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CCI Canaccord

625.00
0.00 (0.00%)
05 Jun 2024 - Closed
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Canaccord LSE:CCI London Ordinary Share CA1348011091 COM SHS NPV
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  0.00 0.00% 625.00 0.00 01:00:00
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
0 0 N/A 0

Canaccord Capital Inc.- 3rd Quarter Results

12/02/2009 11:32am

UK Regulatory



 
TIDMCCI 
 
Canaccord Capital Inc. Reports third quarter of fiscal 2009 results 
 
    (All dollar amounts are stated in Canadian dollars unless otherwise 
    indicated) 
 
    VANCOUVER, Feb. 12 /CNW/ - Canaccord Capital Inc.'s (TSX & AIM: CCI) 
revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2008 was $87.2 million, down 
52.4% from the same quarter a year ago. The net loss for the third quarter 
excluding a number of significant items, a non-GAAP measure, was $16.2(1) 
million, or $0.33(1) per share. A number of significant items, listed below, 
were recorded during the quarter which totalled $51.0 million on a pre-tax 
basis, or $0.94 per share, of which $38.2 million were non-cash. Including 
these significant items, Canaccord's net loss for the quarter, as measured 
under GAAP, was $62.4 million and diluted loss per share was $1.27. Commenting 
on the quarter, Paul Reynolds, President and CEO, said, "We have made 
difficult but necessary decisions regarding our balance sheet this quarter. 
Moving forward, we intend to leverage our solid capital base and aggressively 
pursue growth opportunities while controlling costs." 
    Revenue for the nine months ended December 31, 2008 was $370.7 million, 
down 37.0% from the same period a year ago. The net loss for year to date 
fiscal 2009 was $51.3 million, and diluted loss per share was $1.05. Excluding 
the significant items listed below, the net loss for the nine month period was 
$5.2(1) million and diluted loss per share was $0.11(1). 
    The following significant items were recorded during the third quarter of 
fiscal 2009: 
 
    -  ABCP adjustments: 
       -   ABCP fair value adjustment: The Company recognized an additional 
           $6.7 million pre-tax non-cash adjustment related to ABCP held in 
           treasury to reflect the impact of the current market conditions 
           on the valuation of its holdings in ABCP. This adjustment reduces 
           the carrying value of the ABCP held by the Company in treasury to 
           $23.2 million as at December 31, 2008. This value excludes the 
           additional $9.5 million of MAV 2, Class 15 positions added to our 
           treasury holdings as announced on January 30, 2009. 
 
        -  Canaccord Relief Program: The Canaccord Relief Program which was 
           announced in April 2008 included the repurchase of up to 
           $152 million of restructured ABCP at par value from clients who 
           hold $1 million or less. The total pre-tax provision recorded in 
           Q3/09 was $5.3 million, which brings the total provision relating 
           to client relief to $59.5 million as at December 31, 2008. The 
           provision is made up of the following: 
           -  Relief provision - In connection with client relief, the 
              Company recorded a pre-tax provision of $54.2 million in fiscal 
              2008. The completion of the Canaccord Relief Program was 
              announced on January 30, 2009 and due to additional 
              out-of-pocket charges, the Company increased this provision by 
              $2.7 million in Q3/09. 
           -  Fair value adjustment - In addition, the Company has also 
              recorded a $2.6 million pre-tax fair value adjustment related 
              to the MAV 2, Class 15 positions, purchased by the Company as a 
              result of the completion of the Canaccord Relief Program. 
 
    -  Impairment of goodwill and intangibles: 
       -  Canaccord Adams Inc.: Canaccord Adams Inc. ("CAI") primarily 
          provides capital markets services to institutional and corporate 
          clients in the US. This reporting unit has experienced a decline in 
          business activity and revenue with the continued deterioration in 
          the financial markets during Q3/09. Due to the adverse changes in 
          the business environment, a valuation was performed to assess the 
          fair value of this reporting unit compared to the carrying value. 
          The results of this valuation led to the recognition of a non-cash 
          charge for the impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets 
          related to our US capital markets business of $27.5 million. 
 
       -  Enermarket: As a result of market conditions during Q3/09, 
          including the steep decline in oil prices, the earnings prospects 
          for Canaccord Enermarket Ltd. ("Enermarket"), whose primary 
          business is to provide advisory services to companies in the oil 
          and gas industry, were negatively impacted. It was announced on 
          November 6, 2008, that the value of goodwill and intangibles 
          related to Enermarket had been impaired and, therefore, a pre-tax 
          non-cash charge of $4.0 million was recorded in Q3/09. 
 
    -  Restructuring costs: As announced on October 30, 2008, Canaccord 
       implemented a firm-wide restructuring that resulted in the reduction 
       of staff across all geographies where the Company operates. This 
       restructuring resulted in a $7.5 million pre-tax expense recognized in 
       Q3/09 which was slightly higher than the estimated $6.8 million due to 
       additional costs identified once the magnitude of the staff reduction 
       had been finalized. 
 
    The results for the third quarter and year-to-date fiscal 2009 also 
include a pre-tax credit provision of $5.5 million, of which $4.5 million 
relates to our Canadian operations and $1.0 million is attributed to our UK 
operations. This provision is $2.0 million higher than our estimate announced 
in October 30, 2008 due to further deterioration in the markets. As a result 
of the volatility and rapid deterioration in the global financial markets 
during Q3/09, a number of clients experienced losses that resulted in 
unsecured balances. The Company recorded this provision in accordance with its 
policy of reserving against unsecured balances. The after-tax provision is 
$3.8 million, or $0.08 per share. Management will continue to work diligently 
to collect these balances. 
 
    Third quarter and year-to-date fiscal 2009 adjusted data 
 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    (C$ thousands,                         Three months 
     except EPS in $)                 ended December 31, 2008 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                            Net loss                Earnings 
                                              before               per share 
                     Revenue    Expenses         tax    Net loss      ("EPS") 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    Per financial 
     statements       87,188     159,625     (72,437)    (62,378)      (1.27) 
 
    ABCP fair value 
     adjustment(a)         -       6,700       6,700       4,600        0.09 
 
    Relief 
     provision(b)          -       2,700       2,700       1,854        0.04 
 
    Canaccord relief 
     program fair 
     value 
     adjustment(c)         -       2,647       2,647       1,817        0.03 
 
    Impairment of 
     goodwill and 
     intangibles(d)        -      31,524      31,524      31,524        0.65 
 
    Restructuring 
     costs(e)              -       7,520       7,520       6,341        0.13 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Excluding 
     significant 
     items(f)         87,188     108,534     (21,346)    (16,242)      (0.33) 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    (C$ thousands,                  Nine months 
     except EPS in $)           ended December 31, 2008 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                            Net loss 
                                              before 
                     Revenue    Expenses         tax    Net loss         EPS 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    Per financial 
     statements      370,725     424,609     (53,884)    (51,317)      (1.05) 
 
    ABCP fair value 
     adjustment(a)         -       6,700       6,700       4,600        0.09 
 
    Relief 
     provision(b)          -       2,700       2,700       1,854        0.04 
 
    Canaccord relief 
     program fair 
     value 
     adjustment(c)         -       2,647       2,647       1,817        0.03 
 
    Impairment of 
     goodwill and 
     intangibles(d)        -      31,524      31,524      31,524        0.65 
 
    Restructuring 
     costs(e)              -       7,520       7,520       6,341        0.13 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Excluding 
     significant 
     items(f)        370,725     373,518      (2,793)     (5,181)      (0.11) 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    a) Represents the Q3/09 ABCP fair value adjustment for ABCP held by the 
       Company. 
    b) Represents the additional accrual for client relief related to the 
       ABCP held by eligible clients. 
    c) Relates to the fair value adjustment of ABCP purchased by the Company 
       under a client relief program. 
    d) Relates to the impairment of CAI and Enermarket goodwill and 
       intangibles. 
    e) Consists of staff restructuring costs. 
    f) Financial statement items which exclude significant items costs are 
       non-GAAP measures. 
 
 
    Financial condition at third quarter 2009 vs. third quarter 2008 
 
    -   Cash and cash equivalents balance of $684.5 million, up $262.7 
        million from $421.8 million 
    -   Working capital of $285.6 million, up $7.7 million from $277.9 
        million 
    -   Total shareholders' equity of $358.0 million, down $32.2 million from 
        $390.2 million 
    -   Return on equity ("ROE") of (64.3)%, down from 16.2% 
    -   Book value per diluted common share for the period end was $6.37, 
        down 19.9% from $7.95 
 
    Third quarter 2009 vs. third quarter 2008, excluding significant items 
 
    -   Revenue of $87.2(1) million, down 52.5% or $96.2 million from 
        $183.4(1) million 
    -   Expenses of $108.5(1) million, down 29.9% or $46.3 million from 
        $154.8(1) million 
    -   Net loss of $16.2(1) million compared to net income of 
        $17.8(1) million in the same period of the prior year 
    -   Diluted loss per share of $0.33(1) compared to EPS of $0.36(1) 
    -   On February 11, 2009, the Board of Directors considered the dividend 
        policy in the context of the market environment and Canaccord's 
        business activity and approved a suspension of Canaccord's quarterly 
        dividend for this quarter. This measure was taken to enable Canaccord 
        to preserve its working capital and book value, as well as to 
        position the Company to take advantage of growth opportunities that 
        may become available. 
 
    Year-to-date 2009 vs. year-to-date 2008, excluding significant items(1) 
 
    -   Revenue of $370.7(1) million, down 37.0% or $217.4 million from 
        $588.1(1) million 
    -   Expenses of $373.5(1) million, down 21.8% or $103.9 million from 
        $477.4(1) million 
    -   Net loss of $5.1(1) million compared to net income of 
        $72.2(1) million in the same period of the prior year 
    -   Diluted loss per share of $0.11(1) compared to an EPS of $1.48(1) in 
        the prior year 
 
    Third quarter 2009 vs. second quarter 2009, excluding significant 
    items(1) 
 
    -   Revenue of $87.2(1) million, down 21.3% or $23.6 million from $110.8 
        million 
    -   Expenses of $108.5(1) million, down 6.3% or $7.3 million from $115.8 
        million 
    -   Net loss of $16.2(1) million compared to net loss of $5.4 million 
    -   Diluted loss per share of $0.33(1) compared to a diluted loss of 
        $0.11 per share in the second quarter of 2009 
 
    Summary of operations 
 
    -   In January 2009, the Company implemented the Canaccord Relief Program 
        for eligible clients, demonstrating the Company's firm commitment to 
        putting our clients first 
    -   In January 2009, Canaccord's Head of Private Client Services, John 
        Rothwell, appointed three new leadership positions in the division: 
        -  National Sales Manager 
        -  Head of Training and Education 
        -  Director of Corporate Development 
    -   Canaccord Adams, our capital markets team, led 9 transactions 
        globally to raise total proceeds of $189.3 million during Q3/09 
    -   During Q3/09, Canaccord Adams led or co-led the following equity 
        transactions: 
        -  $135.0 million on TSX/LSE for Yamana Gold Inc. 
        -  US$10.3 million on NASDAQ for Osmetech plc 
        -  $12.4 million on TSX for Mavrix Explore 
        -  $7.0 million on TSX for Alexco Resource Corp. 
    -   During Q3/09, Canaccord Adams acted as financial advisor on the 
        following transactions: 
        -  Co-Advised First Calgary Petroleums Ltd. in its $923 million 
           acquisition by Eni SpA 
        -  Advised Hargraves Technology in its acquisition by Parker Hannifin 
           Corporation 
        -  Advised IAMGOLD Corporation in its pending $140 million 
           acquisition of Orezone Resources Inc. 
    -   Canaccord Adams participated in 26 transactions(2) globally to raise 
        total proceeds of $5.8 billion during Q3/09 
    -   Canaccord Adams ranked number one for 50 completed Private Investment 
        in Public Equity(3) ("PIPE") transactions in North America that 
        raised over US$1.2 billion in proceeds during calendar 2008 
    -   Assets under administration ("AUA") of $9.0 billion, down 39.2% from 
        the same period a year ago, and down 22.0% from Q2/09 
    -   Assets under management ("AUM") of $454 million, down 40.3% from the 
        same period a year ago, and down 25.5% from Q2/09 
    -   As of December 31, 2008, Canaccord had 347 Advisory Teams, down 30 
        from the same period a year ago, and up 6 from Q2/09 
 
    ------------------------------ 
    (1) Financial statement items that exclude significant items are non-GAAP 
        measures (see non-GAAP Measures). 
    (2) Transactions over $1.5 million 
    (3) Source: Placement Tracker 
 
 
    Non-GAAP Measures 
 
    Management believes that the non-GAAP measures presented provide useful 
information by excluding certain items that may not be indicative of 
Canaccord's core operating results. Management believes that these non-GAAP 
measures will allow for a better evaluation of the operating performance of 
Canaccord's business and facilitate meaningful comparison of results in the 
current period to those in prior periods and future periods. Reference to 
these non-GAAP measures should not be considered as a substitute for results 
that are presented in a manner consistent with GAAP. These non-GAAP measures 
are provided to enhance investors' overall understanding of Canaccord's 
current financial performance. 
    A limitation of utilizing these non-GAAP measures is that the GAAP 
accounting effects of the significant items do in fact reflect the underlying 
financial results of Canaccord's business and these effects should not be 
ignored in evaluating and analyzing Canaccord's financial results. Therefore, 
management believes that Canaccord's GAAP measures of loss per share and 
diluted loss per share and the same respective non-GAAP measures of financial 
performance should be considered together. 
 
    LETTER TO SHAREHOLDERS 
 
    To Our Shareholders 
 
    The third quarter of fiscal 2009 proved to be one of the most challenging 
periods in market history. The rapid deterioration of business volumes driven 
by the worst economic environment in generations had a material and negative 
impact on our financial results. This, combined with charges we announced on 
our last conference call and a number of significant items, resulted in a very 
difficult quarter. Despite these difficulties, we ended the quarter with a 
strong capital position that will serve Canaccord well in dealing not only 
with the challenging conditions that lie immediately ahead but also the 
opportunities that are likely to become available to build our businesses. 
    In addition, we are very pleased to have completed on January 30, 2009 
the Canaccord Relief Program for eligible clients holding frozen Asset-Backed 
Commercial Paper ("ABCP"). The funds are now in client accounts and this 
challenging chapter in our history is behind us. Although we wish the hardship 
of this experience could have been avoided, we are proud of the Canaccord 
Relief Program, which demonstrates our continued commitment to putting our 
clients first. 
 
    Financial overview 
 
    On an operating basis, the net loss, excluding significant items, for the 
fiscal third quarter was $16 million or $0.33 per diluted share. Further 
impacting this loss were several significant items booked in the quarter, 
including a $31.5 million non-cash charge for goodwill impairment, a $6.7 
million non-cash fair value adjustment for the ABCP in our treasury, a $2.6 
million fair value adjustment to the ABCP received on closing of the Canaccord 
Relief Program, $7.5 million for restructuring costs relating to staff 
reductions and $2.7 million of additional expenses relating to the 
ABCP-related client relief. Including the significant charges of $51 million 
taken in the quarter, expenses were $160 million and the net loss was $62 
million or $1.27 per diluted share. Further details on these charges may be 
found on page 1 of this report. 
    The majority of these charges are non-cash, and we remain well 
capitalized for any business environment. At the end of the third quarter, 
Canaccord had cash and cash equivalents of nearly $685 million, $285 million 
of net working capital and an estimated $130 million of excess capital. With 
an unleveraged and highly liquid balance sheet, we believe that we are well 
positioned to take advantage of market opportunities. This substantial capital 
position gives us a solid operating base for the foreseeable future. However, 
Canaccord remains focused on doing whatever we need to do to reduce or 
eliminate further losses. 
    That said, I appreciate that this quarter's results and provisions may 
raise some questions among shareholders and employees. So I intend to use the 
balance of this letter to answer questions that I believe shareholders and 
employees would ask about Canaccord's business plan and outlook for the 
future. The Operating Highlights usually included in this letter can be found 
on page 2 of this report. 
 
    Q: How do you intend to grow Canaccord through these difficult market 
conditions? 
 
    We are working diligently to operate a strong and efficient business. 
However, we intend to leverage our strong capital base and continue to 
aggressively pursue growth opportunities while controlling costs. Despite the 
obvious challenges, I see some excellent opportunities to build both revenues 
and market share. In the short term, for example, our US sales and trading 
operations are benefiting from the complete reshaping of the competitive 
landscape in the US. The market is still tough, but we're gaining market share 
and we've used the opportunity to add some industry veterans to fill out and 
enhance our capabilities. And in Canada, we are the first independent dealer 
to offer institutional clients direct market access, which is an innovative 
trading strategy we've been working on for several years. 
    In the medium term, our new Head of Private Client Services, John 
Rothwell, is putting together a strong team and a more-effective operating 
structure for the division. He is aggressively addressing cost and capacity 
issues in the business and has hired senior-level professionals to handle 
recruiting and training. With the ABCP situation behind us, we're on the 
offence in Private Client Services, putting together a stronger foundation for 
future growth while the market is going through this very difficult period. We 
will continue to build toward the long-term opportunity to provide wealth 
management services while retaining our traditional brokerage expertise. 
    We think that calendar 2009 will be challenging in most of our 
businesses. Looking past that horizon, however, we see a good opportunity to 
be smart buyers of distressed assets. Additional scale would benefit our 
global platform, not only by adding capabilities but also by offsetting our 
fixed costs. That is yet another reason why we're so intent on protecting 
Canaccord's capital base - we intend to be buyers, not sellers, when the time 
is right. We believe this will be a great opportunity to grow. 
 
    Q: Are you committed to Canaccord's global business model? 
 
    Definitely. We intend to wholeheartedly support our global infrastructure 
as long as our global service capability is valued by our clients. We're 
committed to all of our individual business units, just as we are to improving 
their integration and efficiency so we can be appropriately lean and global. 
 
    Q: What has been the effect of the cost-cutting initiatives, including 
the 120-Day Plan you announced last quarter? 
 
    The 120-Day Plan we launched in June 2008 achieved its goals for cost 
containment. But, frankly, the rapid and severe deterioration of markets in 
October and November exceeded our expectations. The cost-cutting measures we 
put in place were insufficient to deal with this market decline, and our 
business volume fell faster than our expense reduction. However, in the 
quarter, we did see over $5 million of net general and administrative cost 
savings and over $1 million in net salary reductions. The combined benefit of 
these and other initiatives is expected to be over $20 million on an 
annualized basis. 
    Before the end of this fiscal year, we expect to deliver a plan that will 
further address some of the systemic costs of our business, as well as a 
proactive strategy to better align our operations to enhance shareholder 
value. This plan - along with the initiatives we announced last quarter, like 
reducing staff levels and management salaries, deferring projects and making 
further cuts in discretionary costs - should demonstrably impact our ability 
to generate positive returns for shareholders. We believe the impact of these 
measures will be more evident in the fourth quarter of this fiscal year and 
beyond, as employees across the Company continue to be increasingly vigilant 
in controlling costs and increasing efficiencies. 
 
    Q: As far as you can see, what does the future look like for Canaccord? 
 
    I've already talked about some specifics, but as an over-arching comment 
I'd say that we remain a significant force in the capital markets in Canada 
and abroad. We intend to continue to provide clients with quality ideas that 
help them make money. And we will become as efficient as possible in order to 
deliver enhanced shareholder returns in the future. As I said, the remainder 
of calendar 2009 will likely remain challenging, but our best analysis 
suggests that global markets, and the global commodity cycle, will return to 
more normal levels of business as the many national stimulus packages being 
implemented rekindle demand around the world. 
 
    Q: Do you have any final thoughts on the ABCP situation? 
 
    I'm pleased that the restructuring process was finally completed, but it 
has been a challenging 17-month-long process for Canaccord and the industry. 
More to the point, it has been a very challenging process for the 1% of our 
clients who were affected. We wish this situation could have been resolved 
more quickly and that the cases of inconvenience and hardship could have been 
avoided. I'd like to offer heartfelt thanks to our clients for their patience 
with the entire process. Over 90% of the clients and over 92% of the affected 
client assets have stayed with Canaccord and that is a strong testimonial to 
the way in which we handled a very difficult situation. The Canaccord Relief 
Program, and the tremendous amount of work that our employees put into 
securing a deal, clearly reflect our commitment to protecting the best 
interests of our clients. We can be proud of that. 
 
    Paul D. Reynolds 
    President & Chief Executive Officer 
 
    ACCESS TO QUARTERLY RESULTS INFORMATION: 
 
    Interested investors, the media and others may review this quarterly 
earnings release and supplementary financial information at 
www.canaccord.com/investor/financialreports. 
 
    CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST PRESENTATION: 
 
    Interested parties can listen to our third quarter fiscal 2009 results 
conference call with analysts and institutional investors, live and archived, 
via the Internet and a toll free number. The conference call is scheduled for 
Thursday, February 12, 2009 at 8:30 a.m. (Pacific Time), 11:30 a.m. (Eastern 
Time), and 4:30 p.m. (UK Time). During the conference call, senior executives 
will comment on the results for Q3/09 and respond to questions from analysts 
and institutional investors. 
    The conference call may be accessed live and archived on a listen-only 
basis via the Internet at: www.canaccord.com/investor/webcast 
    Analysts and institutional investors can call in via telephone at: 
 
        416-644-3418 (within Toronto) 
        1-800-731-6941 (toll free outside of Toronto) 
        00-800-2288-3501 (toll free from the United Kingdom) 
 
    A replay of the conference call can be accessed after 10:30 a.m. (Pacific 
Time), 1:30 p.m. (Eastern Time), and 6:30 p.m. (UK Time) February 12, 2009, at 
416-640-1917 or 1-877-289-8525 by entering passcode 21294489 followed by the 
number sign. The replay will be available until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) 
Thursday, February 26, 2009. 
 
    ABOUT CANACCORD CAPITAL INC.: 
 
    Through its principal subsidiaries, Canaccord Capital Inc. (TSX & AIM: 
CCI) is a leading independent, full service investment dealer in Canada with 
capital markets operations in the United Kingdom and the United States of 
America. Canaccord is publicly traded on both the Toronto Stock Exchange and 
AIM, a market operated by the London Stock Exchange. Canaccord has operations 
in two of the principal segments of the securities industry: capital markets 
and private client services. Together, these operations offer a wide range of 
complementary investment banking services, investment products and brokerage 
services to Canaccord's corporate, institutional and private clients. 
Canaccord has 30 offices, including 23 Private Client Services offices located 
across Canada. Canaccord Adams, the international capital markets division, 
has operations in Toronto, London, Boston, Vancouver, New York, Calgary, 
Montreal, San Francisco, Houston and Barbados. 
 
    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT: 
 
    North American media: 
    Scott Davidson 
    Managing Director, Global Head of Marketing & Communications 
    Phone: 416-869-3875 
    Email: scott_davidson(at)canaccord.com 
 
    London media: 
    Bobby Morse or Ben Willey 
    Buchanan Communications (London) 
    Phone: +44 (0) 20 7466 5000 
    Email: bobbym(at)buchanan.uk.com 
 
    Investor relations inquiries: 
    Katherine Young 
    Vice President, Investor Relations 
    Phone: 416-869-7292 
    Email: katherine_young(at)canaccord.com 
 
    Nominated Adviser and Broker: 
    Marc Milmo or Dugald J. Carlean 
    Phone: +44 (0) 207 663 6000 
    Email: marc.milmo(at)fpk.com 
 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    None of the information on Canaccord's Web site at www.canaccord.com 
    should be considered incorporated herein by reference. 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 
    Management's Discussion and Analysis 
 
    Fiscal third quarter 2009 for the three and nine months ended 
    December 31, 2008 - this document is dated February 12, 2009 
 
    The following discussion of the financial condition and results of 
operations for Canaccord Capital Inc. ("Canaccord") is provided to enable the 
reader to assess material changes in such financial condition and to assess 
results for the three- and nine-month periods ended December 31, 2008 compared 
to the corresponding periods in the preceding fiscal year. The three- and 
nine- month periods ended December 31, 2008 are also referred to as the third 
quarter 2009, Q3/09, year-to-date fiscal 2009 and fiscal Q3/09 in the 
following discussion. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the 
unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the three- and 
nine-month periods ended December 31, 2008 beginning on page 35 of this 
report; our Annual Information Form dated June 30, 2008; and the 2008 annual 
Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") including the audited 
consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2008 
("Audited Annual Consolidated Financial Statements") in Canaccord's Annual 
Report dated July 8, 2008 ("the Annual Report"). There has been no material 
change to the information contained in the annual MD&A for fiscal 2008 except 
as disclosed in this MD&A. Canaccord's financial information is expressed in 
Canadian dollars unless otherwise specified. The financial information 
presented in this document is prepared in accordance with Canadian generally 
accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") unless specifically noted. This MD&A 
is based on unaudited interim and Audited Annual Consolidated Financial 
Statements prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP. 
 
    Caution regarding forward-looking statements 
 
    This document may contain certain forward-looking statements. These 
statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect 
management's expectations or beliefs regarding future events including 
business and economic conditions and Canaccord's growth, results of 
operations, performance and business prospects and opportunities. Such 
forward-looking statements reflect management's current beliefs and are based 
on information currently available to management. In some cases, 
forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "may", 
"will", "should", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", 
"predict", "potential", "continue", "target", "intend" or the negative of 
these terms or other comparable terminology. By their very nature, 
forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both 
general and specific, and a number of factors could cause actual events or 
results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking 
statements. In evaluating these statements, readers should specifically 
consider various factors that may cause actual results to differ materially 
from any forward-looking statement. These factors include, but are not limited 
to, market and general economic conditions, the nature of the financial 
services industry and the risks and uncertainties detailed from time to time 
in Canaccord's interim and annual consolidated financial statements and its 
Annual Report and Annual Information Form filed on sedar.com. These 
forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this document, and 
Canaccord assumes no obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events 
or circumstances. 
 
    Non-GAAP measures 
 
    Certain non-GAAP measures are utilized by Canaccord as measures of 
financial performance. Non-GAAP measures do not have any standardized meaning 
prescribed by GAAP and are therefore unlikely to be comparable to similar 
measures presented by other companies. 
    Management believes that the non-GAAP measures presented provide useful 
information by excluding certain items that may not be indicative of 
Canaccord's core operating results. Management believes that these non-GAAP 
measures will allow for a better evaluation of the operating performance of 
Canaccord's business and facilitate meaningful comparison of results in the 
current period to those in prior periods and future periods. A limitation of 
utilizing these non-GAAP measures is that the GAAP accounting effects of the 
significant items do in fact reflect the underlying financial results of 
Canaccord's business and these effects should not be ignored in evaluating and 
analyzing Canaccord's financial results. Therefore, management believes that 
Canaccord's GAAP measures of financial performance and the same respective 
non-GAAP measures should be considered together. 
    Canaccord's capital is represented by common shareholders' equity and, 
therefore, management uses return on average common equity ("ROE") as a 
performance measure. 
    Assets under administration ("AUA") and assets under management ("AUM") 
are non-GAAP measures of client assets that are common to the wealth 
management aspects of the private client services industry. AUA is the market 
value of client assets administered by Canaccord from which Canaccord earns 
commissions or fees. This measure includes funds held in client accounts as 
well as the aggregate market value of long and short security positions. 
Canaccord's method of calculating AUA may differ from the methods used by 
other companies and therefore may not be comparable to other companies. 
Management uses this measure to assess operational performance of the Private 
Client Services business segment. AUM includes all assets managed on a 
discretionary basis under our programs generally described as or known as the 
Alliance Program and Private Investment Management. Services provided include 
the selection of investments and the provision of investment advice. AUM is 
also administered by Canaccord and is included in AUA. 
    Financial statement items which exclude significant items are non-GAAP 
measures. Significant items include the ABCP fair value adjustment, additional 
accrual for client relief programs, fair value adjustment of ABCP purchased by 
the Company under a client relief program, impairment of CAI and Enermarket 
goodwill and intangibles and restructuring costs. 
 
    Overview 
 
    Through its principal subsidiaries, Canaccord Capital Inc. (TSX & AIM: 
CCI) is a leading independent, full service investment dealer in Canada with 
capital markets operations in the United Kingdom and the United States. 
Canaccord is publicly traded on both the Toronto Stock Exchange and AIM, a 
market operated by the London Stock Exchange. The Company has operations in 
two of the principal segments of the securities industry: capital markets and 
private client services. 
    Canaccord's business is cyclical and experiences considerable variations 
in revenue and income from quarter to quarter and year to year due to factors 
beyond Canaccord's control. Our business is affected by the overall condition 
of the North American and European equity markets, including the seasonal 
variance in these markets. 
 
    Business environment 
 
    The effects of the global credit crisis persisted during the third 
quarter of fiscal 2009 as world economies continued to weaken and equity 
markets deteriorated. The dramatic decline of the US economy and the severe 
credit conditions in its financial system prompted the sudden contraction in 
the Canadian economy. This triggered subsequent job losses in Canada as shown 
by the increase in the unemployment rate from 6.6% to 7.2% between December 
2008 and January 2009. Financial markets were also impacted significantly. The 
S&P/TSX index lost 23% of its value between October 1 and December 31, 2008. 
    Several fiscal and monetary measures are underway globally to help combat 
declining economies. In January 2009, the Bank of Canada lowered its benchmark 
interest rate to 1.0% and in February 2009, the Bank of England reduced its 
benchmark interest rate to an all-time low of 1.0%. In December 2008, the US 
Federal Open Market Committee established a target range for the federal funds 
rate of 0% to 0.25%, which it re-affirmed at its most recent meeting. 
Governments in all three countries have invested or earmarked significant 
amounts of funds to shore up weakened financial institutions, increase the 
availability of credit, and provide stimulus for job creation. Despite these 
measures, the International Monetary Fund ("IMF") predicts that GDP will 
contract by 1.2% in Canada, 1.6% in the US, and 2.8% in the UK in 2009. 
 
    Market data 
 
    The TSX, TSX Venture, and NASDAQ all experienced gains in trading volumes 
during fiscal Q3/09 compared to Q2/09, though trading volumes on the AIM 
decreased slightly. Compared to the same quarter last year, the TSX recorded a 
substantial increase in trading volumes, while the TSX Venture, NASDAQ and AIM 
had lower trading volumes on a year-over-year basis. 
    Financing values were varied, with the NASDAQ and AIM down substantially 
quarter over quarter and year over year, but the TSX and TSX Venture up 
significantly compared to Q2/09. Most of this increase can be attributed to 
multiple stock offerings by Canadian banks in December - $5.6 billion of the 
total $13.8 billion recorded in Q3. 
    Financing values for all of Canaccord's focus sectors on AIM and the 
TSX/TSX Venture were down compared to the same period last year. Most focus 
sectors on the AIM and the TSX/TSX Venture were down quarter over quarter, 
though mining and media financing values improved on AIM and the oil and gas 
sector grew on the TSX/TSX Venture. 
 
    Trading volume by exchange (billions of shares) 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                            Change     Change 
                                                              from       from 
                                                 Fiscal     fiscal     fiscal 
                 Oct 08     Nov 08    Dec 08      Q3/09      Q2/09      Q3/08 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    TSX            12.2       10.4      10.5       33.1       28.8%     34.0% 
    TSX Venture     3.7        3.0       4.0       10.7       33.8%   (29.1)% 
    AIM            11.9        7.9       7.8       27.6      (7.4)%   (34.4)% 
    NASDAQ         27.3       18.3      16.5       62.1        7.6%    (2.8)% 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Source: TSX Statistics, LSE AIM Statistics, Thomson One 
 
 
    Total financing value by exchange 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                            Change     Change 
                                                              from       from 
                                                 Fiscal     fiscal     fiscal 
                 Oct 08     Nov 08    Dec 08      Q3/09      Q2/09      Q3/08 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    TSX and 
     TSX Venture 
     (C$ billions)  0.5        2.7      10.6       13.8      155.6%    (5.5)% 
    AIM 
     ((pnds stlg) 
     billions)      0.1        0.1       0.2        0.4     (55.6)%   (87.1)% 
    NASDAQ 
     (US$ 
     billions)      0.5        1.8       1.1        3.4     (26.1)%   (85.5)% 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Source: TSX Statistics, LSE AIM Statistics, Equidesk 
 
 
    Financing value for relevant AIM industry sectors 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ((pnds stlg) 
    millions,                                               Change     Change 
    except for                                                from       from 
    percentage                                   Fiscal     fiscal     fiscal 
    amounts)     Oct 08     Nov 08    Dec 08      Q3/09      Q2/09      Q3/08 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Oil           (pnds      (pnds     (pnds      (pnds 
     and gas       stlg)      stlg)     stlg)      stlg) 
                   14.5        6.0       3.1       23.6    (91.2)%    (93.2)% 
    Mining         35.9        4.2      96.6      136.7      63.7%    (63.6)% 
    Pharmac- 
     eutical 
     and 
     Biotech        0.9        0.5       1.2        2.6    (82.8)%    (94.0)% 
    Media           0.8        2.4       0.6        3.8      90.0%    (95.3)% 
    Technology     11.2        1.8       0.1       13.1    (64.2)%    (85.6)% 
               -------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Total (of 
     relevant 
     sect-        (pnds      (pnds     (pnds      (pnds 
     ors)          stlg)      stlg)     stlg)      stlg) 
                   63.3       14.9     101.6      179.8    (55.7)%    (80.8)% 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Source: LSE AIM Statistics 
 
 
    Financing value for relevant TSX and TSX Venture industry sectors 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ($ millions,                                            Change     Change 
    except for                                                from       from 
    percentage                                   Fiscal     fiscal     fiscal 
    amounts)     Oct 08     Nov 08    Dec 08      Q3/09      Q2/09      Q3/08 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Oil and gas  $ 43.5  $ 1,181.8   $ 295.0  $ 1,520.3      44.1%    (45.5)% 
    Mining         46.2      117.9     577.8      741.9       0.1%    (84.0)% 
    Biotech         4.2          -         -        4.2    (89.2)%    (97.3)% 
    Media             -          -         -          -   (100.0)%   (100.0)% 
    Technology        -          -         -          -   (100.0)%   (100.0)% 
                 ------------------------------------------------------------ 
    Total (of 
     relevant 
     sectors)    $ 93.9  $ 1,299.7   $ 872.8  $ 2,266.4     23.0%     (74.0)% 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Source: FP Infomart 
 
    About Canaccord's operations 
 
    Canaccord Capital Inc.'s operations are divided into two business 
segments: Canaccord Adams (our capital markets operations) and Private Client 
Services. Together, these operations offer a wide range of complementary 
investment banking services, investment products, and brokerage services to 
Canaccord's institutional, corporate and private clients. Canaccord's 
administrative segment is referred to as Corporate and Other. 
 
    Canaccord Adams 
    Canaccord Adams offers mid-market corporations and institutional 
investors around the world an integrated platform for equity research, sales 
and trading, and investment banking services that is built on extensive 
operations in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. 
 
        -  Canaccord's research analysts have deep knowledge of more than 600 
           companies across eight focus sectors: Mining and Metals, Energy, 
           Technology, Life Sciences, Consumer, Real Estate, Industrial 
           Growth and Sustainability. 
        -  Our Sales and Trading desk executes transactions supporting more 
           than 1,500 institutional relationships around the world, operating 
           as an integrated team on one common platform. 
        -  With more than 75 skilled investment bankers, Canaccord Adams 
           provides clients with deep sector expertise and broad equity 
           transaction and M&A advisory experience. 
 
    Revenue from Canaccord Adams is generated from commissions and fees 
earned in connection with investment banking transactions and institutional 
sales and trading activity, as well as trading gains and losses from 
Canaccord's principal and international trading operations. 
 
    Private Client Services 
    As a leading independent investment dealer, Canaccord's Private Client 
Services has built its reputation on the quality of our investment ideas. We 
recognize that the growing complexity of many clients' financial circumstances 
demands experienced Advisory Teams who can provide solutions and ideas that 
meet our clients' needs. Many of our Investment Advisors have completed the 
training required for advanced industry designations such as Chartered 
Financial Analyst or Certified Investment Manager. We continue to provide our 
advisors with ongoing training opportunities. 
    Revenue from Private Client Services is generated through traditional 
commission-based brokerage services, the sale of fee-based products and 
services, client-related interest, and fees and commissions earned by Advisory 
Teams in respect of investment banking and venture capital transactions by 
private clients. 
 
    Corporate and Other 
    Canaccord's administrative segment, described as Corporate and Other, 
includes correspondent brokerage services, bank and other interest, and 
foreign exchange revenue and expenses not specifically allocable to either the 
Canaccord Adams or Private Client Services divisions. Also included in this 
segment are Canaccord's operations and support services, which are responsible 
for front and back-office information technology systems, compliance and risk 
management, operations, finance and all administrative functions. 
 
 
    CONSOLIDATED OPERATING RESULTS 
 
    Third quarter and year-to-date fiscal 2009 summary data(1) 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                           Three                         Nine 
    (C$ thousands,     months ended    Quarter-      months ended        YTD- 
    except per          December 31       over-       December 31       over- 
    share, employee                     quarter                          YTD 
    and % amounts)     2008     2007     change      2008     2007     change 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Canaccord 
     Capital Inc. 
    Revenue 
      Commission     51,473   74,959   (31.3)%   184,099  226,462     (18.7)% 
      Investment 
       banking       20,198   84,910   (76.2)%   130,369  287,266     (54.6)% 
      Principal 
       trading        3,781      387      n.m.     9,779    3,275      198.6% 
      Interest        9,108   16,011   (43.1)%    33,171   48,594     (31.7)% 
      Other           2,628    7,087   (62.9)%    13,307   22,496     (40.8)% 
    Total revenue    87,188  183,354   (52.4)%   370,725  588,093     (37.0)% 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Expenses 
      Incentive 
       compensation  43,299   90,778   (52.3)%   177,003  283,600     (37.6)% 
      Salaries and 
       benefits      12,817   12,658      1.3%    42,455   39,576        7.3% 
      Other 
       overhead 
       expenses(2)   52,418   51,381      2.0%   154,060  154,203        0.0% 
      ABCP fair 
       value 
       adjust- 
       ment(3)        6,700    4,226   (58.5)%     6,700    8,625     (22.3)% 
      Relief 
       provi- 
       sion(4)        2,700        -      n.m.     2,700        -        n.m. 
      Canaccord 
       relief 
       program 
       fair 
       value 
       adjust- 
       ment(5)        2,647        -      n.m.     2,647        -        n.m. 
      Impairment 
       of goodwill 
       and intan- 
       gibles(6)     31,524        -      n.m.    31,524        -        n.m. 
      Restructuring 
       costs(7)       7,520        -      n.m.     7,520        -        n.m. 
    Total expenses  159,625  159,043    (0.4)%   424,609  486,004     (12.6)% 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Income (loss) 
     before income 
     taxes          (72,437)  24,311  (398.0)%   (53,884) 102,089    (152.8)% 
    Net income 
     (loss)         (62,378)  15,048  (514.5)%   (51,317)  66,488    (177.2)% 
    Earnings (loss) 
     per share - 
     diluted ("EPS")  (1.27)    0.31  (509.7)%     (1.05)    1.37    (176.6)% 
    Return on 
     average 
     common equity    (64.3)%   16.2%  (80.5)p.p.  (18.0)%  23.3% (41.3) p.p. 
    Book value per 
     share - 
     period end        6.37     7.95   (19.9)% 
    Number of 
     employees        1,570    1,676    (6.3)% 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    (1) Data is considered to be GAAP except for ROE, book value per share 
        and number of employees. 
    (2) Consists of trading costs, premises and equipment, communication and 
        technology, interest, general and administrative, amortization and 
        development costs.  Also includes the pre-tax credit provision of 
        $5.5 million recorded in fiscal Q3/09 as discussed on page 2 of this 
        MD&A. 
    (3) Represents the ABCP fair value adjustment for ABCP held by the 
        Company. 
    (4) Represents the additional accrual for client relief related to the 
        ABCP held by eligible clients. 
    (5) Relates to the fair value adjustment of the ABCP purchased by the 
        Company under a client relief program 
    (6) Relates to impairment of CAI and Enermarket goodwill and intangibles. 
    (7) Consists of staff restructuring costs. 
    p.p.: percentage points 
    n.m.: not meaningful 
 
 
 
    Third quarter and year-to-date fiscal 2009 adjusted data 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    (C$ thousands, except                      Three months 
    EPS in $)                            ended December 31, 2008 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                Net loss 
                                                  before       Net 
                             Revenue  Expenses       tax      loss       EPS 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Per financial 
     statements               87,188   159,625   (72,437)  (62,378)    (1.27) 
    ABCP fair value 
     adjustment(1)                 -     6,700     6,700     4,600      0.09 
    Relief provision(2)            -     2,700     2,700     1,854      0.04 
    Canaccord relief 
     program fair value 
     adjustment(3)                 -     2,647     2,647     1,817      0.03 
    Impairment of 
     goodwill and 
     intangibles(4)                -    31,524    31,524    31,524      0.65 
    Restructuring costs(5)         -     7,520     7,520     6,341      0.13 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Excluding 
     significant items(6)     87,188   108,534   (21,346)  (16,242)    (0.33) 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    (C$ thousands, except                       Nine months 
    EPS in $)                            ended December 31, 2008 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                Net loss 
                                                  before       Net 
                             Revenue  Expenses       tax      loss       EPS 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Per financial 
     statements              370,725   424,609   (53,884)  (51,317)    (1.05) 
    ABCP fair value 
     adjustment(1)                 -     6,700     6,700     4,600      0.09 
    Relief provision(2)            -     2,700     2,700     1,854      0.04 
    Canaccord relief 
     program fair value 
     adjustment(3)                 -     2,647     2,647     1,817      0.03 
    Impairment of 
     goodwill and 
     intangibles(4)                -    31,524    31,524    31,524      0.65 
    Restructuring costs(5)         -     7,520     7,520     6,341      0.13 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Excluding 
     significant items(6)    370,725   373,518    (2,793)   (5,181)    (0.11) 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    (1) Represents the Q3/09 ABCP fair value adjustment for ABCP held by the 
        Company. 
    (2) Represents the additional accrual for client relief related to the 
        ABCP held by eligible clients. 
    (3) Relates to the fair value adjustment of the ABCP purchased by the 
        Company under a client relief program. 
    (4) Relates to the impairment of CAI and Enermarket goodwill and 
        intangibles. 
    (5) Consists of staff restructuring costs. 
    (6) Financial statement items that exclude significant items are non-GAAP 
        measures. 
 
