CSA Staff Notice: 31-331 - Follow-up to Broker Dealer Registration in the Exempt Market Dealer Category

CSA Staff Notice: 31-331 - Follow-up to Broker Dealer Registration in the Exempt Market Dealer Category

CSA Notice

CSA Staff Notice 31-331

Follow-up to Broker-Dealer Registration in the Exempt Market Dealer Category

July 12, 2012

 

 

Introduction

On September 2, 2011, Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA or we) published CSA Staff Notice 31-327 Broker-Dealer Registration in the Exempt Market Dealer Category (CSA Staff Notice 31-327). This notice is a follow-up to the CSA Staff Notice 31-327.

Substance and Purpose

The purpose of this notice is to introduce an Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) Concept Paper published as IIROC Notice 12-0217 (the IIROC proposal).

Background

CSA Staff Notice 31-327 raised concerns with firms applying for registration, or registered, in the exempt market dealer (EMD) category that are conducting brokerage activities (trading securities listed on an exchange in foreign or Canadian markets) (brokerage activities). It stated that we would be examining this issue to ensure that appropriate regulatory requirements apply to all firms conducting brokerage activities. 

Consultation

We conducted a survey of all EMD firms to determine the extent of these activities. We determined that it is primarily brokerdealer firms registered in the United States that are members of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) that are conducting brokerage activities. We are of the view that IIROC should oversee these firms because IIROC rules and supervision govern exchange trading practices and address the risks associated with brokerage activities. Accordingly, we have been working with IIROC and have asked IIROC to consider a framework for the oversight of these firms. 

IIROC Proposal

The IIROC proposal introduces a new class of IIROC Member, called a “Restricted Dealer Member”, which is intended to migrate firms currently registered as EMDs or restricted dealers carrying out brokerage activities to IIROC membership. Based on this proposal, firms would surrender their EMD or restricted dealer registration and apply for investment dealer registration as well as seek IIROC membership. 

Next Steps

We look forward to reviewing any comments on the IIROC proposal. At the conclusion of the consultation period, IIROC may make changes to its by-laws and rules. We may also propose changes to National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations to expressly limit the types of activities that EMDs can conduct. 

Questions

Please refer your questions to any of the following people: 

Lindy Bremner
Senior Legal Counsel, Capital Markets Regulation
British Columbia Securities Commission
Tel: 604-899-6678
1-800-373-6393
[email protected]
 
Brian W. Murphy
Deputy Director, Capital Markets
Nova Scotia Securities Commission
Tel: 902-424-4592
[email protected]
 
Navdeep Gill
Manager, Registration
Alberta Securities Commission
Tel: 403-355-9043
[email protected]
 
Ella-Jane Loomis
Legal Counsel
New Brunswick Securities Commission
Tel: 506-643-7857
[email protected]
 
Dean Murrison
Deputy Director, Legal and Registration
Saskatchewan Financial Services Commission
Tel: 306 787 5879
[email protected]
 
Katharine Tummon
Superintendent of Securities
Prince Edward Island Securities Office
Tel: 902-368-4542
[email protected]
 
Chris Besko
Legal Counsel, Deputy Director
The Manitoba Securities Commission
Tel: 204-945-2561
Toll Free (Manitoba only): 1-800-655-5244
[email protected]
 
Craig Whalen
Manager of Licensing, Registration and Compliance
Office of the Superintendent of Securities
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Tel: 709-729-5661
[email protected]
 
Sandra Blake
Senior Legal Counsel
Ontario Securities Commission
Tel: 416-593-8115
[email protected]
 
Louis Arki, Director, Legal Registries
Department of Justice, Government of Nunavut
Tel: 867-975-6587
[email protected]
 
Sophie Jean
Senior Policy Adviser
Autorité des marchés financiers
Tel: 514-395-0337, ext. 4786
Toll-free: 1-877-525-0337
[email protected]
 
Donn MacDougall
Deputy Superintendent, Legal & Enforcement
Office of the Superintendent of Securities
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: 867-920-8984
[email protected]
 
Helena Hrubesova
Securities Officer
Securities Office, Corporate Affairs (C-6)
Government of Yukon
Tel: 867-667-5466
[email protected]