Canada

CANADA/ITALY - The CAN$30bn (US$29.4bn) Hospitals of Ontario Pension Plan (HOOPP) and two other large investors have acquired 85% of Italian motorbike manufacturer Ducati.

CANADA - The CAN$108bn (US$106bn) Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (OTPP) has subscribed for an additional convertible debenture in Railpower Technology Group worth $20m.

CANADA - A call for a national summit on pensions has been welcomed by the Association of Canadian Pension Management (ACPM).

CANADA - Henri-Paul Rousseau, president and CEO of the CAN$155bn (US$155bn) Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec (Caisse), has announced he is to step down from his position, to pursue opportunities in the private sector.

CANADA - The Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) has announced CAN$855m (US$853m) in pre-tax write downs for the last quarter.

CANADA - The Alberta Investment Management Corporation (AIMCo) board has appointed Leo de Bever as CEO.

CANADA - The investor group led by the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (OTPP) has an had its deadline extended for the filing of documents relating to the acquisition of Bell Canada Enterprises (BCE).

CANADA - The rush to DC has slowed in the last year and CFOs have become more optimistic about the pensions crisis, according to Watson Wyatt and Conference Board of Canada.

The Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (OTPP) faces legal action from spurned bidder Catalyst Asset Management after the takeover of Bell Canada Enterprises (BCE) by the consortium led by the Canadian pension plan was approved.

CANADA - Class action shareholder litigation against Biovail Corporation, brought by the Canadian Commercial Workers Industry Plan, has been settled.