CNSX Markets Inc. – s. 144
Headnote
Section 144 - application to vary and restate order recognizing CNSX Markets Inc. as an exchange.
Applicable Legislative Provisions
Securities Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. S.5, as am., ss. 21, 144.
IN THE MATTER OF
THE SECURITIES ACT,
R.S.O. 1990, CHAPTER S.5, AS AMENDED
(the “Act”)
AND
IN THE MATTER OF
CNSX MARKETS INC.
ORDER
(Section 144 of the Act)
WHEREAS the Ontario Securities Commission (Commission) issued an order dated May 7, 2004, and varied on September 9, 2005, June 13, 2006, May 16, 2008, varied and restated on July 6, 2010, and varied on June 22, 2012, recognizing the Canadian Trading and Quotation System Inc. (CNQ), which later changed its name to CNSX Markets Inc. (CNSX), as an exchange pursuant to section 21 of the Act (Recognition Order);
AND WHEREAS an application has been made to the Commission requesting that the Commission issue an order varying the Recognition Order;
AND WHEREAS, based on the application and the representations made to the Commission by CNSX, the Commission has determined that it is not prejudicial to the public interest to vary the Recognition Order pursuant to section 144 of the Act;
IT IS ORDERED, pursuant to section 144 of the Act, that the Recognition Order is varied and restated as follows:
IN THE MATTER OF
THE SECURITIES ACT,
R.S.O. 1990, CHAPTER S.5, AS AMENDED
(the “Act”)
AND
IN THE MATTER OF
CNSX MARKETS INC.
RECOGNITION ORDER
(Section 21 of the Act)
WHEREAS the Commission issued an order dated May 7, 2004, and varied on September 9, 2005, June 13, 2006, May 16, 2008, varied and restated on July 6, 2010, and varied on June 22, 2012, recognizing the Canadian Trading and Quotation System Inc. (CNQ), which later changed its name to CNSX Markets Inc. (CNSX), as an exchange pursuant to section 21 of the Act (Recognition Order);
AND WHEREAS CNSX also operates the Alternative Market facility, Pure Trading (Pure):
AND WHEREAS an application has been made to the Commission requesting that the Commission issue an order varying the Recognition Order;
AND WHEREAS the Commission has received certain representations and undertakings from CNSX in connection with the application;
AND WHEREAS the Commission considers the proper operation of an exchange as essential to investor protection and maintaining a fair and efficient capital market, and therefore requires that any conflicts of interest in the operation of the exchange be dealt with appropriately;
AND WHEREAS CNSX will continue to comply with National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation and National Instrument 23-101 Trading Rules;
AND WHEREAS the Commission considers it appropriate to set out in this order the terms and conditions of CNSX's continued recognition as a stock exchange, which terms and conditions are set out in Schedule A;
AND WHEREAS CNSX has agreed to the terms and conditions set out in Schedule A;
AND WHEREAS the Commission considers that the continued recognition of CNSX as an exchange, subject to the terms and conditions set out in Schedule A, is in the public interest;
THE COMMISSION HEREBY continues to recognize CNSX as an exchange pursuant to section 21 of the Act, subject to the terms and conditions set out in Schedule A.
DATED May 7, 2004, as varied on September 9, 2005, June 13, 2006, May 16, 2008, as varied and restated on July 6, 2010, as varied on June 22, 2012, and as varied and restated on November 5, 2013.
SCHEDULE A
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
1. SHARE OWNERSHIP RESTRICTIONS
1.1 Without the prior approval of the Commission, and subject to terms and conditions considered appropriate by the Commission, no person or company and no combination of persons or companies acting jointly or in concert shall beneficially own or exercise control or direction over more than 10%, or such other percentage as may be prescribed by the Commission, of any class or series of voting shares of CNSX.
1.2 The articles of CNSX shall contain the share ownership restrictions and provisions respecting the enforcement of such restrictions which, without limiting the foregoing, may provide for the filing of declarations, the suspension of voting rights, the forfeiture of dividends, the refusal of the issue or registration of voting shares and the sale or redemption of voting shares held contrary to the restrictions and payment of net proceeds of the sale or redemption to the person entitled thereto.
2. CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
2.1 CNSX's arrangements with respect to the appointment, removal from office and functions of the persons ultimately responsible for making or enforcing the rules, policies and other similar instruments (Rules) of CNSX, namely, the board of directors (Board), are such as to ensure a proper balance between the interests of the different entities desiring access to the facilities of CNSX (CNSX Dealers) and companies seeking to be listed on CNSX (CNSX Issuers), and a reasonable number and proportion of directors are "independent" in order to ensure diversity of representation on the Board. An independent director is a director that is not:
(a) an associate, director, officer or employee of a CNSX Dealer;
(b) an officer or employee of CNSX or its affiliates;
(c) an associate, director, officer or employee of any person or company who owns or controls, directly or indirectly, over 10% of CNSX; or
(d) a person who owns or controls, directly or indirectly, over 10% of CNSX.
In particular, CNSX will ensure that at least fifty per cent (50%) of its directors are independent. In the event that at any time CNSX fails to meet such requirement, it will promptly remedy such situation.
2.2 Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, CNSX's governance structure provides for:
(a) fair and meaningful representation on its Board, in the context of the nature and structure of CNSX, and any governance committee thereto and in the approval of Rules;
(b) appropriate representation of independent directors on any CNSX Board committees; and
(c) appropriate qualifications, remuneration, conflict of interest provisions and limitation of liability and indemnification protections for directors and officers and employees of CNSX generally.
