“FP Canada had done a tremendous amount of work around title protection, so it was wonderful to be to be there when title protection came into effect,” Batstone says. “FP Canada was one of the first approved credentialing bodies, and we’re continuing to advocate for regulatory change in the interest of consumers across Canada.”
Batstone also oversaw FP Canada’s inaugural IMAGINE 2030 Benchmark Report, a ground-breaking national survey that examines how Canadians are doing across the four dimensions of financial well-being, financial confidence, financial access, and financial trust through the lenses of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Read more: Taking the first step towards true financial advice for all
“I think the data helps us understand where the gaps exist, but it’s a difficult story to process when you look at some of those numbers,” Batstone says. “We’re embarking on a journey that is going to help all Canadians. We now have the data we need, and we’re working with our partners from across the financial planning profession to see how we can ensure that this profession is serving all Canadians, regardless of their income, age, gender, or race.”
There’s more work to be done. Aside from continuing the financial benchmark study every year, Batstone sees an opportunity for FP Canada to review its processes to ensure its paths to certification are efficient and barrier-free, while making sure certificants continue to have all the skills and competencies they need to uphold their clients’ interests. Beyond that, she is focused on keeping abreast of what’s happening in the complex regulatory environment of financial planning.
