Investor Resources Just a Click Away

April 23, 2001, Toronto - Canadians are the world leaders in time spent on the Internet and what better way to obtain information on investing than browsing a website that offers unbiased consumer information. The Financial Planners Standards Council (FPSC) website, www.cfp-ca.org, offers practical information and points you in the right direction when choosing to seek the advice of a financial planning professional.

Visits to FPSC's website have doubled in the last year - more than 17,000 user sessions in March 2001 alone - as consumers of financial planning information seek to become more informed. From explaining the process of financial planning to 10 questions to ask in the first meeting with a planner, www.cfp-ca.org offers detailed information to help you attain your financial goals. Additionally, the consumer section now offers an Authors' page where consumers can learn about books on financial planning available in the Canadian marketplace. And more popular than ever with over 20,000 searches registered in the first three months of 2001, the To Find a Financial Planner database has proven to be a resource in demand as Canadians seek the help of qualified financial planners, those who hold the Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) designation.

Investor Education Week is an initiative of the Canadian Securities Administrators to draw attention to educational tools and resources that support investor decision-making. This year's theme is Invest Time Before You Invest - a message FPSC promotes year-round.

Financial Planners Standards Council is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to benefiting and protecting the Canadian consumer by establishing and enforcing education, examination, experience and ethics requirements for financial planners who choose to earn the CFP designation. FPSC is the Canadian licensor of the internationally recognized CFP certification marks used by 60,000 planners in 14 countries around the world. There are currently 12,838 planners licensed to use these marks in Canada.