Notice of Housekeeping Rule Amendments – Housekeeping Amendments to CSE Listing Policy & Procedures – Canadian Securities Exchange
In accordance with the Process for the Review and Approval of Rules and the Information Contained in Form 21-101F1 and the Exhibits Thereto attached as Appendices to the Exchange's recognition order (the "Protocol"), CNSX Markets Inc., operator of the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE" or "Exchange") has adopted housekeeping rule changes to CSE Listing Policies (the "Amendments"). The Amendments have been classified as Housekeeping Rules and as such, have not been published for comment. Staff of the British Columbia Securities Commission ("BCSC") and the Ontario Securities Commission ("OSC") have not disagreed with this classification.
DESCRIPTION OF THE AMENDMENTS AND RATIONALE
The Amendments are necessary to correct typographical errors and clarify previously approved and implemented changes.
In particular, amendments are made to the following CSE Listing Policies:
• 4.5 Requirements for Issuers with Principal Business Operations or Operating Assets in Emerging Markets;
• 5.1 Introduction;
• 5.3Consultation with the Market Regulator;
• 6.2 Private Placements;
• 6.5 Security Based Compensation Arrangements; and
• 6.6 Rights Offerings.
The addition of the CIRO contact information in Policy 5 includes a weblink to the CIRO page for Listed Issuers to upload news releases through the new CIRO portal.
CSE Policy Section | Amendment | Rationale | |
---|---|---|---|
1. | Policy 4 -- Corporate Governance, Security Holder Approvals and Miscellaneous Provisions | (2) Audit Committee | To correct a typographical error concerning an incorrect policy reference. |
4.5 Requirements for Issuers with Principal Business Operations or Operating Assets in Emerging Markets | In addition to the guidance in | ||
2. | Policy 5 -- Timely Disclosure, Trading Halts and Posting Requirements | (1) | To correct grammatical errors and reformat for clarity. Also, to amend incorrect drafting which references SEDAR. The current Policy 5.6 makes it clear that news services are the only appropriate mechanism to meet timely disclosure obligations relating to material information. |
5.1 Introduction | (2) All investors must have equal and timely access to Material Information about a Listed Issuer, both to allow investors to make reasoned and informed investment decisions, and to participate in securities markets on an equal footing with other investors. | ||
3. | Policy 5 -- Timely Disclosure, Trading Halts and Posting Requirements | [...] | To add CIRO contact information and link to contact page on CIRO website. |
5.3 Consultation with the Market Regulator | (3) Contact Information for Market Regulator:Telephone: (604) 643-2792https://www.ciro.ca/markets/trade-surveillance/surveillance-contacts | ||
4. | Policy 6 -- Distributions & Corporate Finance | [...] | To correct a typographical error concerning an incorrect policy reference. |
(2) Price | |||
[...] | |||
6.2 Private Placements | (e) An Issuer relying on a closing price established pursuant to 6.2(2) | ||
5. | Policy 6 -- Distributions & Corporate Finance | (6) Upon the first Grant under a Security Based Compensation Arrangement, or following an amendment to a Security Based Compensation Arrangement, the Listed Issuer must provide the Exchange with: | To correct numbering format and emphasize the existing shareholder approval requirement. |
6.5 Security Based Compensation Arrangements | (a) an opinion of counsel that all the securities issuable under the Security Based Compensation Arrangement will be duly issued and be outstanding as fully paid and non- assessable shares ("Opinion"). For Grants outside of a plan, the Opinion must be provided with each Grant; | ||
(i) the issuance of greater than 5% of the issued and outstanding shares at the time of adoptions as applying to an individual, or | |||
(ii) 10% in total in the next 12 months | |||
6. | Policy 6 -- Distributions & Corporate Finance | (2) Prior to the Record Date, the Listed Issuer must provide the Exchange with: | To clarify an existing administrative practice. |
6.6 Rights Offerings | |||
(b) an opinion of counsel that the securities issued in connection with the rights offering (including any underlying securities, if applicable) will be duly issued and outstanding as fully paid and non-assessable shares. |
The CSE Listing Policy can be viewed at:
Policies | CSE -- Canadian Securities Exchange (thecse.com)
A. Effective Date
The Housekeeping Amendments will be effective immediately.
B. Classification
Amendments have been classified as housekeeping and were not published for comment.
C. Questions
Questions regarding this notice may be directed to:
BLACKLINE VERSION OF CSE POLICIES
CSE Listing Policies and Procedures
Policy 4 Corporate Governance, Security Holder Approvals and Miscellaneous Provisions
[...]
4.5 Requirements for Issuers with Principal Business Operations or Operating Assets in Emerging Markets
[...]
(2)Audit Committee
In addition to the guidance in section 2.7 4.2(7) and requirements of NI 52-110, the majority of the members of a Listed Issuer's audit committee must be financially literate as defined in NI 52-110, subject to a minimum of three financially literate members. Disclosure in the Listing Statement must include a summary of the steps taken in selecting an external auditor and the procedures in place to ensure the audit committee can effectively evaluate the audit process.
[...]
Policy 5 Timely Disclosure, Trading Halts and Posting Requirements
[...]
5.1 Introduction
(1) The Exchange believes that two of the Two fundamental requirements for a fair and efficient capital market that fosters confidence and protects investors from unfair, improper or fraudulent practices are: (a) high quality, and timely and continuous disclosure by Listed Issuers, and (b) comprehensive market regulation to ensure that high quality and timely continuous disclosure occurs. All investors must have equal and timely access to Material Information about a Listed Issuer, both to allow investors to make reasoned and informed investment decisions, and to participate in securities markets on an equal footing with other investors.
