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Each year IIROC’s Board of Directors (the Board), staff and District Councils1 consider and, in appropriate cases, grant exemptions from specific Dealer Member Rules (DMRs) or Universal Market Integrity Rules (UMIR). IIROC decision-makers apply specific and rigorous criteria to grant exemptive relief, to protect investors and ensure the integrity of the capital markets.
This Rules Notice provides a summary of the exemptions granted in calendar year 2017, which comprised exemptions from:
For information on how to apply for an exemption from DMRs, see IIROC Notice 18‑0080 Exemption applications relating to IIROC Dealer Member Rules dated April 12, 2018. For information on how to apply for an exemption from UMIR, see UMIR 11.1 and IIROC Notice 15-0191 Obtaining a Trading Exemption or Rule Interpretation dated August 28, 2015.
Market Regulation Policy staff granted 162 exemptions from a provision of UMIR to a Participant (as defined in UMIR) in 2017.
Rule 11.1 of UMIR allows IIROC to exempt a particular transaction from UMIR provided that, in IIROC’s opinion, the exemption:
The majority (159 of 162) of the exemptions granted were to allow a Participant to complete a trade off-marketplace, either for itself or for a client.
Rule 6.4 of UMIR states that a Participant may not trade or participate in a trade other than through the entry of an order on a marketplace. The rule includes a number of exceptions to this broad requirement. However, in circumstances that are not included in the rule, Participants require a regulatory exemption to complete a transaction off-marketplace.
In accordance with Rule 6.4(2)(b) of UMIR, IIROC will grant a regulatory exemption:
The following table provides a breakdown of the exemptions IIROC granted under Rule 6.4(2)(b):
|
Type of Transaction |
Exemption Description |
Number |
|
Trading During a Resale Restriction |
Permits a Participant to transfer shares subject to a statutory hold period to one or more accredited investors |
129 |
|
Designated Trades as Principal |
Permits a Participant to take on a significant block of shares off-marketplace subject to the Participant immediately attempting to distribute the securities to its clients |
12 |
|
Exempt Issuer Bids |
Permits a Participant to complete an off-marketplace transaction pursuant to an OSC order |
9 |
|
Exempt Take-over Bids |
Permits a Participant purchasing shares in reliance on the private agreement exemption under applicable securities legislation to do so off-marketplace |
3 |
|
Distribution from Control |
Permits a controlling shareholder to trade securities of the issuer off-marketplace |
1 |
|
Trading during a Non-Regulatory Halt |
Permits a Participant to complete a transaction off-marketplace while the security was subject to a non-regulatory halt |
1 |
|
Trading during a Regulatory Halt |
Permits a Participant to complete a transaction off-marketplace while the security was subject to a cease trade order pursuant to a non-objection letter from the applicable securities regulator |
1 |
|
Trading an “as-of” transaction |
Permits a Participant to complete a transaction off-marketplace to facilitate an “as-of” trade that was:
|
2 |
|
Trading to Facilitate a Restructuring |
Permits a Participant to trade off-marketplace to facilitate a restructuring of assets with no change in control |
1 |
Rule 7.7 of UMIR prohibits the trading of certain securities during a restricted period. IIROC granted three exemptions to allow the purchase of shares subject to Rule 7.7 restrictions. We granted these exemptions on the condition that the Participants complete the purchases passively in order to limit the upward pressure of the security price. In all cases, the Participants were “short” due to a bona fide trading error. We were satisfied the exemptions were consistent with the principles of Rule 7.7 and were not prejudicial to the public interest or to the maintenance of a fair and orderly market.
For further information on these exemptions, please contact Sonali GuptaBhaya, Director, Market Regulation Policy at (416) 646-7272 or [email protected].
DMR 17.15 permits the IIROC Board of Directors to exempt a Dealer Member from any provision of the DMRs where the Board is satisfied that to do so would not be prejudicial to the interests of Dealer Members, their clients or the public. In granting an exemption, the Board may impose such terms and conditions as are considered necessary.
