Canadian Securities Administrators Publish Final Amendments Mandating a CSA Mutual Fund Risk Classification Methodology for Use in Fund Facts and ETF Facts

Montreal – The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) today published final amendments that require fund managers to use a standardized CSA mutual fund risk classification methodology (Methodology) to determine the investment risk level of conventional mutual funds and exchange-traded mutual funds (ETFs) (collectively referred to as “mutual funds”) in the Fund Facts and ETF Facts, respectively.

Currently, fund managers must identify a mutual fund’s risk level on a five-category scale (ranging from Low to High) prescribed in the Fund Facts, and the Methodology is chosen at the fund manager’s discretion.

“We think that a mandated standardized risk classification methodology will provide for greater transparency and consistency of investment risk levels across mutual funds,” said Louis Morisset, Chair of the CSA and President and CEO of the Autorité des marchés financiers. “The use of such a methodology will allow investors to more readily compare the investment risk levels of different mutual funds.”

The CSA published for comment proposed amendments introducing the Methodology in December 2015 (the “2015 Proposal”). The majority of commenters supported the implementation of a standardized and mandatory risk classification methodology to determine a mutual fund’s investment risk level on the risk scale in the Fund Facts and the ETF Facts. After considering the comments received, the CSA made some non-material changes to the 2015 Proposal.

Provided all necessary Ministerial approvals are obtained, the amendments will come into force on March 8, 2017. Starting September 1, 2017, the investment risk level of conventional mutual funds and ETFs must be determined by using the Methodology for each filing of a Fund Facts or ETF Facts, and at least annually.

In a separate release published today, the CSA also announced the publication of final amendments mandating a summary disclosure document and delivery regime for ETFs.

All of the above amendments 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

Jane Anderson
Nova Scotia Securities Commission
902-424-0179

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