Topic: Other developments

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Findings of Fraud Constitute “Other Good Reason” to Order Security for Costs

Erika AnschuetzBy Erika Anschuetz on Posted in Other developments, White collar crime
Hung v Ontario Securities Commission, 2018 ONSC 6729 (Div Ct) The Divisional Court has released yet another chapter in the saga of one of the largest frauds in Canadian history.  In 2017, after a 188-day merits hearing, the Ontario Securities Commission (the Commission) released its decision concerning allegations of fraud against Sino-Forest Corporation (Sino-Forest) and … Continue reading

Stop the presses! Canadian securities regulators raise concerns about press releases and other promotional activities

Securities litigation and enforcementBy Katherine Prusinkiewicz on Posted in Other developments, Securities regulatory decisions
The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) have issued a notice regarding misleading promotional activities by issuers.  The notice includes examples such as press releases, presentations, social media posts and other marketing materials that provide insufficient or unbalanced information or that include unsubstantiated claims about the issuer. Problematic Promotional Practices Examples of potentially misleading promotional activities identified … Continue reading

Divisional Court Upholds OSC Finding that Trading Software License Contracts are Securities Within Meaning of Securities Act

Erika AnschuetzBy Erika Anschuetz on Posted in Other developments, Securities regulatory decisions
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice in Furtak v Ontario (Securities Commission), 2018 ONSC 6616, has upheld the Ontario Securities Commission’s (OSC) merits and sanctions decisions with respect to the Strictrade Offering, which we previously reported on here. Background In 2015, OSC Staff brought enforcement proceedings against Edward Furtak, Axton 2010 Finance Corp., (Axton), Strict … Continue reading

The Hard Way – SEC announces first penalties and compliance roadmap for unregistered ICOs

Andrew McCoombBy Andrew McCoomb on Posted in Cross border issues, Other developments, Securities regulatory decisions, Uncategorized
On November 16, 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announced consent orders settling actions in respect of two unregistered initial coin offerings (ICOs), including the first fines levied against non-compliant ICO issuers made by the SEC to date. The consent orders demonstrate the SEC’s willingness to follow through with enforcement proceedings against issuers of … Continue reading

Alberta Securities Commission Introduces Whistleblower Program

Steven LeitlAditya BadamiBy Steven Leitl and Aditya Badami on Posted in Legislation, rules and policies, Other developments
On November 19, 2018, the Alberta Securities Commission (ASC) implemented its first whistleblower program (the Program) through the release of ASC Policy 15-602 Whistleblower Program (the Policy) and simultaneous amendments to the Alberta Securities Act (the Act). The Program is effective as of November 19, 2018.  Its protections apply retroactively to securities misconduct but only … Continue reading

Re Fauth: A Primer on ss. 75(1)(a), 92(4.1) and 93(b) of Alberta’s Securities Act

Steven LeitlAditya BadamiBy Steven Leitl and Aditya Badami on Posted in Other developments, Securities regulatory decisions, White collar crime
The Alberta Securities Commission (ASC) recently released its decision in the matter of Re Fauth, finding the respondent, Vernon Ray Fauth (Fauth), in breach of ss. 75(1)(a), 92(4.1) and 93(b) of Alberta’s Securities Act, RSA 2000, c S-4 (the Act). The decision offers some important insight on issues regarding limitation periods, illegal dealing, misrepresentations, and … Continue reading

MFDA Publishes Principles-Based Sanction Guidelines

Erika AnschuetzBy Erika Anschuetz on Posted in Other developments
The Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada (MFDA) has published new Sanction Guidelines which will take effect on November 15, 2018.  The Sanction Guidelines, which replace the MFDA’s Penalty Guidelines, in place since 2006, are intended to promote consistency, fairness and transparency while focusing on a principles-based approach to sanctioning.  While the Sanction Guidelines are … Continue reading

