Canadian Securities Administrators Announce Contest Winner

To mark the end of its year-long educational campaign, This is your life … for better or for worse, the Canadian Securities Administrators is announcing the provincial winner of a contest that promoted the importance of saving and informed investing.

Susan Jerrot of Bedford has won a signed, framed print of Lynn Johnston's comic strip, For Better or For Worse.

The Canadian Securities Administrators created the campaign in response to research showing that major life events like getting married, starting a family, planning retirement or receiving a financial windfall motivate people to seek out investment information.

"When you are faced with financial decisions, careful research beforehand can help you protect your money," said Chris Pottie, investor education contact with the Nova Scotia Securities Commission. "The Canadian Securities Administrators offer free resources to help you make informed decisions."

The campaign website was showcased through online partnerships, lifestyle events, and in movie theatres across Nova Scotia. More than 5,000 Nova Scotians visited the website to register for the contest and access free investing resources. In addition, site visitors shared 711 tips for investing wisely, which the Canadian Securities Administrators will work into future campaigns. Tips include:

• Using the library instead of buying books and magazines you may only ever read once
• Never charging more on your credit cards than you can pay in full each month
• Bringing your lunch to work
• Paying for everything in cash and save the coin change.
• Paying down your mortgage each and every year, to the maximum you are allowed -- it pays off in the long run and saves thousands of dollars in interest payments.

The Canadian Securities Administrators is a council of 13 provincial and territorial securities regulators that oversee Canada's capital markets. Their mandate is to protect investors from unfair or fraudulent practices while fostering a fair and efficient marketplace. Part of this protection includes educating investors about the risk, responsibilities and rewards of investing. Investor resources are available online at www.csa-acvm.ca .