CSA Requirements to Improve Disclosure for Investors Are Now In Effect

TORONTO, July 16, 2013 /CNW/ - The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) are delivering on their investor protection commitments with new disclosure requirements that will provide investors with clear and meaningful information about their investments. The amendments to National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations (NI 31-103) are now in effect, with key elements being phased in over three years to allow industry sufficient time to meet the new requirements.

The amendments ensure that all investors receive the same information about the cost and performance of their investments and that the same standard to disclose this information is applied to all firms registered to deal in securities or act as portfolio managers.

"Research shows that investors across Canada lack vital information about the cost and performance of their investments," said Bill Rice, Chair of the CSA and Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the Alberta Securities Commission. "These amendments demonstrate the CSA's commitment to arm investors with sufficient account information to make informed decisions about their investments."

Over the next three years, investors can expect:

• starting July 15, 2014, pre-trade disclosure of charges and disclosure of compensation from debt securities transactions in trade confirmations;
• starting July 15, 2015, enhancements to client statements, which will provide position cost information and market value calculated in accordance with a prescribed methodology; and,
• starting July 15, 2016, an annual report on charges and other compensation and an annual investment performance report.

More information on the amendments and what this means for investors and industry is available on CSA members' websites.

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

SOURCE: Canadian Securities Administrators

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

Sylvain Théberge
Autorité des marchés financiers
514-940-2176  

Ainsley Cunningham
The Manitoba Securities Commission          
204-945-4733 

Tanya Wiltshire
Nova Scotia Securities Commission
902-424-8586

Janice Callbeck
The Office of the Superintendent of
Securities, P.E.I.
902-368-6288

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

Donn MacDougall
Office of the Superintendent of Securities
Government of the Northwest Territories
867-920-8984

Mark Dickey
Alberta Securities Commission
403-297-4481

Richard Gilhooley
British Columbia Securities Commission
604-899-6713

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

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

Doug Connolly
Service NL
709-729-4189

Louis Arki
Nunavut Securities Office
867-975-6587