News Releases
Canadian securities regulators seek comment on soliciting dealer arrangements
Apr 12, 2018
Calgary and Toronto – The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) today published for comment CSA Staff Notice 61-303 and Request for Comment Soliciting Dealer Arrangements. The notice outlines regulatory issues raised by soliciting dealer arrangements and seeks input on the practice, which generally involves an issuer paying a dealer to successfully solicit securities from a securityholder in connection with corporate transactions.
“The practice of soliciting dealer arrangements raises certain securities regulatory issues, notably around conflicts of interest and the integrity of the voting and tendering process,” said Louis Morisset, CSA Chair and President and CEO of the Autorité des marchés financiers. “In light of these issues, we believe it is appropriate to assess how these arrangements are being used and whether further regulatory action is appropriate.”
Soliciting dealer arrangements may be used to solicit securities from securityholders to vote in connection with a matter requiring shareholder approval, or to tender securities for a takeover bid. These arrangements may also be used to incentivize dealers to contact securityholders to participate in a rights offering, to exercise rights to redeem or convert securities, or to attain the requisite quorum for amendments to documents affecting the rights of securityholders.
The Staff Notice can be found on CSA members’ websites.
Comments should be submitted in writing by June 11, 2018.
The CSA, the council of the securities regulators of Canada’s provinces and territories, co-ordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian capital markets.
- 30 -
For more information:
Kristen Rose
Ontario Securities Commission
416-593-2336
media_inquiries@osc.gov.on.ca
Alison Walker
British Columbia Securities Commission
604-899-6713
Shannon McMillan
Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan
306-798-4160
Erin King
Financial and Customer Services
Commission, New Brunswick
506-643-7045
Steven Dowling
Government of Prince Edward Island
Superintendent of Securities
902-368-4550
Rhonda Horte
Office of the Yukon Superintendent of Securities
867-667-5466
Jeff Mason
Nunavut Securities Office
867-975-6591
Hilary McMeekin
Alberta Securities Commission
403-592-8186
Jason Booth
The Manitoba Securities Commission
204-945-1660
Sylvain Théberge
Autorité des marchés financiers
sylvain.theberge@lautorite.qc.ca
David Harrison
Nova Scotia Securities Commission
902-424-8586
Craig Whalen
Office of the Superintendent of Securities
Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-5661
Tom Hall
Office of the Superintendent of Securities,
Northwest Territories
867-767-9305