Canadian Securities Regulators Seek Comments on Mutual Fund Risk Classification Methodology

Securities

Montréal - The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) published today for comment CSA Notice 81-324 and Request for Comments Proposed CSA Mutual Fund Risk Classification Methodology for Use in Fund Facts (CSA Notice 81-324), which sets out a proposed risk classification methodology (the Proposed Methodology) for use by mutual fund managers in the fund facts document (Fund Facts).

The Proposed Methodology has been developed in response to stakeholder feedback that the CSA has received throughout the implementation of the point of sale disclosure framework for mutual funds, notably that the lack of use by fund managers of a standardized risk classification methodology could result in inconsistent measurements of risk and make comparisons between mutual funds difficult.

Currently the Fund Facts requires the manager of a mutual fund to provide a risk rating on a scale of five categories ranging from Low to High. A mutual fund's risk classification methodology is chosen and applied at the fund manager's discretion in order to determine that rating.

"The Fund Facts is designed to ensure that key information about a mutual fund is provided to investors in a simple and comparable format," said Bill Rice, Chair of the CSA and Chair and CEO of the Alberta Securities Commission. "The consideration of a standard risk classification methodology is intended to enhance that objective, and promote consistency in how risk is measured by mutual fund managers."

The CSA welcomes feedback on the Proposed Methodology. In particular, the CSA is interested in whether the Proposed Methodology should be mandated or whether it should be adopted as a guidance for investment fund managers. CSA Notice 81-324 can be found on CSA members' websites. The comment period is open until March 12, 2014.

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:

Sylvain Théberge
Autorité des marchés financiers
514-940-2176

Mark Dickey
Alberta Securities Commission
403-297-4481

Richard Gilhooley
British Columbia Securities Commission
604-899-6713

Carolyn Shaw-Rimmington
Ontario Securities Commission
416-593-2361

Kevan Hannah
Manitoba Securities Commission
204-945-1513

Wendy Connors-Beckett
Financial and Consumer Services Commission
New Brunswick
506-643-7745

Tanya Wiltshire
Nova Scotia Securities Commission
902-424-8586

Janice Callbeck
P.E.I. Securities Office
Office of the Attorney General
902-368-6288

Doug Connolly
Financial Services Regulation Div.
Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-2594

Rhonda Horte
Office of the Yukon Superintendent of Securities
867-667-5466

Louis Arki
Nunavut Securities Office
867-975-6587

Donn MacDougall
Northwest Territories Securities Office
867-920-8984

Daniela Machuca
Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan
306-798-4160