OSC Notice and Request for Comment - Proposed OSC Policy 15-601 - Whistleblower Program
OSC Notice and Request for Comment - Proposed OSC Policy 15-601 - Whistleblower Program
OSC Notice and Request for Comment
Proposed OSC Policy 15-601 - Whistleblower Program
October 28, 2015
The OSC is publishing the Proposed OSC Policy 15-601 -- Whistleblower Program (the Proposed Policy) for a 60 day comment period.
PURPOSE
The purpose of the Proposed Policy is to describe a Whistleblower Program (the Program) which is designed to encourage individuals to report and submit to the Ontario Securities Commission (the Commission) information on serious securities-- or derivatives-related misconduct. Under the Program, individuals who meet certain eligibility criteria and who voluntarily submit information to Commission Staff (Staff) regarding a breach of Ontario securities law, may be eligible for a financial incentive (whistleblower award) if it is determined that the information submitted was of meaningful assistance to Staff in investigating the matter and obtaining a decision of the Commission under section 127 of the Securities Act (Ontario), RSO 1990, c S.5, as amended (the Act) or section 60 of the Commodity Futures Act (Ontario) RSO 1990, c C.20, as amended (the CFA), that results in an order for monetary sanctions and/or voluntary payments totalling $1,000,000 or more{1}. The Program has the potential to increase our effectiveness in vigorously enforcing Ontario securities laws, resulting in greater deterrence against serious misconduct in the marketplace.
The Commission believes that whistleblowers could be a valuable source of specific, timely and credible information for enforcement actions concerning a wide variety of market misconduct, particularly in the areas of accounting and financial reporting, insider trading, market manipulation and general misrepresentation in corporate disclosure.
The Proposed Policy sets out: the Program proposed to be adopted by the Commission; the practices expected to be generally followed in administering the Program in accordance with Ontario securities law; the nature of the information that may be eligible for the payment of a whistleblower award and the criteria that would make an individual eligible for a whistleblower award; and the factors considered in determining eligibility for and the amount of a whistleblower award.
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED POLICY
Staff published OSC Staff Consultation Paper 15-401: Proposed Framework for an OSC Whistleblower Program (the Staff Consultation Paper) on February 3, 2015 for a 90 day comment period (the Consultation Period). In response, Staff received 17 comment letters. The comments received were from a range of stakeholder groups, including issuers, issuers' counsel, registrants, investor and whistleblower advocates, as well as academics. Staff has considered the comments received and thanks all the commentators. A list of commentators is attached in Appendix A to this Notice.
In addition to the formal comment process, Staff also held a public Whistleblower Roundtable on June 9, 2015 (the Roundtable).
Overall, stakeholder feedback was supportive of the Commission proceeding with the Program or supportive of the underlying goal of deterring and detecting misconduct. Some commentators had concerns with particular aspects of the proposed Program and suggested measures to improve its effectiveness. One commentator was particularly averse to the Program as proposed in the Staff Consultation Paper. The commentator expressed concern that the Program draws the line between the goals of enforcement and government intrusion into the affairs of reporting issuers in the wrong place.
Most of the comments received focused on the following themes:
• Whistleblower eligibility -- whether Chief Compliance Officers (CCOs) or those with an equivalent function, culpable whistleblowers, or whistleblowers who provide privileged information to Staff should be considered eligible for a financial award
• Financial incentive -- whether the proposed award was sufficient to incentivize whistleblowers to come forward in light of the personal risks that these individuals may encounter
• Whistleblower confidentiality -- would we be able to provide adequate protection to whistleblowers given limitations such as our statutory obligations for disclosure in contested proceedings
• Anti-retaliation measures -- the importance of striking the right balance between protecting legitimate whistleblowers and market participants' concerns about frivolous reports, culpable whistleblowers and employers' ability to address their conduct
• Impact of the Program on internal compliance systems -- the importance of designing a program that would promote the use of a market participant's internal compliance system
After considering the comments received and feedback from the Roundtable, the Proposed Policy reflects changes to certain aspects of the Program that were set out in the Staff Consultation Paper. These changes are highlighted in the section below titled "Summary of Changes to the Staff Consultation Paper".
Below is a summary of the key components of the Program. This is not a complete list of all of the components of the Proposed Policy.
(i) Procedure for submitting original information
The Proposed Policy sets out the steps to be followed in order to submit original information to the Commission.
Once that information is received, Staff may request that a whistleblower provide additional information, for example, explanations and other assistance to assist Staff in evaluating and using the information submitted by the whistleblower. However, Staff does not expect a whistleblower to obtain documents or other things that are not in the whistleblower's possession.
A whistleblower may submit information anonymously, however they may only do so if they are represented by counsel and their counsel follows the required steps. In addition, before a payment of a whistleblower award, the Commission would generally require an anonymous whistleblower to provide the Commission with his or her identity, and any additional information necessary to enable the Commission to verify that the whistleblower satisfies the eligibility requirements.
All information submitted by a whistleblower to the Program is confidential. The Commission expects that a whistleblower would not disclose any information provided to the Program except to the whistleblower's legal counsel, if any.
The Proposed Policy notes that Staff may only provide limited information about the status of a matter to a whistleblower because of Staff's duty to comply with section 16 of the Act and OSC Staff Notice 15-703 -- Guidelines for Staff Disclosure of Investigations. The Proposed Policy describes the circumstances in which Staff may provide limited information on the status of a matter to a whistleblower.
The Commission encourages whistleblowers who are employees to report potential violations of Ontario securities law in the workplace in accordance with their employer's internal compliance protocols. However, the Commission does not require whistleblowers to do so, recognizing there may be extenuating circumstances for the whistleblower that might otherwise impede his or her reporting to an internal compliance and reporting mechanism.
(ii) Whistleblower Protections: Confidentiality, Anti-Retaliation and Whistleblower Silencing
Staff will make all reasonable efforts to keep the identity of a whistleblower, and information that could reasonably be expected to reveal the identity of a whistleblower, confidential subject to the express exceptions set out in the Proposed Policy. In response to comments received, the Proposed Policy confirms that Staff will not disclose the whistleblower's identity, or information that could reasonably be expected to reveal the whistleblower's identity, to any of the entities listed in section 153 of the Act or section 85 of the CFA without the whistleblower's consent.
Staff intends to recommend legislative amendments to the Act which would provide protection to whistleblowers against retaliation by their employer. These measures were described in the Staff Consultation Paper.
