Canadian securities regulators propose rule regarding non-GAAP and other financial measures

CSA Securities

Calgary and Montreal - The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) today published for comment Proposed National Instrument 52-112 Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure (the Proposed Instrument), which establishes disclosure requirements for issuers that disclose non-GAAP and other financial measures. These measures often lack standardized meanings, resulting in potentially misleading or confusing disclosure. 

“We are proposing clear and comprehensive requirements for the presentation of non-GAAP and other financial measures in a manner that meets investors’ needs for quality information,” said Louis Morisset, CSA Chair and President and CEO of the Autorité des marchés financiers.  “These requirements would also provide CSA Staff with a stronger tool to take appropriate regulatory action, when warranted.”

When implemented, the Proposed Instrument will provide authoritative Canadian securities legislative requirements for issuers when they disclose non-GAAP and other financial measures. The Proposed Instrument would replace Staff Notice 52-306 (Revised) Non-GAAP Financial Measures, which provided guidance to help ensure such disclosure is not misleading. Staff Notice 52-306 was issued in 2003 and updated several times subsequently to respond to changing circumstances.

Additionally, the Proposed Instrument:

  • relates to the disclosure of financial measures (including ratios) that are non-GAAP financial measures, segment measures, capital management measures and supplementary financial measures, as defined in the Proposed Instrument;
  • refers to all documents (e.g., Management’s Discussion and Analysis, news releases, the Annual Information Form, prospectuses etc.) including other written communications in websites or social media; and
  • includes an updated definition of a non-GAAP financial measure which builds upon and incorporates the disclosure guidance in Staff Notice 52-306.

Proposed National Instrument 52-112 Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure and related documents are available on CSA members’ websites. Comments should be submitted in writing by December 5, 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.

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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

Hilary McMeekin

403-592-8186

British Columbia Securities Commission

Andrew Poon

604-899-6880

Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan

Shannon McMillan

306-798-4160

Financial and Consumer Services Commission, New Brunswick

Sara Wilson

506-643-7045

Government of Prince Edward Island, Superintendent of Securities

Steve Dowling

902-368-4550

Manitoba Securities Commission

Jason (Jay) Booth

204-945-1660

Nova Scotia Securities Commission

David Harrison

902-424-8586

Nunavut Securities Office

Jeff Mason

867-975-6591

Office of the Superintendent of Securities, Newfoundland and Labrador

Craig Whalen

709-729-5661

Superintendent of Securities, Department of Justice, Government of the Northwest Territories

Tom Hall

867-767-9305

Office of the Yukon Superintendent of Securities

Rhonda Horte

867-667-5466

Ontario Securities Commission

Kristen Rose

416-593-2336