MAYBVM

314 315 million in wealth for its clients. In fact, its Canadi- an Equity Pool was recently ranked No. 1 over one, three, and five years by Morningstar Canada, ahead of those aforementioned bank and industry giants.And the better the company does, the more it benefits from the most valuable form of marketing-word of mouth. “If we make good investment decisions and keep clients informed, they respond by introducing us to other people,” says Filmon.“We have a mantra here of speaking plain language. If you need $50,000 a year of income at age 65, there are only a few options. Putting the money under your mattress is one, but not a good one.When we say it’s about working one-on-one and being accountable, it sounds boring and old school but in this industry, that’s innovative as hell.” Of course, no company is an island and Value Part- ners and its people are active throughout the com- munity. That involves coaching hockey teams and baseball teams and helping out with Christmas toy drives for the underprivileged. Staff members even donned their tool belts at the Habitat for Humanity build that former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn, were a part of last year in Winnipeg. Filmon is also on the board of Winnstock, an annual battle of the bands competition that has raised nearly $1 million for a number of local charities over the last decade. (He has also been part of the winning band on two occasions, front- ing ‘80s cover band, Sound Advice, on guitar and lead vocals.) “We are very supportive of all of our employ- ees’ efforts to leave the world a better place and strengthen our communities,” says Filmon. Community involvement has been a part of Filmon and Norton’s lives since they were kids and they both followed the strong examples set by their mothers. Norton’s mom, Ev, for example, worked with pregnant teens, while Filmon’s mom, Janice, had a lengthy history of volunteerism be- VALUE PARTNERS INVESTMENTS