As stated in section 13 of the Proposed Policy, the Commission expects that employers will not: discipline, demote, terminate, harass or otherwise retaliate against a whistleblower who reports information about a reasonably held belief that there has been, is ongoing, or will be, a violation of Ontario securities law to an internal reporting and compliance mechanism or to the Commission or another securities regulatory or law enforcement authority; or take action through contractual agreement or otherwise, to impede a whistleblower from reporting a reasonably held belief that there has been, is ongoing, or will be, a violation of Ontario securities law to the Commission or another securities regulatory or law enforcement authority.
Further, in Staff's view, under section 127 of the Act or section 60 of the CFA, Staff may prosecute:
• an employer's retaliatory actions against an employee who reports to an internal compliance and reporting mechanism or to the Commission or another securities regulatory or law enforcement authority; and
• an employer's actions taken through contractual agreement or otherwise to impede an employee from reporting to the Commission or another securities regulatory or law enforcement authority.
In the Staff Consultation Paper, Staff specifically sought comment on whether culpable whistleblowers should be entitled to protection from retaliatory actions by an employer. Many commentators were of the view that culpable whistleblowers should not be eligible in these circumstances. If a whistleblower reports to the Commission regarding a violation of Ontario securities law in which the whistleblower is complicit, Staff may elect not to prosecute any disciplinary action taken against the whistleblower by his or her employer.
(iii) Whistleblower Eligibility
The Proposed Policy sets out the type of information that the Commission expects would lead to award eligibility for a whistleblower. In particular, the information should relate to a serious violation of Ontario securities law and be: original information; voluntarily submitted; of high quality; and contain sufficient timely, specific and credible facts relating to the alleged violation of Ontario securities law; and of meaningful assistance to Staff of the Commission in investigating the matter and obtaining an award eligible outcome.
An award eligible outcome is defined in the Proposed Policy as meaning a Commission order made under section 127 of the Act or section 60 of the CFA, including without limitation an order made in connection with the approval of a settlement, that results in the imposition of total monetary sanctions against, and/or the making of voluntary payments by, one or more respondents in an amount of $1,000,000 or more. In addition, the appeal period must have expired or the right to appeal must have been exhausted.
The Proposed Policy also sets out the categories of individuals who are ineligible for a whistleblower award, and exceptions to those categories.
In accordance with the Proposed Policy, a whistleblower who is complicit in the violation of Ontario securities law reported on by the whistleblower may be eligible for a whistleblower award. However, the Commission does not grant immunity from prosecution for a whistleblower who is complicit in the violation of Ontario securities law reported. The provision of information to the Commission by a culpable whistleblower would not preclude the Commission from taking enforcement action against the whistleblower for the whistleblower's role in the violation of Ontario securities law.
(iv) Whistleblower Awards
To receive a whistleblower award, the Commission generally expects that a whistleblower would have voluntarily provided original information that would have been of meaningful assistance to Staff in an administrative proceeding under section 127 of the Act or section 60 of the CFA that resulted in an award eligible outcome following a hearing or a settlement.
If there is an award eligible outcome, the Commission would pay an eligible whistleblower a whistleblower award of between 5 and 15% of the total monetary sanctions imposed and/or voluntary payments made. If the total monetary sanctions imposed and/or voluntary payments made in a proceeding, or multiple related proceedings is equal to or greater than $10,000,000, the maximum amount of any whistleblower award is $1,500,000, unless the Commission collects monetary sanctions and/or voluntary payments in respect of that proceeding in an amount equal to or greater than $10,000,000, in which case the whistleblower award would not be limited to $1,500,000 and the whistleblower may receive a whistleblower award of between 5 and 15% of the monetary sanctions and/or voluntary payments collected from that proceeding up to a maximum of $5,000,000.
At the conclusion of an administrative proceeding under section 127 of the Act or section 60 of the CFA, Staff would prepare a recommendation containing an analysis of the eligibility of a whistleblower for an award, including an evaluation of the information provided and the amount and effectiveness of assistance provided by the whistleblower. A Staff Committee, including the Director of Enforcement, would review the Staff recommendation and then provide its recommendation to the Commission regarding whether the whistleblower is eligible for an award and a recommended award amount.
The Commission has the discretion to ultimately determine award eligibility and the amount. If the Commission determines that the whistleblower is eligible, the discretion to determine an award remains within the 5 to 15% range. The Commission's determination to grant a whistleblower award and any amount awarded to a whistleblower would not be subject to appeal.
A whistleblower award would only be made following the expiry of a respondent's right to appeal and/or the conclusion of any appeal arising out of the proceeding brought based on the information provided by the whistleblower.
The Proposed Policy contains additional information concerning criteria for determining the amount of a whistleblower award, including factors that may increase or decrease the amount within the 5 to 15% range.
ANTICIPATED COSTS AND BENEFITS
The Commission believes investors and the capital markets would be the major beneficiaries of the Program.
The Commission believes the Proposed Policy would create appropriate incentives for the individual or entity with the most specific, timely and credible information to report to the Commission concerning serious misconduct that may otherwise go undetected. This would support the Commission's mandate pursuant to the purposes of the Act: investor protection; and maintaining fair and efficient capital markets and confidence in capital markets. Due to the Proposed Policy's potential effect on Staff's ability to identify and pursue misconduct, the Commission believes the Proposed Policy would result in more efficient and effective regulation and direct benefits to investors. In addition, the Proposed Policy may deter misconduct, and may also encourage self-reporting of misconduct.
Since the Proposed Policy is focused on whistleblowers who voluntarily report misconduct, the Proposed Policy does not impact issuers directly. During the Consultation Period, Staff received comments noting issuer concerns that the Program could undermine internal compliance systems by creating an incentive for employees to report to the Commission rather than through available internal processes. The Commission recognizes the importance of effective internal compliance systems to identify, correct and self-report misconduct as a first line of action in promoting compliance with securities laws for the ultimate benefit of investors and our markets. The Proposed Policy reflects this recognition and has been drafted with a view to incentivize robust compliance systems.
The internal reporting provisions at section 16 of the Proposed Policy expressly state that the Commission encourages whistleblowers who are employees to report potential violations of Ontario securities law in the workplace in accordance with their employer's internal compliance protocols. However, the Commission does not require whistleblowers to do so, recognizing there may be extenuating circumstances for the whistleblower that might otherwise impede his or her reporting to an internal compliance and reporting mechanism.
