Research
Evidence-based research serves as the core of all of IFIC’s submissions and communications. We draw on Canada’s most respected research bodies to ensure that the research we publish and promote is independent and follows the highest professional standards, including the use of recognized scientific methodologies, rigorous analysis, and ethical principles.
Working with leading organizations such as the Conference Board of Canada, Investor Economics, the University of Southern California, Center for Economic and Social Research, and Pollara, our goal is to contribute to policy discussions and create better understanding of the industry through factual analysis.
In addition to IFIC-sponsored research, we promote member and stakeholder awareness of independently produced research such as the ground-breaking work of Montreal-based CIRANO on the value of advice.
Finally, drawing from internal and external data, and drawing from third-party research, we conduct analyses and produce summaries and white papers on topics such as responsible investing, international regulatory developments, and how advice helps the modest investor.
Research Reports
(October 22, 2024)
(September 26, 2024)
(September 26, 2024)
(October 5, 2023)
(November 24, 2022)
(October 3, 2022)
Examines the proposed amendments to fee disclosure (know as total cost disclosure) by the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) and the Canadian Council of Insurance Regulators (CCIR). The report focuses specifically on the proposals to the securities sector. The report examines fee disclosure in other key jurisdictions, examines projected impact on investors, and evalutes impact on the industry.
(July 27, 2022)(December 17, 2021)
The annual survey measures the attitudes, opinions, and behaviours of mutual fund and exchange-traded fund investors in Canada.
(September 29, 2021)The annual survey measures the attitudes, opinions, and behaviours of mutual fund and exchange-traded fund investors in Canada. This year, the survey has been expanded to include investor responses on responsible investing.
(September 21, 2020)This research report is an update of the Conference Board of Canada's 2014 paper "Boosting Retirement Readiness and the Economy Through Financial Advice". It evaluates the impact of advice on individual savings, and the resulting positive effects on the Canadian economy.
(June 25, 2020)The report provides an overview of responsible investing (RI) in Canada and around the world, including terminology, financial performance and the future of RI.
(June 11, 2020)This report examines online interactive disclosure and its potential to enhance the understanding of investment fee and performance reporting.
(March 12, 2020)Annual survey has been expanded to include responses from both mutual fund and exchange-traded fund (ETF) investors.
(September 26, 2019)This report quantifies the economic footprint of the Canadian investment funds industry.
(August 7, 2019)This report has been commissioned by The Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC) as an update to the data, analysis and information originally developed in 2012 as part of a study into the cost of ownership (CoO) of mutual funds in Canada and the United States. The analysis was expanded to include the cost of ownership of fund in the U.K. and Europe.
(July 25, 2019)The report examines the current state of the investment funds industry in Canada, including trends that impact investors.
(June 6, 2019)This report explores how behavioural economics principles can be used to enhance aspects of fee and performance reporting.
(March 6, 2019)The 13th wave of Pollara's telephone survey of mutual fund investors in Canada. The study was initiated to better understand Canadian mutual fund holders, to identify their attitudes, opinions, needs, expectations and behaviours and to track these over time.
(September 26, 2018)
