The Alberta Securities Commission and the Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan are proposing an interesting new prospectus exemption as a three-year pilot project as set out in CSA Multilateral Notice and Request for Comment 45-327 Proposed Exemption for Self-Certified Investors. Unlike the current financial tests for accredited investors, the new proposed exemption would be available to individual investors in Alberta and Saskatchewan purchasing securities of an issuer located in those provinces who provide a prescribed form of certification. Investors would need to attest that they have a CFA designation, a CPA designation (in Canada), are admitted to the practice of law in Canada (focusing on M&A or financings) or hold an MBA with a focus on finance or a degree in finance. Non-individual investors would also be able to use the exemption based on similar criteria. A number of conditions to the exemption are proposed, including an extensive prescribed risk disclosure as part of the self-certification, and limits on investments to $10,000 in the last twelve months per issuer, with an aggregate cap of $30,000 in the last 12 months for all issuers. Given the importance of the exempt markets and ongoing burden reduction initiatives, we will be watching the outcome of the consultation closely.
December 11, 2020