Canadian securities regulators seek additional comment on proposed rule for Non-GAAP and other financial measures

For Immediate Release CSA

Calgary and Montreal - The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) today published a second notice and request for comment on revisions to a proposed rule for Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures (the proposed rule). The rule would establish disclosure requirements for issuers that disclose non-GAAP and other financial measures, which often lack standardized meanings, resulting in potentially misleading disclosure.

“In response to stakeholder feedback, we have reviewed and reduced the scope of the proposed rule and simplified disclosure requirements,” said Louis Morisset, CSA Chair and President and CEO of the Autorité des marchés financiers. “We believe these changes will result in a cost-effective proportionate regulatory framework that maintains appropriate investor protections.”

Following stakeholder consultation, the CSA has made substantive changes to the proposed rule that:

  • Limit the application to certain issuers;
  • Exempt certain disclosures, financial measures and documents;
  • Narrow the scope of what is considered a non-GAAP financial measure; and
  • Reduce and simplify disclosures.

The proposed rule was originally published for comment on September 6, 2018 and would replace Staff Notice 52-306 (Revised) Non-GAAP Financial Measures. The CSA conducted 38 outreach sessions across seven Canadian cities and reviewed 42 comment letters from issuers, investors, accounting firms, standard setters, industry associations and law firms.

Proposed National Instrument 52-112 Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure (the Proposed Instrument) and a revised version of proposed Companion Policy 52-112 Non-GAAP and other Financial Measures Disclosure (the Proposed Companion Policy) are available on CSA members’ websites. Comments should be submitted in writing by May 13, 2020.

The CSA, the council of the securities regulators of Canada’s provinces and territories, co-ordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian capital markets.

 

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For more information:

Kristen Rose
Ontario Securities Commission
416-593-2336

Hilary McMeekin
Alberta Securities Commission
403-592-8186

Brian Kladko 
British Columbia Securities Commission        
604-899-6713

Sylvain Théberge
Autorité des marchés financiers
514-940-2176

Jason (Jay) Booth
Manitoba Securities Commission
204-945-1660

Sara Wilson   
Financial and Consumer Services
Commission, New Brunswick
506-643-7045

Shannon McMillan
Financial and Consumer Affairs
Authority of Saskatchewan
306-798-4160

Steve Dowling
Government of Prince Edward Island,
Superintendent of Securities
902-368-4550

David Harrison
Nova Scotia Securities Commission
902-424-8586

Renée Dyer    
Office of the Superintendent of Securities
Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-4909

Rhonda Horte
Office of the Yukon Superintendent
of Securities
867-667-5466

Tom Hall
Office of the Superintendent of Securities
Northwest Territories
867-767-9305

Jeff Mason
Nunavut Securities Office
867-975-6591