3. FITNESS
3.1 In order to ensure that CNSX operates with integrity and in the public interest, CNSX will take reasonable steps to ensure that each person or company that owns or controls, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of CNSX and each officer or director of CNSX is a fit and proper person and the past conduct of each person or company that owns or controls, directly or indirectly, more than 10% of CNSX and each officer or director of CNSX affords reasonable grounds for belief that the business of CNSX will be conducted with integrity.
4. CONFLICTS OF INTEREST AND CONFIDENTIALITY
4.1 For the purposes of this section 4 of Schedule A, "significant shareholder" means a person or company that beneficially owns or controls, directly or indirectly, more than 5% of any class of voting shares of CNSX.
4.2 CNSX shall establish, maintain and require compliance with policies and procedures that:
(a) identify and manage any conflicts of interest or potential conflicts of interest, real or perceived, arising from the operation of the marketplace or the services it provides including, but not limited to, the following:
(i) conflicts of interest or potential conflicts of interest that arise from the involvement of any partner, director, officer or employee of a significant shareholder in the management or oversight of the exchange operations or regulation functions of CNSX and the services and products it provides,
(ii) conflicts of interest or potential conflicts of interest that arise from any interactions between CNSX and a significant shareholder where CNSX may be exercising discretion that involves or affects the significant shareholder either directly or indirectly, and
(iii) conflicts of interest or potential conflicts of interest that arise between the regulation functions and the business activities of CNSX, particularly with respect to the conflicts of interest or potential conflicts of interest that arise between the CNSX issuer regulation functions and the business activities of CNSX; and
(b) provide for the confidential treatment of information regarding exchange operations, regulation functions, a CNSX Dealer or CNSX Issuer that is obtained by a partner, director, officer or employee of a significant shareholder through that individual's involvement in the management or oversight of exchange operations or regulation functions, which will include a requirement that any such information:
(i) be kept separate and confidential from the business or other operations of the significant shareholder, except with respect to information regarding exchange operations where disclosure is necessary to carry out the individual's responsibilities for the management or oversight of exchange operations and the individual can and does exercise due care in his or her disclosure of the information, and
(ii) not be used to provide an advantage to the significant shareholder or its affiliated entities.
4.3 CNSX shall establish, maintain and require compliance with policies and procedures that identify and manage any conflicts of interest or potential conflicts of interest arising from the listing of the shares of any significant shareholder or affiliated entity on CNSX.
4.4 CNSX shall require each CNSX Dealer that is a significant shareholder or an affiliated entity of a significant shareholder to disclose the CNSX Dealer's relationship with CNSX to:
(a) clients whose orders might be, and clients whose orders have been, routed to CNSX; and
(b) entities for whom the CNSX Dealer is acting or proposing to act as underwriter in connection with the issuance of securities to be listed on CNSX.
4.5 CNSX shall regularly review compliance with the policies and procedures established in accordance with paragraphs 4.2(a) and (b) and 4.3 and shall document each review, and any deficiencies, and how those deficiencies were remedied. A report detailing review(s) conducted shall be provided to the Commission on an annual basis.
4.6 The policies established in accordance with paragraphs 4.2(a) and (b) and 4.3 shall be made publicly available on the website of CNSX.
5. FAIR AND APPROPRIATE FEES
5.1 Any and all fees imposed by CNSX will be equitably allocated. Fees will not have the effect of creating barriers to access and must be balanced with the criterion that CNSX will have sufficient revenues to satisfy its responsibilities.
5.2 CNSX's process for setting fees will be fair, appropriate and transparent.
6. ACCESS
6.1 CNSX's requirements will permit all properly registered dealers that are members of a recognized SRO and satisfy access requirements established by CNSX to access the facilities of CNSX.
6.2 Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, CNSX will:
(a) establish written standards for granting access to CNSX Dealers trading on its facilities;
(b) not unreasonably prohibit or limit access by a person or company to services offered by it; and
(c) keep records of:
(i) each grant of access including, for each CNSX Dealer, the reasons for granting such access, and
(ii) each denial or limitation of access, including the reasons for denying or limiting access to any applicant.
7. FINANCIAL VIABILITY
7.1 CNSX will maintain sufficient financial resources for the proper performance of its functions.
7.2 CNSX will deliver to Commission staff its annual financial budget, together with the underlying assumptions, that has been approved by its Board, within 30 days after the commencement of each fiscal year. Such financial budget should include monthly projected revenues, expenses and cash flows.
7.3 CNSX shall calculate monthly the following financial ratios:
(a) a current ratio, being the ratio of current assets to current liabilities;
(b) a debt to cash flow ratio, being the ratio of total debt (including any line of credit draw downs, and the current and long-term portions of any loans, but excluding accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities) to EBITDA (or earnings before interest, taxes, stock based compensation, depreciation and amortization) for the most recent 12 months; and
(c) a financial leverage ratio, being the ratio of total assets to shareholders' equity,
in each case following the same accounting principles as those used for the audited financial statements of CNSX.
7.4 CNSX will report quarterly (along with the financial statements required to be delivered pursuant to section 12.1) to Commission staff the monthly calculations for the previous quarter of the financial ratios as required to be calculated under section 7.3.
7.5 Depending on the results of the calculations under section 7.3, CNSX may be required to provide additional reporting as set out below.
