If you are interested in becoming an EPCV member, please review the criteria below for eligibility for membership below and information on how to apply below.
DOWNLOAD APPLICATION, complete and forward to membership@epcv.com.
Text from old about us page
Members of the Council share the unique opportunity to meet collegially on a regular basis with estate planning professionals of all disciplines. The sole purpose of these meetings is to allow the membership to openly share ideas and work experience with each other and hear noted experts in the various areas of estate planning speak on topics of interest.
We endeavour to provide an engaging program based on topics that are relevant to our members. In November, the Canadian Association of Gift Planners participates in a joint meeting to address charitable giving issues. The January meeting traditionally offers an economic forecast or commentary. In May, the EPCV teams up with the Canadian Bar Association, Wills and Trusts Section to present topics dealing with legal issues, changes in legislation or court decisions that impact the EPCV. Other topics throughout the year may include cross border tax planning, investment and insurance related issues and estate planning considerations with respect to minors, cross-cultural impacts and eldercare.
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Our Estate Planning Council of Vancouver members are a group of multidisciplinary Estate Planners and Advisors.
Member categories include: Lawyers, Accountants, Chartered Life Underwriters, Trust Company Representatives, Financial Planners, Gift Planners, Portfolio Managers, Private Bankers, Pension Consultants and Designated Other Academics.
There are seven events each year. The November event, a joint meeting with the Canadian Association of Gift Planners, addresses charitable giving issues. The January event traditionally offers an economic forecast or commentary. In May, the EPCV teams up with the Canadian Bar association, Will and Trusts Sections for topics dealing with legal issues, changes in legislation or court decisions that impact EPCV members and their clients. Other topics throughout the year may touch on insurance-related issues, tax planning, mental health and estate planning considerations with respect to minors, diversity, equity and inclusion, cross-cultural impacts and eldercare.
Memberships are annual and run from October 1 to September 30.
Our Articles of Association require members to attend a minimum of four of the seven meetings during the year, otherwise, membership may be withdrawn. Substitution is not permitted.
View: the Articles of Association, past topics & speakers and a list of Past Presidents.
Member Benefits
- Grow your professional network
- Connect with other Estate Planning professionals
- Opportunity to cross-educate and share knowledge with your peers on Estate Planning topics and development
- Create awareness for you and your firm
- Opportunity to present to your peers as a guest speaker and share your unique Estate Planning knowledge and expertise
Membership Eligibility Criteria
General Qualifications:
- The applicant must have a minimum of three years relevant experience in estate planning to be considered for membership;
- The applicant must meet the minimum criteria for eligibility for his/her category of member as defined below; applicant will be categorized based on the type of work performed;
- The applicant must be sponsored by two sponsors, both of whom must be members of the Council in good standing; only one of whom may be from the same category as the applicant; and only one of whom may be from the same organization as the applicant.
Specific Qualifications:
Lawyers
A member in good standing of the British Columbia Bar who holds a current practice certificate from the Law Society of British Columbia.
Accountants
A member in good standing of one of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of British Columbia, the Certified General Accountants Association of British Columbia, or the Chartered Professional Accountant Association of British Columbia.
Chartered Life Underwriters
A member in good standing of one or both of the Financial Advisors Association of Canada (Advocis) or the Canadian Institute of Financial Planners who holds the Chartered Life Underwriter designation.
Trust Company Representatives
- current occupation and area of expertise is estate and trust administration in a trust company; and,
- recognized as having a high degree of knowledge, experience and education directly related to estate and trust planning or administration.
Financial Planners
A member in good standing of one or more of the Financial Advisors Association of Canada (Advocis), the Institute of Advanced Financial Planners or the Financial Planners Standards Council who holds one or more of the following designations:
- Certified Financial Planner;
- Registered Financial Planner; or,
- Chartered Financial Consultant.
Gift Planners
A member of the Canadian Association of Gift Planners and the individual must work for or be retained by a registered charity.
Portfolio Managers
Licensed with the British Columbia Securities Commission as a Portfolio Manager.
Private Bankers
Must be employed by a financial institution entitled to provide services to the public and regulated by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions, in such financial institution’s private banking, or equivalent, department, and must have one of the following designations:
- Certified Financial Planner;
- Registered Financial Planner;
- Chartered Financial Consultant;
- Member in good standing of the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia;
- Member is good standing of the British Columbia bar; or
- such other designation approved by the Executive Committee.
Designated Others
Academics
A member of the academic staff of any University, Community College, or other post-secondary institution with the province of British Columbia.
Pension Consultants
A Fellow of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries who specializes in pension consulting, or otherwise experienced in the field of pension consulting.
An applicant who:
- does not meet the criteria for any other category of membership;
- has specific qualifications, knowledge or experience with the Executive Committee considers will contribute towards the advancement and development of the objects of the Council; and,
- is approved for membership by at least a two-thirds majority of the Executive Committee.