Tag archives: CSA

Trust and transparency: New guidance from CSA regarding enhanced disclosure of conflicts of interest in cannabis M&A

By Andrea Brewer and Vanessa Grant on November 19, 2019 Posted in Other developments

Trust and transparency have been challenging in the cannabis industry: whether related to product trust and transparency or to public disclosure of conflicts of interest and the need for trust and transparency has not gone unnoticed by securities regulators. In reviewing disclosure relating to M&A and other significant corporate transactions by cannabis issuers, the Canadian … Continue reading

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

By Katherine Prusinkiewicz on December 6, 2018 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

CSA Proposes Rule Regarding Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures

By Erika Anschuetz on October 3, 2018 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

Class actions come to the cryptocurrency markets

By Danny Urquhart on January 23, 2018 Posted in Class actions, Other developments

In the U.S. there has been an notable uptick in class action lawsuits launched against companies in the cryptocurrency market in late 2017. As public attention turned to the roller-coaster ride of cryptocurrency markets over the past year, it is not surprising that ambitious class counsel have jumped on the ride by issuing their first … Continue reading

Certainty or Flexibility? Changing the Approach to Director and Audit Committee Member Independence

By Admin on December 19, 2017 Posted in Other developments

The Canadian Securities Administrators (the CSA) is seeking comments on its consultation paper: CSA Consultation Paper 52-404 Approach to Director and Audit Committee Member Independence (the Consultation Paper). The Consultation Paper intends to facilitate a discussion on the appropriateness of the CSA’s approach to determining Director and Audit Committee Member Independence.[1] The deadline to submit … Continue reading

More Cyber Security Lessons from the Canadian Securities Administrators

By Danny Urquhart on November 28, 2017 Posted in Other developments

Earlier this year, we reported on continuing efforts by the Canadian Securities Administrators (the CSA) to inform the market about cyber security best practices with the publication of Multilateral Staff Notice 51-347 which concerned the disclosure of cyber security, attacks, and risks. The CSA’s efforts continue with CSA Staff Notice 33-321 (the Staff Notice) as … Continue reading

Canadian Securities Regulators Announce Prohibition of Binary Options

By Erika Anschuetz on October 6, 2017 Posted in Legislation, rules and policies, Other developments

Securities regulatory authorities for all Canadian jurisdictions, save for British Columbia, (the Participating Authorities) announced the implementation of Multilateral Instrument (the Instrument) and Companion Policy 91-102 on the Prohibition of Binary Options on September 28, 2017. Binary options are defined in the Instrument as a contract or instrument that provides for only a predetermined fixed … Continue reading

Regulatory and civil consequences of Initial Coin Offerings in Ontario

By Andrew McCoomb on October 5, 2017 Posted in Other developments, Securities regulatory decisions

A great deal has been written recently about the possible regulatory uncertainty surrounding Initial Coin Offerings (ICOs) in Canada. In an ICO, a newly issued cryptocurrency is sold to purchasers, who acquire a right of ownership symbolized by a “coin” or token, which may appreciate in value. Depending upon the characteristics of the ownership interest … Continue reading

The OSC Explores the Elimination of Embedded Commissions

By Admin on September 22, 2017 Posted in Legislation, rules and policies, Other developments

The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) hosted a roundtable discussion on September 18, 2017 (the Roundtable Discussion) to help evaluate potential regulatory changes to discontinue embedded commissions in investment funds. The term “embedded commission” refers to the remuneration of dealers and their representatives for mutual fund sales through a commission paid by investment fund managers (for … Continue reading

Canadian Securities Administrators to regulate Cryptocurrency Offerings and Crypto-Investment Funds

By Kristine Spence on September 1, 2017 Posted in Other developments, Securities regulatory decisions

2017 has been an extraordinary year for cryptocurrencies.[1] The recent increase in the number of cryptocurrency offerings reflects a dramatic shift in investor-attitudes towards the crypto-economy. However, the increased popularity of initial coin offerings (ICO), initial token offerings (ITO) and cryptocurrency investment funds has triggered a wave of regulatory responses, from the USA to Singapore … Continue reading

Another Kick at the Canadian Effort to Create a National Securities Regulator

By Danny Urquhart on May 23, 2017 Posted in Legislation, rules and policies, Securities regulatory decisions

In a recent decision, a majority of the Quebec Court of Appeal held that the latest proposal to create a national securities regulator was unconstitutional. The Spectre of Federalism Unlike every other G-20 country, Canada does not have a national securities regulator. There is a long history of attempts to change this. As early as 1935, the Royal … Continue reading

Only 61% of issuers address cyber security in their risk factor disclosure. Is your company one of them?

By Danny Urquhart on March 13, 2017 Posted in Legislation, rules and policies, Other developments

Earlier this year, the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) released the results of a review of the disclosure of 240 issuers in the S&P/TSX composite index on cyber security issues. The review found that only 61% of issuers addressed cyber security in their risk factor disclosure, 20% of these issuers had identified a person or group … Continue reading

Thinking Inside the Sandbox: CSA Supports Innovative Business Models

By Admin on March 7, 2017 Posted in Legislation, rules and policies, Other developments

The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) recently launched a regulatory sandbox initiative as part of a push to foster greater innovation among industry participants. Under the initiative, qualifying businesses that have registered or received relief from certain requirements will be permitted to test novel products and services throughout the Canadian market. The CSA provided the following examples … Continue reading