22 LEXPERT
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2017
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WWW.LEXPERT.CA
PHOTO:
SHUTTERSTOCK
Worldwide, there's significant movement to-
ward increasing board diversity for publicly traded
companies, either by way of a quota system or, as
in Canada, a "comply or explain" regime. Much of
the focus has been on increasing gender diversity.
ough "slow and steady" has been the man-
tra for years, greater gender diversity on boards is
clearly progressing. In the march to progress, says
Neil Kravitz, a partner at Fasken Martineau Du-
Moulin LLP in Montréal, larger institutional enti-
ties have tended to more fully embrace the concept
— think financial institutions and banks.
For other entities, he says, the move toward in-
creased diversity had a slower start but has gained
momentum. "While there has been some activist
shareholder activity pushing for proposals related
to board diversity at shareholder meetings, the
number of such proposals has actually gone down
in the last few years." In Kravitz's opinion, this may
be a sign that companies are addressing the issue
and have increased their focus on diversity.
Still, as Canada seeks to increase its foreign
trade, this country's boards may come under in-
creased scrutiny. "e approach by companies
to diversity varies by market and industry as you
would expect, because there are a variety of stake-
holder profiles," says Brock Gibson, Chair of Blake,
Johnson, QC, Kevin E. Norton Rose Fulbright
Canada LLP (403) 267-8250 kevin.johnson@nortonrosefulbright.com
Focusing on corporate and securities law matters, Mr. Johnson acts for a
variety of participants in capital markets transactions. He has acted for
issuers, selling shareholders, independent committees of boards of directors
and investment dealers in public and private offerings of securities, related
party transactions, corporate reorganizations, and mergers & acquisitions.
Johnson, Elizabeth J. PwC Law LLP
(416) 869-2414 elizabeth.j.johnson@ca.pwc.com
Ms. Johnson's practice covers a wide range of business income tax matters
including M&A transactions, corporate reorganizations and cross-border
structuring. She is a recognized expert on Canadian partnership taxation and
Canada's anti-avoidance rules and has written extensively on these topics.
Jackson, Kibben Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
(604) 631-4786 kjackson@fasken.com
Mr. Jackson is a partner in the Litigation & Dispute Resolution Group. His
practice focuses on insolvency, corporate restructurings and secured creditor
realization. He has worked with most of Canada's largest financial institutions
and trustee firms and has represented both debtors and creditors in
connection with significant reorganizations and debt restructurings.
Jack, QC, Sandra E. Felesky Flynn LLP
(403) 260-3308 sjack@felesky.com
Ms. Jack's practice covers a wide range of areas, including business
tax planning and dispute resolution with the CRA, with particular emphasis
on reorganizations, international tax planning and financings
of public corporations.
Innes, Michael D. Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
(416) 862-4284 minnes@osler.com
Mr. Innes is a partner and co-Chair of the Firm's Corporate Finance
& Securities Group, a member of the Firm's Executive Committee and acts
as the firm's US Co-Desk Head. Nationally and internationally recognized
as a leading capital markets and US/Canada cross-border corporate lawyer
in Canada. His practice focuses on corporate finance and securities,
M&As and private equity.
Hutchison, Alan J. Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
(604) 692-2760 ahutchison@osler.com
Mr. Hutchison practises in the areas of securities and corporate/commercial
law with an emphasis on mergers and acquisitions, corporate finance and
corporate governance. He also practises in the areas of mining law and
specializes in the mining industry. He regularly advises clients in public and
private financing transactions in both equity and debt, and on regulatory
compliance issues.
LEXPERT RANKED LAWYERS
BOARD DIVERSITY
Corporate boards
are still dominated
by men, but the merits
of gender diversity
are gaining sway
By Bev Cline
'PROGRESS
BEGETS
PROGRESS'