Exemptions from Reporting on Client Positions
The Board approved modifications to a previous exemption granted to one Dealer Member relating to the requirements under DMR 200.2(e) and 200.2(f) to provide retail customers with position and performance information on certain client assets that are neither held nor controlled by the Dealer Member (off-book client assets). Under the modified exemption granted, the Dealer Member may:
Consistent with the off-book RDSP arrangement exception granted to 11 other Dealer Members in 2015, the Board determined it was appropriate to allow the Dealer Member to retain compensation earned from the arrangements as:
For further information on these exemptions, please contact Richard Corner, Vice-President and Chief Policy Advisor, Member Regulation at (416) 943-6908 or [email protected].
Exemption from Performance Reporting – Québec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP)
The Board granted exemptions from the requirement to provide the client with an annual performance report to 19 Dealer Members offering QIIP services to retail customers.
Since the implementation of Phase 2 of the Client Relationship Model project, Dealer Members are required to provide, among other types of periodic client reporting, an annual performance report to retail customers.
The Board provided the exemption on the basis of the retail QIIP client being informed at account opening of the performance of their five year term investment.
For further information on these exemptions, please contact Louis Piergeti, Vice-President, Financial & Operations Compliance at (416) 865-3026 or [email protected].
The Board granted an exemption to three related Dealer Members from the requirement in DMR 6.6(1) to execute prescribed cross-guarantee agreements.
The rule requires related Dealer Members under common ownership to guarantee each other’s liabilities in amounts equal to the percentage of the Dealer Member’s capital employed that corresponds to the percentage ownership interest held by the common owner. The purpose of the cross-guarantee is for the surviving Dealer Member(s), in the event of the insolvency of one or more Dealer Members, to be responsible for customer loss claims ahead of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF).
The Board granted the exemption on the basis that the ultimate parent company of the three affiliated Dealer Members will provide a guarantee (supported by a letter of credit issued by a federally regulated financial institution in favour of IIROC) when called upon. This ensures the ultimate common owner will be held responsible to cover liabilities of any defaulting Dealer Member affiliate as an alternative to a cross-guarantee agreement executed between the three Dealer Member affiliates.
For further information on these exemptions, please contact Louis Piergeti, Vice-President, Financial & Operations Compliance at (416) 865-3026 or [email protected].
The Board granted an exemption to a Dealer Member from the requirement contained in DMR 18.7 to trade only in mutual funds.
The effect of this exemption is that individuals employed by the Dealer Member and previously registered as both Dealing Representative (Mutual Fund Dealer) and Dealing Representative (Exempt Market Dealer) may continue to trade and advise in exempt market securities upon transfer to the IIROC platform.
The exemption is conditional on:
The exemption is also limited to Dealing Representatives whom IIROC staff determine to be fit and proper for approval by IIROC.
For further information on these exemptions, please contact Marina Ripoche, Vice-President, Registration at (416) 943-5896 or [email protected].
The Board granted exemptions to 15 Dealer Members, respecting 36 arrangements, from the personal financial dealing rule outlined in DMR 43.2(5)(i) (PFD Prohibition).
The PFD Prohibition prohibits employees and Approved Persons of Dealer Members from acting as powers of attorney, trustees or executors for a client, or having direct or indirect control over the financial affairs of a client.
The PFD Prohibition was part of amendments implemented in April 20173 and became effective October 6, 2017. Dealer Members had until October 6, 2017 to unwind any non-compliant pre-existing arrangements. IIROC invited Dealer Members to apply to IIROC regarding any pre-existing arrangements that would be significantly challenging to unwind.
The arrangements that received exemptive relief fell into the following categories:
In considering whether to grant an exemption, the Board considered the following factors:
The Board granted the exemptions subject to the following conditions, as applicable:
For further information on these exemptions, please contact Marsha Gerhart, Vice-President, Member Regulation Policy at (416) 646-7277 or [email protected].
DMR Rule 35.1(h) allows Dealer Members to apply to a District Council for an exemption from the introducing broker/carrying broker requirements of DMR 35. The District Council may grant an exemption in accordance with any standards in the relevant rule, subject to any terms and conditions it considers appropriate.
