CSA Notice of Approval – Amendments to National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation and Changes to Companion Policy 21-101CP Marketplace Operation

CSA Notice of Approval – Amendments to National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation and Changes to Companion Policy 21-101CP Marketplace Operation

CSA Notice

 

June 18, 2020

Introduction

The Canadian Securities Administrators (the CSA or we) are adopting amendments to:

• National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation (Instrument)

• Form 21-101F1 Information Statement -Exchange or Quotation and Trade Reporting System (Form 21-101F1)

• Form 21-101F2 Information Statement -Alternative Trading System (Form 21-101F2)

• Form 21-101F3 Quarterly Report of Marketplace Activities (Form 21-101F3)

• Form 21-101F5 Information Statement -Information Processor (Form 21-101F5).

In connection with the above, the CSA is also making changes to Companion Policy 21-101CP to National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation (Companion Policy).

The amendments to the Instrument, Form 21-101F1, Form 21-101F2, Form 21-101F3, Form 21-101F5 and the changes to the Companion Policy are together referred to as the Amendments. Form 21-101F1, Form 21-101F2, Form 21-101F3, and Form 21-101F5 are collectively referred to as the Forms. The Instrument, Forms and Companion Policy are collectively referred to as NI 21-101.

The purposes of the Amendments are described in the "Substance and Purpose" section below.

This Notice contains the following annexes:

• Annex A -- Summary of Changes to NI 21-101 (against version currently-in-effect)

• Annex B -- List of commenters

• Annex C -- Summary of comments and CSA responses

• Annex D -- Amendments to National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation (including amendments to the Forms)

• Annex E -- Changes to Companion Policy 21-101CP to National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation

• Annex F -- Blacklined Amendments to National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation (showing the changes to the Instrument, Forms and Companion Policy)

• Annex G -- Local Matters (published only in local jurisdictions where such additional information is relevant)

Provided all necessary ministerial approvals are obtained, the Amendments will come into force on September 14, 2020.

This Notice, including its annexes, is available on the websites of the CSA jurisdictions, including:

www.albertasecurities.com

www.bcsc.bc.ca

www.fcaa.gov.sk.ca

www.fcnb.ca

www.lautorite.qc.ca

www.mbsecurities.ca

nssc.novascotia.ca

www.osc.gov.on.ca

Background

The Instrument establishes the regulatory framework for marketplaces and information processors (IPs) that carry on business in the CSA jurisdictions. Together with the Forms, the Instrument requires, among other things, marketplaces and IPs to provide the CSA with comprehensive reporting of all aspects of their operations, both at the time the marketplace and the IP commence operations and anytime the marketplace and IP make changes to that information. The Instrument also requires marketplaces to report, on a quarterly basis, information about the trading activity on the marketplace during the previous quarter.

The Instrument also establishes requirements regarding the information technology systems used by marketplaces and IPs to support their operations, including developing and maintaining adequate internal controls and information technology general controls over critical systems, conducting capacity stress tests on such systems, developing and maintaining reasonable business continuity and disaster recovery plans, and conducting an independent review of these systems (ISR).

On April 18, 2019, the CSA published proposed amendments to NI 21-101 for public comment.

Substance and Purpose

The primary purpose of the Amendments is to reduce the regulatory burden associated with the reporting requirements for marketplaces and IPs in NI 21-101. The Amendments will, in our view, streamline these requirements by eliminating duplicative reporting as well as reporting that does not materially contribute to the CSA's oversight of marketplaces and IPs while maintaining a robust reporting framework that supports the objectives of the CSA's oversight, including providing protection to investors and fostering fair and efficient capital markets and investor confidence. The Amendments are also intended to enhance the requirements in relation to the IT systems maintained by marketplaces and IPs. The Amendments clarify testing and reporting requirements and introduce an appropriate focus on cyber resilience.

Specific purposes of the Proposed Amendments include:

• Streamlining reporting requirements in the Instrument and Forms by eliminating the need to report superfluous information and eliminating duplicative reporting requirements;

• Enhancing the systems-related requirements in Part 12 and Part 14 of the Instrument and related guidance in the Companion Policy by optimizing the reporting of material systems incidents by marketplaces and IPs, establishing requirements to promote the cyber resilience of marketplaces and IPs, and providing for consistency with recent changes to the systems requirements for clearing agencies in National Instrument 24-102 Clearing Agency Requirements;

• Making other non-substantive changes, corrections and clarifications to NI 21-101.

Summary of Comments Received by the CSA

In response to the publication of the proposed amendments, we received submissions from five commenters. We have considered the comments received and thank all commenters for their thoughtful input on the proposed amendments. A list of commenters who submitted comment letters together with a summary of their comments and the CSA's responses to those comments is attached to this Notice at Annexes B and C respectively. Copies of the comment letters are available at www.osc.gov.on.ca

Summary of Changes to the Instrument, Forms and Companion Policy

Annex A to the Notice includes a summary of notable changes to the Instrument, Forms and Companion Policy, including changes made to the versions published for comment on April 18, 2019.

Questions

Please direct any questions regarding this Notice or the Amendments to:

Christopher Byers

Senior Legal Counsel, Market Regulation

Ontario Securities Commission

Tel: 416-593-2350

Email: [email protected]

Ruxandra Smith

Senior Accountant, Market Regulation

Ontario Securities Commission

Tel: 416-593-8322

Email: [email protected]

Kortney Shapiro

Legal Counsel, Market Regulation

Ontario Securities Commission

Tel: 416-593-2328

Email: [email protected]

Serge Boisvert

Senior Policy Advisor

Exchanges and SRO Oversight

Autorité des marchés financiers

Tel: 514-395-0337, poste 4358

Email: [email protected]

Maxime Lévesque

Senior SRO Analyst

Exchanges and SRO Oversight

Autorité des marchés financiers

Tel: 514-395-0337, poste 4324

Email: [email protected]

Rina Jaswal

Senior Legal Counsel

Capital Markets Regulation Division

British Columbia Securities Commission

Tel: 604-899-6683

Email: [email protected]

Lenworth Haye

Senior Oversight Analyst, Market and SRO Oversight

Capital Markets Regulation Division

British Columbia Securities Commission

Tel: 604-899-6668

Email: [email protected]

Katrina Prokopy

Senior Legal Counsel

Alberta Securities Commission

Tel: 403-297-7239

Email: [email protected]

Jesse Ahlan

Regulatory Analyst, Market Structure

Alberta Securities Commission

Tel: 403-297-2098

Email: [email protected]

 

ANNEX A

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

The following briefly describes the changes and policy rationales for the key Amendments.

Streamlining reporting requirements

The requirement in paragraph 3.2(3)(a) of the Instrument for a marketplace to file non-significant amendments to the information set out in Form 21-101F1 or Form 21-101F2 has been changed to provide that the marketplace must file any such amendments on a quarterly basis rather than monthly. We expect that quarterly filings of non-significant changes to the information in Form 21-101F1 or Form 21-101F2 will alleviate a significant regulatory burden on marketplaces without compromising the effective oversight of marketplaces by the CSA.

Exhibits C, D and E to Form 21-101F1 and Form 21-101F2 have been streamlined to eliminate the requirements to report certain information in respect of a marketplace's organization, affiliates, and operations. We have eliminated the requirement to report historical employment information for partners, directors and officers of a marketplace, eliminated the requirement to file constating documents for affiliated entities of a marketplace, and consolidated the information a marketplace reports regarding its operations. We expect that the streamlining of these exhibits will materially reduce regulatory burden without compromising the CSA's oversight of marketplaces.