(a) If CNSX determines that it does not have, or anticipates that, in the next twelve months, it will not have:
(i) a current ratio of greater than or equal to 1.1/1,
(ii) a debt to cash flow ratio of less than or equal to 4.0/1, or
(iii) a financial leverage ratio of less than or equal to 4.0/1,
it will immediately notify Commission staff of the above ratio(s) that it is not maintaining, the reasons, along with an estimate of the length of time before the ratio(s) will be maintained.
(b) Upon receipt of a notification made by CNSX pursuant to paragraph (a), the Commission or its staff may, as determined appropriate, impose terms or conditions on CNSX, which may include any of the terms and conditions set out in paragraphs 7.6(b) and (c).
7.6 If CNSX's current ratio, debt to cash flow ratio or financial leverage ratio falls below the levels outlined in subparagraphs 7.5(a)(i), (ii) and (iii) above for a period of more than three months, CNSX will:
(a) immediately deliver a letter advising Commission staff of the reasons for the continued ratio deficiencies and the steps being taken to rectify the situation;
(b) deliver to Commission staff, on a monthly basis, within 30 days of the end of each month:
(i) unaudited monthly financial statements and a status update on any pending capital raising transaction(s) including the amount, terms and name(s) of individuals/entities that have committed to providing funding and their commitment,
(ii) a comparison of the monthly revenues and expenses incurred by CNSX against the projected monthly revenues and expenses included in CNSX's most recently updated budget for that fiscal year,
(iii) for each revenue item whose actual was significantly lower than its projected amount, and for each expense item whose actual was significantly higher than its projected amount, the reasons for the variance, and
(iv) a calculation of the current ratio, debt to cash flow ratio and financial leverage ratio for the month;
(c) prior to making any type of payment to any director, officer, related company or shareholder that is in excess of the amount included in the most recent annual financial budget delivered to Commission staff, demonstrate to the satisfaction of Commission staff that it will have sufficient financial resources to continue its operations after the payment; and
(d) adhere to any additional terms or conditions imposed by the Commission or its staff, as determined appropriate, on CNSX,
until such time as CNSX has maintained each of its current ratio, debt to cash flow ratio and financial leverage ratio at the levels outlined in subparagraphs 7.5(a)(i), (ii) and (iii) for a period of at least 6 consecutive months.
8. REGULATION
8.1 CNSX will maintain its ability to perform its regulation functions including setting requirements governing the conduct of CNSX Dealers and CNSX Issuers and disciplining CNSX Dealers and CNSX Issuers, whether directly or indirectly through a regulation services provider.
8.2 CNSX will continue to retain the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) as a regulation services provider to provide certain regulation services which have been approved by the Commission. CNSX will provide to the Commission, on an annual basis, a list outlining the regulation services performed by IIROC and the regulation services performed by CNSX. All amendments to those listed services are subject to the prior approval of the Commission.
8.3 CNSX will provide the Commission with an annual report with such information regarding its affairs as may be requested from time to time. The annual report will be in such form as may be specified by the Commission from time to time.
8.4 CNSX will perform all other regulation functions not performed by its regulation services provider.
8.5 Management of CNSX (including the President) will at least annually assess the performance by its regulation services provider of its regulation functions and report to the Board, together with any recommendations for improvements. CNSX will provide the Commission with copies of such reports and will advise the Commission of any proposed actions arising therefrom.
8.6 CNSX will provide the Commission with the information set out in Appendix B, as amended from time to time.
9. CAPACITY AND INTEGRITY OF SYSTEMS
9.1 CNSX will maintain, in accordance with prudent business practice, reasonable controls to ensure capacity, integrity requirements and security of its technology systems.
10. PURPOSE OF RULES
10.1 CNSX will establish Rules that are necessary or appropriate to govern and regulate all aspects of its business and affairs.
10.2 More specifically, CNSX will ensure that:
(a) the Rules are designed to:
(i) ensure compliance with securities legislation,
(ii) prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices,
(iii) promote just and equitable principles of trade,
(iv) foster cooperation and coordination with persons or companies engaged in regulating, clearing, settling, processing information with respect to, and facilitating transactions in, securities, and
(v) provide for appropriate discipline;
(b) the Rules do not:
(i) permit unreasonable discrimination among CNSX Issuers and CNSX Dealers, or
(ii) impose any burden on competition that is not necessary or appropriate in furtherance of securities legislation; and
(c) the Rules are designed to ensure that its business is conducted in a manner so as to afford protection to investors.
11. RULES, RULE-MAKING AND FORM 21-101F1
11.1 CNSX will comply with the process for review and approval of Rules and the information contained in Form 21-101F1 and the exhibits thereto set out in Appendix C, as amended from time to time.
12. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
12.1 CNSX will file unaudited quarterly financial statements within 60 days of each quarter end and audited annual financial statements within 90 days of each year end.
13. DISCIPLINARY POWERS
13.1 CNSX will have general disciplinary and enforcement provisions in its Rules that will apply to any person or company subject to its regulation.
13.2 CNSX will ensure, through IIROC and otherwise, that any person or company subject to its regulation is appropriately sanctioned for violations of the Rules. In addition, CNSX will provide notice to the Commission of any violations of securities legislation of which it becomes aware in the ordinary course of its business.
14. DUE PROCESS
14.1 CNSX will ensure that its requirements relating to access to its facilities, the imposition of limitations or conditions on access and denial of access are fair and reasonable, including in respect of giving notice, giving parties an opportunity to be heard or make representations, keeping records, giving reasons and providing for appeals of its decisions.
