OSC Publishes Statement Of Priorities For 2016-2017

The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) recently published its Statement of Priorities for 2016-2017. The Statement of Priorities is published annually and offers stakeholders a glimpse into the OSC's goals and priorities for the upcoming year, including where the OSC intends to focus key resources and actions.  A draft of the Statement of Priorities was published on March 10, 2016, in response to which the OSC received 23 comment letters that, with some exceptions, were broadly supportive of the OSC's overall direction.

Primary Initiatives and Focus Areas for 2016-2017

Some of the notable initiatives and focus areas for 2016-2017 are:  

1. Enhancing Advisor/Client Relationship. Targeted reforms, including amendments to NI 31-103 – Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations, and the introduction of a Best Interest Standard (BIS) to enhance the advisor/client relationship, by publishing and conducting consultations on proposed