News Release
Canadian securities regulators seek input on proposed business conduct rules for derivatives dealers and advisers
Apr 05, 2017
Toronto and Montreal – The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) today published for comment Proposed National Instrument 93-101Derivatives: Business Conduct and a related proposed companion policy. The proposed instrument establishes an investor protection regime for over-the-counter (OTC) derivatives markets that is consistent with international standards and foreign requirements and is intended to create a uniform approach to derivatives business conduct regulation in Canada.
“This is an important milestone for Canada in the regulation of over-the-counter derivatives,” said Louis Morisset, CSA Chair and President and CEO of the Autorité des marchés financiers. “The proposed business conduct regime will protect investors, improve transparency and accountability, and protect against market abuse, while ensuring Canada is consistent with international standards and foreign requirements.”
The proposed instrument sets out fundamental obligations for OTC derivatives dealers and advisers. These include a fair dealing model suitable for derivatives markets that contains obligations to identify and respond to conflicts of interest in a manner consistent with international practice; know-your-derivatives party obligations; and compliance and recordkeeping requirements.
For derivatives dealers and advisers working with non-institutional counterparties, the proposed instrument introduces further measures such as a derivatives-specific suitability standard, the requirement to identify derivatives party-specific needs, and disclosure regarding leverage.
As a significant proportion of OTC derivatives trading is cross-border, the proposed instrument includes exemptions for foreign derivatives dealers and advisers that are subject to and comply with comparable laws of certain foreign jurisdictions.
The CSA is also in the process of developing a registration regime for derivatives dealers and advisers. The CSA anticipates publishing proposed NI 93-102 Derivatives: Registration shortly. An extended comment period (150 days) is in effect for the proposed business conduct regime to provide stakeholders an opportunity to consider it in conjunction with the proposed registration regime.
The proposed instrument and companion policy can be found on CSA members’ websites.
The CSA, the council of the securities regulators of Canada’s provinces and territories, co-ordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian capital markets.
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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
Jason Booth
The Manitoba Securities Commission
204-945-1660
Jane Anderson
Nova Scotia Securities Commission
902-424-0179
Jeff Mason
Nunavut Securities Office
867-975-6591
Shannon McMillan
Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan
306-798-4160
Sylvain Théberge
Autorité des marchés financiers
sylvain.theberge@lautorite.qc.ca
Nicole Tuncay
Alberta Securities Commission
403-297-4008
Andrew Nicholson
Financial and Consumer Services Commission, New Brunswick
506-658-3021
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
Tom Hall
Office of the Superintendent of Securities,
Northwest Territories
867-767-9305