We have also streamlined the information required to be reported quarterly by marketplaces in Form 21-101F3 by eliminating duplicative and burdensome requirements for marketplaces to report systems-related information, including a summary of outages during the previous quarter, as well as requirements to report information on the implementation status of previously filed changes to operations. We have also eliminated all reporting requirements for equity marketplaces trading exchange-listed securities, as the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) presently collects this information from marketplaces.

We have lengthened the time period associated with the filing by marketplaces of amendments to the information in Exhibit L (Fees) to each of Form 21-101F1 and Form 21-101F2 to at least 15 business days before the marketplace implements a change to its fees. We expect that this change will result in a more reasonable opportunity for the CSA to review marketplace fee filings without imposing any undue burden on marketplaces proposing fee changes.

Financial reporting

New section 4.3 has been added to the Instrument to require recognized exchanges to file interim financial reports within 60 days of the end of the interim period. Currently, in certain CSA jurisdictions, specific financial reporting requirements for exchanges are included in the terms and conditions of the exchanges' recognition orders.

Systems requirements

The concept of 'cyber resilience' has been added to subparagraph 12.1(a)(ii) and subparagraph 14.5(1)(a)(ii) of the Instrument as one of the information technology general controls that a marketplace or IP must develop and maintain. While cyber resilience should already be covered by an entity's controls, the explicit addition of the concept in the Instrument is intended to be reflective of the increasing importance of ensuring that an entity has taken adequate steps to address cyber resilience.

The concept of "security breach" in relation to the notifications that must be provided by a marketplace and IP under paragraph 12.1(c), paragraph 12.1.1(b) and paragraph 14.5(e) has been broadened to "security incident". The change extends the concept beyond actual breaches, as we are of the view that a material event may include one where a breach has not necessarily occurred. We have changed the Companion Policy to provide guidance on what constitutes a "security incident", referencing guidance provided by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (U.S. Department of Commerce) (NIST).{1}

We have added requirements in the Instrument under section 12.1 and section 12.1.1 that marketplaces keep records of any systems failures, malfunctions, delays or security incidents and identify whether they are material. In response to concerns raised by commenters and to avoid placing undue burden on marketplaces, we have not proceeded with additional related reporting requirements that were included in the proposed amendments to NI 21-101 published for comment. However, guidance included in the Companion Policy provides that the CSA may request additional information from marketplaces regarding systems failures, malfunctions, delays or security incidents.

We have also clarified the requirement at section 12.1.2 that marketplaces must annually engage a qualified party to perform appropriate assessments and testing to identify security vulnerabilities and measure the effectiveness of information security controls that assess the marketplace's compliance with paragraphs 12.1(a) and 12.1.1(a) of the Instrument. Section 12.1.2 replaces guidance previously set out in the Companion Policy on vulnerability assessments and is consistent with similar requirements being proposed for recognized clearing agencies in National Instrument 24-102 Clearing Agency Requirements.

Other changes

Lastly, several non-substantive changes, corrections and clarifications have been made. By their nature, none of the non-substantive changes will have any impact on the application of NI 21-101 to marketplaces and IPs.

The following table presents the changes to NI 21-101 as a result of the Amendments.

Provision

Subject

Description of Change

 

National Instrument 21-101

 

Sub. 3.2(2)

Fee changes

Changes to Exhibit L must be filed 15 business days before implementing the change

 

Para. 3.2(3)(a)

Housekeeping changes

Housekeeping changes to Form 21-101F1 and Form 21-101F2 filed quarterly rather than monthly

 

Sub. 3.2(6)

Annual consolidated F1/F2

Unchanged information may be incorporated by reference into annual filing

 

S. 4.3

Financial reporting

Exchanges to file interim financial reports within 60 days of the end of each interim period

 

Para. 12.1(a)

IT controls

IT general controls must include controls relating to cyber resilience

 

Para. 12.1(b)

Capacity stress tests

Clarified requirement that stress testing must determine the processing capability of IT systems

 

Para. 12.1(c)

Notification of systems incidents

Marketplaces must provide prompt notification of material security incidents (for critical and auxiliary systems)

 

Para. 12.1(d)

Record-keeping for systems incidents

Marketplaces must keep records of any systems failure, malfunction, delay or security incident and identify whether it is material

 

S. 12.1.2

Vulnerability assessments

Marketplaces must engage a qualified party to perform a vulnerability assessment at least annually

 

Sub. 12.2(1)

Independent Systems Review (ISR)

Marketplace must engage a qualified external auditor to conduct an independent systems review

 

Para. 12.2(2)(b)

Reporting of ISR

Delivery of report to the CSA within 60 days of report completion (rather than calendar year end)

 

Ss. 14.5 and 14.5.1

System requirements for Information Processors (IPs)

Changes to systems requirements for IPs to conform to changes to requirements for marketplaces

 

Form 21-101F1, Form 21-101F2 and Form 21-101F5

 

Exhibits (general)

Date of implementation of change

Date of implementation to reflect the actual or expected date of implementation

 

Exhibit B

Ownership of marketplace

Threshold for disclosure raised from 5% to 10%

 

 

 

Carve out for marketplaces that are reporting issuers

 

Exhibit C

Organization of marketplace and IP

Streamlining of information to be provided to reduce burden and eliminate duplication

 

Exhibit D

Affiliates of marketplace

Streamlining of information to be provided to reduce burden and eliminate duplication

 

Exhibit E

Operations of marketplace

Streamlining of information to be provided to reduce burden and eliminate duplication

 

Form 21-101F3

 

Part A

General marketplace information

Removal of requirements to report on previously filed amendments to F1 and F2

 

Part A

Systems-related reporting

Removal of requirements to report systems outages and changes

 

Part B (Section 1)

Equity marketplaces trading exchange-listed securities

All reporting requirements have been removed to alleviate regulatory burden, as IIROC currently collects much of this information

 

Part B (Section 2)

Fixed Income marketplaces

Reporting requirements for concentration of trading by marketplace participant (Chart 9) removed

 

Companion Policy 21-101CP

 

S. 6.2

Financial reporting

Guidance on the form of financial reporting for marketplaces, including guidance on interim periods and accounting principles

 

Sub. 7.8(1)

Conflicts of interest

Clarification of guidance that the conflict of interest policies and procedures marketplaces are required to maintain should address actual, potential or perceived conflicts in respect of any involvement of partners, directors, officers, or employees of a marketplace's owners in the marketplace's operations

 

Sub. 14.1(1)

IT controls

Revised guidance on sources of guidance as to what may constitute adequate IT controls

 

Sub. 14.1(2.1)

Materiality of systems incidents

Additional guidance on what constitutes a material systems incident

 

Sub. 14.1(2.2)

Security incidents

Additional guidance on what constitutes a material security incident and the public disclosure of a security incident

 

Sub. 14.1(2.3)

Prompt notification of material systems incidents

Additional guidance on the requirement to promptly report material systems incidents

 

Sub. 14.1(2.4)

Record-keeping for systems incidents

Guidance on the CSA's expectations for record-keeping in relation to systems incidents

 

Sub. 14.1(3)

Independent Systems Reviews

Additional guidance regarding qualified external auditors and expectations regarding the form and substance of the ISR

 

Sub. 14.1(3.1)

Vulnerability assessments

Guidance regarding qualified parties performing the required assessments and testing

{1} The NIST definition of "security incident" is available at https://csrc.nist.gov/Glossary.