15. ISSUER REGULATION
15.1 CNSX will ensure that only the issuers set out in Appendix D, as amended from time to time, are eligible for listing on CNSX.
15.2 CNSX may, in accordance with the requirements for qualification for trading on Pure set out in its Rules, designate certain listed securities as eligible for trading on Pure without approving such securities for an additional listing.
15.3 CNSX has and will continue to ensure that it has sufficient authority over its CNSX listed issuers.
15.4 CNSX will carry out appropriate review procedures to monitor and enforce listed issuer compliance with the Rules.
15.5 CNSX will amend its Policies and Forms, from time to time, at the request of the Director, Corporate Finance, to reflect changes to the disclosure requirements of Ontario securities law.
16. CLEARING AND SETTLEMENT
16.1 The Rules will impose a requirement on CNSX Dealers to have appropriate arrangements in place for clearing and settlement through a clearing agency recognized by the Commission under the Act.
17. MARKETPLACE REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
17.1 CNSX will comply with the requirements set out in National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation and in National Instrument 23-101 Trading Rules.
18. OUTSOURCING
18.1 In any material outsourcing of any of its business functions to a third party, CNSX will proceed in accordance with industry best practices. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, CNSX will:
(a) establish and maintain policies and procedures that are approved by its Board for the evaluation and approval of such material outsourcing arrangements;
(b) in entering into any such material outsourcing arrangement:
(i) assess the risk of such arrangement, the quality of the service to be provided and the degree of control to be maintained by CNSX, and
(ii) execute a contract with the service provider addressing all significant elements of such arrangement, including service levels and performance standards;
(c) ensure that any contract implementing such material outsourcing arrangement that is likely to impact on CNSX's regulation functions provide for CNSX, its agents and the Commission to be permitted to have access to and to inspect all data and information maintained by the service provider that CNSX is required to share under section 19.2 or that is required for the assessment by the Commission of the performance of CNSX of its regulation functions and the compliance of CNSX with the terms and conditions in this Schedule A; and
(d) monitor the performance of the service provided under such material outsourcing arrangement.
19 PROVISION OF INFORMATION
19.1 CNSX shall promptly provide the Commission, on request, any and all data, information and analyses in the custody or control of CNSX or any of its affiliated entities, without limitations, redactions, restrictions or conditions, including, without limiting the generality of the foregoing:
(a) data, information and analyses relating to all of its or their businesses; and
(b) data, information and analyses of third parties in its or their custody or control.
19.2 CNSX shall share information and otherwise cooperate with other recognized or exempt exchanges, recognized self-regulatory organizations, other recognized or exempt clearing agencies, investor protection funds, and other appropriate regulatory bodies.
APPENDIX A
CRITERIA FOR RECOGNITION
PART 1 COMPLIANCE WITH NI 21-101 AND NI 23-101
1.1 Compliance with NI 21-101 and NI 23-101
The exchange complies with the requirements set out in National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation (NI 21-101) and in National Instrument 23-101 Trading Rules, each as amended from time to time, which include requirements relating to:
(a) access;
(b) marketplace operations;
(c) exchange rules, policies and other similar instruments;
(d) order and trade transparency;
(e) transparency of marketplace operations;
(f) record keeping;
(g) marketplace systems and business continuity planning;
(h) confidentiality of information;
(i) outsourcing;
(j) clearing and settlement;
(k) fair and orderly markets;
(l) the management of conflicts of interest; and
(m) filing of financial statements.
PART 2 GOVERNANCE
2.1 Governance
The governance structure and governance arrangements of the exchange ensure:
(a) effective oversight of the exchange;
(b) that business and regulatory decisions are in keeping with the exchange's public interest mandate;
(c) fair, meaningful and diverse representation on the board of directors (Board) and any committees of the Board, including:
(i) appropriate representation of independent directors, and
(ii) a proper balance among the interests of the different persons or companies using the services and facilities of the exchange;
(d) the exchange has policies and procedures to appropriately identify and manage conflicts of interest; and
(e) there are appropriate qualifications, remuneration, limitation of liability and indemnity provisions for directors, officers and employees of the exchange.
2.2 Fitness
The exchange has policies and procedures under which it will take reasonable steps, and has taken such reasonable steps, to ensure that each director and officer is a fit and proper person.
PART 3 ACCESS
3.1 Fair Access
(a) The exchange has established appropriate written standards for access to its services including requirements to ensure participants are appropriately registered under Ontario securities laws, or exempted from these requirements.
(b) The access standards and the process for obtaining, limiting and denying access are fair, transparent and applied reasonably.
PART 4 REGULATION OF PARTICIPANTS AND ISSUERS ON THE EXCHANGE
4.1 Regulation
The exchange has the authority, resources, capabilities, systems and processes to allow it to perform its regulation functions, whether directly or indirectly through a regulation services provider, including setting requirements governing the conduct of participants and issuers, monitoring their conduct, and appropriately disciplining them for violations of exchange requirements.
PART 5 RULES AND RULEMAKING
5.1 Rules and Rulemaking
(a) The exchange has rules, policies, and other similar instruments (Rules) that are designed to appropriately govern and regulate the operations and activities of participants and issuers.
(b) In addition to meeting the requirements of NI 21-101 relating to market operations and exchange rules, policies and other similar instruments as referred to in paragraphs 1.1(b) and (c) of this Schedule, respectively, the Rules are also designed to
(i) ensure a fair and orderly market; and
(ii) provide a framework for disciplinary and enforcement actions.
