The Canadian Society of Corporate Secretaries changes its name to Governance Professionals of Canada.

TORONTO, Aug. 22, 2016 /CNW/ - The Canadian Society of Corporate Secretaries ("CSCS") announces that its Board of Directors and their members have voted to change their name to Governance Professionals of Canada ("GPC"). The much anticipated name change was approved this morning at the society's 18^th Annual Corporate Governance Conference in Whistler, BC. The Board of Directors of GPC will join Julia Yan, VP, Regional Sales, TSX Trust Company to close the market on Monday, August 22, 2016 from the exhibitor floor of the Corporate Governance Conference beginning at 12:59:45 pm.

The GPC membership comes from a range of expertise, backgrounds and occupy various roles related to supporting the governance function in their organizations, across all industries and sectors. This important shift over the past few years has led to the organization making the decision that a change in name would make it more inclusive and more representative for its current members and environment.

"Our membership has grown, our activities have expanded and our influence as the leading Canadian voice of governance is now firmly established," says President Lynn Beauregard. "The proposed change in our name to 'Governance Professionals of Canada,' reflects that growth and acknowledges governance as the defining principle that encompasses all that we do and all that our members do."

"While our name may change, the corporate secretary remains the keystone member of this organization," says Beauregard. GPC will remain focused on offering quality information, education sessions and trusted dialogues with its network and among top experts, regulators and academics regarding key corporate governance issues and best practices. It will also remain focused on developing new resources for the profession, such as a Canadian certification for governance professionals in the near future and a network of local chapters across Canada.

The members of GPC represent some of Canada's largest commercial companies including Royal Bank of Canada, National Bank of Canada, Imperial Oil, Goldcorp Inc., Canadian National Railway, and Bell Canada Enterprises Inc. GPC members also represent a variety of not-for-profit organizations including the Canadian Red Cross, OPTrust, Alberta Pensions Services Corporation and Canada Council for the Arts.

About the Organization

Governance Professionals of Canada is recognized as the most important organization for corporate governance professionals in Canada.

As the principal advocate for those who work in corporate governance, GPC strives to enhance the public's awareness of the importance of good governance. GPC is the voice of corporate governance professionals in Canada and participates with other stakeholders, including capital market participants, government bodies and regulators, in fostering a governance environment that sets Canada apart in the world. GPC supports its membership with continuing education and networking opportunities that are second to none.

SOURCE Canadian Society of Corporate Secretaries

Lynn Beauregard, President, 21 St. Clair Avenue East, Suite 802, Phone: [phone], ext. 306, Email: [email protected], Web: www.gpcanada.org