 
    Geographic distribution of revenue(1) 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                           Three                         Nine 
                       months ended    Quarter-      months ended        YTD- 
                        December 31       over-       December 31       over- 
    (C$ thousands,                      quarter                          YTD 
    except % amounts)  2008     2007     change      2008     2007     change 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Canada           57,854  125,102    (53.8)%   247,482  404,470    (38.8)% 
    UK               11,752   34,644    (66.1)%    58,567  102,952    (43.1)% 
    US               16,586   23,135    (28.3)%    60,536   70,294    (13.9)% 
    Other Foreign 
     Location           996      473     110.6%     4,140   10,377    (60.1)% 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Total            87,188  183,354    (52.4)%   370,725  588,093    (37.0)% 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    (1) For a business description of Canaccord's geographic distribution 
        please refer to the "About Canaccord's Operations" section 
        on page 13. 
 
    Third quarter 2009 vs. third quarter 2008 
 
    On a consolidated basis, revenue is generated through five activities: 
commissions and fees associated with agency trading and private client wealth 
management activity, investment banking, principal trading, interest and 
other. Revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2008 was $87.2 million, 
down $96.2 million compared to the same period a year ago. 
    For the third quarter of fiscal 2009, revenue generated from commissions 
was $51.5 million, a decrease of 31.3% compared to the same period a year ago 
largely due to the continuing weak market conditions during the quarter. 
Investment banking revenue was $20.2 million, a decrease of $64.7 million 
primarily due to lower financing activity related to the heightened investor 
anxiety in the markets compared to the same period in the prior year. 
Principal trading had revenue of $3.8 million during Q3/09 compared to total 
revenue of $0.4 million during Q3/08. The increase in principal trading 
revenue was as a result of exiting certain proprietary trading strategies to 
mitigate our portfolio risk. Interest revenue was $9.1 million, a decrease of 
43.1% mainly due to lower interest rates and smaller clients' receivable 
balances. Other revenue decreased by 62.9% or $4.5 million to $2.6 million 
compared to the same period in the prior year mainly due to a decrease in 
foreign exchange gain. 
    Third quarter 2009 revenue in Canada was $57.9 million, a decrease of 
53.8% or $67.2 million from the same quarter a year ago. Revenue in the UK 
decreased by 66.1% to $11.8million compared to the same period a year ago. In 
the US, revenue was $16.6 million, a decline of 28.3% compared to Q3/08. Other 
Foreign Location revenue increased by $0.5 million compared to the same 
quarter in the prior year. The overall decrease in revenue across geographies 
was mainly attributed to the financial credit crisis that has continued to 
impact the global equity markets during the third quarter of fiscal 2009. 
 
    Year-to-date fiscal 2009 vs. year-to-date fiscal 2008 
 
    Revenue for the nine months ended December 31, 2008 was $370.7 million, a 
decline of 37.0% or $217.4 million compared to the same period a year ago. 
Revenue generated from commissions decreased by 18.7% to $184.1 million 
compared to the prior year largely due to the credit crunch that resulted in 
weaker financial markets. Investment banking revenue was $130.4 million, 
representing a decrease of 54.6% primarily due to the decline in financing 
activity in equity markets across the geographies where we operate. 
    Principal trading revenue was $9.8 million, representing an increase of 
$6.5 million compared to the same period in the prior year. This increase in 
revenue was a result of exiting certain proprietary trading strategies to 
maintain a lower risk inventory portfolio. Interest revenue was $33.2 million, 
a decline of 31.7% due to lower client interest revenue. Other revenue 
decreased by $9.2 million to $13.3 million during year-to-date fiscal 2009 as 
a result of lower foreign exchange gains. 
    Year-to-date revenue in Canada was $247.5 million, a drop of 38.8% or 
$157.0 million from the same period a year ago. Year-to-date fiscal 2009 
revenue in the UK was $58.6 million, a decrease of 43.1% or $44.4 million from 
the same period a year ago. Revenue in the US was $60.5 million, representing 
a decline of 13.9% or $9.8 million compared to year-to-date fiscal 2008. 
Revenue from Other Foreign Location was $4.1 million compared to $10.4 million 
in the nine months ended December 31, 2007. The overall decrease in revenue 
across the various operations was a result of the decline in global financial 
markets during fiscal 2009. 
 
    Expenses as a percentage of revenue 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                           Three                         Nine 
                       months ended    Quarter-      months ended        YTD- 
                        December 31       over-       December 31       over- 
    (in percentage                      quarter                          YTD 
    points)            2008     2007     change      2008     2007     change 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
      Incentive 
       compensation   49.7%    49.5%    0.2 p.p.    47.7%    48.2% (0.5) p.p. 
      Salaries and 
       benefits       14.7%     6.9%    7.8 p.p.    11.5%     6.8%   4.7 p.p. 
      Other overhead 
       expenses(1)    60.1%    28.0%   32.1 p.p.    41.6%    26.2%  15.4 p.p. 
      ABCP fair value 
       adjustment(2)   7.7%     2.3%    5.4 p.p.     1.8%     1.5%   0.3 p.p. 
      Relief 
       provision(3)    3.1%       -     3.1 p.p.     0.7%       -    0.7 p.p. 
      Canaccord relief 
       program fair 
       value 
       adjustment(4)   3.0%       -     3.0 p.p.     0.7%       -    0.7 p.p. 
      Impairment of 
       goodwill and 
       intangibles(5) 36.2%       -    36.2 p.p.     8.5%       -    8.5 p.p. 
      Restructuring 
       costs(6)        8.6%       -     8.6 p.p.     2.0%       -    2.0 p.p. 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Total            183.1%    86.7%   96.4 p.p.   114.5%    82.7%  31.8 p.p. 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    (1) Consists of trading costs, premises and equipment, communication and 
        technology, interest, general and administrative, amortization 
        and development costs. Also includes the pre-tax credit provision of 
        $5.5 million as discussed on page 2 of this MD&A. 
    (2) Represents the ABCP fair value adjustment for ABCP held by the 
        Company. 
    (3) Represents the additional accrual for client relief related to the 
        ABCP held by eligible clients. 
    (4) Relates to the fair value adjustment of the ABCP purchased by the 
        Company under a client relief program. 
    (5) Relates to the impairment of CAI and Enermarket goodwill and 
        intangibles. 
    (6) Consists of staff restructuring costs. 
    p.p.: percentage points 
 
    Third quarter 2009 vs. third quarter 2008 
 
    Expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2008 were $159.6 
million, a slight increase of 0.4% or $0.6 million from a year ago. Incentive 
compensation expense decreased by 52.3% or $47.5 million which is consistent 
with the 52.4% drop in total revenue. Total compensation (incentive 
compensation plus salaries) as a percentage of consolidated revenue for Q3/09 
was 64.4% compared to 56.4% in Q3/08, an increase of 8.0 percentage points. 
This increase was attributed to constant salaries and benefits expense 
combined with declining revenue. 
    During the quarter, non-compensation expenses increased by $47.9 million 
or 86.1% from $55.6 million in Q3/08 to $103.5 million in Q3/09. This was 
mainly a result of the following significant items: ABCP fair value 
adjustment, additional accrual for client relief , fair value adjustment of a 
client relief program, impairment of CAI and Enermarket goodwill and 
intangibles and the restructuring costs recognized in the current quarter. The 
additional ABCP fair value non-cash adjustment of $6.7 million pre-tax 
resulted from a valuation of the ABCP held by the Company based on current 
market conditions. An additional $5.3 million pre-tax charge was recorded in 
the current quarter for client relief programs, bringing the total accrual to 
$59.5 million. The current period charge included $2.7 million additional 
out-of-pocket charges and $2.6 million fair value adjustment regarding ABCP 
purchased by the Company under a client relief program. Further information 
regarding the Canaccord relief program is provided under the "Asset-backed 
Commercial Paper" section. The Company recognized a non-cash $27.5 million 
impairment of goodwill and intangibles related to CAI, the US capital markets 
reporting unit. A $4.0 million impairment of Enermarket goodwill and 
intangibles was recognized to reflect the impact of the deteriorating market 
conditions on Enermarket's earnings prospects. The restructuring costs 
included the $7.5 million pre-tax for staff restructuring expense which was 
slightly higher than anticipated by the Company when it made its announcement 
last quarter. 
 
    Year-to-date fiscal 2009 vs. year-to-date fiscal 2008 
 
    Expenses for the nine months ended December 31, 2008 were $424.6 million, 
an overall decrease of $61.4 million or 12.6% from a year ago. Incentive 
compensation expense was $177.0 million, a decrease of 37.6%, which was 
consistent with the 37.0% decline in total revenue. Incentive compensation as 
a percentage of total revenue was 47.7%, compared to 48.2% during year-to-date 
fiscal 2008. 
    Salaries and benefits expense was $42.5 million, an increase of $2.9 
million during year-to-date fiscal 2009 compared to the same period a year 
ago. Total compensation (incentive compensation plus salaries) as a percentage 
of consolidated revenue was 59.2% in fiscal 2009, representing an increase of 
4.1 percentage points compared to the same period in fiscal 2008. The increase 
was due to an increase in number of staff during the first six months of 
fiscal 2009 to enhance our operations and support services. However, the 
number of employees decreased during Q3/09 due to the staff restructuring 
announced in October 2008, which resulted in a $1.4 million decrease in 
salaries and benefits expense between Q2/09 and Q3/09. 
    The ABCP fair value adjustment, additional accrual for client relief, 
fair value adjustment of ABCP purchased by the Company under a client relief 
program, impairment of CAI and Enermarket goodwill and intangibles and 
restructuring costs were $51.1 million pre-tax in aggregate, which represented 
13.7% of total revenue. 
 
    Other overhead expenses 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                           Three                         Nine 
                       months ended    Quarter-      months ended        YTD- 
                        December 31       over-       December 31       over- 
    (C$ thousands,                      quarter                          YTD 
    except % amounts)  2008     2007     change      2008     2007     change 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
      Trading costs   6,708    7,054     (4.9)%    19,746   21,261     (7.1)% 
      Premises and 
       equipment      6,549    5,781      13.3%    18,291   16,775       9.0% 
      Communication 
       and 
       technology     6,277    5,611      11.9%    18,979   17,163      10.6% 
      Interest        2,568    6,574    (60.9)%     9,881   19,155    (48.4)% 
      General and 
       adminis- 
       trative(1)    19,827   17,390      14.0%    58,715   51,416      14.2% 
      Amortization    2,751    2,197      25.2%     6,865    6,320       8.6% 
      Development 
       costs          7,738    6,774      14.2%    21,583   22,113     (2.4)% 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Total other 
     overhead 
     expenses        52,418   51,381       2.0%   154,060  154,203       0.0% 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    (1) Consists of trading costs, premises and equipment, communication and 
        technology, interest, general and administrative, amortization and 
        development costs. Also includes the pre-tax credit provision of $5.5 
        million as discussed on page 2 of this MD&A. 
 
    Third quarter 2009 vs. third quarter 2008 
 
    Other overhead expenses increased 2.0% to $52.4 million for the third 
quarter of fiscal 2009 compared to the same period a year ago. Contributing to 
the overall increase in other overhead expenses was an increase in general and 
administrative expense and communication and technology expense. General and 
administrative expense increased by $2.4 million mainly due to the recognition 
of a pre-tax credit provision of $5.5 million as announced in Q2/09. Of this 
$5.5 million provision, $4.5 million related to our Canadian operations and 
$1.0 million related to our UK operations. The $0.7 million increase in 
communication and technology expense was mainly due to technological 
enhancements incurred during the quarter. This was offset by a decrease in 
interest expense of $4.0 million due to lower interest rates and lower client 
payable balances. 
    Net loss for Q3/09 was $62.4 million compared to net income of $15.0 
million from a year ago. Diluted loss per share was $1.27 in Q3/09 and diluted 
earnings per share was $0.31 in Q3/08. The decrease in EPS was due to the 
decline in net income as well as the issuance of 6,733,250 common shares in 
connection with the equity financing in May 2008. ROE for Q3/09 was (64.3)% 
compared to ROE of 16.2% a year ago. Book value per diluted share for Q3/09 
decreased by 19.9% to $6.37 compared to Q3/08. Income tax recovery was $10.1 
million in Q3/09. 
    Excluding significant items, net loss was $16.2 million in Q3/09 and net 
income was $17.8 million in Q3/08. Diluted loss per share was $0.33 in Q3/09 
compared to diluted EPS of $0.36 in Q3/08 after excluding significant items. 
 
    Year-to-date fiscal 2009 vs. year-to-date fiscal 2008 
 
    Other overhead expenses for the nine months ended December 31, 2008 was 
$154.1 million, consistent with the prior period overhead expense of $154.2 
million. Premises and equipment, communication and technology and general and 
administrative expenses all increased during the fiscal 2009 year to date. 
Premises and equipment increased by $1.5 million or 9.0% to $18.3 million 
during fiscal 2009 year to date partly due to an expansion of premises in 
Canada in the current period. The increase was also due to a lower than normal 
rental expense in the UK in Q3/08, which resulted from the reversal of a 
rental accrual during that period. Communication and technology expense was 
$19.0 million, which increased $1.8 million or 10.6%. This increase was mainly 
attributed to technological enhancements incurred during the quarter. General 
and administrative expense increased to $58.7 million, up $7.3 million 
compared to year-to-date figures at Q3/08. The increase in general and 
administrative expense for year-to-date fiscal 2009 related mostly to 
consultancy fees incurred to upgrade internal infrastructure and an increase 
in the credit provision as announced in October 2008 due to the current market 
conditions. This increase was offset by a decrease in promotion and travel 
expense during the first nine months of fiscal 2009. 
    The increase in overhead expenses was offset by the decline in interest 
expense, which decreased by 48.4% or $9.3 million. The decrease in interest 
expense was the result of a drop in clients' payable balances in addition to 
lower interest rates. 
    Net loss for year-to-date fiscal 2009 was $51.3 million, and net income 
for the same period a year ago was $66.5 million. Diluted loss per share for 
the first nine months of fiscal 2009 was $1.05 compared to diluted EPS for the 
first nine months in fiscal 2008 of $1.37. This decrease was due to lower net 
income resulting from the negative impact of the credit crunch on the global 
markets during fiscal 2009 as well as the share issuance as discussed 
previously. ROE was (18.0)% compared to 23.3% a year ago. Book value per 
diluted share at the period end was $6.37, a decrease of 19.9% from Q3/08. 
    Excluding significant items, net loss was $5.2 million for year-to-date 
fiscal 2009 compared to net income of $72.2 million year-to-date fiscal 2008. 
This resulted in a diluted loss per share of $0.11 in Q3/09 compared to a 
diluted EPS of $1.48 at Q3/08. 
    Income tax recovery was $2.6 million in year-to-date fiscal 2009, a 
decrease of $38.2 million. The change was largely due to reduced income. The 
year-to-date effective tax rate was 4.8% compared to 34.9% for the same period 
last year. The decrease in effective tax rate was due in part to certain 
expenses not being deductible for tax purposes, changes in estimates, as well 
as a valuation allowance provision against certain future income tax assets. 
 
    RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 
 
    Canaccord Adams(1) 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                           Three                         Nine 
    (C$ thousands,     months ended    Quarter-      months ended        YTD- 
    except              December 31       over-       December 31       over- 
    employees                           quarter                          YTD 
    and % amounts)     2008     2007     change      2008     2007     change 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Canaccord Adams 
 
      Revenue        49,250  109,583    (55.1)%   212,379  353,677    (40.0)% 
 
      Expenses 
 
        Incentive 
         compen- 
         sation      28,857   57,933    (50.2)%   111,384  176,341    (36.8)% 
 
        Salaries 
         and 
         benefits     3,413    3,275       4.2%    11,555   10,488      10.2% 
 
        Other 
         overhead 
         expenses(2) 26,027   25,140       3.5%    83,528   78,850       5.9% 
 
        ABCP fair 
         value 
         adjust- 
         ment(3)          -    1,101       n.m.         -    2,247       n.m. 
 
        Impairment 
         of 
         goodwill 
         and 
         intang- 
         ibles(4)    31,524        -       n.m.    31,524        -       n.m. 
 
        Restruc- 
         turing 
         costs(5)     5,949        -       n.m.     5,949        -       n.m. 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
      Total 
       expenses      95,770   87,449       9.5%   243,940  267,926     (9.0)% 
      Income (loss) 
       before 
       income 
       taxes(6)     (46,520)  22,134   (310.2)%   (31,561)  85,751   (136.8)% 
      Income (loss) 
       before 
       significant 
       items and 
       income 
       taxes(7)      (9,047)  23,235   (138.9)%     5,912   87,998    (93.3)% 
      Number of 
       employees        480      531     (9.6)% 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    (1) Data is considered to be GAAP except for number of employees and 
        income before significant items and income taxes. 
    (2) Includes $1.0 million of the total pre-tax $5.5 million credit 
        provision as discussed on page 2 of this MD&A 
    (3) Represents the ABCP fair value adjustment for ABCP held by the 
        Company. 
    (4) Relates to impairment of CAI and Enermarket goodwill and intangibles. 
    (5) Consists of staff restructuring costs. 
    (6) Income before income taxes excludes allocated overhead expenses that 
        are included in Corporate and Other segment expenses. 
    (7) Significant items include ABCP fair value adjustment, impairment of 
        goodwill and intangibles and restructuring costs. 
    n.m.: not meaningful 
 
    Revenue from Canaccord Adams is generated from commissions and fees 
earned in connection with investment banking transactions and institutional 
sales and trading activity as well as trading gains and losses from 
Canaccord's principal and international trading operations. 
 
    Third quarter 2009 vs. third quarter 2008 
 
    Total revenue for Canaccord Adams in Q3/09 was $49.3 million, a decline 
of $60.3 million from the same quarter a year ago due to challenging market 
conditions as described in the "Business Environment" section on page 11. 
 
    Revenue from Canadian operations 
    As a result of these market challenges, our Canadian operations generated 
fiscal third quarter 2009 revenue of $20.4 million, a decrease of 60.8% 
compared to a year ago. Canaccord Adams' Canadian revenue is made up of the 
following revenue streams: capital markets, international trading, registered 
trading, and fixed income. The decrease in revenue was mainly attributed to 
the drop in capital markets revenue of $30.3 million. International trading 
decreased by $0.9 million and registered trading increased by $0.6 million. 
The decrease in capital markets revenue was consistent with the significant 
drop in financing activity and the challenging market conditions in the 
Canadian equity markets. Revenue from Canadian operations represents 41.5% of 
Canaccord Adams' total revenue. 
 
    Revenue from UK operations 
    Revenue from our UK operations was $11.8 million, a drop of 66.1% from 
the same period a year ago due to a general slowdown in the market. Revenue 
from UK operations represents 23.9% of Canaccord Adams' total revenue. 
 
    Revenue from US operations 
    In the US, revenue was $16.1 million, a decrease of 28.2% from a year 
ago. This represents 32.6% of Canaccord Adams' total revenue. The decrease in 
revenue was due to the financial crisis that impacted the equity markets 
significantly during the third quarter of fiscal 2009. 
 
    Revenue from Other Foreign Location operations 
    Revenue from Other Foreign Location operations was $1.0 million compared 
to revenue of $0.5 million in Q3/08. In any quarter, revenue in this region 
represents a small number of transactions and is therefore very irregular. 
Revenue from Other Foreign Location operations represents 2.0% of Canaccord 
Adams' total revenue. 
 
    Expenses 
    Expenses for Q3/09 were $95.8 million, up $8.3 million compared to the 
same period in the prior year. The main contributor to the increase was the 
$31.5 million impairment of goodwill and intangibles with $27.5 million 
related to CAI and $4.0 million related to Enermarket. Both subsidiaries' 
earnings prospects were severely impacted by the credit crisis during the 
quarter. The Company also recognized a pre-tax $5.9 million charge in 
Canaccord Adams for staff restructuring costs compared to the consolidated 
$7.5 million charge. 
    This increase was offset by the 50.2% or $29.1 million decline in 
incentive compensation expense for the quarter, consistent with the 55.1% 
decrease in revenue during the quarter. Salary and benefits expense during 
Q3/09 remained stable at $3.4 million compared to $3.3 million in Q3/08. The 
total compensation expense payout as a percentage of revenue for the quarter 
was 65.5%, which represented a 9.6 percentage point increase from Q3/08 mainly 
due to the steep decline in revenue combined with a constant salaries and 
benefits expense. 
    Loss before income taxes and corporate overhead allocations in Q3/09 was 
$46.5 million and net income before income taxes and corporate overhead 
allocation in Q3/08 was $22.1 million. Excluding significant items, loss 
before income taxes and corporate overhead allocations in Q3/09 was $9.0 
million. 
 
