Kingsdale President Aaron Boles joins The Corporate Governance Institute's Dan Byrne for a wide-ranging conversation on what's shaping the 2026 proxy season in Canada. The discussion centers on the sharp rise in shareholder activism, now more targeted and concentrated than in past years, along with the shift in ESG expectations toward credibility and substantiated disclosure, and the rapid emergence of AI governance as a core board responsibility.
Listen in for what boards should take away from this year's proxy season, from activism to ESG to AI.
Available on Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Latest Insights
Activism Has Evolved. Have You?
Activism has shifted from operational intervention to strategic influence, and most boards are still playing by the old rules. A clear example is Bill Ackman, from his 2012 proxy fight at Canadian Pacific to his bid for Universal Music Group in 2026. Prepared boards identify pressure early. See what this means for boards under pressure.
Wes Hall On Canada's 2026 Proxy Season: Early Insights
Kingsdale Founder & CEO, Wes Hall, was interviewed by Diligent, sharing early insights from the 2026 Proxy Season and highlighting a 28% rise in activist campaigns in Canada. As activism becomes more targeted and sophisticated, the message for boards is clear: preparation is no longer optional, it is essential.
BP Chairman Ouster Is A Governance Story, Not A Personality Story
When BP fired its chairman, the move was dressed up as a shock. A unanimous board decision. It had all the markings of a sudden crisis. It was nothing of the sort. By the time a board is forced to remove its chairman in public, the cheaper, quieter options have already expired.
When The Stakes Are Highest, Business Leaders Choose Kingsdale
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* Source: Bloomberg Global Shareholder Activism League Tables FY2025 and LSEG Global Shareholder Activism Review FY2025.
#2025 and 2026 indicate proxy seasons: July 2024 to June 2026.