AIMA Canada, the Canadian chapter of the Alternative Investment Management Association (AIMA), was formed in March 2003 to act as the voice of the alternative investment industry in Canada.

Founded in 1990, AIMA is an international not-for-profit trade association whose objectives are: to increase investor education, transparency and promote due diligence and related sound practices; and to work closely with regulators and interested parties in order to promote the responsible use of alternative investments.

AIMA has more than 1200 corporate members in 47 countries around the world, representing a net increase of 19% in 2005. Its members cover the entire spectrum of the industry including single fund managers, fund of hedge fund managers, administrators, lawyers, brokers, consultants and other service providers.

AIMA Canada has 79 corporate members including hedge fund managers, institutional investors, pension fund managers and consultants, administrators, auditors, lawyers, prime brokers and other service providers.

In addition to working with regulators, holding Chapter luncheons and information sessions in Toronto and Montreal, AIMA Canada has developed two publications in 2004 - The Canadian Guide to Sound Practices and The Hedge Fund Primer ; two publications in 2005 - Guide to Sound Practices for the Disclosure and Promotion of Alternative Investments in Canada and AIMA Canada's Hedge Fund Investor Checklist; and a series of strategy papers in 2006.

Philip Schmitt, President of Summerwood Group Inc., serves as Chairman of AIMA Canada and heads its five-member Executive Committee which includes: Andrew Doman of Man Investments Canada Corp.; Tristram S. Lett of Integra Capital Management; Christopher Pitts of PriceWaterhouseCoopers; and Mike Burns of McMillan Binch Mendelsohn.

Additional information on AIMA Canada can be obtained by contacting Lynda Briant, General Manager, AIMA Canada, at 416-453-0111 or by email at briant@aima-canada.org.  AIMA’s web site address is www.aima.org.