PART 6 DUE PROCESS
6.1 Due Process
For any decision made by the exchange that affects a participant or issuer, or an applicant to be a participant or issuer, including a decision in relation to access, listing, exemptions, or discipline, the exchange ensures that:
(a) parties are given an opportunity to be heard or make representations, and
(b) it keeps a record of, gives reasons for and provides for appeals or reviews of its decisions.
PART 7 CLEARING AND SETTLEMENT
7.1 Clearing and Settlement
The exchange has appropriate arrangements for the clearing and settlement of trades.
PART 8 SYSTEMS AND TECHNOLOGY
8.1 Information Technology Risk Management Procedures
The exchange has appropriate risk management procedures in place including those that handle trading errors, trading halts and circuit breakers.
PART 9 FINANCIAL VIABILITY
9.1 Financial Viability
The exchange has sufficient financial resources for the proper performance of its functions and to meet its responsibilities.
PART 10 FEES
10.1 Fees
(a) All fees imposed by the exchange are reasonable and equitably allocated and are consistent with the requirements in Ontario securities laws, including those listed in paragraphs 1.1(a) and (e) of this Schedule.
(b) The process for setting fees is fair and appropriate, and the fee model is transparent.
PART 11 INFORMATION SHARING AND REGULATORY COOPERATION
11.1 Information Sharing and Regulatory Cooperation
The exchange has mechanisms in place to enable it to share information and otherwise co-operate with the Commission, recognized self-regulatory organizations, other recognized or exempt exchanges, clearing agencies, investor protection funds, and other appropriate regulatory bodies.
APPENDIX B
REPORTING OBLIGATIONS
1. Quarterly Reporting on Exemptions or Waivers Granted
On a quarterly basis, CNSX will submit to the Commission a report summarizing all exemptions or waivers granted pursuant to the rules, policies or other similar instruments (Rules) to any CNSX Dealer or CNSX Issuer during the period. This summary should include the following information:
(a) The name of the CNSX Dealer or CNSX Issuer;
(b) The type of exemption or waiver granted during the period;
(c) The date of the exemption or waiver; and
(d) A description of CNSX staff's reason for the decision to grant the exemption or waiver.
2. Quarterly Reporting on Listing Applications
On a quarterly basis, CNSX will submit to the Commission a report containing the following information:
(a) The number of listing applications filed;
(b) The number of listing applications that were accepted;
(c) The number of listing applications that were rejected and the reasons for rejection, by category;
(d) The number of listing applications that were withdrawn or abandoned and, if known, the reasons why the application was withdrawn or abandoned, by category;
(e) The number of listing applications filed by CNSX Issuers as a result of a Fundamental Change;
(f) The number of listing applications filed by CNSX Issuers as a result of a Fundamental Change that were accepted;
(g) The number of listing applications filed by CNSX Issuers as a result of a Fundamental Change that were rejected and the reasons for rejection, by category;
(h) The number of listing applications filed by CNSX Issuers as a result of a Fundamental Change that were withdrawn or abandoned and, if known, the reasons why the application was withdrawn or abandoned, by category.
In each of the foregoing cases, the numbers shall be broken down by industry category and in any other manner that a Director of the Commission requests.
3. Notification of Suspensions and Disqualifications
If a CNSX Issuer has been suspended or disqualified from qualification for listing, CNSX will immediately issue a notice setting out the reasons for the suspension and file this information with the Commission.
4. General
CNSX will continue to comply with the reporting obligations under the Automation Review Program.
APPENDIX C
PROCESS FOR THE REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF RULES AND THE
INFORMATION CONTAINED IN FORM 21-101F1 AND THE EXHIBITS THERETO
1. Purpose
This Protocol sets out the procedures a recognized exchange (Exchange) must follow for any Rule or Change, both as defined in section 2 below, and describes the procedures for their review by Commission Staff (Staff) and approval by the Commission or the Director.
2. Definitions
For the purposes of this Protocol:
(a) Change means a Fee Change, a Housekeeping Change or a Significant Change.
(b) Fee Change means any new fee or fee model of the Exchange and any amendment to a fee or fee model.
(c) Housekeeping Change means an amendment to the information in Form 21-101F1 that
(i) does not have an impact on the Exchange's market structure, members, issuers, investors or the capital markets, or is of a housekeeping or administrative nature and is comparable to the types of housekeeping changes listed in subsection 6.1(5)(b) of Companion Policy 21-101CP.
(d) Housekeeping Rule means a new Rule or an amendment to a Rule that
(i) does not have an impact on the Exchange's market structure, members, issuers, investors or the capital markets, or
(ii) is of a housekeeping or administrative nature and is comparable to the types of housekeeping changes listed in subsection 6.1(5)(b) of Companion Policy 21-101CP.
(e) Public Interest Rule means a Rule or an amendment to a Rule that is not a Housekeeping Rule.
(f) Rule includes a rule, policy and other similar instrument of the Exchange.
(g) Significant Change means an amendment to the information in Form 21-101F1 other than
(i) a Housekeeping Change,
(ii) a Fee Change, or
(iii) a Rule,
and for greater certainty includes the matters listed in subsection 6.1(4) of Companion Policy 21-101 CP.
(h) Significant Change subject to Public Comment means a Significant Change that
(i) is listed in paragraphs 6.1(4)(a), (b), (c) or (d) of Companion Policy 21-101 CP, or
(ii) in Staff's view, has an impact on the Exchange's market structure or members, or on issuers, investors or the capital markets or otherwise raises public interest concerns and should be subject to public comment.
