In-house legal counsel is more 

involved in business strategy 

formulation than five years ago  

The business environment of our 

company is more risky than five 

years ago 

0

20

40

60

80

76% 

67% 

73% 

59% 

Percentage

Canada

Global

GC’s reporting relationship and interaction  

with the Board

We found that GC in Canada are more likely to sit on an organization’s Executive Committee or Board 
than GC located in global mature markets and global high growth markets (see chart). 

In addition to the 47% of Canadian GC 
who sit on the Executive Committee 
or Board, a further 35% directly report 
to these bodies. Senior guardians of 
companies are looking for their GC to 
advise them proactively on business 
issues, impending problems and risks 
while participating in finding practical 
solutions. There is a delicate balance 
as GC strive to maintain appropriate 

independence and objectivity, while at 
the same time becoming directly involved 
in strategic business decisions. The role 
of the GC is now about understanding 
organizational goals and objectives 
and being able to help plan the most 
appropriate route to achieving them.

A shift in the role of Canadian GC is a 
notable development. As indicated in the 
chart below, more than three-quarters 

of respondents to our Canadian survey 
are more involved in the formulation of 
business strategy than was the case five 
years ago. This is fully understandable 
given that most respondents agree that 
in the past five years their business 
environment has become more risky. 
The importance and need for complete, 
informed and thoughtful legal and 
business advice has never been greater.

Canada

Global mature markets

Global high growth markets

Percentage

0 

10 

20 

30 

40 

50 

60 

47% 

41% 

32% 

Percentage of GC that sit on the Executive Committee or Board of Directors

© 2013 KPMG LLP, a Canadian limited liability partnership and a member firm of the KPMG network of independent member firms 
affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. All rights reserved.

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At Risk 

 

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Volume 7, No. 1