Canadian Securities Regulators seek comment on amendments relating to direct electronic access

CSA

Toronto - The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) announced today it is seeking feedback on proposed amendments to NI 23-103 Electronic Trading (NI 23-103), which would provide a framework for the provision of direct electronic access (DEA).

NI 23-103 outlines the risk and supervisory policies, procedures and controls that must be put in place for dealers to manage the risks associated with electronic trading, including the use of algorithms and high frequency trading. NI 23-103 will be implemented on March 1, 2013.

The proposed changes introduce a framework for the provision of DEA, a critical piece in managing the risks of electronic trading. The proposed DEA provisions include standards for DEA clients, written agreements and a requirement for adequate training.

"Today's proposals are an important step in establishing a framework for direct electronic access and greater controls to mitigate and manage the risks created by high-speed automated trading," said Bill Rice, Chair of the CSA and Chair and CEO of the Alberta Securities Commission. "As technological innovations evolve, it is imperative that securities regulators continue to focus on this area in order to maintain fair and efficient capital markets in Canada."

The proposed DEA amendments were initially published for comment in April 2011, but were not finalized with NI 23-103 in order to develop CSA requirements that are complemented by the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada's (IIROC) Universal Market Integrity Rules (UMIR). IIROC published amendments to UMIR today which include amendments relating to DEA and to trading by dealers through other dealers.

Investors and market participants are encouraged to submit comments on the proposed amendments by January 23, 2013. For more information visit the websites of the CSA members.

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