    Year-to-date fiscal 2009 vs. year-to-date fiscal 2008 
 
    Revenue for Canaccord Adams for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 was 
$212.4 million, which decreased $141.3 million from the same period last year 
due to declining capital markets in all geographies where we operate. 
 
    Revenue from Canadian operations 
    In Canada, revenue was $91.6 million, a decrease of 47.0% from the same 
period a year ago. Within Canada, $70.5 million was derived from investment 
banking and equities activity, while $21.1 million was from our international 
trading, registered trading and fixed income operations. The overall reduction 
in revenue from the Canadian operations was largely due to the weak capital 
markets both in Canada and globally. Overall, our Canadian revenue represented 
43.1% of Canaccord Adams' total revenue. 
 
    Revenue from UK operations 
    Our UK revenue was $58.6 million, down $44.4 million from the same period 
a year ago due to slower market conditions. Revenue from our UK operations 
represented 27.6% of Canaccord Adams' total revenue. 
 
    Revenue from US operations 
    In the US, revenue was $58.1 million, a decrease of $9.4 million or 13.9% 
compared to the same period a year ago. The decrease is attributed to the 
declining markets and recessionary economy in the US. Revenue from US 
operations represented 27.4% of Canaccord Adams' total revenue. 
 
    Revenue from Other Foreign Location operations 
    Revenue from Other Foreign Location was $4.1 million, a decrease of $6.2 
million compared to Q3/08. Revenue from Other Foreign Location represents 1.9% 
of Canaccord Adams' total revenue. Revenue in this region represents a small 
number of transactions and is therefore very irregular. 
 
    Expenses 
    Expenses for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 were $243.9 million, a 
decrease of $24.0 million. Incentive compensation was $111.4 million, which 
was a decrease of $65.0 million or 36.8% compared to the same period a year 
ago. This decline is consistent with the 40.0% drop in total revenue during 
the first nine months of the fiscal year. 
    Salary and benefits expense for year-to-date fiscal 2009 increased by 
$1.1 million from a year ago. The total compensation expense payout as a 
percentage of revenue also increased by 5.1 percentage points to 57.9% during 
year-to-date fiscal 2009. This increase was due to a growth in the number of 
employees during the first six months of fiscal 2009. However, in Q3/09, 
salaries and benefits expense decreased by $0.5 million compared to Q2/09 as a 
result of the staff restructuring announced in October 2008. 
    The general and administrative expense increased by $4.1 million to $33.2 
million for year-to-date fiscal 2009. The general and administrative expense 
increase was due to consultancy fees paid to upgrade our internal 
infrastructure and an increase in reserve expense. Communication and 
technology expenses also increased by approximately $1.3 million mainly due to 
technological enhancements incurred during the quarter. This increase was 
partially offset by a decrease in promotion and travel expense. 
    Loss before income taxes and corporate overhead allocations for the 
period was $31.6 million, a decrease of $117.3 million from the same period a 
year ago. Excluding significant items, the net income before income taxes and 
corporate overhead allocations for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 was 
$5.9 million. 
 
    Private Client Services(1) 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    (C$ thousands, 
    except AUM and AUA, 
    which are in           Three                         Nine 
    C$ millions;       months ended    Quarter-      months ended        YTD- 
    employees;          December 31       over-       December 31       over- 
    Advisory Teams,                     quarter                          YTD 
    and % amounts)     2008     2007     change      2008     2007     change 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Revenue          33,532   61,166    (45.2)%   135,229  194,664    (30.5)% 
    Expenses 
      Incentive 
       compensation  14,195   28,443    (50.1)%    61,261   91,474    (33.0)% 
      Salaries and 
       benefits       3,057    3,272     (6.6)%    10,315   10,831     (4.8)% 
      Other overhead 
       expenses(2)   17,437   16,417       6.2%    43,707   47,014     (7.0)% 
      Relief 
       provision(3)   2,700        -       n.m.     2,700        -       n.m. 
      Canaccord 
       relief 
       program 
       fair value 
       adjustment(4)  2,647        -       n.m.     2,647        -       n.m. 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
      Restructuring 
       costs(5)         180        -       n.m.       180        -       n.m. 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Total expenses   40,216   48,132    (16.4)%   120,810  149,319    (19.1)% 
    Income (loss) 
     before income 
     taxes(6)        (6,684)  13,034   (151.3)%    14,419   45,345    (68.2)% 
    Income (loss) 
     before 
     significant 
     items and 
     income 
     taxes(6)        (1,157)  13,034   (108.9)%    19,946   45,345    (56.0)% 
    Assets under 
     management         454      760    (40.3)% 
    Assets under 
     administration   9,030   14,860    (39.2)% 
    Number of 
     Advisory Teams     347      377     (8.0)% 
    Number of 
     employees          725      772     (6.1)% 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    (1) Data is considered to be GAAP except for AUM, AUA, number of Advisory 
        Teams, number of employees, and income (loss) before significant 
        items and income taxes. 
    (2) Includes $4.5 million of the total pre-tax $5.5 million credit 
        provision as discussed on page 2 of this MD&A. 
    (3) Represents the additional accrual for client relief related to the 
        ABCP held by eligible clients. 
    (4) Relates to the fair value adjustment of the ABCP purchased by the 
        Company under a client relief program. 
    (5) Consists of staff restructuring costs. 
    (6) Income before income taxes excludes allocated overhead expenses that 
        are included in Corporate and Other segment expenses. 
    (7) Significant items include additional accrual for client relief, fair 
        value adjustment of the ABCP purchased by the Company under a client 
        relief program and the restructuring costs. 
    n.m.: not meaningful 
 
    Revenue from Private Client Services is generated through traditional 
commission-based brokerage services, the sale of fee-based products and 
services, client-related interest, and fees and commissions earned by Advisory 
Teams in respect of investment banking and venture capital transactions by 
private clients. 
 
    Third quarter 2009 vs. third quarter 2008 
 
    Revenue from Private Client Services was $33.5 million, a decrease of 
$27.6 million mainly due to the deteriorating market conditions in North 
America during the quarter. AUA decreased by $5.8 billion to $9.0 billion. AUM 
decreased by 40.3% year over year to $454 million. The decrease in AUA and AUM 
was due to lower market value of assets related to declining global markets in 
Q3/09. There were 347 Advisory Teams at the end of the third quarter of fiscal 
2009, a decrease of 30 from 377 a year ago. Fee-related revenue as a 
percentage of total Private Client Services revenue increased by 3.1 
percentage points to 18.4% from the same period last year. The increase was 
the result of fee-related revenue remaining stable compared to prior periods, 
while other Private Client Services revenue decreased. 
    Expenses for Q3/09 were $40.2 million, down $7.9 million or 16.4%. The 
decrease in incentive compensation of $14.2 million or 50.1% was the main 
contributor to the overall decrease in total expenses during the quarter. This 
decline in incentive compensation was consistent with the 45.2% drop in total 
revenue. The total compensation expense payout as a percentage of revenue for 
the quarter was 51.4%, a decrease of 0.5 percentage points from 51.9% for the 
same period a year ago. 
    The largest decrease in non-compensation expenses was the 66.9% or $3.5 
million decline in interest expense due to lower interest rates and smaller 
cash balances in our client accounts this year versus last year. This decrease 
was offset by an increase in the general and administrative expense of $4.2 
million. The general and administrative expense increased to $7.8 million 
during Q3/09 mainly due to the recognition of a $4.5 million pre-tax credit 
provision against the unsecured balances resulting from deteriorating 
financial markets. 
    The Company also recognized an additional $5.3 million charge for client 
relief programs in the current quarter bringing the total pre-tax accrual to 
$59.5 million as at December 31, 2008. The current period charge consisted of 
$2.7 million additional out-of-pocket charges and $2.6 million fair value 
adjustment of ABCP purchased by the Company under a client relief program. The 
Canaccord Relief Program was announced in April 2008 and includes the 
repurchase of up to $138 million of restructured ABCP at par value from 
eligible clients. Additional information is provided in the "Asset-backed 
Commercial Paper" section of this MD&A. 
    Loss before income taxes and corporate overhead allocations for the 
quarter was $6.7 million, a decrease of 151.3% or $19.7 million from the same 
period a year ago. Excluding significant items, loss before income taxes and 
corporate overhead allocations was $1.2 million. 
 
    Year-to-date fiscal 2009 vs. year-to-date fiscal 2008 
 
    Revenue from Private Client Services was $135.2 million, a decrease of 
$59.4 million mainly due to weakening market conditions in North America 
during the first nine months of fiscal 2009. Fee-related revenue as a 
percentage of total Private Client Services revenue was 17.6% for both 
year-to-date fiscal 2009 and fiscal 2008. 
    Expenses for the nine months ended December 31, 2008 were $120.8 million, 
down $28.5 million or 19.1%. The largest decrease in expenses was incentive 
compensation expense, which decreased $30.2 million, and interest expense, 
which decreased $8.7 million. Incentive compensation declined by 33.0%, which 
was in line with the 30.5% decrease in total revenue. Interest expense 
decreased due to lower interest rates and smaller cash balances in our client 
accounts this year versus last year. The total compensation expense payout as 
a percentage of revenue for the first nine months of fiscal 2009 was 52.9%, no 
change from the same period a year ago. Trading costs also decreased by $1.6 
million or 22.9% due to lower trading activity. 
    The decreases were offset by an increase in the general and 
administrative expense of $5.8 million or 63.9%, which was mainly due to an 
increase in the credit provision. As discussed above, this expense was 
recognized to provide for unsecured balances in client accounts resulting from 
current market conditions. The Company also recognized a $5.3 million charge 
for client relief as mentioned above. 
    Income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocations for 
year-to-date fiscal 2009 was $14.4 million, a decrease of 68.2% or $30.9 
million from the same period a year ago. Excluding significant items, net 
income before income taxes and corporate overhead allocations was $19.9 
million. 
 
    Corporate and Other(1) 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                           Three                         Nine 
    (C$ thousands,     months ended    Quarter-      months ended        YTD- 
    except              December 31       over-       December 31       over- 
    employees                           quarter                          YTD 
    and % amounts)     2008     2007     change      2008     2007     change 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Revenue           4,406   12,605    (65.0)%    23,117   39,752    (41.8)% 
    Expenses 
      Incentive 
       compensation     247    4,402    (94.4)%     4,358   15,785    (72.4)% 
      Salaries and 
       benefits       6,347    6,111       3.9%    20,585   18,257      12.8% 
      Other overhead 
       expenses       8,954    9,824     (8.9)%    26,825   28,339     (5.3)% 
      ABCP fair 
       value 
       adjustment(2)  6,700    3,125   (114.4)%     6,700    6,378     (5.0)% 
      Restructuring 
       costs(3)       1,391        -       n.m.     1,391        -       n.m. 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Total expenses   23,639   23,462     (0.8)%    59,859   68,759    (12.9)% 
    Loss before 
     income 
     taxes          (19,233) (10,857)   (77.1)%   (36,742) (29,007)   (26.7)% 
    Loss before 
     significant 
     items and 
     income 
     taxes(4)       (11,142)  (7,732)   (44.1)%   (28,651) (22,629)   (26.6)% 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Number of 
     employees          365      373     (2.1)% 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    (1) Data is considered to be GAAP except for number of employees and loss 
        before significant items and income taxes. 
    (2) Represents the ABCP fair value adjustment for ABCP held by the 
        Company. 
    (3) Consists of staff restructuring costs. 
    (4) Significant items include ABCP fair value adjustment and 
        restructuring costs. 
    n.m: not meaningful 
 
    Canaccord's administrative segment, described as Corporate and Other, 
includes correspondent brokerage services, bank and other interest, and 
foreign exchange revenue and expenses not specifically allocable to either the 
Canaccord Adams or Private Client Services divisions. Also included in this 
segment are Canaccord's operations and support services, which are responsible 
for front and back-office information technology systems, compliance and risk 
management, operations, finance, and all administrative functions. 
 
    Third quarter 2009 vs. third quarter 2008 
 
    Revenue for the three months ended December 31, 2008 was $4.4 million, a 
decrease of $8.2 million from the same quarter a year ago. The change was 
mostly related to a decrease in foreign exchange gains compared to the prior 
year. Foreign exchange gains declined $5.8 million or 187.3% during the 
quarter to a total foreign exchange loss of $2.7 million. Interest revenue 
also decreased by $2.7 million or 39.0% compared to the same period a year ago 
as a result of lower interest rates. 
    Fiscal 2009 third quarter expenses were $23.6 million, a decrease of 
0.8%. Incentive compensation also decreased by $4.2 million due to lower 
profitability of the consolidated group of companies. This decrease was 
partially offset by a $1.4 million charge to restructuring costs related to 
the firm-wide staff restructuring announced in October 2008 and partially 
offset by a $6.7 million ABCP fair value adjustment. 
    Loss before income taxes was $19.2 million in Q3/09 compared to a net 
loss of $10.9 million in Q3/08. Excluding significant items, net loss before 
income taxes was $11.1 million. 
 
    Year-to-date fiscal 2009 vs. year-to-date fiscal 2008 
 
    Revenue was $23.1 million, a decrease of $16.6 million from the same 
period a year ago for the same reasons mentioned above. 
    Expenses for year-to-date fiscal 2009 were $59.9 million, a decrease of 
$8.9 million. The decline is mainly due to a decrease in incentive 
compensation expense of $11.4 million or 72.4% for the same reasons mentioned 
above. This was offset by a $1.4 million increase in restructuring costs that 
related to the firm-wide staff restructuring announced in October 2008 and 
$6.7 million ABCP fair value adjustment. 
    Overall, loss before income taxes was $36.7 million compared to a loss of 
$29.0 million in the same period a year ago. Excluding significant items, net 
loss before income taxes was $28.7 million. 
 
    FINANCIAL CONDITION 
 
    Below are specific changes in selected balance sheet items. 
 
    Assets 
    Cash and cash equivalents were $684.5 million on December 31, 2008 
compared to $435.6 million on March 31, 2008. Refer to the "Liquidity and 
Capital Resources" section for more details. 
    Securities owned were $72.9 million compared with $92.8 million on March 
31, 2008. The decrease related mainly to fewer financings that were committed 
at December 31, 2008 as well as a decrease in market value of securities. 
    Accounts receivable were $0.8 billion on December 31, 2008 compared with 
$1.4 billion on March 31, 2008. The decrease mainly related to a decrease in 
receivable balances from clients and brokers and investment dealers. 
    Other assets in aggregate were $115.9 million at December 31, 2008 
compared with $147.4 at March 31, 2008. The decrease was mainly due to the 
impairment of CAI and Enermarket goodwill and intangibles and the ABCP fair 
value adjustment, offset by an increase in equipment and leasehold 
improvements. 
 
    Liabilities 
    Bank overdrafts and call loan facilities utilized by Canaccord may vary 
significantly on a day-to-day basis and depend on securities trading activity. 
On December 31, 2008, there was bank indebtedness of $39.0 million compared to 
$15.0 million on March 31, 2008. 
    Accounts payable were $1.2 billion compared to $1.7 billion at March 31, 
2008, a decrease of $0.5 billion mainly related to a decrease in payable 
balances to clients and brokers and investment dealers. 
    Other liabilities in aggregate were $87.1 million at December 31, 2008 
compared with $38.8 million at March 31, 2008. The change was mainly due to an 
increase in corporate and government debt securities sold short as at December 
31, 2008. 
 
    OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS 
 
    At December 31, 2008, Canaccord had credit facilities with banks in 
Canada, the UK and the US in the aggregate amount of $491.8 million. These 
credit facilities, consisting of call loans, letters of credit and daylight 
overdraft facilities are collateralized by either unpaid securities and/or 
securities owned by the Company. A subsidiary of the Company has entered into 
irrevocable standby letters of credit from a financial institution totalling 
$2.8 million (US$2.3 million) as rent guarantees for its leased premises in 
Boston, New York and San Francisco. As of December 31, 2008, there were no 
outstanding balances under these standby letters of credit. 
    In connection with the Canaccord Relief Program, the Company entered into 
two letters of credit in April 2008 to facilitate the funding of the relief 
programs. The Canaccord Relief Program was successfully completed on January 
30, 2009 without drawing the two letters of credit and, as a result, they have 
been subsequently cancelled. 
 
    LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES 
 
    Canaccord has a capital structure comprising share capital, retained 
earnings and accumulated other comprehensive losses. On December 31, 2008, 
cash and cash equivalents net of call loans were $645.4 million, an increase 
of $224.8 million from $420.6 million as of March 31, 2008. During the quarter 
ended December 31, 2008, financing activities provided cash in the amount of 
$1.9 million, which was primarily due to a decrease in unvested common share 
purchase loans. Investing activities used cash in the amount of $5.3 million 
for the purchase of equipment and leasehold improvements. Operating activities 
generated cash in the amount of $130.9 million for the quarter, which was due 
to net change in non-cash working capital items, net loss and items not 
affecting cash. 
    Canaccord's business requires capital for operating and regulatory 
purposes. The majority of current assets reflected on Canaccord's balance 
sheet are highly liquid. The majority of the positions held as securities 
owned are readily marketable and all are recorded at their market value. The 
market value of these securities fluctuates daily as factors such as changes 
in market conditions, economic conditions and investor outlook affect market 
prices. Clients' receivable balances are secured by readily marketable 
securities and are reviewed daily for impairment in value and collectibility. 
Receivable and payable balances from brokers and dealers represent the 
following: current open transactions that generally settle within the normal 
three-day settlement cycle; collateralized securities borrowed and/or loaned 
in transactions that can be closed within a few days on demand; and balances 
on behalf of introducing brokers representing net balances in connection with 
their client accounts. 
    Canaccord is committed to minimum lease payments for premises and 
equipment that extend beyond the next five years. The following table 
summarizes the approximate amount of Canaccord's consolidated long-term 
contractual obligations as of December 31, 2008. 
 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                            Contractual obligation payments due by period 
 
                                               Fiscal     Fiscal 
                                                2011-      2013- 
                                    Fiscal     fiscal     fiscal 
    (C$ thousands)        Total       2010       2012       2014  Thereafter 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Premises and 
     equipment 
     operating leases   160,457     26,928     42,387     34,246      56,896 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 
    OUTSTANDING SHARE DATA 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                        Outstanding shares as of December 31 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                     2008            2007 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Issued shares excluding unvested shares(1)    49,108,237      44,191,145 
    Issued shares outstanding(2)                  54,636,139      47,835,051 
    Diluted shares(3)                             56,218,193      49,095,816 
    Average shares outstanding - basic            48,656,116      44,670,881 
    Average shares outstanding - diluted(4)       54,329,767      48,420,575 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    (1) Excludes 2,810,989 unvested shares that are outstanding relating to 
        share purchase loans for recruitment and retention programs and 
        2,716,913 unvested shares purchased by the employee benefit trust for 
        the LTIP. 
    (2) Includes 2,810,989 unvested shares that are outstanding relating to 
        share purchase loans for recruitment and retention programs and 
        2,716,913 unvested shares purchased by the employee benefit trust for 
        the LTIP. 
    (3) Includes dilutive earned shares under our stock-based compensation 
        plans. 
    (4) This is the diluted share number used to calculate diluted EPS. 
 
    At December 31, 2008, Canaccord had 54,636,139 common shares issued and 
outstanding, an increase of 6,801,088 common shares from December 31, 2007 due 
to the net effect of shares issued relating to the equity financing in May 
2008, shares issued in connection with stock-based compensation plans and 
shares cancelled. 
    On May 2, 2008, the Company closed a fully underwritten financing of 
5,855,000 common shares at a price of $10.25 per share for total gross 
proceeds of $60.0 million. On May 22, 2008, the underwriters exercised an 
over-allotment option in connection with the financing to purchase an 
additional 878,250 common shares at a price of $10.25 per share for gross 
proceeds of $9.0 million. The net proceeds of the offering are being used for 
business development and general corporate purposes. 
 
    STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS 
 
    Adams Harkness 
 
    On January 3, 2006, Canaccord completed the acquisition of Adams Harkness 
(renamed Canaccord Adams Inc.) which was a privately held Boston, 
Massachusetts-based institutional investment bank, and a retention plan was 
established. This retention plan provided for the issuance of up to 1,118,952 
common shares after a three-year vesting period, which ended on December 31, 
2008. As of December 31, 2008, 616,205 shares vested and this number was based 
on revenue earned by Canaccord Adams Inc. during the vesting period. As 
revenue levels were achieved during the vesting period, the associated 
proportion of the retention payment was recorded as a development cost and the 
applicable number of retention shares was included in weighted average diluted 
common shares outstanding. 
    On December 15, 2008, the Company issued 53,384 common shares to former 
employees of Adams Harkness as required by the retention plan upon vesting. 
The common shares were issued at $10.25 per share for an aggregate value of 
$547,186. 
    The Company issued 616,205 common shares in February 2009 to employees 
who received awards under the plan and the plan terminated on December 31, 
2008. 
 
    Stock options 
 
    The Company granted stock options to purchase common shares of the 
Company to independent directors. The independent directors have been granted 
the option to purchase up to an aggregate of 275,000 common shares of the 
Company. The stock options vest over a four-year period and expire seven years 
after the grant date. The weighted average exercise price of the stock options 
is $15.54. 
 