3. Scope
(a) The Exchange and Staff will follow the process for review and approval set out in this Protocol for all Changes, new Rules and Rule amendments.
4. Board Approval
(a) The Exchange's board of directors, or a duly authorized committee of the board, must approve all Rules prior to their submission under this Protocol.
5. Waiving or Varying the Protocol
(a) The Exchange may file a written request with Staff to waive or vary any part of this Protocol. The request must provide reasons why granting the waiver is appropriate in the circumstances.
(b) Staff will use their best efforts to provide to the Exchange within five business days of receipt of its request either:
(i) written notice that Staff object to granting the waiver or variation; or
(ii) written notice that the waiver or variation has been granted by Staff.
6. Materials to be Filed and Timelines
(a) Prior to the implementation of a Fee Change, Public Interest Rule or Significant Change, the Exchange will file with Staff the following materials:
(i) a cover letter that, together with the notice for publication filed under paragraph 6(a)(ii), if applicable, fully describes:
(A) the proposed Fee Change, Public Interest Rule or Significant Change;
(B) the expected date of implementation of the proposed Fee Change, Public Interest Rule or Significant Change;
(C) the rationale for the proposal and any relevant supporting analysis;
(D) the expected impact of the proposed Fee Change, Public Interest Rule or Significant Change on the market structure, members and, if applicable, on investors, issuers and the capital markets;
(E) whether a proposed Public Interest Rule or Significant Change would increase or decrease systemic risk in the Canadian financial system and how any increase would be mitigated, if applicable;
(F) a discussion of the expected impact of the Fee Change, Public Interest Rule or Significant Change on the Exchange's compliance with Ontario securities law and in particular on requirements for fair access and maintenance of fair and orderly markets;
(G) details of any consultations undertaken in formulating the Fee Change, Public Interest Rule or Significant Change, including the internal governance process followed to approve the Rule or Change;
(H) if the Public Interest Rule or Significant Change will require members and service vendors to modify their own systems after implementation of the Rule or Change, a reasonable estimate of the amount of time needed to perform the necessary work, or an explanation as to why a reasonable estimate was not provided;
(I) a discussion of any alternatives considered; and
(J) if applicable, whether the proposed Fee Change, Significant Change or Public Interest Rule would introduce a fee model, feature or Rule that currently exists in other markets or jurisdictions;
(ii) for a proposed Public Interest Rule or Significant Change subject to Public Comment, a notice for publication that includes the information required under paragraph 6(a)(i) above, except that the following may be excluded from the notice:
(A) supporting analysis required under subparagraph 6(a)(i)(C) above that, if included in the notice, would result in the public disclosure of intimate financial, commercial or technical information;
(B) the information on systemic risk required under subparagraph 6(a)(i)(E) above;
(C) the information on the internal governance processes followed required under subparagraph 6(a)(i)(G) above;
(D) the reasonable estimate of time needed for members and service vendors to modify their own systems, or the explanation as to why a reasonable estimate was not provided, required under subparagraph 6(a)(i)(H), so long as the notice for publication contains a statement that the Exchange did not or could not make a reasonable estimate; and
(E) the discussion of alternatives required under subparagraph 6(a)(i)(I) above.
(iii) for a proposed Public Interest Rule, the text of the Rule and a blacklined version of the Rule indicating changes to any existing Rules, and if supplementary material relating to the Rule is contained in Form 21-101F1, blacklined and clean copies of Form 21-101F1; and
(iv) for a proposed Fee Change or Significant Change, blacklined and clean copies of Form 21-101F1 showing the proposed Change.
(b) The Exchange will file the materials set out in subsection 6(a)
(i) at least 45 days prior to the expected implementation date of a proposed Public Interest Rule or Significant Change; and
(ii) at least seven business days prior to the expected implementation date of a proposed Fee Change.
(c) For a Housekeeping Rule, the Exchange will file with Staff the following materials:
(i) a cover letter that fully describes the Rule and indicates that it was classified as a Housekeeping Rule and provides an analysis of the rationale for the classification, and the date or proposed date of implementation of the Rule;
(ii) the text of the Rule and a blacklined version of the Rule indicating changes to any existing Rules;
(iii) if supplementary material relating to the Rule is contained in Form 21-101F1, blacklined and clean copies of Form 21-101F1; and
(iv) a notice for publication on the OSC website and in the OSC Bulletin that contains the information in paragraph (ii) above as well as the implementation date for the Rule, and indicates that the Rule has been classified as a Housekeeping Rule and was not published for comment.
(d) For a Housekeeping Change, the Exchange will file with Staff the following materials:
(i) a cover letter that indicates that the Change was classified as a Housekeeping Change and provides an analysis of the rationale for the classification and the expected or actual date of implementation of the Change; and
(ii) blacklined and clean copies of Form 21-101F1 showing the Change.
(e) The Exchange will file the materials set out in subsection 6(d) by the earlier of
(i) the Exchange's close of business on the 10th calendar day after the end of the month in which the Housekeeping Change was implemented; and
(ii) the date on which the Exchange publicly announces a Housekeeping Change, if applicable.
7. Review by Staff of notice and materials to be published for comment
(a) Within 5 business days of the receipt of the notice and materials filed by the Exchange relating to a Public Interest Rule or Significant Change subject to Public Comment in accordance with subsection 6(a), Staff will review the notice and materials to ensure that they contain an adequate level of detail, analysis and discussion to elicit meaningful public comment, and will promptly notify the Exchange of any deficiency requiring a refiling of the notice and materials.