DOJ provides additional insight on compliance and investigations matters

Kevin James HarnischKeith M. RosenPaul SumilasIlana Beth SinkinVijay RaoBy Kevin James Harnisch, Keith M. Rosen, Paul Sumilas, Ilana Beth Sinkin and Vijay Rao on Posted in Cross border issues, Legislation, rules and policies, Other developments, White collar crime
On October 25, 2018, John Cronan, Principal Deputy Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division of the US Department of Justice (DOJ), delivered an important speech that touched on several key issues for legal and compliance counsel trying to balance business realities with regulator expectations, particularly with respect to compliance with the US Foreign Corrupt … Continue reading

What auditors need to know about blockchain

Robert A. SchwingerBy Robert A. Schwinger on Posted in Cross border issues, Legislation, rules and policies, Other developments
The implications of blockchain and other disruptive technologies for many legal areas have been addressed by a variety of regulators. While much attention has been focused on the pronouncements by bodies such as the US Securities and Exchange Commission, other regulators have been looking at these matters as well. A recent speech by a member … Continue reading

Supreme Court of Canada Rules that Proposed Canadian Cooperative Capital Markets Regulatory System is Constitutional

Jeremy DevereuxJustine SmithBy Jeremy Devereux and Justine Smith on Posted in Other developments, Securities regulatory decisions
Today the Supreme Court of Canada (the Supreme Court) released its much-anticipated decision on the reference regarding the proposed Canadian Cooperative Capital Markets Regulatory System, finding that the proposed national regulatory system is constitutional. Previous Attempts to Create National Securities Regulator It has been suggested by the a number of governments, academic commentators and others … Continue reading

A tough break for third party litigation funding in Ontario? Not so fast.

Linda FuerstBy Linda Fuerst and Saam Pousht-Mashhad on Posted in Class actions, Other developments
The Ontario Superior Court (ONSC) issued two back-to-back decisions on acceptable litigation financing agreements, both involving the same third party funder.  While the ONSC continues to approve classic litigation financing arrangements, uncertainty remains as to whether third party financiers may profitably fund counsel fees in the context of class actions. Classic funding schemes continue to … Continue reading

Nova Scotia Bill 67 – IIROC expands its enforcement authority

Andrew McCoombBy Andrew McCoomb on Posted in Legislation, rules and policies, Other developments
On October 12, 2018, Bill 67 was proclaimed into force in Nova Scotia. Bill 67 expands the enforcement powers of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) in Nova Scotia in the interest of strengthening investor protection, with a focus on safeguarding the financial interests of seniors and vulnerable retail investors. Bill 67 amends … Continue reading

From boom to busted: TMF deems PlexCoins as investment contracts

Securities litigation and enforcementBy Saam Pousht-Mashhad on Posted in Other developments, Securities regulatory decisions
The legal noose is tightening around the necks of rogue cryptocurrency issuers in Quebec. PlexCorps’s legal troubles, as covered in our previous post, have deepened. In Autorité des marchés financiers c. PlexCorps, 2018 QCTMF 91, the Tribunal des Marchés Financier (TMF) qualified PlexCoin as an investment contract within the meaning of Quebec’s Securities Act. This … Continue reading

Ontario Court Imposes Custodial Sentence for Securities Act Offences

Ted BrookBy Ted Brook on Posted in Other developments, Securities regulatory decisions, White collar crime
The Ontario Superior Court of Justice has released what appears to be the final chapter in the Ontario Securities Commission’s (OSC) prosecution of Daniel Emerson Tiffin and Tiffin Financial Corporation. Background In July 2014, the Ontario Securities Commission’s administrative proceedings against Rezwealth Financial Services Inc., Pamela Ramoutar, Justin Ramoutar, Tiffin Financial Corporation, Daniel Tiffin, 2150129 … Continue reading

When do inferences become unreasonable and contrary to the rules of procedural fairness?

