News Release

Calgary - The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) published a new rule today that will harmonize and consolidate prospectus and registration exemptions across Canada, resulting in more efficient access to the capital markets.

Provided all necessary approvals are obtained, National Instrument 45-106 Prospectus and Registration Exemptions (NI 45-106) will come into effect on September 14, 2005 and will replace all significant existing exemptions found in securities legislation across Canada.  In addition to harmonizing existing exemptions, NI 45-106 is more straight-forward and user-friendly.

“Harmonizing our prospectus and registration exemptions offers ‘one-stop shopping’ for Canadian issuers - they no longer have to review different sets of legislation to access the exempt market,” said CSA Chair Jean St-Gelais. “This is a very significant achievement and will provide much value to companies trying to raise capital.”

NI 45-106 and its accompanying forms and companion policy can be found on websites of Canadian securities regulators. 

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:

Joni Delaurier
Alberta Securities Commission
403-297-4481

Ainsley Cunningham
Manitoba Securities Commission
204-945-4733

Rick Hancox
New Brunswick Securities Commission
506-658-3060

Eric Pelletier
Ontario Securities Commission
416-595-8913 

Philippe Roy
L'Autorité des marchés financiers
514-940-2176 

Andrew Poon
British Columbia Securities Commission
604-899-6880