Canada

CANADA - A consortium led by the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (OTPP) has bought US aluminium container manufacturer Exal Group.

CANADA - New Democrat member of Canadian Parliament John Rafferty tabled a bill which would grant ‘secured' status to pension funds during bankruptcy proceedings and restructuring.

CANADA - Labour unions in Canada are calling on the federal government to double the benefits paid to retired workers.

CANADA/UK - The Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (OTPP) has agreed to buy the operator of the UK National Lottery, Camelot, for an estimated £389m (US$577.7m).

CANADA - The Canadian government will go on road show to get feedback from individuals, and have commissioned a series of reports on how to improve the country's pension system.

AUSTRALIA/CANADA - Australian pension reserve fund Future Fund has terminated discussions with the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) and Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (OTPP) regarding their proposal to acquire Transurban Group.

CANADA - The Ontario Municipal Employees' Retirement System posted returns of 10.6% in 2009, but its scheme deficit still increased more then five-fold over the year to C$1.5bn (US$1.45bn).

CANADA - Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec posted a 10% return for 2009 but fell short of its target returns.

US/CANADA - Manager search activity by institutional investors in North America is set to increase 13% above 2009 levels, potentially resulting in a shift in assets of US$420bn this year, a survey by eVestment Alliance and Casey, Quirk & Associates revealed....

CANADA - The University of Toronto pension and endowment fund is set to adopt profound changes to its investment strategy and its investment management structure following a 30% loss on its assets during 2008.