Canadian Regulators publish Consultation Paper on a Statutory Best Interest Duty

CSA

Toronto - The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) today published for comment CSA Consultation Paper 33-403 The Standard of Conduct for Advisers and Dealers: Exploring the Appropriateness of Introducing a Statutory Best Interest Duty When Advice is Provided to Retail Clients. The Consultation Paper explores the potential benefits and competing considerations of introducing a statutory fiduciary, or ?best interest', standard for advisers and dealers when they provide advice to retail clients.

"The application of such a standard has been the subject of much debate in Canada and internationally, and requires careful consideration to determine the right solution for the Canadian context," said Bill Rice, Chair of the CSA and Chair and CEO of the Alberta Securities Commission. "Today's Consultation Paper demonstrates Canadian securities regulators' commitment in examining opportunities to improve the relationship between clients and their advisers and dealers in order to ensure effective protection for Canadian investors."

The Consultation Paper looks at it from a number of perspectives and examines whether a statutory best interest standard should be adopted, whether another policy solution would be more effective or whether the current Canadian standard of conduct framework is adequate.

The CSA welcome feedback from investors and market participants on the Consultation Paper. All comments will be reviewed carefully and will inform the CSA's decision and next steps. The Consultation Paper can be found on CSA members' websites. The comment period is open until February 22, 2013.

The CSA, the council of the securities regulators of Canada's provinces and territories, coordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian capital markets.

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For more information:

CSA member name

Point of contact

Phone number

Autorité des marchés financiers

Sylvain Théberge

514-940-2176

Alberta Securities Commission

Mark Dickey

403-297-4481

British Columbia Securities Commission

Richard Gilhooney

604-899-6577

Financial Services Regulation Div. Newfoundland and Labrador

Doug Connolly

709-729-2594

Manitoba Securities Commission

Ainsley Cunningham

204-945-4733

New Brunswick Securities Commission

Wendy Connors-Beckett

506-643-7745

Northwest Territories Securities Office

Donn MacDougall

867-920-8984

Nova Scotia Securities Commission

Tanya Wiltshire

902-424-8586

Nunavut Securities Office

Louis Arki

867-975-6587

Ontario Securities Commission

Carolyn Shaw-Rimmington

416-593-2361

PEI Securities Office, Office of the Attorney General

Janice Callbeck

902-368-6288

Saskatchewan Financial Services Commission

Dean Murrison

306-787-5879

Yukon Securities Registry

Helena Hrubesova

867-667-5466