colon, Rob made a commitment to raise awareness of intestinal disease by traveling to far places and climbing to extreme heights.  A 7Summits campaign involves climbing the highest mountain on each continent. There are less than 250 people in the world who have climbed all 7Summits. When Rob Hill summits Mount Everest, he will be one of the first 15 Canadians to complete the seven summits.

1:45pm-3:00pm

Plenary IV:  Financial Literacy … Will Canadians be ready for retirement?

  
Speakers:
Graydon Watters
The Financial Education Institute of Canada

Hugh Kerr
ACPM

Moderator:
Dan Morrison
Towers Watson

With financial literacy coming under increased scrutiny, will Canadians know how to save enough money to provide for an adequate retirement income?   This session will examine two approaches to bridge the gap between plan member expectations and the reality that their saving patterns spell.  One approach will look at the opportunities financial education provides, while another will present a case study in plan design changes to address behavioural obstacles to saving.  You be the judge – which path is right?
3:00pm-3:30pm
Refreshment Break and Sponsor Showcase
3:30pm-4:45pm
ACPM Open Forum
The ACPM regularly consults its membership to solicit views on key policy issues.  Using on-line survey technology, conference attendees and ACPM members will be surveyed in advance of the conference.  The results of the survey will provide the basis for discussion at this interactive forum.  This is also your opportunity to hear about new ACPM initiatives that are currently underway.

6:00pm-10:30pm

Gondola Ride, Mountain-top Reception and Dinner with Spirit of the West Concert

Whistler Gondola and Roundhouse Lodge

Take in majestic views as you ride the Whistler Gondola from the Village right to the Roundhouse Lodge for a memorable evening of incredible vistas, great local cuisine and foot-stompin’ live music by Spirit of the West.  The band that became Spirit of the West began as a Folk trio called Evesdropper in Vancouver over 20 years ago.  12 albums later, they have proven themselves with four gold and two platinum albums to their credit, and are responsible for such songs as Home For a Rest, And if Venice is Sinking, Five Free Minutes, Save This House, and The Crawl.


Time Event

Optional Post-Conference Activities

Plan to extend your stay in Whistler and enjoy all this mountain playground has to offer.  Feeling truly adventurous – try out the Whistler Mountain Bike Park or the famous Zip Line Adventures.  Want something a little less daring, experience a guided kayak/canoe trip to Alta Lake or enjoy a half day of guided fly fishing.  You could also choose to catch the Olympic spirit on a tour of the Whistler Sliding Centre.  Each of these options is packaged for you at a special rate.  The only hard part is deciding what to do first!

Click here for more information and registration form