Canadian securities regulators seek comment on derivatives rule relating to mandatory central counterparty clearing

MONTRÉAL, Feb. 24, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Members of the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) today published for comment Proposed National Instrument 94-101 Mandatory Central Counterparty Clearing of Derivatives and its companion policy (the proposed instrument), which introduces requirements for central counterparty clearing of certain over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives transactions.   

Mandatory central counterparty clearing is intended to mitigate counterparty risk in the derivatives market and increase financial stability. In developing the proposed instrument, the CSA has carefully considered public comments received on National Instrument 94-101 Mandatory Central Counterparty Clearing, published in February 2015, as well as comments on CSA Notice 91-303 Proposed Model Provincial Rule on Mandatory Central Counterparty Clearing of Derivatives, and CSA Consultation Paper 91-406 OTC Central Counterparty Clearing from December 2013 and June 2012, respectively.

The proposed instrument establishes:

• the determination of the derivatives (each a mandatory clearable derivative) that will be subject to the requirement to submit for central counterparty clearing;
• the requirement (and limited exemptions) to submit a transaction involving a mandatory clearable derivative to a recognized or exempted central counterparty for clearing.

"This proposed instrument further advances the CSA's work to meet international objectives regarding mandatory clearing of OTC derivatives and underscores our commitment to further ensure the soundness of derivatives markets," said Louis Morisset, Chair of the CSA and President and CEO of the Autorité des marchés financiers. "The derivatives market reform we are undertaking, of which this proposed instrument forms part, is intended to protect market participants, improve transparency and eliminate opportunities for regulatory arbitrage."

For additional information about central counterparty clearing reform in Canada, the public may review the recently published National Instrument 24-102 Clearing Agency Requirements and Proposed National Instrument 94-102 Derivatives: Customer Clearing and Protection of Customer Collateral and Positions.

Following the current consultation, the CSA will review all comments received and make amendments as appropriate to the proposed instrument.

The proposed instrument can be found on CSA members' websites. The 90-day comment period is open until May 24, 2016.

The CSA, the council of the securities regulators of Canada's provinces and territories, co-ordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian financial markets.

For more information:

Mark Dickey Alberta Securities Commission 403-297-4481	Sylvain Théberge Autorité des marchés financiers 514-940-2176
Richard Gilhooley     British Columbia Securities Commission  604-899-6713	Kristen Rose Ontario Securities Commission 416-593-2336
Ainsley Cunningham     Manitoba Securities Commission   204-945-4733	Andrew Nicholson Financial and Consumer Services Commission, New Brunswick 506-658-3021
Tanya Wiltshire     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 Autorité des marchés financiers

Mark Dickey, Alberta Securities Commission, 403-297-4481; 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; John O'Brien, Office of the Superintendent of Securities, Newfoundland and Labrador; 709-729-4909, Jeff Mason, Nunavut Securities Office, 867-975-6591; Shannon McMillanFinancial and Consumer Affairs, Authority of Saskatchewan, 306-798-4160; Sylvain Théberge, Autorité des marchés financiers, 514-940-2176; Kristen Rose, Ontario Securities Commission, 416-593-2336; Andrew Nicholson, Financial and Consumer Services, Commission, New Brunswick, 506-658-3021; Rhonda Horte, Office of the Yukon Superintendent of Securities, 867-667-5466; Tom Hall, Office of the Superintendent of Securities,Northwest Territories, 867-767-9305