Canadian securities regulators provide an update regarding the consultation on proxy adviser firms

For Immediate Release CSA

Montreal – The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) today published CSA Notice 25-301 Update on CSA Consultation Paper 25-401 Potential Regulation of Proxy Advisory Firms, which provides an update to market participants on the status of the consultation.

On June 21, 2012, the CSA published for comment Consultation Paper 25-401 to provide a forum for discussion of certain concerns raised about the services provided by proxy advisory firms and the potential impact on Canadian capital markets. The consultation process also allowed the CSA to determine if, and how, it should address these concerns.

The comment period ended on September 21, 2012. The CSA received 62 comment letters containing comprehensive feedback from various market participants.

After an extensive review of the comments received, the CSA has concluded that a policy-based approach providing guidance on recommended practices and disclosure for proxy advisory firms will improve transparency and understanding among market participants.

The CSA intends to publish its proposed approach for comment in the first quarter of 2014.

CSA Notice 25-301 is available on CSA members’ websites.

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

 

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For more information:

Sylvain Théberge
Autorité des marchés financiers
514-940-2176

Mark Dickey
Alberta Securities Commission
403-297-4481

Richard Gilhooley
British Columbia Securities Commission
604-899-6713

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

Kevan Hannah
Manitoba Securities Commission
204-945-1513

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

Tanya Wiltshire
Nova Scotia Securities Commission
902-424-8586

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

Doug Connolly
Financial Services Regulation Division of
Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-4189

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

Louis Arki
Nunavut Securities Office
867-975-6587

Donn MacDougall
Northwest Territories Securities Office
867-920-8984

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