North America

CANADA - Canadian finance minister James Flaherty called for local finance ministers to support his plans to give tax incentives and modify pension standards to boost the defined contribution market, and to bring changes to the Canada Pension Plan.

CANADA - The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board is "very focused," on investments in emerging markets, Chief Executive Officer David Denison said.

US - US fraudster Bernie Madoff has mocked the investors he swindled out of US$65bn, reportedly saying he "carried them" for 20 years.

CANADA/US - An investor group including the Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan (OTPP) is set to acquire IT solutions provider SonicWALL in a US$717m deal.

CANADA - The Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec has said that chief financial officer and executive vice president Ghislain Parent has left the firm following an extended period of sick leave.

AUSTRALIA/CANADA - CP2 Ltd., Transurban Group's biggest shareholder, said it intends to hold onto its stake in the Australian toll-road operator and will push for boardroom changes after a bid to buy the company with two Canadian pension funds was rejected....

CANADA - The Canada Pension Plan has returned 14.9% for the year ending March 31 on the back of strong debt and equities gains.

CANADA/US - OMERS Private equity has completed its acquisition of United States Infrastructure Corporation (USIC).

CANADA/AUSTRALIA - The Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (CPPIB) has teamed up with one of Australia's largest property groups to launch an A$400m (US$351.8m) Australian real estate fund.

US - The Securities and Exchange Commission has accused a former Schroders Investment Management North America (SIMNA) portfolio manager of using confidential information to encourage his family members to offload their shares in a fund he managed.