
Diligent Market Intelligence about how shareholder activism in Canada is changing course.
After a cautious first half of 2025 dominated by settlements, the second half saw activists return to the ballot box, securing board seats through special meeting votes as confidence rebounded.
Victor explained why direct negotiations are increasingly becoming the preferred path for both companies and activists: “Companies and activists are both realizing that direct discussions are in their best interests, as opposed to proxy contests that are time-consuming and costly for both sides.”
As activism adapts to market conditions, Kingsdale continues to lead the way, helping boards navigate uncertainty, mitigate risk, and maintain control in contested situations.
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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.