We Are The Chartered Governance Institute of Canada
Chartered Secretaries and Chartered Governance Professionals are trusted advisors to boards and senior leaders, guiding the practice of good governance across sectors.
The Chartered Governance Institute of Canada (CGIC) is the only global qualifying organization in Canada that grants Chartered status to governance professionals and is committed to empowering, strengthening, and advancing your professional standing.
CGIC’s internationally recognized designations are your passport to global opportunity, supported by an International Qualifying Program that sets you apart.
Join us and become part of a global governance community.
Our Mission
Excellence through education, professional development and engagement of governance professionals.
Our Vision
Global Governance Excellence
Our Strategic Priorities
- Educational Excellence
- Growth and Engagement
- Visibility and Recognition
- Organizational Sustainability
What We Do
CGIC is dedicated to:
- Providing education, training, and support for practicing company secretaries, governance advisers, risk and compliance managers, and all governance professionals to drive responsible performance in their organizations.
- Providing the qualification framework and professional education pathway required to qualify as Chartered Secretaries and Chartered Governance Professionals.
- Supporting corporate, public, and not-for-profit sectors with professional resources and best practice guidance.
- Keeping members informed about new developments in corporate governance, company secretarial practice, and company law.
- Offering ongoing professional development opportunities through courses, workshops, and other learning programs.
- Upholding the highest standards of professionalism by ensuring members adhere to the Code of Professional Ethics and Conduct.
What Our Members Do
CGIC’s membership includes more than 1,500 Chartered Secretaries, Chartered Governance Professionals, Accredited Directors, Professional Administrators, and individuals interested in corporate governance across Canada, in Bermuda, and internationally.
What is Governance Professional?
A Governance Professional is a specialist who advises an organization on its governance structures, policies and procedures to ensure a culture of ethical and responsible behaviour, strategic and risk-aware decision-making, robust legal and regulatory compliance, and clear stakeholder accountability, ultimately contribution to an organization’s long-term success, resilience and integrity. They have been assessed against The Institute’s Level 7 professional standards, demonstrating technical competence, ethics and significant experience working in the field of governance.
Governance Professionals include individuals who hold titles such as: Company/Corporate Secretary, General Counsel, Governing Body Member, Governance Chief/Director/Manager/Officer, Risk or Compliance Chief/Director/Manager/Officer, and many others.
What is a Company/Corporate Secretary?
In many jurisdictions, there is a legal or regulatory requirement, or a market expectation, that organizations will appoint a Company/Corporate Secretary. Company/Corporate Secretaries ARE Governance Professionals appointed by, and reporting to, the organization’s governing body, providing impartial advice on governance matters including those related to strategy, risk, compliance and reporting, while acting as the principal conduit of information between the board, management and stakeholders. They will often be an Officer of the company.
Company/Corporate Secretaries may have job titles such as: Board Secretary, General Counsel, Trust Secretary, Director/Head of Governance, Governance Chief/Director/Manager/Officer, Head of Secretariat, Company Secretary + another title (e.g., Risk or Compliance). The variations of the title also vary according to seniority and breadth or responsibility – e.g., Group, Head, Director, Officer, Senior Assistant, Assistant, Deputy.
What is Governance?
The purpose of governance is to provide a framework of structures, policies and processes that facilitate accountability, responsibility and transparency, thereby enabling efficient and effective decision-making in the long-term best interests of an organization.
It provides a system by which organizations are directed and controlled and aligns the interests of the Board, Management, Shareholders and Stakeholders in pursuing success and resilience.
Our Governance Qualifications
CGIC offers two respected education programs that support governance professionals at every stage of their career.
International Qualifying Program
Internationally recognized pathway to becoming a Chartered Secretary or Chartered Governance Professional.
Directors’ Education and Accreditation Program
Designation recognizing enhanced competencies in governance, finance, and strategy and risk management.
Our Global Reach
CGIC is the Canadian Division of The Chartered Governance Institute, an international professional body founded in England in 1891 and granted its Royal Charter in 1902.
The Canadian Division is part of a truly global organization, with over 28,000 members based in 80 countries. Collectively, there are nine local institutes worldwide supporting our membership, and qualifying aspiring governance professionals through our internationally recognized and portable training.
Collectively, The Chartered Governance Institute is the only international organization that can offer a qualification that empowers a person with skills that transcend borders.
Did you know? The first Canadian branch was established in 1920.
View OUR HISTORY