Canadian Securities Administrators publish guidance on relationship disclosure practices

WINNIPEG, July 18, 2013 /CNW/ - The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) today published Staff Notice 31-334 CSA Review of Relationship Disclosure Practices to summarize the findings of a recent CSA compliance review and to provide guidance on relationship disclosure information practices.

The guidance is based on findings identified during the CSA's review of 124 registered portfolio managers and exempt market dealers that focused on relationship disclosure information.  The CSA encourage all registered portfolio managers and exempt market dealers to use the guidance contained in the notice to assess their own relationship disclosure practices, and determine the areas where improvements can be made.

"Compliance reviews of this nature demonstrate the CSA's commitment to work with industry to make sure that the rules are being followed," said Bill Rice, Chair of the CSA and Chair and CEO of the Alberta Securities Commission. "The recommendations set out in the staff notice will assist the industry in continuing to improve practices and, as a result investors will be better protected."

The notice sets out a series of recommendations to help registered portfolio managers and exempt market dealers ensure their relationship disclosure practices are in accordance with securities law.

The suggested practices relate to the disclosure of the following areas:

• Risks of using borrowed money to finance the purchase of a security.
• Information a firm must collect about a client (Know Your Client).
• The obligation to assess suitability prior to executing a transaction.
• Content and frequency of reporting for each account or portfolio of a client.
• Types of risks that a client should consider when making investment decisions.
• Nature or type of client account.
• Conflicts of interest.
• All costs to a client for the operation of an account, and the costs clients will pay in making, holding and selling investments.
• Products or services offered by the firm.
• Compensation paid to the firm in relation to different types of products that a client may purchase.

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

SOURCE: Canadian Securities Administrators

Sylvain Théberge
Autorité des marchés financiers
514-940-2176

Richard Gilhooley
British Columbia Securities Commission
604-899-6713

Ainsley Cunningham
Manitoba Securities Commission
204-945-4733

Tanya Wiltshire
Nova Scotia Securities Commission
902-424-8586

Doug Connolly
Financial Services Regulation Div.
Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-2594

Louis Arki
Nunavut Securities Office
867-975-6587

Daniela Machuca
Financial and Consumer Affairs
Authority of Saskatchewan
306-798-4160

Mark Dickey
Alberta Securities Commission
403-297-4481

Carolyn Shaw-Rimmington
Ontario Securities Commission
416-593-2361

Wendy Connors-Beckett
Financial and Consumer Services Commission
New Brunswick
506-643-7745

Janice Callbeck  
PEI Securities Office
Office of the Attorney General
902-368-6288

Rhonda Horte 
Office of the Yukon Superintendent of securities 
867-667-5466

Donn MacDougall
Northwest Territories
Securities Office
867-920-8984