CSA Notice 52-319: NI - 52-109 - Certification of Disclosure in Issuers' Annual and Interim Filings

CSA Notice 52-319: NI - 52-109 - Certification of Disclosure in Issuers' Annual and Interim Filings

CSA Notice National Instrument

CSA NOTICE 52-319

STATUS OF PROPOSED REPEAL AND REPLACEMENT OF

MULTILATERAL INSTRUMENT 52-109 CERTIFICATION OF DISCLOSURE

IN ISSUERS' ANNUAL AND INTERIM FILINGS

The Canadian Securities Administrators (the CSA or we) are issuing this notice to update market participants on the status of the initiative to repeal and replace Multilateral Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers' Annual and Interim Filings and the related forms and companion policy (together, the Current Materials).

On March 30, 2007, we published for comment the following:

    • National Instrument 52-109 Certification of Disclosure in Issuers' Annual and Interim Filings;

    • Forms 52-109F1, 52-109FMP1, 52-109FM1, 52-109F1 -- IPO/RTO, 52-109F1R, 52-109F1 -- AIF, 52-109F2, 52-109F2 -- IPO/RTO and 52-109F2R; and

    • Companion Policy 52-109CP (together, the Proposed Materials).

The Proposed Materials were intended to repeal and replace the Current Materials.

The comment period expired on June 28, 2007. We received 53 comment letters. After extensive review and consideration of the comments received, we have decided to make significant revisions to certain aspects of the proposal. As a result, we will publish an amended version of the Proposed Materials for comment and we will not implement the Proposed Materials in final form on June 30, 2008. When we publish an amended version of the Proposed Materials for comment, we will include information relating to the expected effective date.

Among other changes, the amended version of the Proposed Materials will no longer require the CEO and the CFO of a venture issuer to certify that they have designed and evaluated the effectiveness of disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting. The resulting certificate will be accompanied by an explanation for investors of how it differs from the full certificate required to be filed by reporting issuers other than venture issuers.

Venture issuers should be aware that the current rule remains in effect until a revised rule is adopted. However, certain jurisdictions have issued or intend to issue exemptive relief orders to permit a venture issuer to file interim and annual certificates for periods ending on or after December 31, 2007 in a form that reflects the proposed change described in the immediately preceding paragraph. A venture issuer should consult the websites of each jurisdiction in which it is a reporting issuer to determine the availability of such orders or other forms of accommodation relating to the filing of certificates under MI 52-109.

Questions

Please refer your questions to any of the following individuals:

Ontario Securities Commission

John Carchrae
Marion Kirsh
Chief Accountant
Associate Chief Accountant
(416) 593 8221
(416) 593 8282
 
Mark Pinch
Sandra Heldman
Accountant, Corporate Finance
Senior Accountant, Corporate Finance
(416) 593 8057
(416) 593 2355
 
Paul Hayward
Senior Legal Counsel, Corporate Finance
(416) 593 3657

British Columbia Securities Commission

Carla-Marie Hait
Sheryl Thomson
Chief Accountant, Corporate Finance
Senior Legal Counsel, Corporate Finance
(604) 899 6726
(604) 899 6778

Alberta Securities Commission

Fred Snell
Kari Horn
Chief Accountant
General Counsel
(403) 297 6553
(403) 297 4698
 
Patricia van de Sande
Securities Analyst
(403) 355 4474

Manitoba Securities Commission

Bob Bouchard
Director, Corporate Finance
(204) 945 2555

Autorité des marchés financiers

Sylvie Anctil-Bavas
Nicole Parent
Chef comptable
Analyste, Direction des marchés des capitaux
(514) 395 0337, poste 4291
(514) 395 0337, poste 4455

November 23, 2007