Whistleblowers are incentivized to report internally by two factors. First, whether a whistleblower participated in internal compliance systems by reporting the possible securities law violation through an internal compliance and reporting mechanism before or at the same time as reporting to the Commission is a factor that may increase the amount of a whistleblower award. Second, Staff recommends that the legislative amendments referred to above would be available for whistleblowers irrespective of whether they report internally or to the Commission.
SUMMARY OF CHANGES TO THE PROGRAM
In response to the comments Staff received during the Consultation Period, the Proposed Policy reflects changes to certain aspects of the Program described in the Staff Consultation Paper and which are reflected in the Proposed Policy as follows:
(i) CFA Proceedings
The Staff Consultation Paper sets forth that the Program would be applicable to whistleblowers who report serious misconduct that results in administrative proceedings or a settlement heard by the Commission under section 127 of the Act. The Proposed Policy adds that proceedings under section 60 of the CFA are also eligible, with the same criteria as with section 127 proceedings. As a result, the Proposed Policy has added references to the CFA where relevant.
(ii) Confidentiality
In the Staff Consultation Paper, Staff listed three exceptions to confidentiality:
(a) when Staff is required to make disclosure of the whistleblower's identity in connection with a section 127 administrative proceeding in order to permit a respondent to make full answer and defence;
(b) when the relevant information is necessary to make Staff's case against a respondent; and
(c) when the Commission determines that it is necessary to accomplish the purposes of the Act to disclose the information to any of the regulatory authorities listed in section 153 of the Act.
Section 11 of the Proposed Policy does not include the second exception under (b) "when the relevant information is necessary to make Staff's case against a Respondent" in response to comments received indicating that this exception was too broadly worded as well as suggestions that it is subsumed under exception (a). In addition, proceedings under section 60 of the CFA have been added under exception (a).
(iii) Timing of Internal Reporting
Section 16 of the Proposed Policy notes that if a whistleblower submits information about a violation of Ontario securities law to the Commission due to a failure by the whistleblower's employer organization to respond to a report made by the whistleblower to an internal compliance and reporting mechanism, and another whistleblower has in the intervening period submitted information about the same violation of Ontario securities law to the Commission, the Commission would generally consider the timing of the initial internal report in determining who submitted the information first, provided that not more than 120 days have passed since the initial internal report. The Staff Consultation Paper did not specifically set forth the 120 day time limit.
In addition, the Proposed Policy adds that if a whistleblower reports information about a violation of Ontario securities law to an internal compliance and reporting mechanism, and the whistleblower's employer organization provides the whistleblower's information to the Commission, or the results of an audit or investigation initiated in response to information reported by the whistleblower to the employer organization, and an award eligible outcome results from that self-report, the whistleblower may be entitled to a whistleblower award provided the whistleblower reports the same information to the Commission within 120 days of the initial internal report.
(iv) Whistleblower Awards
In the Staff Consultation Paper, Staff proposed that in order for a whistleblower to be eligible for a financial award, the information provided by the whistleblower should result in meaningful assistance to Staff in concluding a contested hearing or a settlement before the Commission pursuant to section 127 of the Act resulting in total monetary sanctions of $1,000,000 or more, exclusive of costs. In those cases, Staff proposed that the Commission could, in its discretion, pay an eligible whistleblower an award of up to 15% of the total monetary sanctions imposed, exclusive of costs, up to a maximum of $1,500,000.
Generally, most commentators expressed support for a financial incentive, with many suggesting that the cap of $1,500,000 should be increased. One commentator who supported the Program disagreed with offering a financial incentive.
In response to the comments Staff received, section 18(1) of the Proposed Policy states that if there is an award eligible outcome, the Commission would pay an eligible whistleblower a whistleblower award of between 5 and 15% of the total monetary sanctions imposed and/or voluntary payments made. The Proposed Policy also includes a revised whistleblower award calculation, in response to comments received about the cap on whistleblower awards. As a result, sections 18(4) and 18(5) of the Proposed Policy state that if the total monetary sanctions imposed and/or voluntary payments made in a proceeding, or multiple related proceedings, is equal to or greater than $10,000,000, the maximum amount of any whistleblower award is $1,500,000, unless the Commission collects monetary sanctions and/or voluntary payments in respect of that proceeding in an amount equal to or greater than $10,000,000, in which case the whistleblower may receive a whistleblower award of between 5 and 15% of the monetary sanctions and/or voluntary payments collected from that proceeding to a maximum of $5,000,000.
(v) Award Eligibility
In the Staff Consultation Paper, Staff proposed to exclude from award eligibility, auditors, the CCO (or equivalent function) and officers and directors who learn of the misconduct as a result of an entity's internal processes for dealing with potential violations of securities laws. However, Staff recognized that not all of those who learn of possible misconduct through an internal reporting process or investigation would be ineligible.
In response to comments, section 15(2) of the Proposed Policy states that internal or external auditors, CCOs, or those providing an equivalent function, and officers or directors at the time the information was acquired, may be eligible for an award in certain circumstances, including when at least 120 days have elapsed since the individual provided the information through the appropriate internal channels. The Proposed Policy also adds in-house counsel within that same category. However, the definition of "original information" continues to exclude information obtained through a communication that was subject to solicitor-client privilege.
Further, the Proposed Policy adds that external counsel and in-house counsel may be considered eligible for a whistleblower award where disclosure of the information would otherwise be permitted by a lawyer under applicable provincial or territorial barreau or law society rules.
Section 16(2) of the Proposed Policy sets out the circumstances when a whistleblower may be entitled to an award if an organization self-reports misconduct.
In the Staff Consultation Paper, Staff also proposed to exclude culpable whistleblowers from award eligibility. In response to the comments received, section 17 of the Proposed Policy states that a whistleblower who is complicit in the violation of Ontario securities law about which the whistleblower submitted information to the Commission may be eligible for a whistleblower award, however the degree to which a whistleblower is complicit in the conduct that is the subject of the information provided to the Commission is a factor that may decrease the amount of any whistleblower award that may be made. As noted above, the Commission does not grant immunity from prosecution for a whistleblower who is complicit in the violation of Ontario securities law reported.
UNPUBLISHED STUDY MATERIALS
In preparing this Proposed Policy, the Commission has not relied on any significant unpublished study, report, decision or other written materials.
