Canadian securities regulators seek comment in advance of move to T+2 settlement cycle

Toronto –  The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) today published proposed amendments to National Instrument 24-101 Institutional Trade Matching and Settlement in addition to CSA Consultation Paper 24-402 Policy Considerations for Enhancing Settlement Discipline in a T+2 Settlement Cycle Environment. The comment period is open until November 16, 2016.

Amendments to the National Instrument are being proposed as part of the Canadian securities industry’s plans to shorten the standard settlement cycle for trades from three days after a trade (T+3) to two days after a trade (T+2). The transition to T+2 will occur on September 5, 2017, the same date the markets in the United States are planning to move to a T+2 settlement cycle.

“A shorter settlement cycle is expected to mitigate risk in securities clearing and settlement by reducing counterparty exposure between the parties to a trade,” said Louis Morisset, Chair of the CSA and Chair and CEO of the Autorité des marchés financiers.

The industry’s T+2 initiatives are expected to consider operational improvements to manage settlement risk in the move to T+2. In parallel with the amendments to the National Instrument and industry’s efforts, CSA members are seeking comment on the adequacy of the current settlement discipline regime for a T+2 cycle and whether enhancements to the regime might be desirable to help support a smooth transition to T+2. Any proposal to enhance the current settlement discipline regime arising from the consultation paper would require a further public comment process.

The proposed amendments and consultation paper can be found on CSA members’ websites.

The CSA, the council of the securities regulators of Canada’s provinces and territories, co-ordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian capital markets.

For more information:

Kristen Rose
Ontario Securities Commission
416-593-2336

Nicole Tuncay
Alberta Securities Commission
403-297-4008

Alison Walker
British Columbia Securities Commission
604-899-6713

Sylvain Théberge
Autorité des marchés financiers
514-940-2176

Jason (Jay) Booth
Manitoba Securities Commission
204-945-1660

 

Andrew Nicholson
Financial and Consumer Services
Commission, New Brunswick
506-658-3021

Tanya Wiltshire
Nova Scotia Securities Commission
902-424-8586

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

John O’Brien
Office of the Superintendent of Securities
Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-4909

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

Jeff Mason
Nunavut Securities Office
867-975-6591

Tom Hall
Office of the Superintendent of Securities
Northwest Territories
867-767-9305

Shannon McMillan
Financial and Consumer Affairs
Authority of Saskatchewan
306-798-4160