Mar 31, 2020 | COVID-19, Cyber-security and Data Privacy, FAQs, Regulatory Compliance
In light of the COVID-19 outbreak, many registered firms are implementing their business continuity plans (BCPs) and having their employees work from home, except where certain individuals need to access office facilities to ensure continued service to clients. In...
Mar 31, 2020 | COVID-19, Investment Funds, Regulatory Compliance
In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA), including the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC), have been providing blanket exemptive relief and taking other steps to relieve burdens for market participants. The situation is fluid...
Mar 31, 2020 | Regulatory Compliance
Overview: On March 5, the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) proposed amendments to National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations (NI 31-103) and the related Companion Policy (NI 31-103CP) to clarify how...
Mar 31, 2020 | Regulatory Compliance
On March 23, the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) released reasons (Reasons) for a hearing panel’s decision to fine TD Waterhouse Canada Inc. (TDW) $4 million for its failure to include position cost information in its quarterly account...
Mar 31, 2020 | Corporate Law
As we discussed in our January 2019 bulletin, most private corporations organized under the Canada Business Corporations Act (CBCA) are now required to keep a register of individuals with significant control (ISC Register). Responding to feedback received since these...
Mar 31, 2020 | Corporate Finance, Regulatory Compliance
In 2018, we wrote twice about the saga of Daniel Tiffin, who had appealed his conviction for trading in securities without registration, distributing securities without filing a prospectus, and trading in securities while subject to a cease-trade order. As we wrote in...
Feb 28, 2020 | Investment Funds, Regulatory Compliance
On February 3, the Mutual Fund Dealers Association (MFDA) released A Proposal for a Modern SRO (Special Report) and an accompanying Guiding Framework. The MFDA recommends that the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) take over direct regulation of markets while...
Feb 28, 2020 | Corporate Finance, Corporate Law
Earlier this month, U.S. Securities and Exchange Commissioner Hester Pierce made a speech proposing a time-limited safe harbour for crypto asset token offerings to address what she sees as a regulatory “Catch 22” in the digital asset sector. We think Commissioner...
Feb 28, 2020 | Client-Focused Reforms (CFRs), News, Regulatory Compliance
To make your life easier, we have consolidated the articles we’ve written to date on the client-focused reforms (CFRs) to National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations into a snappy, little(ish) guide,...
Jan 31, 2020 | Client-Focused Reforms (CFRs), Featured, Regulatory Compliance
In this bulletin: Client-Focused Reforms: A Closer Look at the Misleading Communications, RDI, Compliance Training and Record-Keeping Rules IIROC and FINRA Publish Their Compliance Priorities for 2020 Get Ready to RAQ and Roll IIROC Fines Registered Representative for...