REFERENCE TO ANY PROVISION OF THE ACT, A REGULATION OR A RULE TO WHICH THE PROPOSED POLICY RELATES
The Proposed Policy relates to the framework through which the Commission would receive information on serious securities-- or derivatives-related misconduct and would pay awards to eligible whistleblowers, which the Commission believes would lead to more efficient and vigorous enforcement of Ontario securities laws and result in greater deterrence against serious misconduct in the marketplace. Although the Proposed Policy does not relate to a specific section of the Act, the purpose of the Proposed Policy is to provide Staff with an additional tool to carry out its enforcement mandate.
Should legislative amendments for anti-retaliation protections be enacted, as discussed above, Staff will consider whether further guidance is necessary.
SPECIFIC CONSULTATION QUESTIONS
The Commission would welcome responses to the following questions:
1. Do you agree with in-house counsel being eligible for a whistleblower award? If not, why?
2. Is the 120 day period relating to the timing of internal reports as set out in section 16 of the Proposed Policy an appropriate time limit?
COMMENTS
We request your comments on the Proposed Policy. You must submit your comments in writing via email by January 12, 2016. If you are sending your comments by email, you should also send an electronic file containing the submissions using Microsoft Word. All comments received during the comment period will be made publicly available on the OSC website at www.osc.gov.on.ca for transparency of the policy-making process.
Please address and send your comments to:
Josée Turcotte, SecretaryOntario Securities Commission20 Queen Street West, 22nd FloorToronto, ON M5H 3S8Email: [email protected]
QUESTIONS
Please refer your questions to:
{1} Definitions of monetary sanctions and voluntary payments are set out in the Proposed Policy.
Appendix A
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Comment Letters -- OSC Staff Consultation Paper 15-401 |
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Name |
Signed/Contact Persons |
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Canadian Advocacy Council for Canadian CFA Institute Societies |
Cecilia Wong |
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Canadian Bankers Association |
Andrea Cotroneo |
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Canadian Coalition for Good Governance |
Daniel E. Chornous |
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Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP |
_______________ |
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Canadian Foundation for Advancement of Investor Rights |
Neil Gross and Marian Passmore |
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FundEX Investments Inc. |
_______________ |
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Kenmar Associates |
Ken Kevinko |
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McBride Bond Christian LLP |
Harold Geller and John Hollander |
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OSC Investor Advisory Panel |
Connie Craddock |
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Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP |
Lawrence Ritchie and Shawn Irving |
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Prospectors & Developers Association of Cananda |
Rodney N. Thomas |
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Robert Patterson |
Robert Patterson |
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Small Investor Protection Association |
Stan Buell |
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SISKINDS LLP |
A. Dimitri Lascaris, Douglas Worndl, Daniel Bach and Ronald Podolny |
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University of Toronto |
Anita Anand, Michael Garbuz, Bilal Manji, Duncan Melville, Chad Podolsky and Mohammed Sohail |
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University of Waterloo, Boston College, Baruch College |
Christine Wiedman, Vishal Baloria and Carol Marquardt |
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Vanguard Investments Canada Inc. |
Atul Tiwari |
OSC POLICY 15-601 WHISTLEBLOWER PROGRAM
PART 1 -- PURPOSE AND INTERPRETATION
Purpose
The Ontario Securities Commission (the Commission) has adopted OSC Policy 15-601 Whistleblower Program (the Policy) to describe
• the Whistleblower Program (the Program) that has been adopted by the Commission;
• the practices generally followed by the Commission and by Staff of the Commission (Commission Staff) in administering the Program in accordance with the requirements of Ontario securities law;
• the nature of the information that may be eligible for the payment of a financial incentive (whistleblower award) and the criteria that would make an individual eligible for a whistleblower award; and
• the factors considered by: (i) Commission Staff in recommending that a whistleblower be eligible for the payment of a whistleblower award and the amount of a whistleblower award; and (ii) the Commission in determining a whistleblower's eligibility and the amount of the whistleblower award.
The Commission has adopted the Program to encourage individuals to report information on serious securities-- or derivatives-related misconduct to the Commission or, where appropriate in the circumstances, through an internal compliance and reporting mechanism. The Commission believes that the Program may assist in preventing or limiting harm to investors that may result from such misconduct.
The Program is established in furtherance of the Commission's mandate to provide protection to investors from unfair, improper or fraudulent practices and to foster fair and efficient capital markets and confidence in capital markets. It is also in keeping with the principle that effective and responsive securities regulation requires timely, open and efficient administration and enforcement of the Ontario Securities Act, RSO 1990 c S.5, as amended (the Act) by the Commission.
Under the Program, individuals who meet certain eligibility criteria and who voluntarily submit information to Commission Staff regarding a breach of Ontario securities law may be eligible for a whistleblower award if it is determined that the information submitted was of meaningful assistance to Commission Staff in investigating the matter and obtaining a decision of the Commission that results in an order imposing monetary sanctions and/or the making of a voluntary payment of $1,000,000 or more.
Definitions
1. In this Policy
"award eligible outcome" means a Commission order made under section 127 of the Act or section 60 of the Commodity Futures Act (Ontario) RSO 1990, c C.20, as amended (the CFA), including without limitation an order made in connection with the approval of a settlement, that results in the imposition of total monetary sanctions against, and/or the making of voluntary payments by, one or more respondents in an amount of $1,000,000 or more and the later of the following has occurred:
(a) the appeal period in section 9 of the Act or section 5 of the CFA has expired; or
(b) the right to appeal the Commission's decision has been exhausted;
"information that has been voluntarily submitted" means:
(a) information that the whistleblower provided to the Commission before a request, inquiry or summons related to the subject matter of the information provided, was directed at the whistleblower or anyone representing the whistleblower, by the Commission, another securities regulator, an SRO, or a law enforcement agency;
(b) information that the whistleblower voluntarily provided to another securities regulator, a securities-related SRO or a law enforcement agency, before receiving a request, inquiry or summons from the Commission; and
(c) excludes information:
(i) provided in response to a request, inquiry or summons by the Commission, another securities regulatory authority, an SRO or a law enforcement agency; or
(ii) that is required to be reported by the whistleblower to the Commission, another securities regulatory authority, an SRO or a law enforcement agency, as a result of a pre-existing legal duty;
"internal compliance and reporting mechanism" includes an individual's supervisor, a whistleblower hotline, an ombudsman, the compliance department, or any other established mechanism for reporting misconduct at the entity at which the individual works;
"monetary sanctions" include administrative penalties ordered under paragraphs 127(1) 9 of the Act or 60(1) 9 of the CFA and disgorgement ordered under paragraphs 127(1) 10 of the Act or 60(1) 10 of the CFA;
"Ontario securities law" includes Ontario securities law, as that term is defined in subsection 1(1) of the Act, and Ontario commodity futures law, as that term is defined in subsection 1(1) of the CFA;
"original information" means:
(a) information that is not already known to the Commission from any other source, that the whistleblower obtained:
(i) from the whistleblower's independent knowledge, derived from the whistleblower's experiences, communications and observations in employment, business or social interactions; or
(ii) from the whistleblower's critical analysis of publicly available information, if the analysis reveals information that is not generally known or available to the public; and
(b) excludes information the whistleblower obtained in the following circumstances:
(i) through a communication that was subject to solicitor-client privilege;
(ii) in connection with the provision of legal advice to a client or employer, on whose behalf the whistleblower or the whistleblower's firm acts or provides services;
(iii) from an allegation made in a judicial or administrative hearing, an enforcement matter of a securities-related self-regulatory organization (SRO), a government report, hearing, audit or investigation, or news media, unless the whistleblower is the source of the information; or
(iv) by a means or in a manner that violates applicable criminal law;
"voluntary payments" exclude any costs voluntarily paid;
"whistleblower" means an individual who provides, or two or more individuals acting jointly who provide,
(a) voluntarily original information relating to a violation of Ontario securities law that has occurred, is ongoing or is about to occur, to the Commission; and
(b) the information is submitted in the form described in sections 2 or 3 of this Policy;
"whistleblower award" means a financial award that the Commission determines should be paid to an eligible whistleblower following an award eligible outcome in an enforcement proceeding through the process described in section 22 of this Policy.