    Long term incentive plan 
 
    Under the LTIP, eligible participants are awarded restricted share units 
("RSUs") which vest over three years. For employees in Canada, an employee 
benefit trust (the "Trust") has been established, and either (a) the Company 
will fund the Trust with cash that will be used by a trustee to purchase 
common shares of the Company on the open market which will be held in trust by 
the trustee until RSUs vest or (b) the Company will issue common shares from 
treasury to participants following vesting of RSUs. For employees in the 
United States and the United Kingdom, at the time of each RSU award, the 
Company will allot common shares, and these shares will be issued from 
treasury at the time they vest for each participant. The shares issued as part 
of the LTIP will generally be offset by purchases under the Company's NCIB. 
 
    INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE 
 
    Canaccord is a member of the International Financial Centre Vancouver and 
International Financial Centre Montreal, which provide certain tax and 
financial benefits pursuant to the International Financial Business (Tax 
Refund) Act of British Columbia and the Act Respecting International Financial 
Centres of Quebec. Accordingly, Canaccord's overall income tax rate is less 
than the rate that would otherwise be applicable. 
 
    FOREIGN EXCHANGE 
 
    Canaccord manages its foreign exchange risk by periodically hedging 
pending settlements in foreign currencies. Realized and unrealized gains and 
losses related to these transactions are recognized in income during the year. 
On December 31, 2008, forward contracts outstanding to sell US dollars had a 
notional amount of US$0.6 million, down from US$7.0 million a year ago. 
Forward contracts outstanding to buy US dollars had a notional amount of 
US$2.3 million, down from US$11.0 million compared to a year ago. The fair 
value of these contracts was nominal. Some of Canaccord's operations in 
London, England are conducted in pounds sterling; however, any foreign 
exchange risk in respect of these transactions is generally limited as pending 
settlements on both sides of the transaction are typically in pounds sterling. 
 
    RELATED-PARTY TRANSACTIONS 
 
    Security trades executed for employees, officers and directors of 
Canaccord are transacted in accordance with terms and conditions applicable to 
all clients. Commission income on such transactions in the aggregate is not 
material in relation to the overall operations of Canaccord. 
 
    CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES 
 
    The following is a summary of Canaccord's critical accounting estimates. 
Canaccord's accounting policies are in accordance with Canadian GAAP and are 
described in Note 1 to the Audited Annual Consolidated Financial Statements. 
The accounting policies described below require estimates and assumptions that 
affect the amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses recorded in 
the financial statements. Because of their nature, estimates require judgment 
based on available information. Actual results or amounts could differ from 
estimates and the difference could have a material impact on the financial 
statements. 
 
    Revenue recognition and valuation of securities 
 
    Securities owned and sold short, including share purchase warrants and 
options, are categorized as held for trading as per Canadian Institute of 
Chartered Accountants ("CICA") Handbook Section 3855, "Financial Instruments - 
Recognition and Measurement", and are recorded at fair value with unrealized 
gains and losses recognized in net income. In the case of publicly traded 
securities, fair value is determined on the basis of market prices from 
independent sources, such as listed exchange prices or dealer price 
quotations. Adjustments to market prices are made for liquidity, relative to 
the size of the position, holding periods and other resale restrictions, if 
applicable. Investments in illiquid or non-publicly traded securities 
categorized as held for trading are measured at fair value determined by a 
valuation model. There is inherent uncertainty and imprecision in estimating 
the factors that can affect value and in estimating values generally. The 
extent to which valuation estimates differ from actual results will affect the 
amount of revenue or loss recorded for a particular security position in any 
given period. With Canaccord's security holdings consisting primarily of 
publicly traded securities, our procedures for obtaining market prices from 
independent sources, the validation of estimates through actual settlement of 
transactions and the consistent application of our approach from period to 
period, we believe that the estimates of fair value recorded are reasonable. 
 
    Asset-backed commercial paper 
 
    There is a significant amount of uncertainty in estimating the amount and 
timing of cash flows associated with the Company's holdings in ABCP. As there 
is no available market price, the Company estimates the fair value of its ABCP 
by discounting expected future cash flows on a probability weighted basis 
considering the best available data. Since the fair value of the ABCP is based 
on the Company's assessment of current conditions, amounts reported may change 
materially in subsequent periods. Refer to Note 7 in the Audited Annual 
Consolidated Financial Statements for further details. 
 
    Provisions 
 
    Canaccord records provisions related to pending or outstanding legal 
matters and doubtful accounts associated with clients' receivables, loans, 
advances and other receivables. Provisions in connection with legal matters 
are determined on the basis of management's judgment in consultation with 
legal counsel, considering such factors as the amount of the claim, the 
possibility of wrongdoing by an employee of Canaccord and precedents. Clients' 
receivable balances are generally collateralized by securities and, therefore, 
any impairment is generally measured after considering the market value of the 
collateral. 
    Provisions in connection with other doubtful accounts are generally based 
on management's assessment of the likelihood of collection and the recoverable 
amount. Provisions are also recorded utilizing discount factors in connection 
with syndicate participation. 
 
    Tax 
 
    Accruals for income tax liabilities require management to make estimates 
and judgments with respect to the ultimate outcome of tax filings and 
assessments. Actual results could vary from these estimates. Canaccord 
operates within different tax jurisdictions and is subject to their individual 
assessments. Tax filings can involve complex issues, which may require an 
extended period of time to resolve in the event of a dispute or re-assessment 
by tax authorities. Accounting standards require a valuation allowance when it 
is more likely than not that all or a portion of a future income tax asset 
will not be realized prior to its expiration. Although realization is not 
assured, Canaccord, believes that, based on all evidence, it is more likely 
than not that all of the future income tax assets, net of the valuation 
allowance, will be realized. Canaccord believes that adequate provisions for 
income taxes have been made for all years. 
 
    Goodwill and other intangible assets 
 
    As a result of the acquisitions of Adams Harkness Financial Group, Inc. 
and Enermarket Solutions Ltd., Canaccord acquired goodwill and other 
intangible assets. Goodwill is the cost of the acquired companies in excess of 
the fair value of their net assets, including other intangible assets, at the 
acquisition date. The identification and valuation of other intangible assets 
required management to use estimates and make assumptions. Goodwill is 
assessed for impairment at least annually or whenever a potential impairment 
may arise as a result of an event or change in circumstances to ensure that 
the fair value of the reporting unit to which goodwill has been allocated is 
greater than or at least equal to its carrying value. Fair value will be 
determined using valuation models that take into account such factors as 
projected earnings, earnings multiples, discount rates, other available 
external information and market comparables. The determination of fair value 
requires management to apply judgment in selecting the valuation models and 
assumptions and estimates to be used in such models and value determinations. 
These judgments affect the determination of fair value and any resulting 
impairment charges. Other intangible assets are amortized over their estimated 
useful lives and tested for impairment periodically or whenever a potential 
impairment may arise as a result of an event or change in circumstances. 
Management must exercise judgment and make use of estimates and assumptions in 
determining the estimated useful lives of other intangible assets and in 
periodic determinations of value. 
    The purchase of Adams Harkness (renamed Canaccord Adams Inc.) resulted in 
the recognition of $27.5 million of goodwill and intangibles which represented 
the cost of the acquisition in excess of the fair value of the net tangible 
assets at the time of purchase. Canaccord Adams Inc. primarily provides 
capital markets services to institutional and corporate clients in the US. 
This reporting unit has experienced a decline in business activity and revenue 
with the continued deterioration in the financial markets during Q3/09. Due to 
the adverse changes in the business environment, the Company performed a 
valuation to assess the fair value of this reporting unit compared to the 
carrying value. The results of this valuation led to the recognition of a 
charge for the impairment of goodwill and other intangible assets related to 
our US capital markets business of $27.5 million. The impairment charge was 
determined based on a valuation of Canaccord Adams Inc. using an expected 
discounted cash flow analysis and certain market value indicators. The 
determination of fair value requires management to apply judgment in selecting 
the valuation models and assumptions and estimates to be used in such models 
and value determinations. These judgments affect the determination of fair 
value and any resulting impairment charges. 
    The Company also recorded a charge of $4.0 million to recognize an 
impairment of the goodwill and intangible related to Enermarket. An impairment 
test was performed and the results concluded that the fair value was 
significantly lower than the carrying amount due to the weak market 
conditions. Enermarket's primary business is to provide advisory services to 
companies in the oil and gas industry, and its earnings prospects were 
negatively impacted by the steep decline in oil prices and volatile financial 
markets. 
 
    Stock-based compensation plans 
 
    Stock-based compensation represents the cost related to stock-based 
awards granted to employees. The Company uses the fair value method to account 
for such awards. Under this method, the Company measures the fair value of 
stock-based awards as of the grant date and recognizes the cost as an expense 
over the applicable vesting period, net of estimated forfeitures, with a 
corresponding increase in contributed surplus. In the case where vesting is 
also dependent on performance criteria, the cost is recognized over the 
vesting period in accordance with the rate at which such performance criteria 
are achieved (net of estimated forfeitures). Otherwise, the cost is recognized 
on a graded basis. When stock-based compensation awards vest, contributed 
surplus is reduced by the applicable amount and share capital is increased by 
the same amount. 
 
    RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS 
 
    Goodwill and intangible assets 
 
    The CICA has issued a new accounting standard, CICA Handbook Section 
3064, "Goodwill and Intangible Assets", which prescribes when expenditures 
qualify for recognition as intangible assets and provides increased guidance 
on the recognition and measurement of internally generated goodwill and 
intangible assets. The Company will adopt Section 3064 effective April 1, 
2009. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this section. 
 
    International Financial Reporting Standards 
 
    The Canadian Accounting Standards Board has now confirmed that the use of 
International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") will be required 
commencing in 2011 for publicly accountable, profit-oriented enterprises. IFRS 
will replace Canadian GAAP currently followed by the Company. The Company will 
be required to begin reporting under IFRS for its fiscal year ended March 31, 
2012 and will be required to provide information that conforms to IFRS for the 
comparative periods presented. The Company is currently evaluating the impact 
of the transition to IFRS including its effect on accounting policies, 
disclosures, financial systems, and internal controls. 
 
    CHANGES IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES 
 
    On April 1, 2008, the Company adopted the provisions of CICA Handbook 
Section 3862, "Financial Instruments - Disclosures", CICA Handbook Section 
3863, "Financial Instruments - Presentation", CICA Handbook Section 1535, 
"Capital Disclosures", and CICA Handbook Section 1400, "General Standards on 
Financial Statement Presentation". 
 
    Capital Disclosures 
 
    This new standard requires the Company to disclose qualitative and 
quantitative information about the Company's capital and how it is managed. 
Additional note disclosure has been included in Note 14 of the December 31, 
2008 unaudited interim consolidated financial statements. 
 
    Financial Instruments - Disclosures and Presentation 
 
    These two new standards require the Company to provide additional 
disclosure regarding the nature and extent of risk associated with financial 
instruments and how these risks are managed. Additional information has been 
provided in Note 4 of the December 31, 2008 interim consolidated financial 
statements, which includes a quantitative analysis on the risk of holding 
financial instruments including credit risk, liquidity risk and market risk. 
 
    General Standards on Financial Statement Presentation 
 
    CICA Handbook Section 1400, "General Standards on Financial Statement 
Presentation", prescribes additional requirements to assess and disclose a 
company's ability to continue as a going concern. This new standard was 
adopted by the Company beginning April 1, 2008, and there was no impact on the 
December 31, 2008 unaudited interim consolidated financial statements. 
 
    ASSET-BACKED COMMERCIAL PAPER 
 
    At December 31, 2008, the Company held ABCP with a par value of $42.7 
million and an estimated fair value of $23.2 million. The ABCP did not settle 
as it matured as a result of liquidity issues in the ABCP market. There has 
been no active trading of the ABCP since mid-August 2007. 
    On March 17, 2008, the Pan-Canadian Investors Committee (the "Committee") 
for ABCP filed proceedings for a plan of compromise and arrangement (the 
"Plan") under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada) ("CCAA") with 
the Ontario Superior Court (the "Court"). At the meeting of ABCP noteholders 
on April 25, 2008, noteholders approved the Plan by the required majorities. 
On June 5, 2008, the Court issued a sanction order and reasons for the 
decision approving the Plan as amended. On August 18, 2008, that decision was 
upheld by the Ontario Court of Appeal and, on September 19, 2008, the Supreme 
Court of Canada denied leave to appeal. On December 24, 2008, the Committee 
announced that an agreement had been reached with all key stakeholders, 
including the governments of Canada, Quebec, Ontario and Alberta, to provide 
additional margin facilities to support the Plan and certain further 
enhancements to the Plan. 
    On January 12, 2009, the Ontario Superior Court issued the final 
implementation order in the ABCP restructuring process. The restructuring 
closed on January 21, 2009. The exchange of restructured ABCP notes was also 
completed on January 21, 2009. A first installment of interest (to August 31, 
2008) was paid on the same day. The balance of the interest is to be paid in 
subsequent installments, and the amounts and timing are still to be 
determined. Restructuring fees already incurred and a reserve for additional 
restructuring fees were deducted from this first interest payment. 
    The Plan as amended provided for a declaratory release that was effective 
on implementation of the Plan and that, with the closing of the Canaccord 
Relief Program, has resulted in the release of all existing and future 
ABCP-related claims against the Company. 
    There is no assurance that the validity or effectiveness of the 
declaratory release will not be challenged in actions commenced against the 
Company and others. Any determination that the declaratory release is invalid 
or ineffective could materially adversely affect the Company's business, 
results of operations and financial condition. 
    The Company estimates the fair value of its ABCP by discounting expected 
future cash flows on a probability weighted basis considering the best 
available data at period end. The assumptions used in determining the 
estimated fair value reflect the details included in the Information Statement 
issued by the Committee. There is a significant amount of uncertainty in 
estimating the amount and timing of cash flows associated with the ABCP. The 
Company recorded a fair value adjustment of $12.8 million during the fiscal 
year ended March 31, 2008. The valuation model was updated at December 31, 
2008 with revised assumptions based on current market conditions and, as a 
result, an additional $6.7 million of fair value adjustment was recorded. 
 
    DISCLOSURE CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES AND INTERNAL CONTROL OVER FINANCIAL 
    REPORTING 
 
    Disclosure controls and procedures 
    Canaccord's management, including the President & CEO and the Executive 
Vice President & CFO, has designed disclosure controls and procedures to 
provide reasonable assurance that all relevant information is identified to 
the Disclosure Committee to ensure appropriate and timely decisions are made 
regarding public disclosure. 
 
    Changes in internal control over financial reporting 
    There were no changes in internal control over financial reporting that 
occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2008 that have materially 
affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Canaccord's internal 
control over financial reporting. 
 
    DIVIDEND POLICY 
 
    Although dividends are expected to be declared and paid quarterly, the 
Board of Directors in its sole discretion will determine the amount and timing 
of any dividends. All dividend payments will depend on general business 
conditions, Canaccord's financial condition, results of operations, capital 
requirements and such other factors as the Board determines to be relevant. 
 
    DIVIDEND DECLARATION 
 
    On February 11, 2009, the Board of Directors considered the dividend 
policy in the context of the market environment and its business activity and 
approved a suspension of Canaccord's quarterly dividend for this quarter. This 
measure was taken to enable Canaccord to preserve its working capital and book 
value, as well as to position the Company to take advantage of growth 
opportunities that may become available. 
 
    HISTORICAL QUARTERLY INFORMATION 
 
    Canaccord's revenue from an underwriting transaction is recorded only 
when the transaction has closed. Consequently, the timing of revenue 
recognition can materially affect Canaccord's quarterly results. The expense 
structure of Canaccord's operations is geared towards providing service and 
coverage in the current market environment. Profitability of the Company is 
dependent on general capital markets activity, which dropped significantly 
during Q3/09 resulting in a net loss for the quarter. 
    The following table provides selected quarterly financial information for 
the nine most recently completed financial quarters ended December 31, 2008. 
This information is unaudited but reflects all adjustments of a recurring 
nature which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to present a fair 
statement of the results of operations for the periods presented. 
Quarter-to-quarter comparisons of financial results are not necessarily 
meaningful and should not be relied upon as an indication of future 
performance. 
 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    (C$ thousands, except EPS             Fiscal 2009            Fiscal 2008 
    in $)                                 -----------            ----------- 
                                      Q3       Q2       Q1       Q4       Q3 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Revenue 
      Canaccord Adams             49,250   58,336  104,793   77,965  109,583 
      Private Client Services     33,532   43,844   57,853   54,463   61,166 
      Corporate and Other          4,406    8,649   10,062   11,018   12,605 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Total revenue                 87,188  110,829  172,708  143,446  183,354 
    Net income (loss)            (62,378)  (5,398)  16,459  (35,154)  15,048 
    EPS - basic                    (1.27)   (0.11)    0.35    (0.80)    0.34 
    EPS - diluted                  (1.27)   (0.11)    0.31    (0.80)    0.31 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 
    ---------------------------------------------------------------- 
    (C$ thousands, except EPS         Fiscal 2008       Fiscal 2007 
    in $)                             -----------       ----------- 
                                      Q2       Q1       Q4       Q3 
    ---------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Revenue 
      Canaccord Adams             89,071  155,023  130,151  101,427 
      Private Client Services     57,415   76,083   75,876   68,831 
      Corporate and Other         12,383   14,764   10,416    8,055 
    ---------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Total revenue                158,869  245,870  216,443  178,313 
    Net income (loss)             12,411   39,029   26,016   23,692 
    EPS - basic                     0.28     0.86     0.57     0.51 
    EPS - diluted                   0.26     0.80     0.54     0.49 
    ---------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    RISKS 
 
    The securities industry and Canaccord's activities are by their very 
nature subject to a number of inherent risks. Economic conditions, competition 
and market factors such as volatility in the Canadian and international 
markets, interest rates, commodity prices, market prices, trading volumes and 
liquidity have a significant impact on Canaccord's profitability. An 
investment in the common shares of Canaccord involves a number of risks, 
including market, liquidity, credit, operational, legal and regulatory risks, 
which could be substantial and are inherent in Canaccord's business. Current 
market conditions may increase many of these risks, including credit risk. 
Canaccord is also directly exposed to market price risks, liquidity risk and 
volatility risk as a result of its principal trading activities in equity 
securities and to specific interest rate risk as a result of its principal 
trading activities in fixed income securities. Private Client Services' 
revenue is dependent on trading volumes and, as such, is dependent on the 
level of market activity and investor confidence. Canaccord Adams' revenue is 
dependent on financing activity by corporate issuers and the willingness of 
institutional clients to actively trade and participate in capital markets 
transactions. There may also be a lag between market fluctuations and changes 
in business conditions and the level of Canaccord's market activity and the 
impact that these factors have on Canaccord's operating results and financial 
position. Furthermore, Canaccord may not achieve its growth plans associated 
with the acquisition and integration of Adams Harkness Financial Group, Inc. 
The Company has a capital management framework to maintain the level of 
capital that will meet the firm's regulated subsidiaries' target ratios as set 
out by the respective regulators, fund current and future operations, ensure 
that the firm is able to meet its financial obligations as they come due, and 
support the creation of shareholder value. The regulatory bodies that certain 
of the Company's subsidiaries are subject to are listed in Note 14 of the 
December 31, 2008 unaudited interim consolidated financial statements. 
 
    ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 
 
    A comprehensive discussion of our business, strategies, objectives and 
risks is available in our Annual Information Form and Management's Discussion 
and Analysis, including our Audited Annual Consolidated Financial Statements 
in Canaccord's 2008 Annual Report, which are available on our Web site at 
canaccord.com/investor and on SEDAR at sedar.com. 
 
 
 
    Interim Consolidated Financial Statements 
 
    Canaccord Capital Inc. 
    Unaudited 
    For the three and nine months ended December 31, 2008 
    (Expressed in Canadian dollars) 
 
 
 
                           Canaccord Capital Inc. 
 
               INTERIM CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) 
 
 
                                            (in thousands of dollars) 
    As at                            December 31,     March 31,  December 31, 
                                         2008           2008         2007 
                                          $              $            $ 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    ASSETS 
    Current 
    Cash and cash equivalents            684,463       435,649       421,783 
    Securities owned (note 3)             72,938        92,796       164,388 
    Accounts receivable 
     (notes 5 and 12)                    806,402     1,422,917     1,260,869 
    Income taxes recoverable              29,887        11,083         2,758 
    Future income taxes                   13,657        28,207        10,630 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Total current assets               1,607,347     1,990,652     1,860,428 
    Investment (note 6)                    5,000         5,000         5,000 
    Investment in asset-backed 
     commercial paper (note 7)            23,160        29,860        34,501 
    Equipment and leasehold 
     improvements                         44,178        40,686        39,939 
    Goodwill and other intangible 
     assets (note 8)                           -        32,520        32,873 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                       1,679,685     2,098,718     1,972,741 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY 
    Current 
    Bank indebtedness                     39,040        15,038             - 
    Securities sold short (note 3)        62,151        13,757        96,383 
    Accounts payable and accrued 
     liabilities (notes 5 and 12)      1,195,533     1,687,479     1,461,130 
    Subordinated debt (note 9)            25,000        25,000        25,000 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Total current liabilities          1,321,724     1,741,274     1,582,513 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Commitments and contingencies 
     (note 15) 
    Shareholders' equity 
    Share capital (note 10)              218,738       145,166       141,370 
    Retained earnings                    157,823       222,597       263,571 
    Accumulated other comprehensive 
     losses                              (18,600)      (10,319)      (14,713) 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Total shareholders' equity           357,961       357,444       390,228 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                       1,679,685     2,098,718     1,972,741 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    See accompanying notes 
 
 
 
                           Canaccord Capital Inc. 
 
          INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) 
 
                                            (in thousands of dollars, 
                                            except per share amounts) 
                                       For the three         For the nine 
                                        months ended         months ended 
                                  --------------------- --------------------- 
                                   December   December   December   December 
                                   31, 2008   31, 2007   31, 2008   31, 2007 
                                       $          $          $          $ 
    --------------------------------------------------- --------------------- 
 
    REVENUE 
    Commission                       51,473     74,959    184,099    226,462 
    Investment banking               20,198     84,910    130,369    287,266 
    Principal trading                 3,781        387      9,779      3,275 
    Interest                          9,108     16,011     33,171     48,594 
    Other                             2,628      7,087     13,307     22,496 
    --------------------------------------------------- --------------------- 
                                     87,188    183,354    370,725    588,093 
    --------------------------------------------------- --------------------- 
 
    EXPENSES 
    Incentive compensation           43,299     90,778    177,003    283,600 
    Salaries and benefits            12,817     12,658     42,455     39,576 
    Trading costs                     6,708      7,054     19,746     21,261 
    Premises and equipment            6,549      5,781     18,291     16,775 
    Communication and technology      6,277      5,611     18,979     17,163 
    Interest                          2,568      6,574      9,881     19,155 
    General and administrative       19,827     17,390     58,715     51,416 
    Amortization                      2,751      2,197      6,865      6,320 
    Development costs                 7,738      6,774     21,583     22,113 
    Asset-backed commercial paper 
     fair value adjustment (note 7)   6,700      4,226      6,700      8,625 
    Canaccord relief program 
     (note 16)                        5,347          -      5,347          - 
    Impairment of goodwill and 
     intangibles (note 8)            31,524          -     31,524          - 
    Restructuring costs (note 17)     7,520          -      7,520          - 
    --------------------------------------------------- --------------------- 
                                    159,625    159,043    424,609    486,004 
    --------------------------------------------------- --------------------- 
    Income (loss) before income 
     taxes                          (72,437)    24,311    (53,884)   102,089 
    Income tax expense (recovery) 
      Current                        (7,769)    10,395    (17,910)    37,775 
      Future                         (2,290)    (1,132)    15,343     (2,174) 
    --------------------------------------------------- --------------------- 
                                    (10,059)     9,263     (2,567)    35,601 
    --------------------------------------------------- --------------------- 
    --------------------------------------------------- --------------------- 
    Net income (loss) 
     for the period                 (62,378)    15,048    (51,317)    66,488 
    --------------------------------------------------- --------------------- 
    --------------------------------------------------- --------------------- 
 
    Basic earnings (loss) per 
     share (note 10 (iv))             (1.27)      0.34      (1.05)      1.49 
    Diluted earnings (loss) per 
     share (note 10 (iv))             (1.27)      0.31      (1.05)      1.37 
    --------------------------------------------------- --------------------- 
    --------------------------------------------------- --------------------- 
 
    See accompanying notes 
 
 
 
                           Canaccord Capital Inc. 
 
                INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN 
                       SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) 
 
    As at and for the nine months           (in thousands of dollars) 
     ended December 31, 2008         December 31,     March 31,  December 31, 
     and 2007 and for the year           2008           2008         2007 
     ended March 31, 2008                 $              $            $ 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    Common shares, opening               111,142       147,900       147,900 
    Shares issued                         69,979           495           495 
    Shares cancelled                        (442)         (127)         (127) 
    Acquisition of common shares for 
     long term incentive plan 
     (note 11)                           (13,839)      (27,247)      (23,335) 
    Release of vested common shares 
     from employee benefit trust 
     (note 11)                             5,994             -             - 
    Unvested share purchase loans          3,162        (9,879)       (9,285) 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Common shares, closing               175,996       111,142       115,648 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    Contributed surplus, opening          34,024         8,396         8,396 
    Excess on redemption of common 
     shares                                 (340)         (369)         (369) 
    Shortfall on distribution of 
     acquired common shares                    -           (29)          (29) 
    Stock-based compensation 
     (note 11)                             9,509        20,776        14,841 
    Unvested share purchase loans           (451)        5,250         2,883 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Contributed surplus, closing          42,742        32,024        25,722 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Share capital                        218,738       145,166       141,370 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    Retained earnings, opening           222,597       213,659       213,659 
    Net income (loss) for the period     (51,317)       31,334        66,488 
    Cash dividends                       (13,457)      (22,396)      (16,576) 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Retained earnings, closing           157,823       222,597       263,571 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    Accumulated other comprehensive 
     income (loss), opening              (10,319)        2,236         2,236 
    Other comprehensive losses            (8,281)      (12,555)      (16,949) 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Accumulated other comprehensive 
     losses, closing                     (18,600)      (10,319)      (14,713) 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    Shareholders' equity                 357,961       357,444       390,228 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 
 
       INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) 
                                 (Unaudited) 
 
                                            (in thousands of dollars) 
                                       For the three         For the nine 
                                        months ended         months ended 
                                  --------------------- --------------------- 
                                   December   December   December   December 
                                   31, 2008   31, 2007   31, 2008   31, 2007 
                                       $          $          $          $ 
    --------------------------------------------------- --------------------- 
 
    Net income (loss) for the 
     period                         (62,378)    15,048    (51,317)    66,488 
    Other comprehensive loss, 
     net of taxes 
      Net change in unrealized 
       losses on translation of 
       self-sustaining foreign 
       operations                    (1,519)    (3,149)    (8,281)   (16,949) 
    --------------------------------------------------- --------------------- 
    Comprehensive income (loss) 
     for the period                 (63,897)    11,899    (59,598)    49,539 
    --------------------------------------------------- --------------------- 
    --------------------------------------------------- --------------------- 
 
    See accompanying notes 
 
 
 
                           Canaccord Capital Inc. 
 
          INTERIM CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) 
 
                                            (in thousands of dollars) 
                                       For the three         For the nine 
                                        months ended         months ended 
                                  --------------------- --------------------- 
                                   December   December   December   December 
                                   31, 2008   31, 2007   31, 2008   31, 2007 
                                       $          $          $          $ 
    --------------------------------------------------- --------------------- 
 
    OPERATING ACTIVITIES 
    Net income (loss) for the 
     period                         (62,378)    15,048    (51,317)    66,488 
    Items not affecting cash 
      Amortization                    2,751      2,197      6,865      6,320 
      Stock-based compensation 
       expense                        5,542      5,813     16,122     13,834 
      Future income tax (recovery) 
       expense                       (2,290)        41     15,343        123 
 
      Impairment of goodwill 
       and intangibles               31,524          -     31,524          - 
      Asset-backed commercial 
       paper fair value 
       adjustment                     6,700      4,226      6,700      8,625 
    Changes in non-cash working 
     capital 
      Decrease (increase) in 
       securities owned             (16,974)    28,165     19,251    148,239 
      Decrease in accounts 
       receivable                   425,012    514,899    606,405    350,887 
      Increase in income taxes 
       receivable                    (9,295)         -    (17,614)         - 
      Increase in securities 
       sold short                    46,927     47,602     48,351     55,216 
      Decrease in accounts 
       payable and accrued 
       liabilities                 (296,629)  (508,963)  (490,610)  (640,422) 
      Decrease in income taxes 
       payable                            -     (3,322)         -    (15,710) 
    --------------------------------------------------- --------------------- 
    Cash provided by (used in) 
     operating activities           130,890    105,706    191,020     (6,400) 
    --------------------------------------------------- --------------------- 
 
    FINANCING ACTIVITIES 
    Issuance of shares for cash 
     net of issuance costs                -         48     66,462        495 
    Purchase and cancellation 
     of shares                            -      1,214       (782)    (6,402) 
    Decrease (increase) in 
     unvested common share 
     purchase loans                   1,936       (497)     2,711       (497) 
    Acquisition of common shares 
     for long term incentive plan         -     (5,040)   (13,839)   (23,335) 
    Dividends paid                        -     (5,856)   (13,457)   (16,576) 
    --------------------------------------------------- --------------------- 
    Cash provided by (used in) 
     financing activities             1,936    (10,131)    41,095    (46,315) 
    --------------------------------------------------- --------------------- 
 
    INVESTING ACTIVITIES 
    Purchase of equipment and 
     leasehold improvements          (5,267)    (2,116)    (8,024)    (9,506) 
    Acquisition of investment             -          -          -     (5,000) 
    --------------------------------------------------- --------------------- 
    Cash used in investing 
     activities                      (5,267)    (2,116)    (8,024)   (14,506) 
    --------------------------------------------------- --------------------- 
 
    Effect of foreign exchange 
     on cash balances                 3,396     (3,226)       721    (17,636) 
    --------------------------------------------------- --------------------- 
 
    Increase (decrease) in cash 
     position                       130,955     90,233    224,812    (84,857) 
    Cash position, beginning 
     of period                      514,468    331,550    420,611    506,640 
    --------------------------------------------------- --------------------- 
    Cash position, end of period    645,423    421,783    645,423    421,783 
    --------------------------------------------------- --------------------- 
 
    Cash position is comprised of: 
    Cash and cash equivalents       684,463    421,783    684,463    421,783 
    Bank indebtedness               (39,040)         -    (39,040)         - 
    --------------------------------------------------- --------------------- 
                                    645,423    421,783    645,423    421,783 
    --------------------------------------------------- --------------------- 
 
    Supplemental cash flow 
     information 
    Interest paid                     2,508      6,579      9,775     19,130 
    Income taxes paid                 3,420     13,458      6,256     54,334 
    --------------------------------------------------- --------------------- 
    --------------------------------------------------- --------------------- 
 
    See accompanying notes 
 
 
 
    NOTES TO INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited) 
 
 
    For the three and nine months         (in thousands of dollars, except 
    ended December 31, 2008                per share amounts) 
 
 
    Through its principal subsidiaries, Canaccord Capital Inc. (the 
    "Company") is a leading independent, full-service investment dealer in 
    Canada with capital markets operations in the United Kingdom ("UK") and 
    the United States of America ("US"). The Company has operations in each 
    of the two principal segments of the securities industry: capital markets 
    and private client services. Together, these operations offer a wide 
    range of complementary investment products, brokerage services and 
    investment banking services to the Company's private, institutional and 
    corporate clients. 
 
    The Company's business is cyclical and experiences considerable 
    variations in revenue and income from quarter-to-quarter and year-to-year 
    due to factors beyond the Company's control. The Company's business is 
    affected by the overall condition of the North American and European 
    capital markets, including the seasonal variance in these markets. 
 
    1.  SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES 
 
    Basis of presentation and principles of consolidation 
 
    These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements have been 
    prepared by the Company in accordance with Canadian generally accepted 
    accounting principles ("GAAP") with respect to interim financial 
    statements, applied on a consistent basis. These interim unaudited 
    consolidated financial statements follow the same accounting principles 
    and methods of application as those disclosed in Note 1 to the Company's 
    audited consolidated financial statements as at and for the year ended 
    March 31, 2008 ("Audited Annual Consolidated Financial Statements"). 
    Accordingly, they do not include all the information and footnotes 
    required for compliance with Canadian GAAP for annual financial 
    statements. These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements and 
    notes thereon should be read in conjunction with the Audited Annual 
    Consolidated Financial Statements. 
 
    The preparation of these interim unaudited consolidated financial 
    statements and the accompanying notes requires management to make 
    estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. In the 
    opinion of management, these interim unaudited consolidated financial 
    statements reflect all adjustments (which include only normal, recurring 
    adjustments) necessary to state fairly the results for the periods 
    presented. Actual results could vary from these estimates, and the 
    operating results for the interim periods presented are not necessarily 
    indicative of results that may be expected for the full year. 
 
 
    Recent accounting pronouncements 
 
    Goodwill and Intangible Assets 
 
    The CICA issued a new accounting standard, CICA Handbook Section 3064, 
    "Goodwill and Intangible Assets", which prescribes when expenditures 
    qualify for recognition as intangible assets and provides increased 
    guidance on the recognition and measurement of internally generated 
    goodwill and intangible assets. The Company will adopt Section 3064 
    effective April 1, 2009. The Company is currently assessing the impact of 
    the new standard on the consolidated financial statements. 
 
    International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") 
 
    The Canadian Accounting Standards Board has now confirmed that the use of 
    IFRS will be required commencing in 2011 for publicly accountable, 
    profit-oriented enterprises. IFRS will replace Canadian GAAP currently 
    followed by the Company. The Company will be required to begin reporting 
    under IFRS for its fiscal year ended March 31, 2012 and will be required 
    to provide information that conforms with IFRS for the comparative 
    periods presented. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the 
    transition to IFRS including its effect on accounting policies, 
    disclosures, financial systems, and internal controls. 
 
    2.  CHANGE IN ACCOUNTING POLICIES 
 
    On April 1, 2008, the Company adopted the provisions of CICA Handbook 
    Section 1535, "Capital Disclosures", CICA Handbook Section 3862, 
    "Financial Instruments - Disclosures", CICA Handbook Section 3863, 
    "Financial Instruments - Presentation", and CICA Handbook Section 1400, 
    "General Standards on Financial Statement Presentation". 
 
    Capital Disclosures 
 
    The Company adopted the provisions of CICA Handbook Section 1535, 
    "Capital Disclosures", which establishes standards for disclosing 
    qualitative and quantitative information about an entity's capital and 
    how it is managed. This information is included in Note 14. 
 
    Financial Instruments - Disclosures and Presentation 
 
    The Company adopted two new accounting standards related to the 
    disclosure and presentation of financial instruments: CICA Handbook 
    Section 3862, "Financial Instruments - Disclosures", and CICA Handbook 
    Section 3863, "Financial Instruments - Presentation". These new standards 
    increase the emphasis on disclosures about the nature and extent of risks 
    associated with financial instruments and how these risks are managed. 
    Refer to Note 4 for further information. 
 
    General Standards on Financial Statement Presentation 
 
    The Company adopted CICA Handbook Section 1400, "General Standards on 
    Financial Statement Presentation", which prescribes additional 
    requirements to assess and disclose a company's ability to continue as a 
    going concern. There was no impact on the interim unaudited consolidated 
    financial statements as a result of adoption. 
 
    3.  SECURITIES OWNED AND SECURITIES SOLD SHORT 
 
                   December 31, 2008     March 31, 2008    December 31, 2007 
                  ------------------- ------------------- ------------------- 
                              Secur-              Secur-              Secur- 
                    Secur-    ities     Secur-    ities     Secur-    ities 
                    ities     sold      ities     sold      ities     sold 
                    owned     short     owned     short     owned     short 
                      $         $         $         $         $         $ 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Corporate and 
     government 
     debt           48,385    58,137    34,433     5,106    98,274    84,484 
    Equities and 
     convertible 
     debentures     24,553     4,014    58,363     8,651    66,114    11,899 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                    72,938    62,151    92,796    13,757   164,388    96,383 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    As at December 31, 2008, corporate and government debt maturities range 
    from 2009 to 2049 (March 31, 2008 - 2008 to 2053 and December 31, 2007 - 
    2008 to 2054) and bear interest ranging from 2.70% to 11.50% (March 31, 
    2008 - 2.85% to 11.60% and December 31, 2007 - 2.85% to 11.60%). 
 
    4.  FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 
 
    The Company classifies financial instruments as one of the following 
    categories according to CICA Handbook Section 3855, "Financial 
    Instruments - Recognition and Measurement": held for trading, held to 
    maturity, loans and receivables, available for sale assets and other 
    financial liabilities. 
 
    The financial assets and liabilities categorized as held for trading are 
    measured at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses recognized in 
    net income. The fair value is determined by utilizing valuation 
    techniques if quoted market prices do not exist. Section 3855 permits an 
    entity to designate any financial instrument as held for trading on 
    initial recognition or adoption of this standard even if that instrument 
    would not otherwise meet the definition of held for trading as specified 
    in Section 3855 provided that the fair value of the financial instrument 
    can be reliably determined. The Company's financial instruments 
    classified as held for trading include cash, commercial paper and 
    bankers' acceptances, marketable securities owned and sold short, forward 
    contracts and broker warrants. 
 
    Available for sale financial assets are measured at fair value, with 
    unrealized gains and losses recognized in other comprehensive income. The 
    Company's investment (Note 6) has been classified as available for sale. 
    The investment is carried at cost as there is no available quoted market 
    price in an active market. 
 
    The financial assets and liabilities classified as loans and receivables, 
    held to maturity and other financial liabilities are measured at 
    amortized cost. The Company classifies accounts receivable as loans and 
    receivables, and accounts payable and accrued liabilities, bank 
    indebtedness and subordinated debt as other financial liabilities. The 
    carrying values of the loans and receivables and other financial 
    liabilities approximate their fair values. 
 
    The Company's financial instruments are recognized on a trade date basis. 
    Transaction costs relating to the Company's financial instruments are 
    expensed as incurred. 
 
    Credit risk 
 
    Credit risk is the risk of loss associated with a counterparty's 
    inability to fulfill its payment obligations. Credit risk arises from 
    cash and cash equivalents, net receivables from clients and brokers and 
    investment dealers and other accounts receivable. The maximum exposure of 
    the Company to credit risk before taking into account any collateral held 
    or other credit enhancements is the carrying amount of the financial 
    instruments as disclosed in the interim unaudited consolidated financial 
    statements as at December 31, 2008. 
 
    The primary source of credit risk to the Company is in connection with 
    trading activity by private clients and private client margin accounts. 
    To minimize its exposure, the Company applies certain credit standards, 
    applies limits to transactions and requires settlement of securities 
    transactions on a cash basis or delivery against payment. Margin 
    transactions are collateralized by securities in the clients' accounts in 
    accordance with limits established by the applicable regulatory 
    authorities and are subject to the Company's credit review and daily 
    monitoring procedures. Management monitors the collectibility of 
    receivables and estimates an allowance for doubtful accounts. It is the 
    Company's policy to provide an allowance against all unsecured balances. 
    As at December 31, 2008, the allowance for doubtful accounts was $12.3 
    million (March 31, 2008 - $5.8 million; December 31, 2007 - $5.8 million) 
 
    The Company is also exposed to the risk that counterparties to 
    transactions will not fulfill their obligations. Counterparties primarily 
    include investment dealers, clearing agencies, banks and other financial 
    institutions. The Company does not rely entirely on ratings assigned by 
    credit rating agencies in evaluating counterparties' risks. The Company 
    mitigates credit risk by performing its own due diligence assessments on 
    the counterparties, obtaining and analyzing information regarding the 
    structure of the financial instruments, and keeping current with new 
    innovations in the market. The Company also manages this risk by imposing 
    and monitoring individual and aggregate position limits for each 
    counterparty, conducting regular credit reviews to assess 
    creditworthiness, reviewing security and loan concentrations, holding and 
    marking to market collateral on certain transactions and conducting 
    business through clearing organizations with performance guarantees. 
 
    As at December 31, 2008 and 2007 and March 31, 2008, the Company's most 
    significant counterparty concentrations were with financial institutions 
    and institutional clients. Management believes that they are in the 
    normal course of business and does not anticipate loss for non- 
    performance. 
 
    The Company holds debt instruments that are subject to credit risk if the 
    counterparties do not fulfill their obligations. The Company manages the 
    risk with regards to debt instruments, including short-term debt 
    instruments included in cash and cash equivalents, by monitoring 
    counterparties' credit ratings. 
 
    Liquidity risk 
 
    Liquidity risk is the risk that the Company cannot meet a demand for cash 
    or fund its obligations as they become due. The Company's management is 
    responsible for reviewing liquidity resources to ensure funds are readily 
    available to meet its financial obligations as they become due, as well 
    as ensuring adequate funds exist to support business strategies and 
    operational growth. The Company's business requires capital for operating 
    and regulatory purposes. The current assets reflected on the balance 
    sheet are highly liquid. The majority of the positions held as securities 
    owned are readily marketable and all are recorded at their market value. 
    Client receivables are secured by readily marketable securities and are 
    reviewed daily for impairment in value and collectibility. Receivables 
    and payables from brokers and dealers represent the following: current 
    open transactions that generally settle within the normal three-day 
    settlement cycle; collateralized securities borrowed and/or loaned in 
    transactions that can be closed within a few days on demand; and balances 
    on behalf of introducing brokers representing net balances in connection 
    with their client accounts. Additional information regarding the 
    Company's capital structure and capital management objectives is 
    discussed in Note 14. 
 
    The following table presents the contractual terms to maturity of the 
    financial liabilities owed by the Company as at December 31, 2008: 
 
    Financial liability      Carrying amount    Contractual term to maturity 
                                    $ 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Bank indebtedness              39,040                      Due on demand 
    Accounts payable and 
     accrued liabilities        1,195,533                Due within one year 
 
    Subordinated debt              25,000                    Due on demand(x) 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    (x) Subject to Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada's 
        approval. 
 
