7-9pm in Lethbridge Public Library Theatre Gallery
Alberta may have been the location of the largest Ponzi scheme in Canadian history, namely the Brost and Sorenson Ponzi Fraud, but other provinces have had their share of toxic investment schemes as well. Despite such, Alberta, Manitoba and Quebec are not planning to support Ottawa’s plan for a national securities regulator.
Effective policing of financial fraud is a necessary ingredient for the stability of Canada’’s financial system. Canadian and global financial systems have been rocked by systemic fraud in subprime mortgages and structured credit products sold by the securities industry. The essence of financial fraud is deceit and it is difficult to believe that sophisticated industry players did not know they had packaged credit products with toxic ingredients that would eventually harm their customers.
The financial crisis in Canada is wreaking havoc on many through job losses, pensions underfunding and savings lost. Broad national issues regarding the fight against financial fraud will be addressed by the speaker and the audience will hear about the reception her group received in Ottawa on their call for a more a vigorous battle by government, securities commissions and police against white collar crime.
Speaker: Diane Urquhart
Diane Urquhart graduated from McMaster University in 1976 with a degree in Math and Economics. Her resume includes being head of equity research at predecessors to BMO Nesbitt Burns and Scotia Capital Markets. Now an independent financial analyst promoting better investor protection laws and enforcement in Canada, Diane is currently assisting former workers of bankrupted Nortel, battling for pension benefits from the trustees.
Ms. Urquhart also conducts research and prepares communication for federal and provincial legislators, the media, police forces, Canadian and U.S. securities, accounting regulators and citizen associations. A member of CFA Institute and Toronto CFA Society, Diane has also won many scholarships and awards, including a Canada Council Special M.A. Scholarship and the Hurd Medal for Honors in Economics at McMaster University.