LAUNCH OF "TEST YOUR FINANCIAL IQ" CONTEST

Montreal, March 1st 2006. Close to 70,000 young people will be invited to take part in the “Test Your Financial IQ” contest, a unique on-line quiz sponsored by the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) between March 1, 2006, and March 31, 2006, to learn about the importance of saving and investing money for their future.

Last year was the first time the quiz was available in the on-line format. The response rate that we received was phenomenal. A total of 20,000 youth ages 15 to 21 participated and registered to win. “This tells us that young people have a thirst for learning about saving and investing information,” said Jean St-Gelais, Chair of the CSA.

The quiz, which is available at www.tyfiq.ca, features questions and facts about budgeting, saving and investing in a format that will appeal to students. Thirteen entries, one from each province and territory, will be randomly selected from eligible quiz participants to win a $750 cash award.

Teachers are encouraged to use the TYFIQ quiz as a fun and informative learning tool. They can also download teachers’ resource materials off the web site at www.tyfiq.ca/teachers.. Teachers’ may enter a contest for a chance to win a prize worth $100. “The learning tools are entertaining and instructional,” said Mr. St-Gelais. “I strongly urge teachers to use them.”

The CSA, the council of the securities regulators of Canada’s provinces and territories, co-ordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian capital markets.

Their mandate is to protect investors from unfair or fraudulent practices through regulation of the securities industry. Part of the protection is educating investors about the risks, responsibilities and rewards of investing.