    Market risk 
 
    Market risk is the risk that the fair value of financial instruments will 
    fluctuate because of changes in market prices. The Company separates 
    market risk into three categories: fair value risk, interest rate risk, 
    and foreign exchange risk. 
 
    Fair value risk 
 
    The Company is exposed to fair value risk as a result of its principal 
    trading activities in equity securities and fixed income securities. 
    Securities held for trading are valued based on quoted market prices, 
    and, as such, changes in fair value affect earnings as they occur. Fair 
    value risk also arises from the possibility that changes in market prices 
    will affect the value of the securities the Company holds as collateral 
    for private client margin accounts. The Company mitigates its fair value 
    risk exposure through controls to limit concentration levels and capital 
    usage within its inventory trading accounts, as well as monitoring 
    procedures of the margin accounts. 
 
    The Company has recorded fair value adjustments of its investment in 
    asset-backed commercial paper ("ABCP") as a result of the uncertainties 
    and lack of liquidity in the ABCP market. As there is no available market 
    price, the Company estimates the fair value of its ABCP by discounting 
    expected future cash flows on a probability weighted basis considering 
    the best available data. This valuation was updated with the best 
    available data at December 31, 2008 and the carrying amount of the ABCP 
    was adjusted to reflect any changes in the estimate. The fair value of 
 
    ABCP would decrease by a further $1.3 million if the discount rate used 
    was to increase by 100 basis points. Detailed information is disclosed in 
    Note 7. 
 
    The following table summarizes the effect on net income as a result of a 
    fair value change in financial instruments. This analysis assumes all 
    other variables remain constant. 
 
                                                 Effect            Effect 
                                                of a 10%          of a 10% 
                                              increase in       decrease in 
    Financial                   Carrying       fair value        fair value 
    instrument                   value       on net income     on net income 
                                   $                $                 $ 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Securities owned, 
     net of securities 
     sold short                   10,787               372              (372) 
    Investment in ABCP            23,160             1,598            (1,598) 
    Investment(1)                  5,000               n/a              (345) 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    (1) Investment (Note 6) is classified as available for sale and carried 
        cost as the investment does not have a quoted market price, and, 
        therefore, there is no impact on other comprehensive income ("OCI") 
        resulting from any temporary fluctuation in the market price of the 
        investment. An other than temporary decline in the value of the 
        investment is recognized in net income, and the table indicates the 
        impact on net income as a result of a 10% impairment of the 
        investment. 
 
    Interest rate risk 
 
    Interest rate risk arises from the possibility that changes in interest 
    rates will affect the fair value or future cash flows of financial 
    instruments held by the Company. The Company incurs interest rate risk on 
    its own cash and cash equivalent balances, net clients' payable balances, 
    clients' cash balances, net brokers and investment dealers' balances, as 
    well as its subordinated debt. The Company minimizes and monitors its 
    exposure to interest rate risk through quantitative analysis of its net 
    holdings positions of fixed income securities, clients' cash balances, 
    securities lending and borrowing activities, and short-term borrowings. 
    The Company does not hedge its exposure to interest rate risk as it is 
    minimal. 
 
    All cash and cash equivalents mature within three months. Net clients' 
    receivable (payable) balances charge (incur) interest based on floating 
    interest rates. Subordinated debt bears interest at a rate of prime plus 
    2%, payable monthly. 
 
    The following table provides the effect on net income if interest rates 
    were to increase or decrease by 100 basis points for the three months 
    ended December 31, 2008 applied to balances as of this date. Fluctuations 
    in interest rates do not have an effect on OCI. This sensitivity analysis 
    assumes all other variables are constant. 
 
                                                Net income       Net income 
                                                effect of        effect of 
                                                a 100 bps        a 100 bps 
                                                increase in      decrease in 
                                Carrying         interest         interest 
                                 value            rates            rates 
                                   $                $                $ 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Cash and cash 
     equivalents, net 
     of bank 
     indebtedness                645,423             1,113            (1,113) 
 
    Clients' payable, 
     net                         556,053              (959)              959 
    RRSP cash balances 
     held in trust               345,368               596              (596) 
    Brokers' and 
     investment dealers' 
     payable, net                 57,796              (247)              247 
    Subordinated debt             25,000               (43)               43 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    Foreign exchange risk 
 
    Foreign exchange risk arises from the possibility that changes in the 
    price of foreign currencies will result in losses. The Company's primary 
    foreign exchange risk results from its investment in its US and UK 
    subsidiaries. These subsidiaries are considered self-sustaining and, 
    therefore, are translated using the current rate method. Any fluctuation 
    in the Canadian dollar against the US dollar and the pound sterling will 
    result in a change in the unrealized gains (losses) on translation of 
    self-sustaining foreign operations recognized in accumulated other 
    comprehensive income (losses). 
 
    The Canadian subsidiaries also hold financial instruments in foreign 
    currencies and, therefore, any fluctuations in foreign exchange rates 
    will impact the realized foreign exchange gains or losses. 
 
    The following table summarizes the effects on net income and OCI as a 
    result of a 10% change in the value of the foreign currencies where there 
    is significant exposure. The analysis assumes all other variables remain 
    constant. 
 
    Currency            Effect of     Effect of     Effect of     Effect of 
                          a 10%         a 10%         a 10%         a 10% 
                       increase in   decrease in   increase in   decrease in 
                         foreign       foreign       foreign       foreign 
                         exchange      exchange      exchange      exchange 
                         rate on       rate on       rate on       rate on 
                       net income    net income        OCI           OCI 
                            $             $             $             $ 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    US dollar               (5,936)        5,936           (19)           19 
 
    Pound sterling            (256)          256        12,613       (12,613) 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    The Company uses derivative financial instruments primarily to manage 
    foreign exchange risk on pending security settlements in foreign 
    currencies. The fair value of these contracts is nominal due to their 
    short term to maturity. Realized and unrealized gains and losses related 
    to these contracts are recognized in net income during the reporting 
    period. 
 
    Forward contracts outstanding at December 31, 2008: 
 
               Notional amounts   Average price  Maturity       Fair value 
               (millions of USD)    (CAD/USD)               (millions of USD) 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    To sell 
     US dollars       $0.6            $1.28     January 2,        $0.1 
                                                  2009 
    To buy 
     US dollars        2.3             1.22     January 2,        (0.1) 
                                                  2009 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    Forward contracts outstanding at March 31, 2008: 
 
               Notional amounts   Average price  Maturity       Fair value 
               (millions of USD)    (CAD/USD)               (millions of USD) 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    To sell 
     US dollars      $6.00            $1.03    April 1, 2008      $0.1 
    To buy 
     US dollars       3.50             1.03    April 2, 2008      (0.1) 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    Forward contracts outstanding at December 31, 2007: 
 
               Notional amounts   Average price  Maturity       Fair value 
               (millions of USD)    (CAD/USD)               (millions of USD) 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    To sell 
     US dollars      $7.00            $0.99     January 3,        $0.1 
                                                  2008 
    To buy 
     US dollars      11.00             0.99     January 3,        (0.1) 
                                                  2008 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    Securities lending and borrowing 
 
    The Company employs securities lending and borrowing primarily to 
    facilitate the securities settlement process. These arrangements are 
    typically short term in nature, with interest being received on the cash 
    delivered and interest being paid on the cash received. These 
    transactions are fully collateralized and are subject to daily margin 
    calls for any deficiency between the market value of the security given 
    and the amount of collateral received. These transactions are 
    collateralized by either cash or securities, including government 
    treasury bills and government bonds, and are reflected within accounts 
    receivable and accounts payable. The Company manages its credit exposure 
    by establishing and monitoring aggregate limits by customer for these 
    transactions. Interest earned on cash collateral is based on a floating 
    rate. At December 31, 2008, the floating rates for equities and bonds 
    were 1.26% and 1.216%, respectively (March 31, 2008 - 1.32% and 2.95%, 
    respectively, and December 31, 2007 - 1.32% and 2.95%, respectively). 
 
    Cash Securities 
 
                                  Cash                     Securities 
                       --------------------------  -------------------------- 
                        Loaned or    Borrowed or    Loaned or    Borrowed or 
                       delivered as  received as   delivered as  received as 
                        collateral    collateral    collateral    collateral 
                             $             $             $             $ 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    December 31, 2008      88,894        12,812           597       102,901 
    March 31, 2008        188,654        84,257        13,541       279,550 
    December 31, 2007     182,491        66,982         7,656       254,716 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    Lines of credit 
 
    The Company has credit facilities with banks in Canada, the US and the UK 
    for an aggregate amount of $491.8 million. These credit facilities, 
    consisting of call loans, letters of credit and daylight overdraft 
    facilities, are collateralized by either unpaid securities and/or 
    securities owned by the Company. At December 31, 2008, the Company had 
    bank indebtedness of $39.0 million outstanding. 
 
    A subsidiary of the Company has also entered into secured irrevocable 
    standby letters of credit from a financial institution totalling 
    $2.8 million (US$2.3 million) as rent guarantees for its leased premises 
    in Boston, New York and San Francisco. As of December 31, 2008, there 
    were no outstanding balances under these standby letters of credit. 
 
    In connection with the Canaccord Relief Program, the Company entered into 
    two letters of credit in April 2008 to facilitate the funding of the 
    relief programs. The Canaccord Relief Program was successfully completed 
    on January 30, 2009 (Note 18) without drawing the two letters of credit 
    and, as a result, they have been subsequently cancelled. 
 
    5. ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE AND ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED LIABILITIES 
 
    Accounts receivable 
                                     December 31,     March 31,  December 31, 
                                         2008           2008         2007 
                                          $              $            $ 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Brokers and investment dealers       205,333       425,038       383,120 
    Clients                              214,246       555,935       499,739 
    RRSP cash balances held in trust     345,368       400,603       331,902 
    Other                                 41,455        41,341        46,108 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                         806,402     1,422,917     1,260,869 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 
 
                                     December 31,     March 31,  December 31, 
                                         2008           2008         2007 
                                          $              $            $ 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Brokers and investment dealers       263,129       407,193       391,091 
    Clients                              770,299     1,037,860       902,226 
    Other                                162,105       242,426       167,813 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                       1,195,533     1,687,479     1,461,130 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    Accounts payable to clients include $345.4 million (March 31, 2008 - 
    $400.6 million and December 31, 2007 - $331.9 million) payable to clients 
    for RRSP cash balances held in trust. 
 
    Client security purchases are entered into on either a cash or a margin 
    basis. In the case of a margin account, the Company extends a loan to a 
    client for the purchase of securities, using securities purchased and/or 
    other securities in the client's account as collateral. Amounts loaned to 
    any client are limited by margin regulations of the Investment Industry 
    Regulatory Organization of Canada ("IIROC") and other regulatory 
    authorities and are subject to the Company's credit review and daily 
    monitoring procedures. 
 
    Amounts due from and to clients are due by the settlement date of the 
    trade transaction. Margin loans are due on demand and are collateralized 
    by the assets in the client accounts. Interest on margin loans and 
    amounts due to clients is based on a floating rate (December 31, 2008: 
    6.50%-7.00% and 0.25%-0.50%, respectively; March 31, 2008: 7.25%-8.00% 
    and 0.25%-2.25%, respectively; and December 31, 2007: 8.00%-9.25% and 
    1.13%-3.00%, respectively). 
 
    6. INVESTMENT 
 
                                     December 31,     March 31,  December 31, 
                                         2008           2008         2007 
                                          $              $            $ 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Available for sale                     5,000         5,000         5,000 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    The Company has invested $5 million in a limited partnership as part of 
    its initiative to develop a new Alternative Trading System. The 
    investment is carried at cost as there is no available quoted market 
    price in an active market. 
 
    7. INVESTMENT IN ASSET-BACKED COMMERCIAL PAPER 
 
                                     December 31,     March 31,  December 31, 
                                         2008           2008         2007 
                                          $              $            $ 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Investment in asset-backed 
     commercial paper                     23,160        29,860        34,501 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    At December 31, 2008, the Company held ABCP with a par value of 
    $42.7 million and an estimated fair value of $23.2 million. The ABCP did 
    not settle as it matured as a result of liquidity issues in the ABCP 
    market. There has been no active trading of the ABCP since mid-August 
    2007. 
 
    On March 17, 2008, the Pan-Canadian Investors Committee (the "Committee") 
    for ABCP filed proceedings for a plan of compromise and arrangement (the 
    "Plan") under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (Canada) ("CCAA") 
    with the Ontario Superior Court (the "Court"). At the meeting of ABCP 
    noteholders on April 25, 2008, noteholders approved the Plan by the 
    required majorities. On June 5, 2008, the Court issued a sanction order 
    and reasons for the decision approving the Plan as amended. On August 18, 
    2008, that decision was upheld by the Ontario Court of Appeal and, on 
    September 19, 2008, the Supreme Court of Canada denied leave to appeal. 
    On December 24, 2008, the Committee announced that an agreement had been 
    reached with all key stakeholders, including the governments of Canada, 
    Quebec, Ontario and Alberta to provide additional margin facilities to 
    support the Plan and finalized certain enhancements to the Plan. 
 
    On January 12, 2009, the Ontario Superior Court issued the final 
    implementation order in the ABCP restructuring process. The restructuring 
    closed on January 21, 2009. The exchange of restructured ABCP notes was 
    completed on January 21, 2009. A first installment of interest (to 
    August 31, 2008) was also paid on the same day. The balance of the 
    interest is to be paid in subsequent installments, and the amounts and 
    timing are still to be determined. Restructuring fees already incurred 
    and a reserve for additional restructuring fees were deducted from this 
    first interest payment. 
 
    The Plan as amended provided for a declaratory release that was effective 
    on implementation of the Plan and that, with the closing of the Canaccord 
    Relief Program, resulted in the release of all existing and future ABCP- 
    related claims against the Company. 
 
    There is no assurance that the validity or effectiveness of the 
    declaratory release will not be challenged in actions commenced against 
    the Company and others. Any determination that the declaratory release is 
    invalid or ineffective could materially adversely affect the Company's 
    business, results of operations and financial condition. 
 
    Based on the information contained in the Information Statement and other 
    public information available at December 31, 2008, the Company estimated 
    that it would receive upon completion of the restructuring in January 
    2009: 
 
     - $38.9 million of senior Master Asset Vehicle MAV II Class A-1 and A-2 
       Notes and subordinated Class B and Class C Notes 
           -  $18.6 million of Class A-1 Notes 
           -  $16.2 million of Class A-2 Notes 
           -  $2.9 million of Class B Notes 
           -  $1.2 million of Class C Notes 
        Class A-1, Class A-2 and Class B Notes will bear interest at the 
        Bankers' Acceptance ("BA") rate less 0.50% and Class C Notes will 
        bear interest at the BA rate plus 20%. These notes have legal 
        maturity dates in 2056 but the expected repayment date of the Class 
        A-1 and A-2 notes is January 22, 2017. The senior notes (Class A-1 
        and Class A-2) have been rated "A" by DBRS Limited while the 
        subordinated notes (Class B and C) are unrated. 
     - $1.3 million of MAV III Traditional Assets ("TA") Tracking Notes 
        The TA Tracking Notes will bear interest at a rate based on the net 
        rate of return generated by the underlying tracking assets. The 
        maturities of the notes are based on the maturities of the underlying 
        assets. Some of the TA Tracking Notes are rated as follows: 
        -  Class 5A: AAA 
        -  Class 7A: AAA 
        -  Class 10A: AA (high) 
        -  Class 12A: AA (high) 
        -  Class 15A: AAA 
        -  Class 16A: A (low) 
     - $2.5 million of MAV II Ineligible Asset ("IA") Notes 
        The IA Tracking Notes will bear interest at a rate based on the net 
        rate of return generated by the underlying tracking assets. The 
        maturities of the notes are based on the maturities of the underlying 
        assets. These notes will not be rated. 
 
    There is a significant amount of uncertainty in estimating the amount and 
    timing of cash flows associated with the ABCP. The Company estimates the 
    fair value of its ABCP by discounting expected future cash flows on a 
    probability weighted basis considering the best available data at 
    December 31, 2008. The assumptions used in determining the estimated fair 
    value reflect the details included in the Information Statement issued by 
    the Committee. 
 
    The assumptions used in the valuation model at December 31, 2008 include: 
              Weighted average interest rate         1.53% 
              Weighted average discount rate         6.89% 
              Maturity of notes                      8 years to 19 years 
              Credit losses                          10% to 80% 
 
    If these assumptions were to change, the fair value of ABCP could change 
    significantly. The Company recorded a fair value adjustment of 
    $12.8 million during the year ended March 31, 2008. The valuation model 
    was updated at December 31, 2008 with revised assumptions based on 
    current market conditions and, as a result, an additional $6.7 million 
    fair value adjustment was recorded for the period ended December 31, 
    2008. 
 
    8. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS 
 
                                     December 31,     March 31,  December 31, 
                                         2008           2008         2007 
                                          $              $            $ 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Goodwill 
      Balance at beginning of period      30,070        30,070        30,070 
      Impairment                         (30,070)            -             - 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
      Balance at end of period                 -        30,070        30,070 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Other intangible assets 
      Balance at beginning of period       1,745         3,863         3,863 
      Amortization                          (291)       (1,413)       (1,060) 
      Impairment                          (1,454)            -             - 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
      Balance at end of period                 -         2,450         2,803 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                               -        32,520        32,873 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    Other intangible assets reflect assigned values related to acquired brand 
    names, customer relationships and technology and are amortized on a 
    straight-line basis over their estimated useful life of four years. 
    Goodwill and other intangible assets relate to the Canaccord Adams 
    operating segment. 
 
    In accordance with CICA Handbook Section 3062 "Goodwill and other 
    intangible assets", the Company is required to annually evaluate goodwill 
    to determine whether it is impaired. Goodwill should also be tested for 
    impairment whenever a potential impairment may arise as a result of an 
    event or change in circumstances to ensure that the fair value of the 
    reporting unit to which goodwill has been allocated is greater than or at 
    least equal to its carrying value. Other intangible assets are amortized 
    over their estimated useful lives and tested for impairment periodically 
    or whenever a potential impairment may arise as a result of an event or 
    change in circumstances. 
 
    The purchase of Adams Harkness Financial Group, Inc.(renamed Canaccord 
    Adams Inc.) resulted in the recognition of $27.5 million of goodwill and 
    intangibles which represented the cost of the acquisition in excess of 
    the fair value of the net tangible assets at the time of purchase. 
    Canaccord Adams Inc. primarily provides capital markets services to 
    institutional and corporate clients in the US. With the rapid 
    deterioration in the market conditions and uncertainties in the financial 
    markets, this reporting unit experienced a decline in business activity 
    and revenue. Due to these adverse changes in the business environment, 
    the Company performed a valuation to assess the fair value of this 
    reporting unit compared to the carrying value. The results of this 
    valuation led to the recognition of a charge for the impairment of 
    goodwill and other intangible assets related to Canaccord Adams Inc. of 
    $27.5 million. The impairment charge was determined based on a valuation 
    of Canaccord Adams Inc. using an expected discounted cash flow analysis 
    and certain market value indicators. The determination of fair value 
    requires management to apply judgment in selecting the valuation models 
    and assumptions and estimates to be used in such models and value 
    determinations. These judgments affect the determination of fair value 
    and any resulting impairment charges. 
 
    The Company also recorded a charge of $4.0 million to recognize the 
    impairment of the goodwill and intangibles related to Canaccord 
    Enermarket Ltd. ("Enermarket"). Enermarket's primary business is to 
    provide advisory services to companies in the oil and gas industry, and 
    its earnings prospects were negatively impacted by the volatile financial 
    markets conditions, including the recent steep decline in oil prices. 
 
    9. SUBORDINATED DEBT 
 
                                     December 31,     March 31,  December 31, 
                                         2008           2008         2007 
                                          $              $            $ 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Loan payable, interest payable 
     monthly at prime + 2% per annum, 
     due on demand                        25,000        25,000        25,000 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    The loan payable is subject to a subordination agreement and may only be 
    repaid with the prior approval of the IIROC. 
 
    10. SHARE CAPITAL 
 
                                     December 31,     March 31,  December 31, 
                                         2008           2008         2007 
                                          $              $            $ 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Share capital 
      Common shares                      243,336       173,799       173,799 
      Unvested share purchase loans      (32,248)      (35,410)      (34,816) 
      Acquisition of common shares 
       for long term incentive plan 
       (note 11)                         (35,092)      (27,247)      (23,335) 
    Contributed surplus                   42,742        34,024        25,722 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                         218,738       145,166       141,370 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    Share capital of the Company is comprised of the following: 
 
    (i) Authorized 
 
    Unlimited common shares without par value 
    Unlimited preferred shares without par value 
 
    (ii) Issued and fully paid 
 
    Common shares 
                                                      Number of       Amount 
                                                         shares          $ 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Balance, December 31, 2007 and March 31, 2008    47,835,051      173,799 
    Shares issued for cash                            6,733,250       67,341 
    Shares issued in connection with stock 
     compensation plan (note 11)                        167,838        2,638 
    Shares cancelled                                   (100,000)        (442) 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Balance, December 31, 2008                       54,636,139      243,336 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    On May 2, 2008, the Company closed a fully underwritten financing of 
    5,855,000 common shares at a price of $10.25 per share for total gross 
    proceeds of $60.0 million. On May 22, 2008, the underwriters exercised an 
    over-allotment option in connection with the financing to purchase an 
    additional 878,250 common shares at a price of $10.25 per share for gross 
    proceeds of $9.0 million. Total share issuance costs net of taxes were 
    $1.6 million. 
 