(b) Where the notice and materials are considered by Staff to be deficient, the Exchange will amend and resubmit the notice and materials accordingly, and the date of resubmission will serve as the filing date for the purposes of this Protocol.
(c) Where the notice and materials are considered by Staff to be adequate for publication, Staff will proceed with the processes set out in section 8.
8. Publication of a Public Interest Rule or Significant Change Subject to Public Comment
(a) As soon as practicable after the receipt of the notice and materials filed by the Exchange relating to a Public Interest Rule or Significant Change subject to Public Comment in accordance with subsection 6(a), Staff will publish in the OSC Bulletin and on the OSC website the notice prepared by the Exchange, along with a notice prepared by Staff, if necessary, that provides market participants with an opportunity to provide comments to Staff and to the Exchange within 30 days from the date the notice appears in the OSC Bulletin or on the OSC website, whichever comes first.
(b) If public comments are received
(i) the Exchange will forward copies of the comments promptly to Staff; and
(ii) the Exchange will prepare a summary of the public comments and a response to those comments and provide them to Staff promptly after the end of the comment period.
9. Review and Approval Process for Proposed Fee Changes, Public Interest Rules and Significant Changes
(a) Staff will use their best efforts to complete their review of a proposed Fee Change, Public Interest Rule or Significant Change within
(i) 45 days from the date of filing of a proposed Public Interest Rule or Significant Change; and
(ii) seven business days from the date of filing of a proposed Fee Change.
(b) Staff will notify the Exchange if they anticipate that their review of the proposed Fee Change, Public Interest Rule or Significant Change will exceed the timelines in subsection 9(a).
(c) If Staff have material comments or require additional information to complete their review of a proposed Fee Change, Public Interest Rule or Significant Change, Staff will use best efforts to provide the Exchange with a comment letter promptly by the end of the public comment period for a Public Interest Rule or Significant Change subject to Public Comment, and promptly after the receipt of the materials filed under section 6 for all other Changes.
(d) The Exchange will respond to any comments received from Staff in writing.
(e) Unless Staff agree to an extension of time, if the Exchange fails to respond to Staff's comments within 120 days after the receipt of Staff's comment letter, the Exchange will be deemed to have withdrawn the proposed Fee Change, Public Interest Rule or Significant Change. If the Exchange wishes to proceed with the Fee Change, Public Interest Rule or Significant Change after it has been deemed withdrawn, the Exchange will have to be re-submit it for review and approval in accordance with this Protocol.
(f) Upon completion of Staff's review of a Fee Change, Public Interest Rule or Significant Change, Staff will submit the Change or Rule to the Director or, in the circumstances described in subsection 9(g), to the Commission, for a decision within the following timelines:
(i) for a Public Interest Rule or a Significant Change subject to Public Comment, the later of 45 days from the date that the related materials were published for comment and the date that Staff's comments and public comments, including any concerns identified, have been adequately addressed by the Exchange;
(ii) for any other Significant Change, the later of 45 days from the date of filing of the Change and the date that Staff's comments and any concerns identified have been adequately addressed by the Exchange; or
(iii) for a Fee Change, the later of seven business days from the date of filing of the change and the date that Staff's comments and any concerns identified have been adequately addressed by the Exchange.
(g) A Fee Change, Public Interest Rule or Significant Change may be submitted to the Commission for a decision, within the timelines in subsection 9(f),
(i) if the proposed Fee Change, Public Interest Rule or Significant Change is complex or introduces a novel feature to the Exchange or the capital markets;
(ii) if comments received through the public comment process raise significant public interest concerns; or
(iii) in any other situation where, in Staff's view, Commission approval is appropriate.
(h) Staff will promptly notify the Exchange of the decision.
(i) If a Public Interest Rule or Significant Change subject to Public Comment is approved, Staff will publish the following documents in the OSC Bulletin and on the OSC website promptly after the approval:
(i) a notice indicating that the proposed Rule or Change is approved;
(ii) the summary of public comments and responses prepared by the Exchange, if applicable; and
(iii) if non-material changes were made to the version published for public comment, a brief description of these changes prepared by the Exchange and a blacklined copy of the revised Rule or Change highlighting the revisions made.
10. Review Criteria for a Fee Change, Public Interest Rule and Significant Change
(a) Staff will review a proposed Fee Change, Public Interest Rule or Significant Change in order to assess whether it is in the public interest for the Director or the Commission to approve the Rule or Change. In making this determination, Staff will have regard to the mandate of the Commission as set out section 1.1 of the Securities Act (Ontario). The factors that Staff will consider in making their determination also include whether:
(i) the Rule or Change would impact the Exchange's compliance with Ontario securities law;
(ii) the Exchange followed its established internal governance practices in approving the proposed Rule or Change;
(iii) the Exchange followed the requirements of this Protocol and has provided sufficient analysis of the nature, purpose and effect of the Rule or Change; and
(iv) the Exchange adequately addressed any comments received.
11. Effective Date of a Fee Change, Public Interest Rule or Significant Change
(a) A Fee Change, Public Interest Rule or Significant Change will be effective on the later of:
(i) the date that the Exchange is notified that the Change or Rule is approved;
(ii) if applicable, the date of publication of the notice of approval on the OSC website; and
(iii) the date designated by the Exchange.