Caroline LaroucheBy Caroline Larouche on Posted in Other developments, Securities regulatory decisions
As there is almost never direct, ‘smoking gun’ type evidence of insider trading, securities regulators often rely on circumstantial evidence in enforcement proceedings, from which they invite the specialized securities tribunals to draw inferences. What is the line not to cross for these inferences to become unreasonable and contrary to rules of procedural fairness? Referring … Continue reading

CSA Proposes Rule Regarding Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures

Erika AnschuetzBy Erika Anschuetz on Posted in Other developments
Introduction and Background On September 6, 2018, the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) issued a notice and request for comment on Proposed National Instrument 52-112 Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure (the Proposed Instrument), Proposed Companion Policy 52-112 Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure (the Proposed Companion Policy) and related proposed consequential amendments and changes to … Continue reading

Quebec Court of Appeal clarifies the essential elements of the offences of market manipulation and complicity under the Quebec Securities Act

Sophie MelchersBy Sophie Melchers on Posted in Other developments, Securities regulatory decisions
On September 5, 2018, the Quebec Court of Appeal rendered a unanimous judgment in Autorité des marchés financiers c. Forget, 2018 QCCA 1419 (Forget) clarifying the essential elements of the mens rea offence of market manipulation set out at section 195.2 of the Quebec Securities Act (QSA): 195.2. Influencing or attempting to influence the market … Continue reading

Quebec Superior Court dismisses action for damages against Autorité des marchés financiers

Sophie MelchersCaroline LaroucheBy Sophie Melchers and Caroline Larouche on Posted in Civil claims, Cross border issues, Other developments
In Mallat c. Autorité des marchés financiers de France, 2018 QCCS 3867, Cohen J. granted a motion to dismiss an action brought by three Ubisoft executives (Plaintiffs) against the Autorité des marchés financiers de France (AMFF) and the Autorité des marchés financiers du Québec (AMFQ). Among many demands[1], the Plaintiffs requested declarations that the Multilateral … Continue reading

Stay of proceedings based on AMF failings in its disclosure of evidence : Baazov v. AMF, 2018 QCCQ 4449

Sophie MelchersCaroline LaroucheBy Sophie Melchers and Caroline Larouche on Posted in Other developments, White collar crime
In the recent decision Baazov v. AMF, Mascia J. of the Quebec Court, Criminal and Penal Chamber granted a stay of proceedings in respect of all tipping, insider trading and market manipulation charges laid against the accused based on the repeated failings of the prosecutor, the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF), the Quebec securities regulator, … Continue reading

The Importance of Cooperation Among Interjurisdictional Securities Regulators: United States Securities and Exchange Commission v. Autorité des marchés financiers, 2018 QCCQ 4417

Sophie MelchersBy Sophie Melchers on Posted in Cross border issues, Other developments, White collar crime
In the recent decision of United States Securities and Exchange Commission v. Autorité des marchés financiers, 2018 QCCQ 4417, the Quebec Court, Criminal and Penal Chamber held that the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) had the required interest under section 122 of the Code of penal procedure (CPP) to be allowed to examine … Continue reading

Ontario Securities Commission confirms test for severance

Fahad SiddiquiBy Fahad Siddiqui on Posted in Other developments, Securities regulatory decisions, White collar crime
In a decision issued on July 24, 2018, the Ontario Securities Commission held that the test to determine whether a respondent’s case should be severed and heard separately is the same test used in criminal proceedings. The decision, Hutchinson (Re), 2018 ONSEC 40, is available here. Allegations of insider trading and insider tipping The OSC … Continue reading

Copy and Paste Securities Fraud? The U.S. Supreme Court to Decide

Seth M. KruglakLisa SchapiraBy Seth M. Kruglak and Lisa Schapira on Posted in Cross border issues, Other developments, White collar crime
Last month, the U.S. Supreme Court granted certiorari to hear a case where an investment banker copied and pasted misstatements from his boss into emails that, at his boss’s request, he sent to prospective debenture purchasers.  In Lorenzo v. Securities and Exchange Commission, 872 F.3d 578 (D.C. Cir. 2017), a divided United States Court of Appeals … Continue reading
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