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Toronto – The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) today published two research reports that examined the investment fund industry and investor behaviour following the implementation of the Client Relationship Model Phase 2 (CRM2) Amendments. CRM2 improved how financial information is disclosed to investors by requiring greater transparency about the cost and performance of client accounts.  The research findings suggest that overall industry behaviour has been shifting in directions that are consistent with the study hypothesis on the impact of these regulations. The findings also provide evidence that disclosure-based regulations may be an effective tool in changing industry and investor behaviour.  Report on Investment Fund Performance Report on Investment Fund Fees “The main findings of the reports reflect positively on investment fund industry trends, as both average fees declined and investment performance improved over the study period,” said Stan Magidson, CSA Chair and CEO of the Alberta Securities Commission.  Over the 2013-2020 study period, research on investment fund fees found management expense ratios (MERs) and management fees decreased for both mutual funds and exchange traded funds (ETFs). The distribution of investment assets shifted towards funds that charged lower fees, and investment fund managers reduced the fees they charged investors. The research also documented improvements in risk-adjusted, gross investment performance based on the study’s model benchmarks. These results are in line with the anticipated effects of the CRM2 amendments, which provided investors with better information on the costs and performance of their investments. The research found no evidence that investment fund managers and product distributors shifted to products that were not subject to the CRM2 requirements.  The study period was limited to 2013-2020 to isolate the impact of the amendments and reduce the influences of other regulatory and market developments on the analysis. The CRM2 amendments to National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations that came into effect in 2016, were designed to ensure investors receive clear and complete annual disclosure of both the performance of their investments and of all fees associated with their accounts, including registrant compensation.  It is important to note that the changes in industry behaviour cannot be directly attributed to the CRM2 amendments. Other factors, which could not practically be accounted for in the analysis, may have contributed to the changes.  The CSA, the council of securities regulators of Canada’s provinces and territories, coordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian capital markets. For media inquiries, please contact: Ilana Kelemen Canadian Securities Administrators media@acvm-csa.ca  Debra Chan Ontario Securities Commission media_inquiries@osc.gov.on.ca   For investor inquiries, please contact your local securities regulator.  

The Financial and Consumer Services Commission is inviting professionals working within its regulated sectors to complete our 2024 survey before May 10, 2024. In doing so, it is also releasing key level findings from its 2023 survey, reinforcing our commitment to engagement, transparency and accountability. In April-May 2023, the Financial and Consumer Services Commission invited regulated entities and individuals and other stakeholders who had interacted with the Commission in the last 12 months to complete a survey. A total of 221 responses were collected from professionals across the province’s consumer and financial services sectors, including those registered or licensed to sell securities, insurance and real estate as well as mortgage brokers, credit unions, pension professionals and others. The survey’s objectives were to: Measure perceptions of the Commission’s reputation. Assess how stakeholders rate the Commission in terms of how it is fulfilling key aspects of its mandate. Assess how the Commission consults and engages with stakeholders. The survey was conducted, and all results analyzed, on behalf of the Commission by Thinkwell Research, an outside consulting firm.  2023 Survey Results  Take 10 minutes to complete our 2024 stakeholder survey before May 10, 2024  Feedback collected from these stakeholder surveys is important in helping the Commission to measure progress and to focus efforts on enhancing its regulatory effectiveness, communication, policy development and stakeholder engagement. Please be assured that all responses will remain anonymous to allow you the opportunity to provide open, honest feedback. The Commission’s mandate is to provide regulatory services that protect the public interest, enhance public confidence and promote understanding of the regulated sectors through education programs. Our vision is working together for regulatory excellence in financial and consumer services for New Brunswickers. More information on survey Data will be collected by Thinkwell Research, a third-party organization engaged by FCNB. Responses will be tabulated in the aggregate and will never be attributed to you or to your organization. The survey will close on May 10, 2024.  Your answers will not be saved if you close the survey window before fully completing. Please complete the entire survey before exiting the browser. If you encounter any technical difficulties, please contact info@thinkwellresearch.ca.  

The Financial and Consumer Services Commission (FCNB) is warning New Brunswick investors that the following company is not registered to deal or advise in securities in New Brunswick: Name: Admirria.tech Date: April 19, 2024 Address/Location: London, United Kingdom Other Names Used: Admirria, Global Tech Industries Limited URL(s): https://admirria.tech/ Learn about how registration protects investors and use the National Registration Search tool to check if an individual or firm is registered with FCNB.   

Toronto – The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) today published Staff Notice 21-334 Next Steps to Facilitate Access to Real-Time Market Data (RTMD) which summarizes the comments received to the Consultation Paper published in November 2022, and advises stakeholders of the CSA’s next steps to address the access to and use of RTMD. Real-time market data provides vital information about equity securities markets and its access is key for market participants, investors, and their advisers to make informed investment, routing, and execution decisions. After considering all the comments received and conducting its own analysis, the Ontario Securities Commission has implemented an enhanced transparency regime for any RTMD fee proposals by requiring marketplaces regulated by it to publish such proposed changes for feedback. The Alberta Securities Commission and British Columbia Securities Commission expect to review whether to pursue a similar approach for the TSX Venture Exchange.   In addition, the CSA identified several areas for further study. We will establish industry committees, chaired by consultants retained by the CSA. Each of the industry committees will be tasked with looking at one of the following areas and reporting back with recommendations to the CSA:  Reconsidering the data fees methodology (DFM),  Assessing the access to consolidated RTMD by retail investors and their advisers, and Standardizing terms and definitions to consolidated data agreements.  The CSA will be reviewing the DFM first and we invite industry stakeholders interested in participating in this industry committee to please submit your intention in writing, providing a description of your related experience to date to: marketdata_committees@osc.gov.on.ca by May 31, 2024. We will accept applications for the other industry committees at a later date. The CSA is committed to a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment that fosters belonging where diverse perspectives are represented.  The CSA, the council of the securities regulators of Canada’s provinces and territories, co-ordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian capital markets. For media inquiries, please contact:                                                                                                                       Ilana Kelemen Canadian Securities Administrators media@acvm-csa.ca  Debra Chan Ontario Securities Commission media_inquiries@osc.gov.on.ca        For investor inquiries, please contact your local securities regulator.