Government of Ontario News Release: Ontario Nominates New Chair and CEO of the Ontario Securities Commission

For Immediate Release Other

Ontario has nominated Maureen Jensen as the new Chair and Chief Executive Officer of the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC), subject to review by the Standing Committee on Government Agencies.

Ms. Jensen has been the OSC’s Executive Director and Chief Administrative Officer since 2011. Previously, Ms. Jensen was Senior Vice-President, Surveillance and Compliance with the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada, a position she held from 2008 until joining the OSC. She is also a former President and CEO of Market Regulation Services Inc. and director at the Toronto Stock Exchange and TSX Group. Before moving into securities regulation, Ms. Jensen held key executive and technical management positions at several mining companies.

A well-respected securities regulation leader, Ms. Jensen brings a wealth of hands-on experience with the OSC’s work in ensuring that investors are safeguarded and capital markets are fair and efficient.

She has been a leader in the OSC’s work in implementing Ontario’s “comply or explain” disclosure requirements that promote increased representation of women on boards of directors and in executive officer positions with non-venture issuers, such as TSX-listed publicly traded companies.

Ms. Jensen has also been an instrumental part of the OSC’s executive team in supporting the government’s efforts to develop and establish the Cooperative Capital Markets Regulatory System.

Strengthening the financial services sector is part of the government’s plan to build Ontario up and deliver on its number-one priority to grow the economy and create jobs. The four-part plan includes investing in people’s talents and skills, making the largest investment in public infrastructure in the province’s history, creating a dynamic, supportive environment where business thrives and building a secure retirement savings plan.

QUOTES

"Ms. Jensen’s nomination as the OSC's new Chair and Chief Executive Officer reflects her accomplished career in the financial services industry and expertise in capital markets regulation. She is well-respected by her colleagues and peers in the investment industry across the country. Ms. Jensen’s leadership will ensure that the OSC will continue to operate efficiently and smoothly through a crucial period of modernizing Canada's capital markets regulatory system."

— Charles Sousa, Minister of Finance

QUICK FACTS

  • The OSC plays a critical role in the regulation of financial services in Ontario, and works to ensure consumers’ interests are safeguarded. An Ontario government agency, it is the principal regulator for 80 per cent of Canadian investment fund issuing companies.
  • The OSC regulates Ontario’s capital markets activities and participants including public companies, trading systems and registered intermediaries and exchanges.
  • The financial services sector has been one of the fastest-growing parts of Ontario’s economy for several decades. Its approximately 12,000 companies employ more than 380,000 Ontarians.
  • Toronto is the second-largest North American financial services centre after New York.

 

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

 

 

FOR MEDIA INQUIRIES ONLY:

 

Kelsey Ingram, Minister’s Office, 416-326-1409
Scott Blodgett, Ministry of Finance, 416-325-0324