PART 2 -- HOW TO SUBMIT ORIGINAL INFORMATION TO THE WHISTLEBLOWER PROGRAM
Procedure for submitting original information
2. The Commission expects whistleblowers who submit original information to the Program to:
(a) complete the whistleblower information form published on the OSC website at www.osc.gov.on.ca/ whistleblower;
(b) read and sign a declaration, declaring, among other things, that the whistleblower understands and agrees that it is an offence under subsection 122(1) of the Act or subsection 55(1) of the CFA to make a statement to the Commission that is misleading or untrue or does not state a fact that is required to be stated to make the statement not misleading and that the whistleblower may be prosecuted for providing misleading or untrue information to the Commission; and
(c) submit the completed whistleblower information form and declaration online, or send it by mail to the address in section 26 of the Policy.
Procedure for submitting original information anonymously
3. A whistleblower may submit original information to the Program anonymously if:
(a) the whistleblower is represented by a lawyer;
(b) the whistleblower or the whistleblower's lawyer completes the whistleblower information form;
(c) the whistleblower's lawyer signs a declaration on behalf of the whistleblower; and
(d) the whistleblower's lawyer submits the completed whistleblower information form and declaration online or sends it by mail on behalf of the whistleblower.
Anonymous whistleblowers
4. Before any payment of a whistleblower award will be made to a whistleblower who has provided information on an anonymous basis under section 3 of this Policy, the Commission will generally require the whistleblower to provide the Commission with his or her identity, and any additional information necessary to enable the Commission to verify that the whistleblower is not ineligible for a whistleblower award under section 15 of the Policy.
Whistleblower assistance
5.
(1) Beyond the whistleblower's initial submission, Commission Staff may request that a whistleblower provide certain additional information, including:
(a) explanations and other assistance so that Commission Staff may evaluate and use the information submitted by the whistleblower;
(b) where the whistleblower has knowledge of documents that support the whistleblower's submission to the Program, but does not have possession of the documents, that the whistleblower provide a description and a precise location for the documents;
(c) all additional information in the whistleblower's possession that is related to the subject matter of the whistleblower's submission, except information subject to solicitor-client privilege or obtained in violation of the Criminal Code;
(d) testimony at a Commission proceeding, if necessary; and
(e) information relating to whether the whistleblower is eligible for a whistleblower award.
(2) Commission Staff do not expect that a whistleblower obtain documents or other things that are not in the whistleblower's possession or control.
Use of information and documents submitted
6. Information or documents submitted to the Commission by a whistleblower are collected in accordance with Ontario securities law.
7. The Commission has no obligation to use the information or documents submitted by a whistleblower. Regardless of whether the information or documents submitted by a whistleblower ultimately results in the payment of a whistleblower award, the Commission may still use the information or documents for other purposes in carrying out its mandate.
8.
(1) Any documents or things provided to the Commission may be used by the Commission, in its discretion, to determine whether there has been a violation of Ontario securities law.
(2) Any documents or things provided to the Commission will not be returned to the person who submitted the documents or things.
Confidentiality of information
9.
(1) All information submitted by a whistleblower to the Program is to be kept confidential by the whistleblower. The Commission expects that whistleblowers will not disclose any information provided to the Commission, including the fact that the whistleblower has made a report to the Commission, except to the whistleblower's legal counsel, if any.
(2) The Commission also expects that whistleblowers will maintain as confidential any information provided to a whistleblower by Commission Staff or that the whistleblower becomes aware of because of the whistleblower's ongoing participation in the investigation of a matter.
Obtaining information about the status of a matter
10.
(1) Commission Staff will generally not provide information about the status of a matter to a whistleblower because of Commission Staff's duty to comply with section 16 of the Act and section 12 of the CFA, as described in OSC Staff Notice 15-703 -- Guidelines for Staff Disclosure of Investigations.
(2) Commission Staff may communicate information about a matter to a whistleblower in the following circumstances:
(a) if no further action is to be taken on the basis of the information provided by the whistleblower, or if a decision is made not to proceed with the matter, Commission Staff may, in Commission Staff's discretion, inform the whistleblower who provided the information but need not provide an explanation or reasons;
(b) if the information provided by the whistleblower leads to an investigation, this fact will not be communicated to the whistleblower unless it is necessary for Commission Staff to inform the whistleblower of the investigation in order to proceed with the investigation;
(c) once there is a public announcement of a notice of hearing, statement of allegations or settlement agreement, communication with a whistleblower who submitted information to the Program is in the discretion of Commission Staff;
(d) if there has been an award eligible outcome, and the Commission needs to determine whether the whistleblower is eligible for a whistleblower award, Commission Staff may contact the whistleblower to request additional information to confirm the whistleblower's eligibility for an award.
PART 3 -- WHISTLEBLOWER PROTECTIONS
Confidentiality
11.