The Ontario District Council (ODC) granted an exemption from certain provisions in DMR 35 to a Dealer Member wishing to establish an order execution only (OEO) account service offering, including a proposal to introduce the OEO business to another carrying broker through the execution of a Type 1 introducing broker/carrying broker arrangement. The exemption was from the provisions of:
The exemption was conditional on the Dealer Member complying with all of the following provisions:
The ODC reserved the right to revoke the exemption at any time upon notice to the Dealer Member. In addition, the exemption will be void on the date of the implementation of any amendments to the rules by IIROC or the provincial securities commissions relating to introducing broker/carrying broker arrangements.
For further information on these exemptions, please contact Richard Corner, Vice-President and Chief Policy Advisor, Member Regulation at (416) 943-6908 or [email protected].
The Alberta District Council (ADC) granted an exemption, pursuant to DMR 35.1(h), from the requirements under DMR 35.1(e)(ii) to allow the applicant, as a Type 2 introducing broker, to enter into an additional Type 2 introducing broker/carrying broker arrangement that is not exclusively for trading in futures contracts and options. The exemption was issued in reliance on the Dealer Member’s representations respecting its current business model and client base, in particular:
The ADC reserved the right to revoke the exemption at any time upon notice to the applicant. In addition, the exemption will be superseded by and on the date of the implementation of any rules by IIROC or the provincial securities commissions relating to introducing broker/carrying broker arrangements.
For further information on these exemptions, please contact Richard Korble, Director, Prairies at (403) 260-6278 or [email protected].
Under certain DMRs, IIROC staff may provide exemptions in specified circumstances where we are satisfied that doing so would not be prejudicial to the interests of the public, the Dealer Member or its clients. Where appropriate, IIROC staff may also impose terms and conditions on the relief granted.
IIROC staff granted four bulk transfer exemptions pursuant to DMR 2300.11. The exemptions permit a Dealer Member to transfer a large number of client accounts without complying in advance with client documentation requirements. This year, all of the exemptions related to one Dealer Member acquiring another Dealer Member.
The transfers must:
For further information on these exemptions, please contact Sandra Blake, Vice-President, Business Conduct Compliance at (416) 943-6911 or [email protected].
An individual wishing to work at a Dealer Member in an approved role must obtain IIROC approval/registration.
One of the three criteria IIROC uses to assess whether an individual is, or remains, “fit and proper” for IIROC approval is proficiency (the other two being integrity and solvency). Applicants must meet IIROC’s minimum education, training and experience requirements to satisfy the proficiency criteria.
An IIROC Dealer Member may apply, on behalf of an individual, to a District Council for an exemption from the proficiency requirements or an examination requirement, or for an extension of or exemption from a continuing education requirement.
The applicable District Council (or its delegate) has the authority to exempt individuals from the proficiency requirements, including the requirement to write or rewrite any required course or examination, in whole or in part, subject to such terms and conditions as the District Council considers appropriate.4 In any proficiency exemption application, the onus is on the applicant to demonstrate that her or his alternative experience and/or education is equivalent to the required proficiency or course.
In 2017, IIROC received 324 proficiency exemption applications nationally (including applications for extensions of the time to complete a post-licensing proficiency requirement5). Of these, 284 proceeded to a decision by the District Council or its delegate. The following chart summarizes the number of applications each IIROC office processed.6
|
IIROC Office |
# of applications that |
|
Toronto (ON and Atlantic7) |
133 |
|
Vancouver (BC) |
41 |
|
Calgary (AB, SK and MB) |
57 |
|
Montréal (QC) |
53 |
This represents an increase of 2.9% from the number of applications that proceeded to a decision in 2016. We attribute this increase to a number of factors including, but not limited to:
We also noticed a decrease in the number of initial applications and reactivations received by IIROC in the 2017 calendar year compared to 2016.
Of the applications that proceeded to a decision, IIROC recommended:
The District Councils and their delegates agreed with all but three of IIROC staff’s recommendations.
For extensions, and as discussed in the most recent IIROC Compliance Priorities Report8, IIROC staff will not recommend approval of an extension unless there are compelling reasons and extreme extenuating circumstances. Individuals have more than enough time to complete the post-licensing requirement and should plan to take the required course or seminar well before its due date.