 

ANNEX B

List of Commenters on Proposed Amendments to National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation and related Companion Policy 21-101CP (as published for comment on April 18, 2019)

Commenters:

CNSX Markets Inc. (Canadian Securities Exchange)

Nasdaq CXC Limited (Nasdaq Canada)

Neo Exchange Inc.

TMX Group Limited

TriAct Canada Marketplace LP (MATCHNow)

 

ANNEX C

Summary of Comments on Proposed Amendments to National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation and related Companion Policy 21-101CP and CSA Response

Topic/Reference

Summary of Comments

CSA Response

 

General Comments

 

Exemption framework for foreign ATSs

One commenter recommended introducing an exemption framework for foreign ATSs that trade foreign listed securities and/or foreign traded securities. The commenter indicated that the requirements for foreign fixed income ATSs considered to be carrying on business in Canada are burdensome and duplicative and that the CSA should place greater reliance on the foreign marketplace's home jurisdiction for regulatory oversight.

We acknowledge the comment and note that CSA Staff is separately considering an exemption framework for foreign-based ATSs trading fixed-income securities.

 

Streamlining Reporting Requirements

 

Annual consolidated Form 21-101F1 and Form 21-101F2

Several commenters indicated that the requirement to file an annual consolidated Form F1 or F2 is burdensome and does not provide any information that is not already provided during the periodic filings. The commenters suggested that this requirement should be removed from the Instrument.

We have retained the requirement for marketplaces to file an annual consolidated F1 or F2. In our view, the requirement to prepare and file an annual consolidation assists both marketplaces and CSA staff in keeping the information in the forms accurate and up-to-date. The inclusion of subsection 3.2(6) in the Instrument will allow marketplaces to streamline their annual consolidation and avoid the burden associated with duplicating information already filed with the CSA.

 

 

In the event that the requirement at subsection 3.2(5) of the Instrument is removed, one commenter indicated that it would no longer be necessary to include proposed new subsection 3.2(6) in the Instrument.

 

 

 

Housekeeping changes to Form 21-101F1 and Form 21-101F2

Commenters generally supported the proposed revision of subsection 3.2(3) of the Instrument to provide for the quarterly filing of housekeeping changes to the F1 and F2. However, one commenter indicated that changing the reporting timeframe for non-significant changes to quarterly may result in unintended duplication with the contents of the F3, as both reports will cover the same filing period.

We have removed the requirements in the F3 for marketplaces to provide information on the implementation status of changes previously filed. We think this will address the risk of unintended duplication raised by the commenter.

 

Form 21-101F1 and Form 21-101F2 -- Exhibits

Commenters generally supported the proposed revisions to the information in the Exhibits to the F1 and F2. However, commenters identified numerous other data points in the Exhibits that, in their view, represented burdensome or duplicative information requirements that should be streamlined or eliminated.

We have streamlined the data points in the Exhibits to the F1 and F2 to address many of the comments raised. In particular, the threshold for reporting significant shareholders in Exhibit B has been raised from 5% to 10% and marketplaces that are also reporting issuers have been carved out of this requirement. Exhibits C, D, and E have also been streamlined as suggested in the comments received.

 

 

Specific examples identified by the commenters include:

We have also removed the requirement in the F1 and F2 to file a clean version of the revised form.

 

 

The current 5% threshold in Exhibit B for identifying significant shareholders of a marketplace is too low and, for a marketplace that is a reporting issuer, may be impractical in any event. The CSA should consider raising the disclosure threshold to 10%, which is already an established securities law threshold.

 

 

 

Exhibits C and D may be streamlined to eliminate duplicative information about directors' occupations and principal business activities.

 

 

 

Exhibit E may be streamlined to eliminate overlapping and duplicative information about a marketplace's operations.

 

 

 

The CSA should reconsider the need to require the updating of Exhibits J and L where the rules and fees of an exchange are publicly available on the exchange's website.

 

 

 

 

One commenter also recommended that for amended F1s and F2s, only the blacklined versions of the forms should be filed, as simultaneous filing of clean versions of the forms causes burden and continuity issues.

 

 

 

Form 21-101F3 -- Part A

Several commenters indicated that the information in Items 4-7 of Part A of the F3 duplicates information marketplaces already file with the CSA or does not materially contribute to the CSA's oversight of marketplaces. Commenters indicated that Items 4-7 of Part A should be eliminated from the F3.

We have removed Items 4-7 of Part A of the F3.

 

Form 21-101F3 -- Part B

Several commenters also indicated that much of the information required by the charts in Section 1 of Part B of the F3 is already provided to IIROC or, in certain instances, is no longer relevant and is consequently burdensome to produce.

We have removed the reporting requirements in Section 1 of Part B relating to equity marketplaces trading exchange-listed securities.

 

 

One commenter noted specifically that the information in Chart 6 in respect of routing of marketplace orders is no longer relevant as marketplaces no longer route orders for purposes of order protection requirements. Commenters generally suggested that the information in the F3 relating to the activities of marketplaces trading exchange-listed securities should be eliminated from the form.

 

 

 

Fee changes

Several commenters indicated that the proposed change to subsection 3.2(2) of the Instrument, increasing the filing timeline for fee changes from seven business days to 15 business days before implementation, would result in unnecessary delays, and associated burden, for marketplaces needing to make fee changes on tight timing for competitive reasons.

We have left the timing for the filing of changes to Exhibit L as proposed (15 business days). In our view, changes to fees and fee models represent an area of increasing complexity in marketplace operations that warrants a reasonable period of time for the CSA to consider new and complex proposals. We do not think that the extra time allowed for considering fee changes unfairly disadvantages marketplaces in making changes quickly in a competitive environment.

 

 

Commenters indicated that for non-controversial fee changes that replicated existing models or resulted in simple fee decreases, marketplaces should have a mechanism for an accelerated implementation timeline.

 

 

 

 

One commenter recommended a review framework for proposed fee changes whereby, within 15 business days of filing, there would be a decision to approve the change for immediate implementation, put the fee change out for public comment, or require the marketplace to resubmit a revised fee change proposal for a further 15-business day review.

 

 

 

Financial reporting

Several commenters indicated that the proposed requirement for recognized exchanges to file interim financial reports within 45 days of the end of the interim period is too short a time period and presents difficulties in efficiently scheduling board meetings to review financial reporting. The commenters indicated that for recognized exchanges that are not reporting issuers, the filing deadline should be extended to 60 days.

We have changed new section 4.3 of the Instrument to require recognized exchanges to file interim financial reports within 60 days after the end of each interim period.

 

 

One commenter also indicated that for recognized exchanges that are not reporting issuers, the time period for filing annual audited financial statements at subsection 4.2(1) should be extended from 90 days to 120 days.

However, we do not think it is appropriate to extend the timeline to file annual audited financial statements to 120 days for recognized exchanges that are not reporting issuers. In our view, it is important that recognized exchanges submit annual financial statements on a timely basis in order for Staff to review the exchanges' financial condition. Consequently, we have not changed the timeframe for annual financial reporting for recognized exchanges.

 

 

Finally, one commenter indicated that the disclosure of accounting principles and statement of compliance with IFRS will result in considerable work for recognized exchanges that are not reporting issuers and may not be consistent with similar requirements in the terms and conditions of the exchange recognition orders.

 

 

 

CEO certification

One commenter indicated that the form of certification required at subsection 3.2(4) of the Instrument duplicates the form of certification already required by the F1 and F2 and should be eliminated.

We acknowledge the comment but have not made any changes to the form of certification at subsection 3.2(4) and in the Forms. We note that the subsection 3.2(4) requires certification regarding the completeness of the form and that the marketplace is operating as designed. We think that the additional components of this certification are important to retain as part of an annual certification requirement.