12. Significant Revisions and Republication
(a) If, subsequent to its publication for comment, the Exchange revises a Public Interest Rule or a Significant Change subject to Public Comment in a manner that results in a material change to the proposed substance or effect of the Rule or Change, Staff will, in consultation with the Exchange, determine whether or not the revised Rule or Change should be published for an additional 30-day comment period.
(b) If a Public Interest Rule or Significant Change subject to Public Comment is republished under subsection 12(a), the request for comments will include a blacklined version marked to the originally published version, a summary of comments and responses prepared by the Exchange, and an explanation of the revisions and the supporting rationale for the revisions.
13. Withdrawal of a Fee Change, Public Interest Rule or Significant Change
(a) If the Exchange withdraws a Fee Change, Public Interest Rule or a Significant Change that was previously submitted, it will provide a written notice of withdrawal to Staff.
(b) If the notice of withdrawal relates to a Public Interest Rule or Significant Change subject to Public Comment, Staff will publish the notice of withdrawal in the OSC Bulletin and OSC website as soon as practicable.
(c) If a Public Interest Rule or Significant Change subject to Public Comment is deemed to have been withdrawn as provided in subsection 9(e), Staff will prepare and publish a notice informing market participants that the Exchange did not proceed with the Rule or Change.
14. Effective Date of a Housekeeping Rule or Housekeeping Change
(a) Subject to subsections 14(c) and 14(d), a Housekeeping Rule will be effective on the later of
(i) the date of the publication of the notice to be published on the OSC website in accordance with subsection 14(e), and
(ii) the date designated by the Exchange.
(b) Subject to subsections 14(c) and 14(d), a Housekeeping Change will be effective on the date designated by the Exchange.
(c) Staff will review the materials filed by the Exchange for a Housekeeping Change or Housekeeping Rule to assess the appropriateness of the categorization of the Rule or Change as housekeeping within five business days from the date that the Exchange filed the documents in accordance with subsections 6(c) and 6(d). The Exchange will be notified in writing if there is disagreement with respect to the categorization of the Rule or Change as housekeeping.
(d) If Staff disagree with the categorization of the Rule or Change as housekeeping, the Exchange will immediately repeal the Change, if applicable, file the proposed Rule as a Public Interest Rule or the proposed Change as a Significant Change, and follow the review and approval processes described in this Protocol as applying to a Public Interest Rule or Significant Change, including those processes applicable to a Significant Change subject to Public Comment if applicable.
(e) If Staff do not disagree with the categorization of the Rule, Staff will publish a notice to that effect in the OSC Bulletin and on the OSC website as soon as is practicable.
15. Immediate Implementation of a Public Interest Rule or Significant Change
(a) The Exchange may need to make a Public Interest Rule or Significant Change effective immediately where the Exchange determines that there is an urgent need to implement the Rule or Change to maintain fair and orderly markets, or because of a substantial and imminent risk of material harm to the Exchange, its members, other market participants, issuers or investors.
(b) When the Exchange determines that immediate implementation is necessary, it will advise Staff in writing as soon as possible but in any event at least five business days prior to the proposed implementation of the Public Interest Rule or Significant Change. The written notice will include the expected effective date of the Public Interest Rule or Significant Change and an analysis to support the need for immediate implementation. An application for an exemption from the 45-day advance filing requirements in National Instrument 21-101 must also be included as part of the written notice.
(c) If Staff do not agree that immediate implementation is necessary, Staff will promptly notify the Exchange, in writing, of the disagreement no later than the end of the third business day following filing of the notice under subsection 15(b). If the disagreement is not resolved, the Exchange will file the Public Interest Rule or Significant Change in accordance with the timelines in section 6.
16. Review of a Public Interest Rule or Significant Change Implemented Immediately
(a) A Public Interest Rule or Significant Change that has been implemented immediately in accordance with section 15 will be published, if applicable, and reviewed and approved by the Director or by the Commission in accordance with the procedures set out in section 9, with necessary modifications. If the Director or the Commission does not approve the Public Interest Rule or Significant Change, the Exchange will immediately repeal the Rule or Change and inform its members of the decision.
17. Application of Section 21 of the Securities Act (Ontario)
(a) The Commission's powers under subsection 21(5) of the Securities Act (Ontario) are not constrained in any way, notwithstanding a Rule or Change having been approved under this Protocol
APPENDIX D
ELIGIBLE ISSUERS
1. Subject to section 2 below, only an issuer that:
(a) is a reporting issuer or the equivalent in a jurisdiction in Canada; or
(b) is proposing to list debt securities issued or guaranteed by a government in Canada that are exempt from the prospectus requirements under clause 73(1)(a) of the Act; or
(c) is proposing to list debt securities issued or guaranteed by a financial institution that are exempt from the prospectus requirements under clause 73(1)(b) of the Act; and
(d) is not in default of any requirements of securities legislation in any jurisdiction in Canada,
is eligible for listing. However, if an issuer is eligible for listing under paragraph (b) or (c) above, CNSX may only list debt securities of the issuer that are contemplated by those paragraphs unless the issuer files and obtains a receipt for a preliminary prospectus and a prospectus in a jurisdiction in Canada.
2. An issuer that is a reporting issuer in a jurisdiction in Canada but is not considered eligible under the Rules due to the process by which it became a reporting issuer, is ineligible for listing unless it:
(a) files and obtains a receipt for a preliminary prospectus and a prospectus in a jurisdiction in Canada; and
(b) is not in default of any requirements of securities legislation in any jurisdiction in Canada.