Changes to Companion Policy 44-102CP Shelf Distributions

CHANGES TO
COMPANION POLICY 44-102CP TO NATIONAL INSTRUMENT 44-102 SHELF DISTRIBUTIONS

1. The changes to Companion Policy 44-102CP to National Instrument 44-102 Shelf Distributions are set out in this Schedule.

2. Section 1.3 is replaced with the following:

1.3 Marketing before the Filing of a Shelf Prospectus Supplement - After a receipt has been issued for a base shelf prospectus, we do not have the same regulatory concerns about "marketing" before the filing of a shelf prospectus supplement as we do about "pre-marketing" before the filing of a short form prospectus or a long form prospectus (see section 6.4 of Companion Policy 41-101CP).

A preliminary form of shelf prospectus supplement describing a tranche of securities to be offered under the shelf procedures (a draw-down) may be used in marketing the securities before the public offering price is determined. Issuers are reminded that the ability to use a preliminary form of shelf prospectus supplement in this manner for a distribution of equity securities under an unallocated base shelf prospectus is subject to the requirement in section 3.2 of National Instrument 44-102 to issue a news release once the issuer or selling securityholder has formed a reasonable expectation that the distribution will proceed.

Issuers should also consider whether the decision to pursue a draw-down under an allocated base shelf prospectus is a material change under applicable securities legislation. If the decision is a material change, the news release and material change report requirements in Part 7 of NI 51-102 and other securities legislation apply.

In order to address selective disclosure concerns, an issuer will generally file any preliminary form of shelf prospectus supplement on SEDAR and ask their principal regulator to make it public. However, staff of securities regulatory authorities will not be "pre-clearing" any preliminary form of shelf prospectus supplement (unless the issuer is filing a draft supplement pursuant to an undertaking previously given to securities regulatory authorities).

If an issuer does not issue a news release about a potential draw-down under a base shelf prospectus, then the relevant investment dealers should consider measures to ensure compliance with applicable securities laws relating to selective disclosure, insider trading and trading by "tippees" (these laws are summarized in sections 3.1 and 3.2 of National Policy 51-201 Disclosure Standards) before circulating a preliminary form of shelf prospectus supplement to investors.

Issuers and investment dealers should also refer to the guidance on marketing activities in Part 6 of the Companion Policy to NI 41-101. While NI 44-102 has provisions on marketing after a receipt for a final base shelf prospectus, NI 41-101 has general provisions that apply to marketing during the waiting period..

3. These changes become effective on August 13, 2013.