 

Systems-related Requirements

 

Cyber resilience

While commenters generally supported the inclusion of the concept of cyber resilience in the systems requirements for marketplaces in Part 12 of the Instrument, one commenter noted that the term "cyber resilience" is not clearly defined in the Instrument and does not otherwise have an accepted or commonly understood definition. The commenter suggested that a clear and measurable definition of cyber resilience be included in the Instrument.

We note that the additional guidance in subsection 14.1(1) of the Companion Policy refers to sources of guidance for marketplaces as to what constitutes adequate IT controls, including controls in relation to cyber resilience. We felt that it was more appropriate to rely on industry guidance for the design of an optimal control environment rather than attempt to precisely define the concept of cyber resilience.

 

Security incidents -- record-keeping and reporting

Commenters expressed concerns with the proposed revisions to Part 12 of the Instrument that would require marketplaces to keep records of and report to regulators in respect of "security incidents" as opposed to "security breaches".

We have addressed the concerns with the over-reporting of systems-related information raised in the comments in two respects:

 

 

 

 

1.

We have removed the requirement in Item A6 of the F3 requiring marketplaces to make quarterly reporting of outages or other system events, material or otherwise.

 

 

 

2.

We have revised the record-keeping requirement at para. 12.1(d) of the Instrument to remove the requirement that marketplaces document their materiality assessments in relation to system events.

 

 

Commenters indicated that the proposed guidance on what may constitute a security incident, together with the guidance on the materiality of such incidents for reporting purposes, would result in a significant over-reporting of security incidents to the CSA, which would be burdensome and out of proportion to the value of the reporting.

 

 

 

 

Commenters indicated that the proposed requirement at Item A6 of the F3 would create a reporting obligation for all security incidents regardless of materiality or impact on the marketplace or participants and operationalizing such reporting would be very costly.

 

 

 

 

Commenters also indicated that the materiality standard for reporting security incidents should be based on an assessment of the impact of the incident on participants and on a marketplace's key business processes rather than on a framework of reporting up to senior marketplace personnel.

We also note that the guidance in subsection 14.1(2.1) of the Companion Policy on materiality indicates that marketplaces may consider the impact of the systems event on participants in determining whether or not the incident is material for purposes of paragraph 12.1(c) of the Instrument.

 

 

One commenter indicated that the CSA should consider relying on the requirement for independent systems reviews (ISRs) at section 12.2 of the Instrument for assurance that non-material security incidents are being managed appropriately by marketplaces.

 

 

 

Vulnerability assessments (VAs)

Several commenters indicated that VAs, as proposed at section 12.1.2 of the Instrument, are expensive and not necessarily undertaken absent risks or changes to technology. Several commenters suggested that the CSA consider making vulnerability assessments a bi-annual requirement or triggered by other circumstances, including at the request of the CSA. One commenter also requested clarity as to what constitutes a qualified party for purposes of the assessment.

We acknowledge the comments but have not made changes to the requirement at section 12.1.2 of the Instrument. In our view, the requirement for annual vulnerability assessments is consistent with the need for marketplaces to design a control environment that appropriately accounts for cyber resilience. As with the requirement for annual ISRs, the CSA would be prepared to consider exemptions from this requirement in appropriate circumstances.

 

Independent Systems Review

One commenter indicated that the requirement for a marketplace to engage a qualified external auditor to undertake the ISR prevents highly qualified and appropriately independent Internal Audit departments from undertaking the ISR. The commenter noted that applying for exemptions from the requirement to engage a qualified external auditor is also costly.

We acknowledge the comments but have not made any changes to the requirements regarding ISRs as proposed.

 

 

Once commenter also questioned the necessity of the guidance at subsection 14.1(3) of the Companion Policy that the marketplace must discuss its choice of auditor with the CSA if the auditor engaged is required by the Instrument to be qualified. The commenter suggested that if the purpose of the guidance is for the CSA to pre-approve the marketplace's engagement, this requirement should be in the Instrument itself.

In our view, the ISR is a critical tool for managing the risks associated with marketplaces' systems in a deeply interconnected market structure. While we recognize the professional objectivity required of internal auditors, we are of the view that requiring ISRs to be conducted by a qualified external auditor both enhances and promotes confidence in the process. Consequently, we believe it remains essential for marketplaces to engage a qualified external auditor to conduct an ISR on an annual basis.

 

 

One commenter also indicated that the new requirement at subsection 12.2(1) that the ISR be conducted in accordance with "best industry practices" is subjective, notwithstanding the proposed guidance in the Companion Policy, and is not necessary, as the ISR must also be conducted in accordance with established audit standards.

We note, however, that the CSA may consider exemptions from the annual ISR requirement where appropriate. In reviewing the appropriateness of such exemptions, we would consider the circumstances applicable to the marketplaces, which would include the existence of an appropriately qualified an independent Internal Audit department and the functions it performs.

 

 

Several commenters also indicated that the ISR requirement should be changed to a bi-annual requirement, given its associated expense. Commenters suggested that the ISR could be triggered more frequently if a marketplace experiences material systems issues.

Also, we note that paragraph 12.2(2)(b) has been revised to provide for delivery of the ISR report 60 days following completion of the report.

 

 

Lastly, one commenter suggested that the CSA consider building some flexibility into to the date for delivery of the ISR report to the CSA. The deadline of no later than 60 days following the end of the calendar year means that certain reports from sub-service organizations are not received in time to incorporate into the report.

 

 

 

Implementation of material systems changes

One commenter felt that the OSC must take a more flexible approach in its interpretation of OSC Staff Notice 21-706, which provides guidance regarding the timing for a marketplace implementing a material change to its systems. The commenter suggested that 90 days following notification of regulatory approval of a material systems change would be appropriate for "mandatory" changes that all participants must implement but that 30 days would be an appropriate implementation period for functionality that is optional.

OSC Staff intends to revoke OSC Staff Notice 21-706 when the amendments to NI 21-101 take effect. Going forward, the Exchange and ATS Protocols will prohibit marketplaces carrying on business in Ontario from implementing material systems changes earlier than a "reasonable period of time" following notification that the change has been approved.

 

ANNEX D

Amendments to National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation

1. National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation is amended by this Instrument.

2. Section 3.2 is amended

(a) in subsection (2) by replacing "seven" with "15",

(b) in paragraph (3)(a) by replacing "month" with "calendar quarter", and

(c) by adding the following subsection:

(6) For the purposes of subsection (5), if information in a marketplace's Form 21-101F1 or Form 21-101F2, as applicable, has not changed since the marketplace filed its most recent Form 21-101F1 or Form 21-101F2 under subsection (5), the marketplace may incorporate that information by reference into its updated and consolidated Form 21-101F1 or Form 21-101F2..

3. Subsection 4.2(1) is amended by deleting "the requirements outlined in".

4. Part 4 is amended by adding the following section:

4.3 Filing of Interim Financial Reports

A recognized exchange and a recognized quotation and trade reporting system must file interim financial reports for each interim period, within 60 days after the end of the interim period, prepared in accordance with paragraphs 4.1(1)(a) and (b)..

5. Subparagraph 12.1(a)(i) is replaced with the following

(i) adequate internal controls over those systems, and.

6. Subparagraph 12.1(a)(ii) is amended by adding "cyber resilience," after "information security,".

7. Subparagraph 12.1(b)(ii) is amended by:

(a) adding "processing capability" after "determine the",

(b) deleting "ability",

(c) adding "perform" after "those systems to",

(d) deleting "process transactions", and

(e) deleting "and" after "efficient manner,".

