Canadian securities regulators propose rules to prohibit certain embedded commissions

Proposed amendments would discontinue the deferred sales charge (DSC) option and trailing commissions to dealers who do not make a suitability determination

Toronto – The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) today published for comment a notice outlining proposed amendments that would prohibit investment fund managers from paying upfront sales commissions to dealers, and trailing commissions to dealers who do not make a suitability determination, such as order-execution-only dealers. These changes would result in the discontinuation of all forms of the deferred sales charge option (the DSC option), and more transparent fees on the discount brokerage channel.

“These proposed amendments, together with enhanced registrant conduct requirements proposed under our Client Focused Reforms, comprise the CSA’s policy response to the investor protection and market efficiency concerns examined in our consultations on embedded commissions,” said Louis Morisset, CSA Chair and President and CEO of the Autorité des marchés financiers.

The proposed changes will eliminate a compensation conflict inherent in the DSC option that has given rise to investor protection concerns. The CSA expects that the prohibition of upfront sales commission payments by investment fund managers to dealers will eliminate the need for charging redemption fees to investors, effectively discontinuing the DSC option. Further to this change, dealers would be required to negotiate with, and charge directly to, clients any upfront sales commissions for mutual fund purchases. Similarly, the prohibition of trailing commission payments to dealers who do not make suitability determinations would require such dealers to charge investors directly for services.

The CSA is also proposing to eliminate certain disclosure requirements in the simplified prospectus form, in the Fund Facts document and under dealer disclosure rules since these would no longer be necessary when the DSC option is discontinued.

These proposed amendments follow the June 21, 2018 publication of the CSA’s policy decision on embedded commissions and its proposed Client Focused Reforms.  Under proposed enhanced conflict of interest rules in the Client Focused Reforms, all embedded commissions would be considered conflicts that must be addressed in the best interests of clients or avoided.

The proposed amendments are available on CSA members’ websites. The 90-day comment period will close on December 13, 2018.

Details regarding in-person consultations will be announced separately by individual CSA jurisdictions.

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

For more information:

Kristen Rose
Ontario Securities Commission
416-593-2336

Andrew Poon
British Columbia Securities Commission
604-899-6880

Hilary McMeekin
Alberta Securities Commission
403-592-8186

Sylvain Théberge
Autorité des marchés financiers
514-940-2176

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

Sara Wilson
Financial and Consumer Services
Commission, New Brunswick
506-643-7045

David Harrison
Nova Scotia Securities Commission
902-424-8586

Steve Dowling
Government of
Prince Edward Island,
Superintendent of Securities
902-368-4550

Craig Whalen
Office of the Superintendent
of Securities
Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-5661

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
867-767-9260

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