Web Site : The Canadian Association of Income Trust Investors was formed in January 2007 as a lobby group of fund managers who claim to represent the interest of more than 3/4 of a million people.

AIM: To preserve the ongoing viability and sustainability of the Canadian income trust market for the benefit of Canadians saving for retirement and those Canadians seeking retirement income, and ensuring that this important investment choice is preserved not just for today but for the benefit of all Canadians in the future.

An ex-investment banking executive, Brent Fullard drove the initiative. And it may be good news for those who are generally interested in investing in companies that use the income trust structure. Based on the founding membership, the Association is of and for the interests of financial fund managers whose profession became all the more necessary when Ottawa clamped down on trust equities.

The group's site says, "To the extent that Ottawa's tax base is unaffected by the ongoing existence of income trusts, which it is, Canadians should be free to make their own investment choices in a manner that they determine best suits their investment goals. Unlike our elected representatives in Ottawa and members of the federal public service 70% of Canadians are not members of defined benefit retirement plans. Many who are, find that their plans are under funded. Retirement and the adequate funding of one's retirement is an important social issue facing Canada and its aging population, however latent this issue may be in the political consciousness of Ottawa."

A range of information about government myths about income trusts is provided with CAITI suggesting it will promote Advocacy, Accountability and Education. For some it serves as a political lobby group, hopefully one able to truly include the diverse range of voices and perspective necessary to inform tax policy in a meaningful way.

The group, including founders, made good use of the TrustInvestor site and Forum to hone their message. CAITI has also pushed for the Auditor General to review the tax policy of the Conservative government, including a once-hopeful Liberal leadership candidate as the featured speaker at the association's first public event.

We applaud their efforts, acknowledge their large financial backers and will include CAITI in the TrustInvestor resource area, to watch with great interest.