8. Paragraph 12.1(c) is amended by:

(a) deleting "material",

(b) replacing "breach" wherever it occurs with "incident",

(c) adding "that is material" before "and provide timely", and

(d) adding ", and" at the end of the paragraph.

9. Section 12.1 is amended by adding the following paragraph:

(d) keep a record of any systems failure, malfunction, delay or security incident and identify whether or not it is material..

10. Section 12.1.1 is replaced with the following:

12.1.1 Auxiliary Systems -- For each system that shares network resources with one or more of the systems, operated by or on behalf of the marketplace, that supports order entry, order routing, execution, trade reporting, trade comparison, data feeds, market surveillance and trade clearing, that, if breached, would pose a security threat to one or more of the previously mentioned systems, a marketplace must

(a) develop and maintain adequate information security controls that relate to the security threats posed to any system that supports order entry, order routing, execution, trade reporting, trade comparison, data feeds, market surveillance and trade clearing,

(b) promptly notify the regulator, or in Québec, the securities regulatory authority and, if applicable, its regulation services provider, of any security incident that is material and provide timely updates on the status of the incident, the resumption of service, where applicable, and the results of the marketplace's internal review of the security incident, and

(c) keep a record of any security incident and identify whether or not it is material..

11. Part 12 is amended by adding the following section:

12.1.2 Vulnerability Assessments -- On a reasonably frequent basis and, in any event, at least annually, a marketplace must engage one or more qualified parties to perform appropriate assessments and testing to identify security vulnerabilities and measure the effectiveness of information security controls that assess the marketplace's compliance with paragraphs 12.1(a) and 12.1.1(a)..

12. Subsection 12.2(1) is replaced with the following:

(1) On a reasonably frequent basis and, in any event, at least annually, a marketplace must engage one or more qualified external auditors to conduct an independent systems review and prepare a report in accordance with established audit standards and best industry practices that assesses the marketplace's compliance with

(a) paragraph 12.1(a),

(b) section 12.1.1, and

(c) section 12.4..

13. Paragraph 12.2(2)(b) is replaced with the following:

(b) the regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority, by the earlier of

(i) the 30th day after providing the report to its board of directors or the audit committee, and

(ii) the 60th day after the report's completion..

14. In the following provisions "and" is replaced with "or":

(a) Paragraph 12.3(1)(a), and

(b) Paragraph 12.3(2)(a).

15. Paragraph 12.3(3.1)(a) is amended by replacing "(2)(a)" with "(2)(b)".

16. Subsection 12.4(3) is amended by replacing "marketplace" with "recognized exchange or quotation and trade reporting system".

17. Paragraph 14.5(a) is amended

(a) in subparagraph (i) by replacing "an adequate system of internal controls" with "adequate internal controls", and

(b) in subparagraph (ii) by adding "cyber resilience," after "information security,".

18. Subparagraph 14.5(b)(ii) is amended by:

(a) adding "processing capability" after "determine the",

(b) deleting "ability",

(c) adding "perform" after "those systems to", and

(d) deleting "process information".

19. Paragraph 14.5(c) is replaced with the following:

(c) on a reasonably frequent basis and, in any event, at least annually, engage one or more qualified external auditors to conduct an independent systems review and prepare a report in accordance with established audit standards and best industry practices that assesses the information processor's compliance with paragraph (a) and section 14.6,.

20. Subparagraph 14.5(d)(ii) is replaced with the following:

(ii) the regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority, by the earlier of the 30th day after providing the report to its board of directors or the audit committee and the 60th day after the report's completion,.

21. Paragraph 14.5(e) is replaced with the following:

(e) promptly notify the following of any systems failure, malfunction, delay or security incident that is material and provide timely updates on the status of the failure, malfunction, delay or security incident, the resumption of service, and the results of the information processor's internal review of the failure, malfunction, delay or security incident:

(i) the regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority;

(ii) any regulation services provider, recognized exchange or recognized quotation and trade reporting system monitoring trading of the securities about which information is provided to the information processor, and.

22. Section 14.5 is amended by adding the following paragraph:

(f) keep a record of any systems failure, malfunction, delay or security incident and identify whether or not it is material..

23. Part 14 is amended by adding the following section:

14.5.1 Vulnerability Assessments

On a reasonably frequent basis and, in any event, at least annually, an information processor must engage one or more qualified parties to perform appropriate assessments and testing to identify security vulnerabilities and measure the effectiveness of information security controls that assess the information processor's compliance with paragraph 14.5(a)..

24. Form 21-101F1 is amended by replacing the portion of the Form after the heading "EXHIBITS" and before the heading "Exhibit A -- Corporate Governance" with the following:

File all Exhibits with the Filing. For each Exhibit, include the name of the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system, the date of filing of the Exhibit and the date as of which the information is accurate (if different from the date of the filing). If any Exhibit required is inapplicable, a statement to that effect must be included instead of the Exhibit.

Except as provided below, if the filer, recognized exchange or recognized quotation and trade reporting system files an amendment to the information provided in its Filing and the information relates to an Exhibit filed with the Filing or a subsequent amendment, the filer, recognized exchange or recognized quotation and trade reporting system, must, in order to comply with subsection 3.2(1), (2) or (3) of National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation, provide a description of the change and the actual or expected date of the implementation of the change, and file a complete and updated Exhibit. The filer must provide a blacklined version showing changes from the previous filing.

If the filer, recognized exchange or recognized quotation and trade reporting system has otherwise filed the information required by the previous paragraph pursuant to section 5.5 of National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation, it is not required to file the information again as an amendment to an Exhibit. However, if supplementary material relating to a filed rule is contained in an Exhibit, an amendment to the Exhibit must also be filed..

25. Exhibit B of Form 21-101F1 is replaced with the following:

Exhibit B -- Ownership

In the case of an exchange or quotation and trade reporting system that is a corporation, other than an exchange or quotation and trade reporting system that is a reporting issuer, provide a list of the beneficial holders of 10 percent or more of any class of securities of the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system. For each listed security holder, provide the following:

1. Name.

2. Principal business or occupation and title, if any.

3. Ownership interest, including the total number of securities held, the percentage of the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system's issued and outstanding securities held, and the class or type of security held.

4. Whether the security holder has control (as interpreted in subsection 1.3(2) of National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation).

In the case of an exchange or quotation and trade reporting system that is a partnership, sole proprietorship or other type of organization, provide a list of the registered or beneficial holders of the partnership interests or other ownership interests in the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system. For each person or company listed, provide the following:

1. Name.

2. Principal business or occupation and title, if any.

3. Nature of the ownership interest, including a description of the type of partnership interest or other ownership interest.

4. Whether the person or company has control (as interpreted in subsection 1.3(2) of National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation)..

26. Section 1 of Exhibit C of Form 21-101F1 is amended by

(a) repealing Item 4, and

(b) repealing Item 5.

27. Exhibit D of Form 21-101F1 is amended by

(a) repealing Item 2 of section 2,

(b) repealing Item 5 of section 2, and

(c) repealing Item 6 of section 2.

28. Exhibit E of Form 21-101F1 is amended by

(a) deleting ", including a description of any co-location arrangements" in Item 2 after "services",

(b) repealing Item 7, and

(c) repealing Item 8.

29. Exhibit G of Form 21-101F1 is amended by

(a) replacing "high level" with "high-level" in Item 1 under "General",

(b) replacing "the Instrument" with "National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation" in Item 2 under "General" and in Item 3 under "Systems", and

(c) replacing "are" with "is" in Item 2 under "IT Risk Assessment".

