Raising Capital in Private Markets

Reporting and non-reporting issuers can raise capital through a series of private placement exemptions from the prospectus requirement. This form of capital raising is referred to as the exempt market.

• Private and Early Stage Businesses Guide
• Guide to Capital Raising for Small Business
• Start-up Crowdfunding Prospectus Exemption
• Exemption for Raising Money from Existing Security Holders
• Guide for Capital Raising for Cooperative Associations
• Investment Dealer Exemption
• Frequently Asked Questions about Exempt Distributions
• Frequently Asked Questions about eServices

Reporting Requirements and Forms

If you have distributed securities in reliance on certain prospectus exemptions, you must prepare and file a report of exempt distribution (distribution report) with the BCSC using Form 45-106F1 Report of Exempt Distribution.

Certain prospectus exemptions require the issuer to provide information to potential purchasers, including the offering memorandum exemption (see section 2.9 of NI 45-106) or the start-up crowdfunding exemption (see National Instrument 45-110). If you have used either of these exemptions, you are also required to file the offering memorandum or the start-up crowdfunding offering document with the BCSC.

• Form 45-106F2 - Offering Memorandum for Non-Qualifying Issuers
• Form 45-106F3 - Offering Memorandum for Qualifying Issuers
• Form 45-110F1 - Start-up Crowdfunding - Offering Document

If you are a mining company and have used the offering memorandum exemption, you are also required to file a NI 43-101 technical report.

Deadline for Filing

You must file the distribution report and any related materials (such as an offering memorandum, NI 43-101 technical report or offering document) with the BCSC through SEDAR+. The deadline for filing these materials is generally within 10 days after the distribution. There are some exceptions:

• If you used the start-up crowdfunding exemption, the distribution report and the offering document are due within 30 days after the distribution.
• If you are an investment fund selling securities to accredited investors on an ongoing basis, you are allowed to file an annual report within 30 days of the calendar year end – that is, by January 30th.

Method of Filing and Paying Fees

In most cases, you must file the distribution report and any related materials (such as an offering memorandum, 43-101 technical report or offering document) with us electronically using SEDAR+. SEDAR+ allows you to quickly and accurately prepare and file your distribution report and any related materials. You can save or re-assign an in-progress report, or amend a report you previously filed. You can also pay any required fees electronically either by credit card or by signing up for electronic funds transfer. SEDAR+ allows you to search for distribution reports and related materials filed by all issuers required to report distributions with the BCSC.

Investment funds that choose to file annually must file their annual distribution report also in SEDAR+.