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: During the Liberal Party leadership campaign, (Canadian Prime Minister Mark) Carney said he would separate the federal budget into an “operating budget” and a “capital…

Another case against greenwashing, or: False Purpose!

Here’s an overview of a recent enforcement action filed by the Ontario Securities Commission: Purpose Investments Inc. (Purpose) is a registered investment fund manager based in Toronto, Ontario. During the period September 2019 to March 2023 (the Material Time), Purpose made sales communications which falsely stated or suggested that: (a) Purpose considered ESG factors when…

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 :…

Executive compensation disclosure, or: Frankenstein unleashed!

As I’ve noted before, one of my bigger regrets is the time I spent on the cause of executive compensation disclosure, pretty much all of which was wasted: As I put it here nine years ago: Enhanced disclosure was intended to provide a control on such arrangements (“sunlight is the best disinfectant”); now it’s generally…

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): Today I4PC filed a complaint with the Alberta Securities Regulator (ASC) alleging misleading disclosure regarding net zero by Cenovus and Enbridge. The choice of the ASC may come as a surprise to observers who have been expecting complaints to the…

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: As we look with fresh eyes at the types of foreign issuers that receive special accommodations, we should also not…