30. Form 21-101F2 is amended by replacing the portion of the Form after the heading "EXHIBITS" and before the heading "Exhibit A -- Corporate Governance" with the following:

File all Exhibits with the Initial Operation Report. For each Exhibit, include the name of the ATS, the date of filing of the Exhibit and the date as of which the information is accurate (if different from the date of the filing). If any Exhibit required is inapplicable, a statement to that effect must be included instead of the Exhibit.

If the ATS files an amendment to the information provided in its Initial Operation Report and the information relates to an Exhibit filed with the Initial Operation Report or a subsequent amendment, the ATS must, in order to comply with subsection 3.2(1), (2) or (3) of National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation, provide a description of the change and the actual or expected date of the implementation of the change, and file a complete and updated Exhibit. The ATS must provide a blacklined version showing changes from the previous filing..

31. Exhibit B of Form 21-101F2 is replaced with the following:

Exhibit B -- Ownership

In the case of an ATS that is a corporation, other than an ATS that is a reporting issuer, provide a list of the beneficial holders of 10 percent or more of any class of securities of the ATS. For each listed security holder, provide the following:

1. Name.

2. Principal business or occupation and title, if any.

3. Ownership interest, including the total number of securities held, the percentage of the ATS's issued and outstanding securities held, and the class or type of security held.

4. Whether the security holder has control (as interpreted in subsection 1.3(2) of National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation).

In the case of an ATS that is a partnership, sole proprietorship or other type of organization, provide a list of the registered or beneficial holders of the partnership interests or other ownership interests in the ATS. For each person or company listed, provide the following:

1. Name.

2. Principal business or occupation and title, if any.

3. Nature of the ownership interest, including a description of the type of partnership interest or other ownership interest.

4. Whether the person or company has control (as interpreted in subsection 1.3(2) of National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation)..

32. Section 1 of Exhibit C of Form 21-101F2 is amended by

(a) repealing Item 4, and

(b) repealing Item 5.

33. Exhibit D of Form 21-101F2 is amended by

(a) repealing Item 2 of section 2, and

(b) repealing Item 5 of section 2.

34. Exhibit E of Form 21-101F2 is amended by

(a) deleting ", including a description of any co-location arrangements" in Item 2,

(b) repealing Item 7, and

(c) repealing Item 8.

35. Exhibit G of Form 21-101F2 is amended by

(a) replacing "high level" with "high-level" in Item 1 under "General",

(b) replacing "the Instrument" with ":National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation" in Item 2 under "General" and in Item 3 under "Systems", and

(c) replacing "are" with "is" in Item 2 under "IT Risk Assessment".

36. Part A of Form 21-101F3 is amended by

(a) repealing Item B in section 3,

(b) repealing Item C in section 3,

(c) repealing section 4,

(d) repealing section 5,

(e) repealing section 6, and

(f) repealing section 7.

37. Section 1 of Part B of Form 21-101F3 is amended by

(a) repealing Item 1 and Chart 1,

(b) repealing Item 2 and Chart 2,

(c) repealing Item 3 and Chart 3,

(d) repealing Item 4 and Chart 4,

(e) repealing Item 5 and Chart 5, and

(f) repealing Item 6 and Chart 6.

38. Section 2 of Part B of Form 21-101F3 is amended by

(a) repealing Item 3, and

(b) repealing Chart 9.

39. Form 21-101F5 is amended by replacing the portion of the Form after the heading "Exhibits" and before the heading "Exhibit A -- Corporate Governance" with the following:

File all Exhibits with the Initial Form. For each Exhibit, include the name of the information processor, the date of filing of the Exhibit and the date as of which the information is accurate (if different from the date of the filing). If any Exhibit required is inapplicable, a statement to that effect must be included instead of the Exhibit.

If the information processor files an amendment to the information provided in its Initial Form, and the information relates to an Exhibit filed with the Initial Form or a subsequent amendment, the information processor must, in order to comply with sections 14.1 and 14.2 of National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation, provide a description of the change and the actual or expected date of the implementation of the change, and file a complete and updated Exhibit. The information processor must provide a blacklined version showing changes from the previous filing..

40. Section 1 of Exhibit C of Form 21-101F5 is amended by

(a) replacing "directors," with "officers," after "list of the partners,",

(b) repealing Item 4, and

(c) repealing Item 5.

41. Section 1 of Exhibit G of Form 21-101F5 is amended by replacing "National Instruments 21-101 and 23-101" with "National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation and National Instrument 23-101 Trading Rules".

42. In the following provisions of Form 21-101F5, "National Instrument 21-101" is replaced with "National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation":

(a) Section 2 of Exhibit J,

(b) Section 1 of Exhibit K, and

(c) Exhibit M wherever the expression occurs.

43.

(1) The Instrument comes into force on September 14, 2020.

(2) In Saskatchewan, despite subsection (1), if this Instrument is filed with the Registrar of Regulations after September 14, 2020, this Instrument comes into force on the day on which it is filed with the Registrar of Regulations.

 

ANNEX E

Changes to Companion Policy 21-101CP Marketplace Operation

1. Companion Policy 21-101CP Marketplace Operation is changed by this Document.

2. Subsection 6.1(6) is changed by replacing "seven" with "15" immediately before "business days before the expected implementation date".

3. Section 6.2 is replaced with the following:

6.2 Filing of Financial Statements - Part 4 of the Instrument sets out the financial reporting requirements applicable to marketplaces. Subsections 4.1(2) and 4.2(2) respectively require an ATS to file audited financial statements initially, together with Form 21-101F2, and on an annual basis thereafter. These financial statements may be in the same form as those filed with IIROC. The annual audited financial statements may be filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities at the same time as they are filed with IIROC.

Section 4.3 requires recognized exchanges and recognized quotation and trade reporting systems to file interim financial reports within 60 days after the end of each interim period. In the view of the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, the term interim period means a period commencing on the first day of the recognized exchange's or quotation and trade reporting system's financial year and ending nine, six or three months before the end of the same financial year.

The Canadian securities regulatory authorities expect that financial statements and reports filed under subsections 4.2 and 4.3 should disclose the accounting principles used to prepare them. For clarity, financial statements and reports should include:

(a) in the case of annual financial statements, an unreserved statement of compliance with IFRS;

(b) in the case of an interim financial report, an unreserved statement of compliance with International Accounting Standard 34 Interim Financial Reporting..

4. Section 7.2 is changed by replacing "authority" with "authorities" after "Canadian securities regulatory".

5. Section 7.3 is changed by deleting ", policies" after "violations of rules".

6. Section 7.8 is changed by replacing subsection (1) with the following:

(1) Marketplaces are required under section 5.11 of the Instrument to maintain and ensure compliance with policies and procedures that identify and manage conflicts of interest arising from the operation of the marketplace or the services it provides. These may include conflicts, actual, potential or perceived, related to the commercial interest of the marketplace, the interests of its owners or its operators, including partners, directors, officers, or employees of the marketplace's owners, referral arrangements and the responsibilities and sound functioning of the marketplace. For an exchange and quotation and trade reporting system, they may also include potential conflicts between the operation of the marketplace and its regulatory responsibilities..

7. Section 14.1 is changed by replacing subsection (1) with the following:

(1) Paragraph 12.1(a) of the Instrument requires the marketplace to develop and maintain adequate internal controls over the systems specified. As well, the marketplace is required to develop and maintain adequate general computer controls. These are the controls which are implemented to support information technology planning, acquisition, development and maintenance, computer operations, information systems support, cyber resilience, and security. Recognized guides as to what constitutes adequate information technology controls may include guidance, principles or frameworks published by the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada (CPA Canada), American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), International Organization for Standardization (ISO) or the National Institute of Standards and Technology (U.S. Department of Commerce) (NIST)..

