As a financial services regulator in Saskatchewan, Dave Wild had frequent interactions with FP Canada™ leadership. When his career shifted from regulator to pension fund manager, he was invited to join the FP Canada Board of Directors, where he served for six years as a public director. In recognition of his contributions, Wild has been recognized with the FP Canada Award of Distinction.
“I was always impressed with the leadership and the vision of FP Canada,” he says. “I connected with FP Canada so strongly because I found that their vision of financial planning was very aligned with everything I stood for as a financial services regulator.”
He particularly appreciated the sharp focus on the interests, needs, and goals of the consumer; the practical efforts to help incorporate the best tools offered by the financial services marketplace into financial planning practice; and the emphasis on building relationships rather than transacting business. He also greatly appreciated the organization’s belief that financial planning should serve over the long term rather than at the point of sale, and its recognition of the importance of human elements when dealing with consumers. The way Wild sees it, his efforts as a member of FP Canada’s board were so interesting and stimulating that they never felt like work.
Now retired, Wild has had an exceptional career. One of his major successes was establishing an organization that brought all of Saskatchewan’s financial services regulators together, including the securities commission, insurance regulator, pension regulator, and credit union regulator. It was a first-in-Canada effort that inspired other provinces to follow suit.
“The opportunity was to learn from each other and to better serve the public, who saw a single financial service marketplace and no distinction between regulators,” explains Wild. “They rightfully expected protection across all products.”
Another major achievement was leading the Joint Forum of Financial Market Regulators, which brought together securities, insurance, and pension regulators at a national level. That organization was responsible for introducing Fund Facts, the disclosure documents for mutual funds and segregated funds, as well as the CAP (capital accumulation plan) Guidelines, which help ensure that CAP members get the information and assistance they need to make investment decisions within their plan.
When it comes to what the Award of Distinction means to him, Wild says, “A group of people who I hold in very high regard saw value in my contributions. It’s very gratifying. But I have to tell you the truth. The opportunity to work with these people—so bright and engaged and fun to be around—I see it as one of the highlights of my working life.”
