Securities Regulation in Ontario
Ontario’s Securities Act governs and regulates transactions involving securities and aims to protect the investing public.
The Act gives the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) broad power to govern securities transactions and to deal effectively with those who fail to comply with the Act.
An underlying principle of the Act is that the public should be provided with honest and straightforward information about a potential investment so that they can make an informed decision.
A company issuing a security might have to file a Prospectus with the OSC providing sufficient information about the security.
As an administrative agency, the OSC has its own procedures for a fair review where non-compliance is alleged.
Consultation with counsel who has experience with the Act and the OSC procedures may assist to mitigate the serious penalties one may face if found guilty of an offence.
