Privacy guidelines take aim at identity theft and security breaches

The Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants (CICA) and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA) have expanded their privacy framework to include guidance for securing personal information. The changes address best practices for securing portable devices and ensuring the strength of privacy controls. The guidance also covers disposal and destruction of personal information. (Read the article Guidelines Aimed at Thwarting ID Theft, Security Breaches Unveiled at Journal of Accountancy online.)

Canada - Voluntary Sector Reporting Awards

The winners of the second annual Queen's University Voluntary Sector Reporting Awards (VSRAs) were announced at a luncheon ceremony in Toronto on November 20, 2009. At a time when financial reporting is becoming increasingly important to organizations of all types and sizes, the VSRAs recognize those organizations within Ontario’s diverse and growing not-for-profit sector that have achieved best practices. (Further information about the awards program is available on the Queen's University website. )

Canada - The business of climate change

Climate change is a global business issue of unprecedented significance, affecting entities of all sizes in all sectors. Unlike the recent recession and financial crisis, from which most economies will gradually recover in time, climate change as a formidable business issue is here to stay. It is multidimensional, evolving and complex, presenting new aspects and challenges as time goes by. Risks related to climate change may be physical, regulatory, reputational or legal. Some companies face mitigation risks related to their obligations and expectations about reducing their emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG). The risks faced by others may be related more to the impact of climate change on their business operations and the need to adapt accordingly. Companies’ effectiveness in identifying and addressing climate change risks (and opportunities) and their implications for business strategy is itself an important and distinguishing competitiveness factor. (Read the articles on The business of climate change and Toward the Green Deal in the December 2009 CAmagazine online.)

Canada - PotashCorp big winner at Corporate Reporting Awards

PotashCorp captured five awards, including the Overall Award of Excellence at the Corporate Reporting Awards presented yesterday in Toronto by the Chartered Accountants of Canada. The program has recognized excellence in financial and corporate reporting in Canada for more than 50 years. The awards are presented annually and reflect the CA profession’s commitment to enhancing the quality of financial reporting. (Read the CICA Media Release and the Book of Judges’ Comments for the 2009 Corporate Reporting Awards.)

Global sustainability survey 2009

According to The Sustainability Survey 2009 by SustainAbility/GlobeScan, addressing climate change requires both government and corporate leadership. Failure to reach global agreement in Copenhagen in December 2009 is expected to severely increase the likelihood of catastrophic climate change and new technology is seen as key to addressing climate change. In total, 1,691 sustainability experts from corporate, government, non-governmental, academic/research and service (e.g., consulting) organizations from more than 90 countries responded to the survey.