LÉVIS, QC, Jan. 11, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - After eight years at the helm of Canada's leading cooperative financial group, Monique F. Leroux will be stepping down as Chair of the Board, President and CEO of Desjardins Group at the end of the organization's Annual General Meetings. Ms. Leroux was first elected on March 15, 2008, and re-elected by acclamation in January 2012.
The process culminating in the election of the new Desjardins Group president begins today. Unlike other financial institutions in which the Board of Directors chooses its leader, Desjardins follows a democratic electoral process. The new president is elected by an electoral college who indicate their choice by individual secret ballots. The electoral college consists of 256 members including caisse representatives (elected officers and general managers) who are members of the Quebec and Ontario regional councils, and the Group Caisse Council.
Electoral process Timeline:
- From January 11 to February 1, 2016: nomination forms are available
- From January 25 to February 1, 2016: nomination period
- From February 2 to March 18, 2016: election period during which the candidates will meet privately with the members of the electoral college
- March 19, 2016: election by the members of the electoral college
- April 9, 2016: the new president takes office.
Candidate eligibility
Any person who has been a member in good standing of a Desjardins caisse in Quebec or Ontario for at least 90 days prior to the date on which their nomination form is received and who meets the other conditions specified on the form may run for president of Desjardins Group. They must also obtain the support and signatures of 10 members of the electoral college, including at least two representatives of each of the regions that make up Desjardins' territory (the eastern, central and western regions).
Nomination forms
Paper and electronic nomination forms will be available from the Elections Desk and the secretary of each regional council and the Group Caisse Council. All completed forms must be mailed to the Elections Desk, 40th Floor, 1 Complexe Desjardins, Montréal, QC H5B 1B2 or faxed to 514-845-2916, by 4:30 p.m. on February 1, 2016.
Election committee
The election committee was set up during Desjardins' Annual General Meetings in March 2015 and is responsible for ensuring that the electoral process takes place according to the applicable rules. Hélène Lee-Gosselin, member of the Québec-Ouest and Rive-Sud Regional Council, is the chair of the election committee, which also includes seven other officers and members of the Quebec and Ontario regional councils and the Group Caisse Council.
About Desjardins Group
Desjardins Group is the leading cooperative financial group in Canada and the fifth largest cooperative financial group in the world with assets of $251 billion. It has been rated one of the Best Employers in Canada by Aon Hewitt. To meet the diverse needs of its members and clients, Desjardins offers a full range of products and services to individuals and businesses through its extensive distribution network, online platforms and subsidiaries across Canada. Considered North America's strongest bank according to Bloomberg News, Desjardins has one of the highest capital ratios and credit ratings in the industry.
NOTICE TO MEDIA: IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE ESTABLISHED RULES, THE CHAIR OF THE ELECTION COMMITTEE WOULD LIKE TO REMIND ALL MEDIA REPRESENTATIVES THAT CANDIDATES ARE NOT ALLOWED TO GIVE INTERVIEWS DURING THE ELECTORAL PROCESS.
SOURCE Desjardins Group
(media inquiries only): André Chapleau, Public Relations, 514-281-7229 or 1-866-866-7000, ext. 5557229, [email protected]
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