(2)All investors must have equal and timely access to Material Information about a Listed Issuer, both to allow investors to make reasoned and informed investment decisions, and to participate in securities markets on an equal footing with other investors.
Information dissemination sources such as SEDAR facilitate immediate, widespread and economical dissemination of Listed Issuer information. For this reason, the Exchange requires Listed Issuers to provide an enhanced standard of disclosure to secondary market participants, irrespective of the Listed Issuer's size. The establishment of a comprehensive publicly available disclosure base for every Listed Issuer is fundamental.
[...]
5.3 Consultation with the Market Regulator
[...]
(3) Contact Information for Market Regulator: Telephone: (604) 643-2792 https://www.ciro.ca/markets/trade-surveillance/surveillance-contacts.
[...]
Policy 6 Distributions & Corporate Finance
[...]
6.2 Private Placements
[...]
(2) Price
[...]
(e) An Issuer relying on a closing price established pursuant to 6.2(2) (ii)(a) may rely on that price for a period of no longer than 45 days.
[...]
6.5 Security Based Compensation Arrangements
(6) Upon the first Grant under a Security Based Compensation Arrangement, or following an amendment to a Security Based Compensation Arrangement, the Listed Issuer must provide the Exchange with:
(a) an opinion of counsel that all the securities issuable under the Security Based Compensation Arrangement will be duly issued and be outstanding as fully paid and non-assessable shares ("Opinion"). For Grants outside of a plan, the Opinion must be provided with each Grant;
(i)(b) a copy of the of the Security Based Compensation Arrangement; and
(ii)(c) evidence of shareholder approval of the Security Based Compensation Arrangement and confirmation that it was adopted by the majority of shareholders other than those excluded by law, Exchange Requirements, or the Listed Issuer constating documents if the Security Based Compensation Arrangement provides for:(i) the issuance of greater than 5% of the issued and outstanding shares at the time of adoptions as applying to an individual, or
(ii) 10% in total in the next 12 months
, evidence of shareholder approval of the Security Based Compensation Arrangement and confirmation that it was adopted by the majority of shareholders other than those excluded by law, Exchange Requirements, or the Listed Issuer constating documents.
[...]
6.6 Rights Offerings
[...]
(2) Prior to the Record Date, the Listed Issuer must provide the Exchange with:
(a) written confirmation of the Record Date; and
(b) an opinion of counsel that the securities issued in connection with the rights offering (including any underlying securities, if applicable) will be duly issued and outstanding as fully paid and non-assessable shares.
CLEAN VERSION OF CSE POLICIES
CSE Listing Policies and Procedures
Policy 4 Corporate Governance, Security Holder Approvals and Miscellaneous Provisions
[...]
4.5 Requirements for Issuers with Principal Business Operations or Operating Assets in Emerging Markets
[...]
(2)Audit Committee
In addition to the guidance in 4.2(7) and requirements of NI 52-110, the majority of the members of a Listed Issuer's audit committee must be financially literate as defined in NI 52-110, subject to a minimum of three financially literate members. Disclosure in the Listing Statement must include a summary of the steps taken in selecting an external auditor and the procedures in place to ensure the audit committee can effectively evaluate the audit process.
[...]
Policy 5 Timely Disclosure, Trading Halts and Posting Requirements
[...]
5.1 Introduction
(1) Two fundamental requirements for a fair and efficient capital market that fosters confidence and protects investors from unfair, improper or fraudulent practices are: (a) high quality, timely and continuous disclosure by Listed Issuers, and (b) comprehensive market regulation to ensure that disclosure occurs.
(2) All investors must have equal and timely access to Material Information about a Listed Issuer, both to allow investors to make reasoned and informed investment decisions, and to participate in securities markets on an equal footing with other investors.
For this reason, the Exchange requires Listed Issuers to provide an enhanced standard of disclosure to secondary market participants, irrespective of the Listed Issuer's size. The establishment of a comprehensive publicly available disclosure base for every Listed Issuer is fundamental.
[...]
5.3 Consultation with the Market Regulator
[...]
(3) Contact Information for Market Regulator: Telephone: (604) 643-2792 https://www.ciro.ca/markets/trade-surveillance/surveillance-contacts.
[...]
Policy 6 Distributions & Corporate Finance
[...]
6.2 Private Placements
[...]
(2) Price
[...]
(e) An Issuer relying on a closing price established pursuant to 6.2(2) (a) may rely on that price for a period of no longer than 45 days.
[...]
6.5 Security Based Compensation Arrangements
(6) Upon the first Grant under a Security Based Compensation Arrangement, or following an amendment to a Security Based Compensation Arrangement, the Listed Issuer must provide the Exchange with:
(a) an opinion of counsel that all the securities issuable under the Security Based Compensation Arrangement will be duly issued and be outstanding as fully paid and non-assessable shares ("Opinion"). For Grants outside of a plan, the Opinion must be provided with each Grant;
(b) a copy of the of the Security Based Compensation Arrangement; and
(c) evidence of shareholder approval of the Security Based Compensation Arrangement and confirmation that it was adopted by the majority of shareholders other than those excluded by law, Exchange Requirements, or the Listed Issuer constating documents if the Security Based Compensation Arrangement provides for:
(i) the issuance of greater than 5% of the issued and outstanding shares at the time of adoptions as applying to an individual, or
(ii) 10% in total in the next 12 months.
[...]
6.6 Rights Offerings
[...]
(2) Prior to the Record Date, the Listed Issuer must provide the Exchange with:
(a) written confirmation of the Record Date; and
(b) an opinion of counsel that the securities issued in connection with the rights offering (including any underlying securities, if applicable) will be duly issued and outstanding as fully paid and non-assessable shares.