Alberta Provincial Court rules Securities Act fraud provisions constitutional

CALGARY, May 15, 2013 /CNW/ - Provincial Court of Alberta Judge A.A. Fradsham has ruled that Securities Act (Alberta) provisions that allow the Provincial Court to impose penal sanctions, including heavy fines and imprisonment, upon those found guilty of fraud and misrepresentation are within the constitutional powers of the Province of Alberta.

Three Respondents facing charges in Provincial Court of fraud and misrepresentation under provisions  of the Securities Act (Alberta) challenged the constitutionality of those provisions, arguing that they are in fact criminal law powers, which are the exclusive jurisdiction of the federal government.

Judge Fradsham dismissed the application stating: "The Securities Act is designed to cultivate a fair and efficient capital market in Alberta...The dominant purpose of [these provisions] is to act as a deterrent to investors who are tempted to breach the Securities Act.  Deterring would-be offenders serves the Securities Act's main purpose of ensuring that the securities market is not tainted by actors who are unwilling to trade or sell securities honestly."

A copy of the decision can be found on the ASC website at www.albertasecurities.com.

The ASC is the regulatory agency responsible for administering the province's securities laws. It is entrusted to foster a fair and efficient capital market in Alberta and to protect investors.  As a member of the Canadian Securities Administrators, the ASC works to improve, coordinate and harmonize the regulation of Canada's capital markets.

SOURCE: Alberta Securities Commission

For Media Inquiries: 
Lorinda Brinton
Senior Communications Advisor
403.297.2665

For Investor Inquiries: 
ASC Public Inquiries
Toll Free 1.877.355.4488