1) Commission Staff will make all reasonable efforts to keep the identity of a whistleblower, and information that could be reasonably expected to reveal the whistleblower's identity, confidential, subject to the following exceptions:
(a) when Commission Staff is required to make disclosure of the whistleblower's identity in connection with an administrative proceeding under section 127 of the Act or section 60 of the CFA in order to permit a respondent to make full answer and defence; or
(b) when Commission Staff determines that it is necessary to accomplish the purposes of the Act or the CFA to disclose the information to any of the entities listed in section 153 of the Act or section 85 of the CFA, subject to subsection (2).
Consent to disclose to another regulatory authority
(2) The Commission will not disclose the whistleblower's identity, or information that could be reasonably expected to reveal the whistleblower's identity, to any of the entities listed in section 153 of the Act or section 85 of the CFA without the whistleblower's consent.
Freedom of information
12.
(1) The Commission will recommend that requests for information relating to a whistleblower's identity, or information that could be reasonably expected to reveal the whistleblower's identity, made under the Freedom of Information and Personal Protection of Privacy Act (FOIPPA) be denied based on:
(a) FOIPPA section 14(1)(d), which provides protection for confidential sources of information in a law enforcement context; and
(b) FOIPPA section 21(3)(b) which protects personal information that has been compiled as part of an investigation into the possible violation of the law.
(2) In the Commission's view, FOIPPA sections 14(1)(d) and 21(3)(b) would apply to information provided to the Commission by a whistleblower.
(3) The Commission cannot guarantee that requests for information made under FOIPPA and relating to a whistleblower's identity, or information that could be reasonably expected to reveal the whistleblower's identity, will not be disclosed, because the final decision with respect to access to records resides with the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario or a court of competent jurisdiction.
No retaliation
13. The Commission expects that employers will not: discipline, demote, terminate, harass or otherwise retaliate against a whistleblower who reports information about a reasonably held belief that there has been, is ongoing, or will be, a violation of Ontario securities law to an internal reporting and compliance mechanism or to the Commission or another securities regulatory or law enforcement authority; or take action through contractual agreement or otherwise, to impede a whistleblower from reporting a reasonably held belief that there has been, is ongoing, or will be, a violation of Ontario securities law to the Commission or another securities regulatory or law enforcement authority.
PART 4 -- ELIGIBILITY FOR A WHISTLEBLOWER AWARD
Information eligible for a whistleblower award
14.
1) The Commission expects that information that will be eligible for a whistleblower award under the Program will relate to a serious violation of Ontario securities law and will be
(a) original information;
(b) information that has been voluntarily submitted;
(c) of high quality and contain sufficient timely, specific and credible facts relating to the alleged violation of Ontario securities law; and
(d) of meaningful assistance to Commission Staff in investigating the matter and obtaining an award eligible outcome.
(2) The Commission will expect that all of the criteria in subsection (1) be met before making a whistleblower award. Information that only meets some of these criteria, such as information from an investor who believes that he or she has suffered a loss as a result of an alleged breach of Ontario securities law, generally would not be eligible because it would not ordinarily meet all of the criteria set out in subsection (1). The Commission recognizes that there may be circumstances where an investor may submit information of sufficient depth and quality to meet all of the criteria in subsection (1) and warrant eligibility for a whistleblower award.
(3) No whistleblower award will be provided for information that Commission Staff determines is:
(a) misleading or untrue;
(b) speculative or lacks specificity;
(c) subject to solicitor client privilege;
(d) publicly known; or
(e) not related to a violation of Ontario securities law.
Whistleblowers who are ineligible for a whistleblower award
15.
(1) Subject to the exceptions in subsection (2), whistleblowers in one or more of the following categories will generally be considered ineligible for a whistleblower award:
(a) those who without good reason refused a request for additional information from Commission Staff under section 5 of this Policy;
(b) those who disclosed the fact of their report to the Commission, the existence or scope of an enforcement activity or the content of the whistleblower's submission to the Commission, contrary to section 9 of this Policy;
(c) those who obtained information in connection with providing legal services to, or conducting the legal representation of, a client that is, or that employs, the subject of the whistleblower submission, unless disclosure of that information would otherwise be permitted by a lawyer under applicable provincial or territorial barreau or law society rules;
(d) those who obtained information in connection with providing legal services to, or conducting the legal representation of, an employer that is, or that employs, the subject of the whistleblower submission, unless disclosure of that information would otherwise be permitted by a lawyer under applicable provincial or territorial barreau or law society rules;
(e) those who obtained information in connection with providing internal audit or external assurance services to, or conducting an internal or financial audit of, a client or employer that is, or that employs, the subject of the whistleblower submission;
(f) those who obtained information while conducting an inquiry or investigation into possible violations of law by a client or employer that is, or that employs, the subject of the whistleblower submission;
(g) those who were directors or officers at the entity that is, or that employs, the subject of the whistleblower submission at the time the information was acquired;
(h) those who had job responsibilities as Chief Compliance Officers (CCO) or a functionally equivalent position at the entity that is, or that employs, the subject of the whistleblower submission at the time the information was acquired;
(i) those who are or were employed by or an independent contractor for the Commission, another securities regulatory authority, an SRO or a law enforcement agency at the time the information was acquired;
(j) a spouse, parent, child, sibling or resident of the same household of an employee or contractor of the Commission, another securities regulatory authority, an SRO or a law enforcement agency at the time the information was acquired; or
(k) those who acquired the information from a person who is ineligible for a whistleblower award, unless the information is about a possible violation of Ontario securities law involving that person;
(l) those who have been convicted of a criminal offence in relation to the subject matter of the matter for which the whistleblower otherwise could receive an award;
(m) those who, in their dealings with the Commission knowingly make statements or submit information that is misleading or untrue or does not state a fact that is required to be stated to make the statement not misleading;
(n) those who make a frivolous, vexatious or meritless submission to the Program;
(o) those who obtained or provided the information in circumstances which would bring the administration of the Program into disrepute.
Exceptions
(2) A whistleblower listed in paragraphs (1)(d) to (h) may be eligible for a whistleblower award if:
(a) the whistleblower has a reasonable basis to believe that disclosure of the information to the Commission is necessary to prevent the subject of the whistleblower submission from engaging in conduct that is likely to cause substantial injury to the financial interest or property of the entity or investors;
(b) the whistleblower has a reasonable basis to believe the subject of the whistleblower submission is engaging in conduct that will impede an investigation of the misconduct; or
(c) at least 120 days have elapsed since the whistleblower provided the information to the relevant entity's audit committee, chief legal officer, CCO (or their functional equivalents) or the individual's supervisor.