Most applications related to the requirement to write or rewrite the following courses:
Applications Processed by Course
Collectively, these applications account for over 63% of all proficiency exemption applications that proceeded to a decision in 2017.
Dealer Members filed PMT, IMT and AIS proficiency exemption applications9 in connection with a Registered Representative (RR) seeking to add portfolio management services (PM) to his or her IIROC approval or, in a small number of cases, an individual applying for initial approval to be an RR-PM.
In the vast majority of these exemptions, the individual had successfully completed the IMT or AIS10, and/or PMT. Individuals completed these courses while they were continuously approved as an RR but, as the courses were completed more than two years prior to seeking approval as a RR-PM, the courses were no longer valid for IIROC approval.11
Most individuals held the Canadian Investment Manager (CIM) designation or the relatively newer Chartered Investment Manager (CIM®) designation issued by the Canadian Securities Institute (CSI).12These individuals were able to demonstrate to IIROC staff’s satisfaction that they gained at least four years of relevant investment management experience in the following ways:
In many of these exemption applications, IIROC staff also received and considered submissions from the sponsoring firm regarding the firm’s internal portfolio management selection process, including the firm’s own review process to evaluate the applicant’s investment management experience and competencies.
Dealer Members sought the majority of the CSC proficiency exemptions in connection with individuals seeking IIROC approval to be either a RR, or a Supervisor over RRs and Investment Representatives (IRs). Dealer Members sought a limited number of CSC exemptions in connection with individual applications to be an IR dealing in securities and/or options or an RR conducting portfolio management activities on managed accounts.
There were 29 exemption applications from rewriting the CSC because the validity of the course had expired. Three applications sought relief from writing the CSC.
Generally, IIROC does not grant exemptions from having to write or complete baseline proficiency requirements such as the CSC. The three individuals exempted from writing the CSC were able to demonstrate how their work experiences and completion of courses such as the New Entrants Course and/or designations such as the CFA charter or CIM designation were acceptable alternatives to the content and topics covered in the CSC. The individuals sought these exemptions because they were seeking approval in a capacity that specified the CSC as a requirement. IIROC’s proposed plain-language rules introduce an amendment that would eliminate the need for such an exemption.
For the 29 exemption applications from rewriting the CSC, the majority of submissions presented a combination of the following circumstances:
All PDO proficiency exemption submissions received in 2017 related to individuals seeking IIROC approval as an Executive, Director and/or Supervisor.
IIROC recommended approval for an exemption from writing the PDO for one application as IIROC staff found the applicant’s education and continuous experience in the financial industry to be an acceptable alternative to having to write the PDO. The applicable District Council, however, disagreed with IIROC staff’s recommendation and denied the request. The District Council believed that despite the applicant’s extensive experience as an executive in a foreign jurisdiction, the FINRA courses completed by the applicant did not cover all of the unique requirements of the PDO.
Other individuals exempted from rewriting the PDO demonstrated equivalency to the course content as follows:
IIROC firms withdrew 40 exemption requests as the exemptions were either not required or IIROC staff was recommending to refuse the exemption request.
Staff determined there were three submissions filed where the exemptions were not required. In two of these cases, the individuals met the requirements of DMR 2900, Part II for automatic exemptions. In the third submission, the individual had extended the validity of his/her course through voluntary participation in Continuing Education.
Staff recommended refusal for 39 exemption applications. The filing firms withdrew 37 of the 39 submissions. The remaining two submissions proceeded to the applicable District Council for a decision. In both submissions, the applicable District Council agreed with staff’s recommendation to refuse the request for exemption.
In all cases where staff recommended refusal, the applicants were not able to demonstrate that their education or experience was equivalent or relevant to the proficiency requirement for which they requested an exemption.
The majority of the exemption requests where refusal was recommended related to writing or rewriting the PDO, the IMT, the PMT, the WME, and the Conduct and Practices Handbook (CPH).
For further information on these exemptions, please contact Marina Ripoche, Vice-President, Registration at (416) 943-5896 or [email protected].
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