The Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada approved several new directors at its 2012 annual general and special meeting of members (AGM) held Thursday.

At the AGM, Lea Hansen, Rod McLeod and Dawn Russell were approved as public directors of the MFDA, each for a three-year term of office or until their successors have been appointed. Hansen is a Toronto-based consultant, McLeod is a lawyer in Markham, Ont. and Russell is the president & vice chancellor of St. Thomas University in
Fredericton, N.B.

Rick Annaert, Steven Donald and Stephen Geist were approved as industry directors, each to hold office for a two-year term or until their successors have been appointed.

Annaert is president & CEO of Manulife Securities Investment Services Inc., Donald is president of Assante Wealth Management (Canada) Ltd. and Toronto, Ontario, Geist is president of CIBC Asset Management Inc. & CIBC Securities Inc. All firms are based in Toronto.

In addition, MFDA members in attendance at the AGM approved the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as auditors, and confirmed amendments to MFDA By-law No. 1 dealing with the composition of Audit Committee and the definition of ‘public director’, which permit a broader range of persons to be considered as candidates for Public Directors on the MFDA board and increase industry director participation on the Audit Committee to allow for broader industry input.

Members also approved amendments to MFDA Rule 2.2.1 (“Know-Your-Client”), and the MFDA Financial Questionnaire & Report (Form 1).

The MFDA will hold its 2013 AGM on Dec. 5, 2013 at the St. Andrew’s Club and Conference Centre, in Toronto.