Canadian securities administrators propose a new prospectus exemption for the resale of securities of a foreign issuer

MONTRÉAL, June 29, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) today published for comment proposed amendments to National Instrument 45-102 Resale of Securities (NI 45-102) that would introduce a new prospectus exemption for the resale of securities of a foreign issuer.

"The proposed amendments would facilitate access to global markets," said Louis Morisset, CSA Chair and President and CEO of the Autorité des marchés financiers. "Canadian investors are increasingly investing abroad, and we understand that some aspects of the current resale regime may pose challenges to participation in prospectus-exempt offerings by foreign issuers."

If adopted, the proposed exemption would allow Canadian investors to resell, outside of Canada, securities of a foreign issuer acquired under a prospectus exemption where the issuer is not a reporting issuer in any jurisdiction of Canada. The proposed amendments suggest a different approach for determining minimal connection to Canada by introducing a definition of foreign issuer to replace the current 10 per cent Canadian ownership test.

With the increased globalization of capital markets, it may no longer be appropriate to determine minimal connection to Canada based solely on Canadian security holdings. The CSA believes that the proposed exemption would be more straightforward and effective in today's global market.

The proposed amendments and CSA Notice and Request for comment can be found on the websites of CSA members. Comments should be submitted in writing by September 27, 2017.

The CSA, the council of securities regulators of Canada's provinces and territories, coordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian capital markets.

For more information:
Sylvain Théberge Autorité des marchés financiers 514-940-2176	Hilary McMeekin Alberta Securities Commission 403-592-8186
Alison Walker British Columbia Securities Commission 604-899-6713	Kristen Rose Ontario Securities Commission 416-593-2336
Jason (Jay) Booth Manitoba Securities Commission 204-945-1660	Andrew Nicholson Financial and Consumer Services Commission, New Brunswick 506-658-3021
David C. Harrison Nova Scotia Securities Commission 902-424-8586	Janice Callbeck Office of the Superintendent of Securities P.E.I. 902-368-6288
John O'Brien Office of the Superintendent of Securities Newfoundland and Labrador 709-729-4909	Rhonda Horte Office of the Yukon Superintendent of Securities 867-667-5466
Jeff Mason Nunavut Securities Office 867-975-6591	Tom Hall Office of the Superintendent of Securities Northwest Territories 867-767-9305
Shannon McMillan Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan 306-798-4160

SOURCE Canadian Securities Administrators

Sylvain Théberge, Autorité des marchés financiers, 514-940-2176; Hilary McMeekin, Alberta Securities Commission, 403-592-8186; Alison Walker, British Columbia Securities Commission, 604-899-6713; Kristen Rose, Ontario Securities Commission, 416-593-2336; Jason (Jay) Booth, Manitoba Securities Commission, 204-945-1660; Andrew Nicholson, Financial and Consumer Services Commission, New Brunswick, 506-658-3021; David C. Harrison, Nova Scotia Securities Commission, 902-424-8586; Janice Callbeck, Office of the Superintendent of Securities, P.E.I., 902-368-6288; John O'Brien, Office of the Superintendent of Securities, Newfoundland and Labrador, 709-729-4909; Rhonda Horte, Office of the Yukon Superintendent of Securities, 867-667-5466; Jeff Mason, Nunavut Securities Office, 867-975-6591; Tom Hall, Office of the Superintendent of Securities, Northwest Territories, 867-767-9305; Shannon McMillan, Financial and Consumer Affairs, Authority of Saskatchewan, 306-798-4160