8. Section 14.1 is changed by replacing subsection (2) with the following:

(2) Capacity management requires that a marketplace monitor, review, and test (including stress test) the actual capacity and performance of its systems on an ongoing basis. Accordingly, paragraph 12.1(b) of the Instrument requires a marketplace to meet certain systems capacity, processing capability and disaster recovery standards. These standards are consistent with prudent business practice. The activities and tests required in this paragraph are to be carried out at least once every 12 months. In practice, continuing changes in technology, risk management requirements and competitive pressures will often result in these activities being carried out or tested more frequently..

9. Section 14.1 is changed by replacing subsection (2.1) with the following:

(2.1) Paragraph 12.1(c) of the Instrument requires a marketplace to promptly notify the regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority of any systems failure, malfunction, delay or security incident that is material. A failure, malfunction, delay or security incident is considered "material" if the marketplace would, in the normal course of operations, escalate the matter to or inform senior management ultimately accountable for technology. Such events would not generally include those that have or would have little or no impact on the marketplace's operations or on participants. Non-material events may become material if they recur or have a cumulative effect..

10. Section 14.1 is changed by adding the following subsections:

(2.2) For purposes of paragraph 12.1(c) of the Instrument, a security incident is considered to be any event that actually or potentially jeopardizes the confidentiality, integrity or availability of any of the systems that support the functions listed in section 12.1 or any system that shares network resources with one or more of these systems or the information the system processes, stores or transmits, or that constitutes a violation or imminent threat of violation of security policies, security procedures or acceptable use policies. Any security incident that requires non-routine measures or resources by the marketplace would be considered material and thus reportable to the regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority. The onus would be on the marketplace to document the reasons for any security incident it did not consider material. Marketplaces should also have documented criteria to guide the decision on when to publicly disclose a security incident. The criteria for public disclosure of a security incident should include, but not be limited to, any instance in which client data could be compromised. Public disclosure should include information on the types and number of participants affected..

(2.3) With respect to the prompt notification requirement in paragraph 12.1(c), the Canadian securities regulatory authorities expect that a marketplace will provide notification of a systems failure, malfunction, delay or security incident that is material, orally or in writing, upon escalating the matter to its senior management. It is expected that, as part of the required notification, the marketplace will provide updates on the status of the failure, malfunction, delay or incident and the resumption of service. The marketplace should also have comprehensive and well-documented procedures in place to record, report, analyze, and resolve all incidents. In this regard, the marketplace should undertake a "post-incident" review to identify the causes and any required improvement to the normal operations or business continuity arrangements. Such reviews should, where relevant, include the marketplace's participants. The results of such internal reviews are required to be communicated to the regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority as soon as practicable. We note that CSA Staff Notice 21-326 Guidance for Reporting Material Systems Incidents provides marketplaces with additional guidance and a comprehensive set of guidelines for reporting material systems incidents under paragraph 12.1(c)..

(2.4) Paragraph 12.1(d) of the Instrument requires a marketplace to keep a record of any systems failure, malfunction, delay or security incident and identify whether or not it is material. We note that a marketplace may be asked to provide the regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority, with additional information, such as but not limited to reports, logs or other documents related to a systems failure, malfunction, delay, security incident or any other system or process-related data..

(2.5) A marketplace should also refer to the guidance in (2.2), (2.3) and (2.4) regarding security incidents that arise in connection with a marketplace's auxiliary systems under section 12.1.1 of the Instrument. A marketplace may be asked to provide the regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority, with additional information, such as but not limited to reports, logs or other documents related to a security incident..

11. Section 14.1 is changed by replacing subsection (3) with the following:

(3) Subsection 12.2(1) of the Instrument requires a marketplace to engage one or more qualified external auditors to conduct an annual independent systems review to assess the marketplace's compliance with paragraph 12.1(a), section 12.1.1 and section 12.4 of the Instrument. The review must be conducted and reported on at least once in each 12-month period by a qualified external auditor in accordance with established audit standards and best industry practices. We consider that best industry practices include the "Trust Services Criteria" developed by the American Institute of CPAs and CPA Canada. The focus of the assessment of any systems that share network resources with trading-related systems required under paragraph 12.2(1)(b) would be to address potential threats from a security incident that could negatively impact a trading-related system. For purposes of subsection 12.2(1), we consider a qualified external auditor to be a person or company or a group of persons or companies with relevant experience in both information technology and in the evaluation of related internal controls in a complex information technology environment. Before engaging a qualified external auditor to conduct the independent systems review, a marketplace is expected to discuss its choice of external auditor and the scope of the systems review mandate with the regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority. We further expect that the report prepared by the external auditor include, to the extent applicable, an audit opinion that (i) the description included in the report fairly presents the systems and controls that were designed and implemented throughout the reporting period, (ii) the controls stated in the description were suitably designed, and (iii) the controls operated effectively throughout the reporting period..

12. Section 14.1 is changed by replacing subsection (3.1) with the following:

(3.1) Section 12.1.2 of the Instrument requires a marketplace to engage one or more qualified parties to perform appropriate assessments and testing to identify security vulnerabilities and measure the effectiveness of information security controls. We would expect a marketplace to implement appropriate improvements where necessary. For the purposes of section 12.1.2, we consider a qualified party to be a person or company or a group of persons or companies with relevant experience in both information technology and in the evaluation of related internal systems or controls in a complex information technology environment. We consider that qualified parties may include external auditors or third-party information system consultants, as well as employees of the marketplace or an affiliated entity of the marketplace but may not be persons responsible for the development or operation of the systems or capabilities being tested. The regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority may, in accordance with securities legislation, require the marketplace to provide a copy of any such assessment..

13. Section 14.1 is changed by deleting subsection (4).

14. Section 14.1 is changed by replacing subsection (5) with the following:

(5) Under section 15.1 of the Instrument, the regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority may consider granting a marketplace an exemption from the requirements to engage one or more qualified external auditors to conduct an annual independent systems review and prepare a report under subsection 12.2(1) of the Instrument provided that the marketplace prepare a control self-assessment and file this self-assessment with the regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority. The scope of the self-assessment would be similar to the scope that would have applied if the marketplace underwent an independent systems review. Reporting of the self-assessment results and the timeframe for reporting would be consistent with that established for an independent systems review.

In determining if the exemption is in the public interest and the length of the exemption, the regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority may consider a number of factors including: the market share of the marketplace, the timing of the last independent systems review, changes to systems or staff of the marketplace and whether the marketplace has experienced material systems failures, malfunction or delays..

15. Section 14.3 is changed by replacing subsection (1) with the following:

(1) Business continuity management is a key component of a marketplace's operational risk-management framework. Section 12.4 of the Instrument requires that marketplaces develop and maintain reasonable business continuity plans, including disaster recovery plans. Business continuity planning should encompass all policies and procedures to ensure uninterrupted provision of key services regardless of the cause of potential disruption. In fulfilling the requirement to develop and maintain reasonable business continuity plans, the Canadian securities regulatory authorities expect that marketplaces are to remain current with best practices for business continuity planning and to adopt them to the extent that they address their critical business needs..