16.
(1) The Commission encourages whistleblowers who are employees to report potential violations of Ontario securities law in the workplace through an internal compliance and reporting mechanism in accordance with their employer's internal compliance and reporting protocols. However, the Commission does not require whistleblowers to do so, recognizing that there may be extenuating circumstances for the whistleblower that might otherwise impede his or her reporting to an internal compliance and reporting mechanism.
(2) If a whistleblower reports information about a violation of Ontario securities law to an internal compliance and reporting mechanism, and the whistleblower's employer organization provides the whistleblower's information to the Commission, or the results of an audit or investigation initiated in response to information reported by the whistleblower to the employer organization, and an award eligible outcome results from that self-report, the whistleblower may be entitled to a whistleblower award provided the whistleblower reports the same information to the Commission within 120 days of the initial internal report.
(3) If a whistleblower submits information about a violation of Ontario securities law to the Commission due to a failure by the whistleblower's employer organization to respond to a report made by the whistleblower to an internal compliance and reporting mechanism, and another whistleblower has in the intervening period submitted information about the same violation of Ontario securities law to the Commission, the Commission will generally consider the timing of the initial internal report in determining who submitted the information first, provided that not more than 120 days have passed since the initial internal report.
Culpable whistleblowers
17.
(1) A whistleblower who is complicit in the violation of Ontario securities law about which the whistleblower submitted information to the Commission may be eligible for a whistleblower award.
(2) The degree to which a whistleblower is complicit in the conduct that is the subject of the information provided to the Commission is a factor that may decrease the amount of any whistleblower award that may be made.
(3) In determining whether the required $1,000,000 threshold for an award eligible outcome has been satisfied for the purposes of making any whistleblower award, the Commission will not take into account any voluntary payments made by a complicit whistleblower or monetary sanctions that a complicit whistleblower is ordered to pay, or that are ordered against any entity whose liability is based substantially on conduct that the whistleblower directed, planned or initiated.
(4) Any portion of the voluntary payment made by, and/or monetary sanctions awarded against, a whistleblower who is complicit in the violation of Ontario securities law reported to the Commission, will be deducted from any whistleblower award paid to a complicit whistleblower.
(5) The provision of information to the Commission by a culpable whistleblower does not preclude the Commission from taking enforcement action against the whistleblower for the whistleblower's role in the violation of Ontario securities law.
PART 5 -- WHISTLEBLOWER AWARDS
Amount of whistleblower award
18.
(1) If there is an award eligible outcome, the Commission will pay an eligible whistleblower a whistleblower award of between 5 and 15% of the total monetary sanctions imposed and/or voluntary payments made.
(2) The Commission will determine the percentage amount of the whistleblower award based on the factors set out in section 24 of this Policy.
(3) If multiple related proceedings arise based on information provided by a whistleblower, the total monetary sanctions imposed and/or voluntary payments made in each proceeding will be considered to determine whether the $1,000,000 threshold for an award eligible outcome has been met.
(4) If the total monetary sanctions imposed and/or voluntary payments made in a proceeding, or multiple related proceedings, is equal to or greater than $10,000,000, the maximum amount of any whistleblower award is $1,500,000 subject to subsection (5).
(5) If the total monetary sanctions imposed and/or voluntary payments made in a proceeding, or multiple related proceedings, is equal to or greater than $10,000,000, and the Commission collects monetary sanctions and/or voluntary payments in respect of that proceeding in an amount equal to or greater than $10,000,000, the whistleblower award will not be limited to $1,500,000 and the whistleblower may receive a whistleblower award of between 5 and 15% of the monetary sanctions or voluntary payments collected from that proceeding to a maximum of $5,000,000.
Enforcement outcome eligible for a whistleblower award
19. To receive a whistleblower award, the Commission generally expects that a whistleblower will be eligible and have voluntarily provided original information that will have been of meaningful assistance to Commission Staff in an administrative proceeding under section 127 of the Act or section 60 of the CFA that resulted in an award eligible outcome following a hearing or a settlement.
No award -- circumstances
20. The Commission will generally not make a whistleblower award in the following circumstances:
(a) there is a determination that an individual who submitted information to the Commission is not an eligible whistleblower; or
(b) the outcome of any proceeding resulting from a whistleblower submission is not an award eligible outcome (e.g., the matter is pursued quasi-criminally, the voluntary payments made and/or monetary sanctions ordered are less than $1,000,000 or the Commission's decision to order monetary sanctions is overturned on appeal).
Timeframe for an award
21. The Commission works to conclude enforcement proceedings as efficiently as possible but it may take several years or more from the date a whistleblower submits the whistleblower information form and declaration until an administrative proceeding under section 127 of the Act or section 60 of the CFA has been concluded or a settlement reached, monetary sanctions have been ordered or voluntary payments made and the respondent's appeal rights have expired, and a whistleblower award can be made.
Whistleblower award process
22.
(1) At the conclusion of any administrative proceeding under section 127 of the Act or section 60 of the CFA brought based on information submitted by a whistleblower, Commission Staff will prepare a recommendation containing an analysis of:
(a) the eligibility of the whistleblower for a whistleblower award, including an evaluation of whether the information provided was voluntarily submitted and original; and
(b) the amount and effectiveness of assistance provided by the whistleblower based on the award criteria.
Staff Committee
(2) A Commission Staff committee (the Staff Committee), including the Director of Enforcement, will review the Commission Staff recommendation.
Staff Committee recommendation
(3) The Staff Committee will then make a recommendation that will be provided to the Commission regarding the whistleblower's eligibility and, if eligible, the recommended amount for the whistleblower award.
Eligibility -- additional information
(4) To help the Staff Committee and the Commission assess if a whistleblower is eligible for a whistleblower award, the Commission or Commission Staff may request additional information from the whistleblower, if necessary.
Commission discretion
(5) The Commission will review the Staff Committee recommendations and determine if a whistleblower is eligible for a whistleblower award, and if so, may exercise its discretion to modify the amount of the whistleblower award recommended by the Staff Committee.
Public disclosure
(6) The Commission may publicly disclose that a whistleblower award has been paid. If such an award is paid, it may be publicly disclosed without the identity of the whistleblower.
Authorization for payment of whistleblower award
23. The Commission will authorize the payment of a whistleblower award to a whistleblower once the Commission has determined:
(a) that the whistleblower is eligible;
(b) that there was an award eligible outcome; and
(c) the amount to be awarded.
Determining amount of whistleblower award
24.
