A new approach to defining capital investment, or: for my next trick!

Carney is trying to trick all of us with some accounting sleight of hand, opines the title of a recent National Post article. It’s written by Kim Moody. Here are some extracts: The article reminds us that under Canadian Public Sector Accounting Standards, tangible capital assets are non-financial assets having physical substance that That’s largely…

Another case against greenwashing, or: False Purpose!

Here’s an overview of a recent enforcement action filed by the Ontario Securities Commission: The OSC lists seventeen different classes of order that it seeks from the capital markets tribunal (maybe that’s a tad too long a list for maximum punchiness) including that Purpose and its Chair/CEO have their registration or recognition under Ontario securities…

On smoothing the path to adoption, or: what a relief!

One of the many challenging aspects of standard-setting is the fine-tuning of a standard’s scope and application: that is, to what degree and under what circumstances affected entities should be given a break from some of the requirements. This is from the basis for conclusions to IFRS S1 General Requirements for Disclosure of Sustainability-related Financial Information :…

Our age of thought leadership: I don’t know who to follow next!

I recently observed that “the term ‘trust’ is almost a mandated component of any CPA ‘thought leadership’ publication,” and that started me thinking about just how much so-called ‘thought leadership’ is out there. And then the Ontario Securities Commission published Insights on the OSC Staff’s Approach to Sustainable Finance   a publication that “builds on the work…

A complaint on greenwashing, or: Alberta, don’t you treat me unkind!

Here’s a recent news release from the shareholder advocacy organization Investors for Paris Compliance (I4PC): The reference to Bill C-59 reflects a recent strengthening of the Competition Act, to specifically prohibit ““[making] a representation to the public with respect to the benefits of a business or business activity for protecting or restoring the environment or…

Fresh eyes at the SEC, or: Kill the ISSB, or else!

Anyone who doubts the depth of Trump-era antipathy toward climate-related disclosure might check out the keynote address delivered by SEC Chair Paul Atkins at the Inaugural OECD Roundtable on Global Financial Markets. Here’s an extract: Atkins then goes on to take shots at the “double materiality” regulatory approach promoted under recently passed EU laws: Bloomberg…