Canadian Securities Regulators Publish Final Proxy Voting Protocols

Toronto – The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) today published CSA Staff Notice 54-305 Meeting Vote Reconciliation Protocols, which outlines CSA staff expectations and guidance for improving the processes involved in the tabulation of proxy votes.

“These protocols lay the foundation for key entities to work collectively to improve meeting vote reconciliation,” said Louis Morisset, CSA Chair and President and CEO of the Autorité des marchés financiers. “This is a significant milestone in our work to increase the accuracy, accountability and reliability of the proxy voting infrastructure.”

The voluntary protocols outline CSA staff expectations related to generating and sending vote entitlement information; setting up vote entitlement accounts; sending proxy vote information and tabulating and recording proxy votes; and informing beneficial owners of any rejected or pro-rated votes.

Over the next two proxy seasons, the CSA will monitor the implementation of the protocols and assess the need for any enhanced regulatory measures. The CSA will also continue to encourage and monitor industry initiatives for paperless meeting vote reconciliation and end-to-end vote confirmation. CSA staff will receive ongoing input on these areas from a technical committee made up of representatives from key service providers involved in the proxy voting process.

The notice, including the protocols, 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