    (iii) Common share purchase loans 
 
    The Company provides forgivable common share purchase loans to employees 
    in order to purchase common shares. The unvested balance of forgivable 
    common share purchase loans is presented as a deduction from share 
    capital. 
 
    The forgivable common share purchase loans are amortized over the vesting 
    period. Contributed surplus includes the amortization of unvested 
    forgivable common share purchase loans. 
 
    (iv) Earnings (loss) per share 
 
                    For the three months ended     For the nine months ended 
                    ---------------------------   --------------------------- 
                    December 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31, 
                           2008           2007           2008           2007 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Basic earnings 
     (loss) per share 
    Net income (loss) 
     for the period     (62,378)        15,048        (51,317)        66,488 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Weighted average 
     number of 
     common shares 
     (number)        49,073,032     44,442,253     48,656,116     44,670,881 
    Basic earnings 
     (loss) per share     (1.27)          0.34          (1.05)          1.49 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Diluted earnings 
     (loss) per share 
    Net income (loss) 
     for the period     (62,378)        15,048        (51,317)        66,488 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Weighted average 
     number of 
     common shares 
     (number)        49,073,032     44,442,253     48,656,116     44,670,881 
    Dilutive effect 
     of unvested 
     shares (number)  2,810,989      2,390,540      2,810,989      2,390,540 
    Dilutive effect 
     of share 
     issuance 
     commitment in 
     connection with 
     retention plan 
     (number) 
     (note 11)          616,205        420,359        616,205        420,359 
    Dilutive effect 
     of unvested 
     shares purchased 
     by employee 
     benefit trust 
     (number) 
     (note 11)        2,719,062      1,023,043      2,246,457        796,063 
    Dilutive effect 
     of share 
     issuance 
     commitment in 
     connection with 
     long term 
     incentive plan 
     (number) 
     (note 11)                -         48,158              -        142,732 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Adjusted weighted 
     average number 
     of common 
     shares (number) 55,219,288     48,324,353     54,329,767     48,420,575 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Diluted earnings 
     (loss) per share     (1.27)          0.31          (1.05)          1.37 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    11. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION PLANS 
 
    Retention plans 
 
    As described in the Audited Annual Consolidated Financial Statements, the 
    Company established two retention plans in connection with the 
    acquisitions of Enermarket and Adams Harkness Financial Group, Inc. 
    ("Adams Harkness"). 
 
    The plan for Enermarket provided for the issuance of up to 25,210 common 
    shares of the Company over two years. The Company issued 14,203 common 
    shares under this plan during the years ended March 31, 2008 and March 
    31, 2007. The remaining shares have been forfeited. 
 
    The plan for Adams Harkness (renamed Canaccord Adams Inc.) provides for 
    the issuance of up to 1,118,952 common shares of the Company after a 
    three-year vesting period, which ended on December 31, 2008. As of 
    December 31, 2008, 616,205 shares vested and this number was based on 
    revenue earned by Canaccord Adams Inc. during the vesting period. The 
    aggregate number of common shares that vested was equal to the revenue 
    earned by Canaccord Adams Inc. during the vesting period divided by 
    US$250.0 million multiplied by the number of common shares subject to the 
    retention plan. As such revenue levels were achieved during the vesting 
    period, the associated proportion of the retention payment was recorded 
    as a development cost and the applicable number of retention shares were 
    included in diluted common shares outstanding (Note 10 (iv)). The Company 
    has expensed $845 and $2,437 for the three and nine months ended 
    December 31, 2008, respectively ($672 and $2,611 for the three and nine 
    months ended December 31, 2007). 
 
    On December 15, 2008, the Company issued 53,384 common shares to former 
    employees of Adams Harkness as required by the retention plan upon 
    vesting. The common shares were issued at $10.25 per share for an 
    aggregate value of $547. 
 
    The following table details the activity under the Company's retention 
    plans: 
 
                    For the three months ended     For the nine months ended 
                    ---------------------------   --------------------------- 
                    December 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31, 
                           2008           2007           2008           2007 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Number of common 
     shares subject 
     to the 
     Enermarket 
     retention plan: 
      Beginning of 
       period                 -         10,254              -         10,254 
      Issued                  -         (3,949)             -         (3,949) 
      Adjustments 
       and 
       forfeitures            -         (6,305)             -         (6,305) 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
      End of period           -              -              -              - 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
      Shares vested 
       during the 
       period                 -          3,949              -          3,949 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Number of common 
     shares subject 
     to the Adams 
     Harkness 
     retention plan: 
      Beginning of 
       period           772,473        818,889        804,012        953,107 
      Issued            (53,384)             -        (53,384)        (9,268) 
      Forfeitures      (102,884)       (14,877)      (134,423)      (139,827) 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
      End of period     616,205        804,012        616,205        804,012 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
      Shares vested 
       during the 
       period           616,205              -        616,205              - 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    Stock options 
 
    The Company granted stock options to purchase common shares of the 
    Company to independent directors. The stock options vest over a four-year 
    period and expire seven years after the grant date. Exercise price is 
    based on the fair market value of the common shares at grant date. The 
    weighted average exercise price of the stock options is $15.54. 
 
    The following is a summary of the Company's stock options as at 
    December 31, 2008 and 2007 and March 31, 2008 and changes during the 
    periods then ended. 
 
                                                                    Weighted 
                                                                     average 
                                                      Number of     exercise 
                                                        options     price ($) 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Balance, December 31, 2007                          125,000        23.13 
    Granted                                                   -            - 
    Exercised                                                 -            - 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Balance, March 31, 2008                             125,000        23.13 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Granted                                             150,000         9.21 
    Exercised                                                 -            - 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Balance, December 31, 2008                          275,000        15.54 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    The fair value of each stock option grant was estimated on the grant date 
    using the Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following 
    assumptions: 
 
                                       August 2008    June 2008     May 2007 
                                             grant        grant        grant 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Dividend yield                           5.10%        5.10%        1.80% 
    Expected volatility                     30.00%       30.00%       30.00% 
    Risk-free interest rate                  2.32%        2.32%        4.25% 
    Expected life                          5 years      5 years      5 years 
 
    Option pricing models require the input of highly subjective assumptions 
    including the expected price volatility. Changes in the subjective 
    assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate and therefore 
    the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure 
    of the fair value of the Company's stock options. 
 
    Compensation expense of $51 and $152 was recognized for the three and 
    nine months ended December 31, 2008, respectively ($41 and $123 for the 
    three and nine months ended December 31, 2007). 
 
    Long term incentive plan 
 
    Under the long term incentive plan ("LTIP"), eligible participants are 
    awarded restricted share units ("RSUs") which vest over three years. For 
    employees in Canada, an employee benefit trust (the "Trust") has been 
    established, and either (a) the Company will fund the Trust with cash 
    that will be used by a trustee to purchase common shares of the Company 
    on the open market which will be held in trust by the trustee until RSUs 
    vest or (b) the Company will issue common shares from treasury to 
    participants following vesting of RSUs. For employees in the United 
    States and the United Kingdom, at the time of each RSU award, the Company 
    will allot common shares and these shares will be issued from treasury at 
    the time they vest for each participant. The shares issued as part of the 
    LTIP will generally be offset by purchases under the Company's NCIB. 
 
    The costs of the RSUs are amortized over the vesting period of three 
    years. Compensation expense of $4.7 million and $13.5 million was 
    recognized for the three and nine months ended December 31, 2008, 
    respectively ($5.1 million and $11.1 million for the three and nine 
    months ended December 31, 2007). 
 
                    For the three months ended     For the nine months ended 
                    ---------------------------   --------------------------- 
                    December 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31, 
                           2008           2007           2008           2007 
                    ---------------------------   --------------------------- 
 
    Awards 
     outstanding, 
     beginning of 
     period           3,881,558      1,207,328      2,221,578              - 
    Grants              133,994        419,896      2,195,969      1,627,224 
    Vested             (128,100)             -       (530,095)             - 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Awards 
     outstanding, 
     end of period    3,887,452      1,627,224      3,887,452      1,627,224 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 
                    For the three months ended     For the nine months ended 
                    ---------------------------   --------------------------- 
                    December 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31, 
                           2008           2007           2008           2007 
                    ---------------------------   --------------------------- 
 
    Common shares 
     held by Trust, 
     beginning of 
     period           3,011,055        937,162      1,621,895              - 
    Acquired                  -        316,264      1,706,903      1,253,366 
    Released on 
     vesting            (97,898)             -       (415,641)             - 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Common shares 
     held by Trust, 
     end of period    2,913,157      1,253,366      2,913,157      1,253,366 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    12. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS 
 
    Security trades executed by the Company for employees, officers and 
    directors are transacted in accordance with the terms and conditions 
    applicable to all clients. Commission income on such transactions in the 
    aggregate is not material in relation to the overall operations of the 
    Company. 
 
    Accounts receivable and accounts payable and accrued liabilities included 
    the following balances with related parties: 
 
                                     December 31,     March 31,  December 31, 
                                         2008           2008         2007 
                                          $              $            $ 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Accounts receivable                   37,539        48,521        55,348 
    Accounts payable and accrued 
     liabilities                          73,779        64,945        68,272 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    13. SEGMENTED INFORMATION 
 
    The Company has two operating segments: 
 
        Canaccord Adams - includes investment banking, research and trading 
        activities on behalf of corporate, institutional and government 
        clients as well as principal trading activities in Canada, the UK and 
        the US. 
 
        Private Client Services - provides brokerage services and investment 
        advice to retail or private clients in Canada and the US. 
 
    The Corporate and Other segment includes correspondent brokerage 
    services, interest and foreign exchange revenue and expenses not 
    specifically allocable to Canaccord Adams and Private Client Services. 
 
    The Company's industry segments are managed separately because each 
    business offers different services and requires different personnel and 
    marketing strategies. The Company evaluates the performance of each 
    business based on income (loss) before income taxes. 
 
    The Company does not allocate total assets or equipment and leasehold 
    improvements to the segments. Amortization is allocated to the segments 
    based on square footage occupied. There are no significant inter-segment 
    revenues. 
 
    For the three months ended December 31, 
 
                                                      2008 
                                  ------------------------------------------- 
                                               Private  Corporate 
                                  Canaccord     Client        and 
                                      Adams   Services      Other      Total 
                                          $          $          $          $ 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    Revenue                          49,250     33,532      4,406     87,188 
    Expenses                         58,409     37,441     21,762    117,612 
    Amortization                      1,586        463        702      2,751 
    Development costs                 4,251      2,312      1,175      7,738 
    Impairment of goodwill and 
     intangibles                     31,524          -          -     31,524 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Income (loss) before 
     income taxes                   (46,520)    (6,684)   (19,233)   (72,437) 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
                                                      2007 
                                  ------------------------------------------- 
                                               Private  Corporate 
                                  Canaccord     Client        and 
                                      Adams   Services      Other      Total 
                                          $          $          $          $ 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    Revenue                         109,583     61,166     12,605    183,354 
    Expenses                         82,529     46,087     21,456    150,072 
    Amortization                        984        495        718      2,197 
    Development costs                 3,936      1,550      1,288      6,774 
    Impairment of goodwill and 
     intangibles                          -          -          -          - 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Income (loss) before 
     income taxes                    22,134     13,034    (10,857)    24,311 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 
    For the nine months ended December 31, 
 
                                                      2008 
                                  ------------------------------------------- 
                                               Private  Corporate 
                                  Canaccord     Client        and 
                                      Adams   Services      Other      Total 
                                          $          $          $          $ 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    Revenue                         212,379    135,229     23,117    370,725 
    Expenses                        196,936    114,271     53,430    364,637 
    Amortization                      3,424      1,283      2,158      6,865 
    Development costs                12,056      5,256      4,271     21,583 
    Impairment of goodwill and 
     intangibles                     31,524          -          -     31,524 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Income (loss) before 
     income taxes                   (31,561)    14,419    (36,742)   (53,884) 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
 
                                                      2007 
                                  ------------------------------------------- 
                                               Private  Corporate 
                                  Canaccord     Client        and 
                                      Adams   Services      Other      Total 
                                          $          $          $          $ 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    Revenue                         353,677    194,664     39,752    588,093 
    Expenses                        251,236    143,659     62,676    457,571 
    Amortization                      2,880      1,397      2,043      6,320 
    Development costs                13,810      4,263      4,040     22,113 
    Impairment of goodwill and 
     intangibles                          -          -          -          - 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Income (loss) before 
     income taxes                    85,751     45,345    (29,007)   102,089 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    The Company's business operations are grouped into four geographic 
    segments (revenue is attributed to geographic areas on the basis of the 
    underlying corporate operating results): 
 
                    For the three months ended     For the nine months ended 
                    --------------------------------------------------------- 
                    December 31,   December 31,   December 31,   December 31, 
                           2008           2007           2008           2007 
                              $              $              $              $ 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Canada 
      Revenue            57,854        125,102        247,482        404,470 
      Equipment and 
       leasehold 
       improvements      29,285         24,400         29,285         24,400 
      Goodwill and 
       other 
       intangible 
       assets                 -          4,144              -          4,144 
 
    United Kingdom 
      Revenue            11,752         34,644         58,567        102,952 
      Equipment and 
       leasehold 
       improvements       7,099          8,273          7,099          8,273 
 
    United States 
      Revenue            16,586         23,135         60,536         70,294 
      Equipment and 
       leasehold 
       improvements       7,794          7,266          7,794          7,266 
      Goodwill and 
       other 
       intangible 
       assets                 -         28,729              -         28,729 
 
    Other Foreign 
     Location 
      Revenue               996            473          4,140         10,377 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    14. CAPITAL MANAGEMENT 
 
    The Company's business requires capital for operating and regulatory 
    purposes, including funding current and future operations. The Company's 
    capital structure is underpinned by shareholders' equity, which is 
    comprised of share capital, retained earnings and accumulated other 
    comprehensive losses, and is further complemented by subordinated debt. 
    The following table summarizes our capital as at December 31, 2008: 
 
 
                                                                        As a 
                                                       Carrying   percentage 
    Type of capital                                      amount   of capital 
                                                              $ 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
      Share capital                                     218,738        57.1% 
      Retained earnings                                 157,823        41.2% 
      Accumulated other comprehensive losses            (18,600)      (4.8)% 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Shareholders' equity                                357,961        93.5% 
    Subordinated debt                                    25,000         6.5% 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                        382,961       100.0% 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    The Company's capital management framework is designed to maintain the 
    level of capital that will: 
    -   Meet the Company's regulated subsidiaries' target ratios as set out 
        by the respective regulators 
    -   Fund current and future operations 
    -   Ensure that the Company is able to meet its financial obligations as 
        they become due 
    -   Support the creation of shareholder value 
 
    The following subsidiaries are subject to regulatory capital requirements 
    in the respective jurisdictions by the listed regulators: 
    -   Canaccord Capital Corporation is subject to regulation in Canada 
        primarily by the IIROC. 
    -   Canaccord Adams Limited is regulated in the UK by the Financial 
        Services Authority and is a member of the London Stock Exchange. 
    -   Canaccord Adams Inc. is registered as a broker dealer in the US and 
        is subject to regulation primarily by the Financial Industry 
        Regulatory Authority. 
    -   Canaccord Capital Corporation (USA), Inc. is registered as a broker 
        dealer in the US and is subject to regulation primarily by the 
        Financial Industry Regulatory Authority. 
    -   Canaccord International Ltd. is regulated in Barbados by the Central 
        Bank of Barbados. 
 
    Margin requirements in respect of outstanding trades, underwriting deal 
    requirements and/or working capital requirements cause regulatory capital 
    requirements to fluctuate on a daily basis. Compliance with these 
    requirements may require the Company to keep sufficient cash and other 
    liquid assets on hand to maintain regulatory capital requirements rather 
    than using these liquid assets in connection with its business or paying 
    them out in the form of cash disbursements. The Company's subsidiaries 
    were in compliance with all of the minimum regulatory capital 
    requirements during the nine months ended December 31, 2008. 
 
    15. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES 
 
    Commitments 
 
    Subsidiaries of the Company are committed to approximate minimum lease 
    payments for premises and equipment over the next five years and 
    thereafter as follows: 
 
                                                                        $ 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    2010                                                              26,928 
    2011                                                              22,799 
    2012                                                              19,588 
    2013                                                              17,756 
    2014                                                              16,490 
    Thereafter                                                        56,896 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                                                                     160,457 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    ------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
 
    During the period, there have been no material changes to the Company's 
    contingencies from those described in Note 18 of the March 31, 2008 
    Audited Annual Consolidated Financial Statements. 
 
    16. CANACCORD RELIEF PROGRAM 
 
    The Company has previously announced the details of the Canaccord Relief 
    Program ("CRP") which included the repurchase of up to $152 million of 
    restructured ABCP at par value from clients who hold $1 million or less. 
    The CRP closed on January 30, 2009, and combined transactions with third- 
    party sources with a Company-funded top-up to achieve par value. Clients 
    were entitled to receive any unpaid interest to the extent it was 
    available under the restructuring plan and the Company has reimbursed the 
    clients for any restructuring costs. 
 
    Due to additional out-of-pocket charges, the Company increased its client 
    relief programs provision by $2.7 million for the period ended 
    December 31, 2008 to reflect the revised costs of the programs. Also, an 
    additional expense of $2.6 million has been recorded to reflect the fair 
    value adjustment of the MAV II Class 15 notes purchased by the Company as 
    part of the completion of the CRP in January 2009 (Note 18.) The total 
    provision related to the ABCP relief programs was $59.5 million at 
    December 31, 2008. 
 
    17. RESTRUCTURING COSTS 
 
    The Company implemented a firm-wide restructuring in October 2008 that 
    has resulted in the reduction of staff across all geographies where the 
    Company operates. The Company recorded a pre-tax expense of $7.5 million 
    related to the staff restructuring. 
 
    18. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS 
 
    (i) The ABCP restructuring Plan ((Note 7) was implemented on January 21, 
    2009. The ABCP held by the Company with a par value of $42.7 million at 
    December 31, 2008 was exchanged for restructured notes on January 21, 
    2009. The par values of the restructured notes received by the Company on 
    January 21, 2009 corresponded with the notes that were expected to be 
    received at December 31, 2008 as disclosed in Note 7, Investment in 
    Asset-backed Commercial Paper. 
 
    The restructured notes represent new financial instruments as they are 
    new notes issued in exchange for existing ABCP positions. The Company is 
    currently assessing the accounting treatment of the new notes in 
    accordance with CICA Handbook Section 3855, "Financial Instruments - 
    Recognition and Measurement". 
 
    As a result of the completion of the Canaccord Relief Program, the 
    Company has purchased MAV II, Class 15 notes, with a carrying value of 
    $9.5 million on January 21, 2009. A fair value adjustment of $2.6 million 
    was recorded for the period ended December 31, 2008 (Note 16). 
 
    (ii) The total costs of the ABCP relief programs to the Company were 
    approximately $59.5 million. The Canaccord Relief Program was executed on 
    January 30, 2009 following the successful restructuring of ABCP. The 
    payments under the Canaccord Relief Program included the par value of the 
    ABCP held, as well as interest paid to date under the restructuring plan 
    and the reimbursement for any restructuring expenses borne by the 
    eligible clients. 
 
    (iii) In connection with the Adams Harkness retention plan (Note 11), 
    616,205 common shares were issued in February 2009 to employees who 
    received awards under the plan. The plan terminated on December 31, 2008 
    and in connection therewith, employees who met the vesting conditions 
    received common shares in accordance with the terms of the plan. 
 
    (iv) On February 11, 2009, the Board of Directors considered the dividend 
    policy in the context of the market environment and its business activity 
    and approved a suspension of the Company's quarterly dividend for the 
    quarter ended December 31, 2008. This measure was taken to enable the 
    Company to preserve its working capital and book value, as well as to 
    position the Company to take advantage of growth opportunities that may 
    become available. 
 
For further information: North American media: Scott Davidson, Managing 
Director, Global Head of Marketing & Communications, Phone: (416) 869-3875, 
Email: scott_davidson(at)canaccord.com; London media: Bobby Morse or Ben 
Willey, Buchanan Communications (London), Phone: +44 (0) 20 7466 5000, Email: 
bobbym(at)buchanan.uk.com; Investor relations inquiries: Katherine Young, Vice 
President, Investor Relations, Phone: 416-869-7292, Email: 
katherine_young(at)canaccord.com; Nominated Adviser and Broker: Mark 
Dickenson, Fox-Pitt, Kelton Limited, Phone: +44 (0) 207 663 6000, Email: 
marc.milmo(at)fpk.com 
(CCI) 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
END 
 

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