CSA provides guidance to improve compliance of disclosure requirements related to prospectus exemptions

CALGARY, April 26, 2012 /CNW/ - The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) today published two notices aimed at improving market participant compliance with exemptions to prospectus requirements. Staff Notice 45-308 Guidance for Preparing and Filing Reports of Exempt Distribution and Multilateral Staff Notice 45-309 Guidance for Preparing and Filing an Offering Memorandum, offer guidance related to disclosure rules found under National Instrument (NI) 45-106 Prospectus and Registration Exemptions.

"The CSA is committed to ensuring that market participants understand what is expected of them when relying on prospectus exemptions to sell securities," said Bill Rice, Chair of the CSA and Chair and CEO of the Alberta Securities Commission. "These Notices not only provide clear guidance to assist issuers in preparing and filing certain exempt market documents, but also serve as a reminder to market participants who rely on prospectus exemptions that their filings or disclosure may come under staff review and that non-compliance may result in appropriate action by a CSA regulator."

The Notices primarily focus on Form 45-106F1 Report of Exempt Distribution and Form 45-106F2 Offering Memorandum for Non-Qualifying Issuers, and provide guidance on such topics as filing deadlines, correct and consistent reporting, financial statement requirements and adequate disclosure of certain information.

Issuers should be aware that the primary responsibility for compliance with NI 45-106 rests with them and that the exempt market is not free from regulation and oversight.

The Notices are available on the websites of various CSA members.

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

 

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

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

Ainsley Cunningham 
Manitoba Securities Commission 
204-945-4733

Wendy Connors-Beckett 
New Brunswick Securities Commission 
506 643-7745

Shirley Lee 
Nova Scotia Securities Commission 
902-424-5441

Dean Murrison 
Saskatchewan Financial Services Commission 
306-787-5879

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

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

Helena Hrubesova 
Yukon Securities Office 
867-667-5466

Louis Arki 
Nunavut Securities Office 
867-975-6587

Donn MacDougall 
Northwest Territories Securities Office 
867-920-8984