IR Forum – Canada

As geopolitics becomes more unsettled — with regulatory changes, trade pressures and currency fluctuations — the first half of 2025 is primed to be an extremely challenging time for IROs.

This panel will assess the effect these changes have on the role of an IRO and provide a structured way for them to anticipate, prepare for and navigate the multifaceted interaction of social, political and economic factors, and position themselves by creating and maintaining a resilient investor engagement strategy.

• Consider how the Canadian market has changed over the last year and the effects it has had on IR
• Learn how the uncertainty surrounding US tariffs and shifting political priorities could influence cross-border trade and sector performance, and how to change your narrative to compensate
• Discuss how geopolitical events affect investment opportunities and how investors alter their views to make informed decisions and manage risks effectively during these times of flux
• Understand the problems adhering to the various sustainability regulations can cause when creating an engaging story that appeals to new investors, and how to overcome them – with a focus on CSRD.

Amin Mousavian, vice president of investor relations, treasury and and interim chief risk officer, TMX Group
Thang To, executive vice president, head of investor day practice, Corbin Advisors

In the ever-changing economic landscape, the role of a successful investor day should be prioritized as an essential part of any IR strategy. They are a powerful tool to showcase your company’s competitive edge, help foster trust and transparency or continually drive investor interest in your firm.

This panel will explore AI-driven strategies and techniques for organizing investor days that engage with your audience, equipping IROs with the tools needed to deliver a captivating investor day that instructs, inspires and shapes trust with investors.

• Consider the increased levels of AI adoption and its role in enhancing efficiency and engagement during investor days
• Discuss how using generative AI for agenda creation, material preparation and stakeholder targeting during the pre-event planning stage can aid in a successful day
• Hear the essential factors to consider when creating an all-engaging hybrid investor day
• Discover how leveraging AI to summarize dense reports, identify trends and tailor communications can ensure content optimisation
• Evaluate the best methods of balancing AI tools with human oversight to maintain a personal connection with investors
• Case studies: hear how companies are streamlining preparation for investor days with AI.

Jeff Robinson, sales dire.ctor, Lumi Global

Following recent changes in the political environment, the fall in value of the Canadian Dollar and an increase in laws and regulations that encourage shareholders to exercise their rights, there is a strong need for companies to have well-rehearsed, stringent and comprehensive processes in place when activists come knocking.

This panel aids IROs create a playbook to help navigate, prevent and manage activist attacks given changing tactics and approaches.

• Discuss the steps you can take to try to avert any activist campaigns: what are the initial signs?
• Understand the process of working with external counsel and advisors effectively when an activist is at the door
• Attune your company’s engagement practices to ensure they continue to be effective: asses the change in narrative and which channels you use to report
• Consider how you will need to adapt by understanding your shareholder base better
• Hear how to efficiently manage and brief the board during an activist campaign
• Discover if activism makes the capital markets more efficient over the longer term

Against the backdrop of an increasingly complex business, finance and regulatory setting, the function of an IRO is constantly changing and evolving.

This panel of experts will discuss the pressures put on IROs to continually elevate and reinvent themselves. Hear about the strategies, support and opportunities available to help investor relations professionals evolve and achieve their long-term career goals.

• Consider how the role of an IRO has changed over the last five years
• Learn best practices for creating a platform to build, strengthen and broaden your influence within an organization
• Assess the role of key performance metrics in evaluating progress against your companies’ goals to demonstrate the value of IR to internal stakeholders.
• Discuss the advantages of connecting with your peers in professional associations and at networking events to gain knowledge, education and guidance
• Evaluate how to add value in a functional role that is augmented or automated with gen AI

Nathalie Megann, president and chief executive officer, Canadian Investor Relations Institute (CIRI)
Shereen Zahawi, head of investor relations, MDA Space

Integrating AI into an investor relations strategy can offer significant benefits, but it also presents several challenges.

In this panel we will look at what tools are easily available and how we can carefully balance leveraging their capabilities while ensuring robust data governance, regulatory compliance and maintaining human oversight.

• Learn about the AI tools and innovative technology currently available, alongside case studies of how IR teams are incorporating these tools into their activities
• Establish a process to assess which tools are most relevant to your needs
• Understand how to effectively implement AI and remain compliant in an increasingly complex regulatory environment
• Discuss the methods and frameworks available to overcome issues relating to security, data privacy and accuracy, as well as implementing responsible AI usage
• Hear the most used prompts that get the best outcomes for IR teams
• Debate the benefits of service providers merging their technologies: is there now a one size fits all?
• Evaluate the need for human oversight in validating AI-generated insights.

Greg Secord, vice president investor relations, OpenText

Employing effective strategies for successful earnings calls is crucial for any company aiming to enhance its communication with the investment community.

This panel of experts will focus on the strategies, techniques and methods IROs must use to ensure an effective, comprehensive and successful earnings call.

• Discuss effective strategies to educate, engage and construct lasting trust with investors during your earnings call
• Debate how to craft impactful, consistent and transparent messages to manage investor expectations, address concerns and build brand credibility
• Hear how to master the Q&A section by anticipating questions and preparing responses that align with your overall narrative
• Learn about the supporting materials that can add value to your earnings calls
• Speaker selection: Learn how to evaluate and coach your full bench of senior management so they resonate and address investor queries
• Consider how AI and technology can aid in all aspects of the call.

Chris Makuch, senior director, Notified

As the corporate landscape in Canada continues to evolve, significant changes in how companies approach ESG initiatives are expected in 2025. As a result, the role of the Canadian IRO is becoming more challenging, requiring a deeper understanding of sustainability issues, regulations and the effective communication methods needed to manage risks and maintain investor confidence.

This panel will focus on the future of ESG and the strategies required to effectively communicate your company’s alignment with new standards and regulations.

• Debate the shortcomings of the current ESG approach: whether it has failed to deliver necessary change and whether the market needs to be redesigned to eliminate the conflict between profitability and sustainability
• Consider the value of Bill C-59 and the increased pressure IROs will face to ensure accurate and transparent sustainability reporting
• Discuss the critical role IROs will now have in communicating their company’s alignment with Canada’s new climate taxonomy and disclosure rules
• Evaluate the newly introduced legislation aimed at creating a new supply chain due diligence regime and what this means for IROs.

Investor relations professionals are always on the lookout for novel methods to connect with the most suitable investors.

In this session we explore strategies to raise your company’s profile, generate both issuer and shareholder value and plug investor gaps, all while re-engaging current investors and consolidating your relationship with them.

• Evaluate the need to understand your investor base, its investment criteria and decision-making process
• Learn how to ensure passive investors have the correct and most up to date information about your company
• Discuss the use of technology, data analytics and AI to identify and prioritize potential investors
• Assess the benefits of both long term and short-term stakeholders
• Debate the best practices to engage with retail and institutional investors, and how to tailor your messaging to each
• Consider how to attract international investors and overcome different market regulations.