Canadian securities regulators seek additional comment on proposed rule for Non-GAAP and other financial measures

CSA

Calgary and Montreal - The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) today published a second notice and request for comment on revisions to a proposed rule for Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures(the proposed rule). The rule would establish disclosure requirements for issuers that disclose non-GAAP and other financial measures, which often lack standardized meanings, resulting in potentially misleading disclosure.

“In response to stakeholder feedback, we have reviewed and reduced the scope of the proposed rule and simplified disclosure requirements,” said Louis Morisset, CSA Chair and President and CEO of the Autorité des marchés financiers. “We believe these changes will result in a cost-effective proportionate regulatory framework that maintains appropriate investor protections.”

Following stakeholder consultation, the CSA has made substantive changes to the proposed rule that:

  • Limit the application to certain issuers;
  • Exempt certain disclosures, financial measures and documents;
  • Narrow the scope of what is considered a non-GAAP financial measure; and
  • Reduce and simplify disclosures.

The proposed rule was originally published for comment on September 6, 2018 and would replace Staff Notice 52-306 (Revised) Non-GAAP Financial Measures. The CSA conducted 38 outreach sessions across seven Canadian cities and reviewed 42 comment letters from issuers, investors, accounting firms, standard setters, industry associations and law firms.

Proposed National Instrument 52-112 Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure (the Proposed Instrument) and a revised version of proposed Companion Policy 52-112 Non-GAAP and other Financial Measures Disclosure (the Proposed Companion Policy) are available on CSA members’ websites. Comments should be submitted in writing by May 13, 2020.

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

Brian Kladko

604-899-6713

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

Renée Dyer

709-729-4909

Office of the Superintendent of Securities, 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