(1) In exercising its discretion to determine the appropriate percentage of a whistleblower award, the Commission may consider the factors set out in subsection (2) and (3) and may increase or decrease the percentage of the whistleblower award based on its analysis of the factors, and/or use the factors to determine how to apportion an award among multiple whistleblowers, if applicable in the circumstances.
Factors that may increase the amount of a whistleblower award
(2) The following factors may increase the amount of a whistleblower award:
Timing
(a) the timeliness of the whistleblower's initial report to the Commission or to an internal reporting mechanism of the business involved in committing, or impacted by, the violation of Ontario securities law;
Significance of information
(b) the significance of the information provided by the whistleblower, including:
(i) whether the information provided by the whistleblower caused Commission Staff to open an investigation or broaden the scope of an existing investigation;
(ii) the truthfulness, reliability and completeness of the information;
(iii) whether the allegations in the proceeding related, in whole or in part, to violations of Ontario securities law identified by the whistleblower; or
(iv) the degree to which the information meaningfully contributed to a successful investigation of the violation and obtaining an award eligible outcome;
Degree of assistance
(c) the level of assistance the whistleblower provided to Commission Staff, including:
(i) whether the whistleblower provided ongoing, extensive and timely cooperation and assistance by, for example helping to explain complex transactions, interpreting key evidence, or identifying new and productive lines of inquiry; or
(ii) whether the whistleblower appropriately encouraged or authorized others who might not otherwise have participated in the investigation to assist Commission Staff;
Impact on Investigation or Proceeding
(d) as a result of the whistleblower's assistance, less time was needed to investigate or bring an enforcement proceeding;
Remediation and recovery
(e) the whistleblower's efforts to remedy the harm caused by the violations of Ontario securities law that were reported, including assisting the authorities in recovering any amounts obtained as a result of non-compliance with the Act or the CFA;
Internal compliance and reporting systems
(f) whether and the extent to which, the whistleblower and any legal representative of the whistleblower participated in internal compliance and reporting systems by:
(i) reporting the possible securities violations through an internal compliance and reporting mechanism before, or at the same time as, reporting them to the Commission; or
(ii) assisting in any internal investigation or inquiry concerning the reported violations.
(g) the impact the whistleblower's report to the Commission or an internal compliance and reporting mechanism had on the behavior of the person or entity that committed the violation, for example by causing the person or entity to promptly correct the violation;
Unique hardship
(h) any unique hardships experienced by the whistleblower resulting from the whistleblower's report to the Commission or an internal compliance and reporting mechanism;
Contribution to the Commission's mandate
(i) the degree to which providing an award to the whistleblower would:
(i) enhance the Commission's ability to pursue the purposes of the Act or the CFA;
(ii) encourage the submission of high quality information from other whistleblowers, having regard to the whistleblower's submission of significant information and meaningful assistance, even when the monetary sanctions available for collection were limited or potential monetary sanctions were reduced or eliminated by the Commission because, for example the entity self-reported following the whistleblower's report to an internal reporting mechanism;
Contribution to the Commission's priorities
(j) whether the subject matter of the action is a Commission priority because:
(i) the reported misconduct involved regulated entities or fiduciaries;
(ii) the violations of securities laws were particularly serious given the nature of the violation, the age and duration of the violation, the number of violations and the repetitive or ongoing nature of the violations;
(iii) the danger to investors or others presented by the violations involved in the enforcement actions, including the amount of harm or potential harm caused by the underlying violations, the type of harm resulting from or threatened by the underlying violations, and the number of individuals or entities harmed; or
(iv) without the information, the Commission would have been unable or unlikely to investigate the matter.
Factors that may decrease the amount of a whistleblower award
(3) The following factors may decrease the amount of a whistleblower award:
Erroneous or incomplete information
(a) the information provided by the whistleblower was difficult for Commission Staff to use because, for example the whistleblower had little knowledge of the violation of Ontario securities law, or the information provided by the whistleblower contained errors, was incomplete or lacking in detail, unclear or not organized;
Whistleblower culpability
(b) the degree to which the whistleblower was culpable or involved in the violations reported that became the subject of the Commission's enforcement proceeding, including:
(i) the whistleblower's role in the reported violations of Ontario securities law;
(ii) whether the whistleblower benefitted financially from the violations;
(iii) whether the whistleblower has violated Ontario securities law in the past;
(iv) the egregiousness of the whistleblower's conduct; and
(v) whether the whistleblower knowingly interfered with the Commission's investigation of the violations;
Unreasonable delay in reporting
(c) whether the whistleblower unreasonably delayed reporting the violation(s) of Ontario securities law, including:
(i) whether the whistleblower was aware of relevant facts but failed to take reasonable steps to report the violations or prevent the violations from occurring or continuing;
(ii) whether the whistleblower was aware of the relevant facts but only reported them after learning about a related inquiry, investigation, or enforcement action; and
(iii) whether there was a legitimate reason for the whistleblower to delay reporting the violations;
Refusal of assistance
(d) the whistleblower refused to provide additional information or assistance to the Commission when requested pursuant to section 5 of this Policy;
Interference with Commission Staff's investigation
(e) the whistleblower or the whistleblower's legal counsel negatively affected Commission Staff's ability to pursue the matter;
(f) the whistleblower or the whistleblower's counsel violated instructions provided by Commission Staff;
Interference with internal compliance and reporting mechanisms
(g) whether the whistleblower undermined the integrity of internal compliance and reporting systems by:
(i) interfering with an entity's established legal, compliance or audit procedures to prevent or delay detection of the reported violation of Ontario securities law;
(ii) making any material false, fictitious or fraudulent statements or representations that hindered an entity's efforts to detect, investigate, or remediate the reported violation of Ontario securities law; and
(iii) providing any false writing or document knowing the writing or document contained any false, fictitious or fraudulent statements or entries that hindered an entity's efforts to detect, investigate, or remediate the reported violation of Ontario securities law.
No appeal
25. The Commission's determination whether or not to grant a whistleblower award and any amount awarded to a whistleblower are not subject to appeal. No private right of action is conferred on a whistleblower to seek a whistleblower award.
PART 6 -- CONTACT
Contact information
26. Potential whistleblowers who have questions about the Program or their eligibility should contact the Commission's Office of the Whistleblower at:
To submit information by mail, please send to:
PART 7 -- TRANSITION
Transition
27. No one will be eligible for the payment of a whistleblower award under this Policy for information that is submitted to the Commission before this Policy comes into force on [Date].