ISS Releases Benchmark Policy Changes for 2025

The 2026 proxy season proved that preparation matters more than ever. Canadian contests reaching a vote hit a five-year high, campaign volume declined, but the fights that remained went further and hit harder, and boards with real shareholder relationships came out on top.

Kingsdale Advisors, Canada's leading shareholder and governance advisory firm to issuers across North America, today released its 2026 Proxy Season Review. Titled "Governance on the Move: Shareholder Engagement in a New Era," the report is the firm's most comprehensive yearly analysis of the forces reshaping Canadian boardrooms.

The Canadian Securities Administrators closed a 90-day consultation period earlier this month on proposed amendments to Canada’s issuer bid, take-over bid and beneficial ownership reporting regimes. Investors need decision-useful information, while market participants need the flexibility to engage, adapt and execute effectively.