Canadian Structured Finance Law : Canadian Structured Finance Law: Securitization/OTC Derivatives Blog by Stikeman Elliot Lawyers & Attorneys

Philip J. Henderson	Terence W.    Doherty

The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) have published the first of eight consultation papers on OTC derivatives reform and, if the industry comment letters on this first paper are anything to judge by, there is a lot of work left to be done by Canadian regulatory authorities to implement Canada’s G-20 commitments on Over-the-Counter Derivatives Regulation. Consultation Paper 91-402 considers the subject of reporting of OTC derivatives trades to trade repositories. 

At the G-20 meeting in Pittsburgh in September 2009, Canada committed to require that all OTC derivatives contracts be reported to trade repositories. On June 23, 2011, the CSA Derivatives Committee published Consultation Paper 91-402 – Derivatives: Trade Repositories. It set out a framework for proposed rules for the reporting of OTC derivatives transactions to, and the operation of, trade repositories and sought public comment on a number of issues relating to OTC derivatives transaction reporting and the regulation of trade repositories, including whether a “made-in-Canada” solution is necessary or appropriate. The public comment period closed on September 12, 2011. The CSA received twenty one comment letters from interested parties, many of which were quite lengthy and detailed and raised many questions and considerations for the regulators.  The CSA will have much to think about in taking this proposal to the next stage. 

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As we discussed in a blog post earlier this summer, the Canadian Securities Administrators released a consultation paper in June that proposed a framework of rules for the reporting of OTC derivatives transactions and the operation of trade repositories.

Earlier this week, the International Swaps and Derivatives Association published a comment letter in response to the CSA's paper. Of particular interest, ISDA comments on some of the challenges in implementing a regime for mandatory reporting to trade repositories. It highlights some of the changes that have been made under the proposed U.S. regulations to facilitate foreign regulator access to U.S. based repositories which make the establishment of a single global trade repository for each asset class of derivatives a more palatable option for regulators. The comment letter also addresses block trade exception rules and the issue of real-time reporting of trade information.

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The Canadian Securities Administrators released a staff notice today communicating their concern regarding firms that carry out brokerage activities registering as exempt market dealers. The notice describes such firms as being primarily U.S.-based broker-dealers that are members of FINRA.

According to CSA staff, the EMD category of registration was not intended for firms that conduct brokerage activities (trading securities listed on an exchange in foreign or Canadian markets), and the notice states that permitting such activity would result in differing levels of regulatory oversight between EMDs and those firms subject to IIROC requirements and supervision.

In light of their concerns, the CSA will instead "consider" registering these broker-dealers in the restricted dealer category with terms and conditions, including a requirement that such broker-dealers only deal with permitted clients. Such registrations would also be temporary while the CSA engage in a consultation process to ensure that "appropriate regulatory requirements" apply to all firms undertaking brokerage activities. According to the notice, the consultations will "likely" result in changes to the registration rules.

For more information, see CSA Staff Notice 31-327.

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On August 31, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission issued a concept release on the use of derivatives by mutual funds and other investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940. In the release, the SEC noted the "dramatic growth" in the complexity and volume of derivatives investments in recent years and, specifically, funds' increased use of such investments.

The release is ultimately intended to assist the SEC in determining whether further regulation or guidance is needed to improve the regulatory regime with respect to funds' use of derivatives. To that end, the release considers, and requests comment on, such issues as: (i) the costs, benefits and risks of funds' use of derivatives; (ii) restrictions on leverage; (iii) portfolio diversification and concentration; (iv) exposure to securities-related issuers; and (v) the valuation of derivatives.

Comments are being accepted by the SEC for 60 days after the publication of the release in the Federal Register.

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