16. These changes become effective on September 14, 2020.

 

ANNEX F

NATIONAL INSTRUMENT 21-101 MARKETPLACE OPERATION

PART 1 DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATION

1.1 Definitions -- In this Instrument

"accounting principles" means accounting principles as defined in National Instrument 52-107 Acceptable Accounting Principles and Auditing Standards;

"alternative trading system",

(a) in every jurisdiction other than Ontario, means a marketplace that

(i) is not a recognized quotation and trade reporting system or a recognized exchange, and

(ii) does not

(A) require an issuer to enter into an agreement to have its securities traded on the marketplace,

(B) provide, directly, or through one or more subscribers, a guarantee of a two-sided market for a security on a continuous or reasonably continuous basis,

(C) set requirements governing the conduct of subscribers, other than conduct in respect of the trading by those subscribers on the marketplace, and

(D) discipline subscribers other than by exclusion from participation in the marketplace, and

(b) in Ontario has the meaning set out in subsection 1(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario);

"ATS" means an alternative trading system;

"corporate debt security" means a debt security issued in Canada by a company or corporation that is not listed on a recognized exchange or quoted on a recognized quotation and trade reporting system or listed on an exchange or quoted on a quotation and trade reporting system that has been recognized for the purposes of this Instrument and NI 23-101, and does not include a government debt security;

"exchange-traded security" means a security that is listed on a recognized exchange or is quoted on a recognized quotation and trade reporting system or is listed on an exchange or quoted on a quotation and trade reporting system that is recognized for the purposes of this Instrument and NI 23-101;

"foreign exchange-traded security" means a security that is listed on an exchange, or quoted on a quotation and trade reporting system, outside of Canada that is regulated by an ordinary member of the International Organization of Securities Commissions and is not listed on an exchange or quoted on a quotation and trade reporting system in Canada;

"government debt security" means

(a) a debt security issued or guaranteed by the government of Canada, or any province or territory of Canada,

(b) a debt security issued or guaranteed by any municipal corporation or municipal body in Canada, or secured by or payable out of rates or taxes levied under the law of a jurisdiction of Canada on property in the jurisdiction and to be collected by or through the municipality in which the property is situated,

(c) a debt security issued or guaranteed by a crown corporation or public body in Canada,

(d) in Ontario, a debt security of any school board in Ontario or of a corporation established under section 248(1) of the Education Act (Ontario), or

(e) in Québec, a debt security of the Comité de gestion de la taxe scolaire de I'île de Montréal

that is not listed on a recognized exchange or quoted on a recognized quotation and trade reporting system or listed on an exchange or quoted on a quotation and trade reporting system that has been recognized for the purposes of this Instrument and NI 23-101;

"IIROC" means the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada;

"information processor" means any person or company that receives and provides information under this Instrument and has filed Form 21-101F5 and,

(a) in Ontario and Saskatchewan, that is a designated information processor, and

(b) in Québec, that is a recognized information processor;

"inter-dealer bond broker" means a person or company that is approved by IIROC under IIROC Rule 36 Inter-Dealer Bond Brokerage Systems, as amended, and is subject to IIROC Rule 36 and IIROC Rule 2100 Inter-Dealer Bond Brokerage Systems, as amended;

"market integrator" [repealed]

"marketplace",

(a) in every jurisdiction other than Ontario, means

(i) an exchange,

(ii) a quotation and trade reporting system,

(iii) a person or company not included in clause (i) or (ii) that

(A) constitutes, maintains or provides a market or facility for bringing together buyers and sellers of securities,

(B) brings together the orders for securities of multiple buyers and sellers, and

(C) uses established, non-discretionary methods under which the orders interact with each other, and the buyers and sellers entering the orders agree to the terms of a trade, or

(iv) a dealer that executes a trade of an exchange-traded security outside of a marketplace, but does not include an inter-dealer bond broker, and

(b) in Ontario has the meaning set out in subsection 1(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario);

"marketplace participant" means a member of an exchange, a user of a quotation and trade reporting system, or a subscriber of an ATS;

"member" means, for a recognized exchange, a person or company

(a) holding at least one seat on the exchange, or

(b) that has been granted direct trading access rights by the exchange and is subject to regulatory oversight by the exchange,

and the person or company's representatives;

"NI 23-101" means National Instrument 23-101 Trading Rules;

"order" means a firm indication by a person or company, acting as either principal or agent, of a willingness to buy or sell a security;

"participant dealer" means a participant dealer as defined in Part 1 of National Instrument 23-103 Electronic Trading and Direct Electronic Access to Marketplaces;

"private enterprise" means a private enterprise as defined in Part 3 of National Instrument 52-107 Acceptable Accounting Principles and Auditing Standards;

"publicly accountable enterprise" means a publicly accountable enterprise as defined in Part 3 of National Instrument 52-107 Acceptable Accounting Principles and Auditing Standards;

"recognized exchange" means

(a) in Ontario, a recognized exchange as defined in subsection 1(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario),

(b) in Québec, an exchange recognized by the securities regulatory authority under securities or derivatives legislation as an exchange or self-regulatory organization, and

(c) in every other jurisdiction, an exchange recognized by the securities regulatory authority as an exchange, self-regulatory organization or self-regulatory body;

"recognized quotation and trade reporting system" means

(a) in every jurisdiction other than British Columbia, Ontario and Québec, a quotation and trade reporting system recognized by the securities regulatory authority under securities legislation to carry on business as a quotation and trade reporting system,

(b) in British Columbia, a quotation and trade reporting system recognized by the securities regulatory authority under securities legislation as a quotation and trade reporting system or as an exchange,

(b.1) in Ontario, a recognized quotation and trade reporting system as defined in subsection 1(1) of the Securities Act (Ontario), and

(c) in Québec, a quotation and trade reporting system recognized by the securities regulatory authority under securities or derivatives legislation as an exchange or a self-regulatory organization;

"regulation services provider" means a person or company that provides regulation services and is

(a) a recognized exchange,

(b) a recognized quotation and trade reporting system, or

(c) a recognized self-regulatory entity;

"self-regulatory entity" means a self-regulatory body or self-regulatory organization that

(a) is not an exchange, and

(b) is recognized as a self-regulatory body or self-regulatory organization by the securities regulatory authority;

"subscriber" means, for an ATS, a person or company that has entered into a contractual agreement with the ATS to access the ATS for the purpose of effecting trades or submitting, disseminating or displaying orders on the ATS, and the person or company's representatives;

"trading fee" means the fee that a marketplace charges for execution of a trade on that marketplace;

"trading volume" means the number of securities traded;

"unlisted debt security" means a government debt security or corporate debt security; and

"user" means, for a recognized quotation and trade reporting system, a person or company that quotes orders or reports trades on the recognized quotation and trade reporting system, and the person or company's representatives.

1.2 Interpretation -- Marketplace -- For the purpose of the definition of "marketplace" in section 1.1, a person or company is not considered to constitute, maintain or provide a market or facilities for bringing together buyers and sellers of securities, solely because the person or company routes orders to a marketplace or a dealer for execution.

1.3 Interpretation -- Affiliated Entity, Controlled Entity and Subsidiary Entity

(1) In this Instrument, a person or company is considered to be an affiliated entity of another person or company if one is a subsidiary entity of the other or if both are subsidiary entities of the same person or company, or if each of them is a controlled entity of the same person or company.

(2) In this Instrument, a person or company is considered to be controlled by a person or company if

(a) in the case of a person or company,

(i) voting securities of the first-mentioned person or company carrying more than 50 percent of the votes for the election of directors are held, otherwise than by way of security only, by or for the benefit of the other person or company, and

(ii) the votes carried by the securities are entitled, if exercised, to elect a majority of the directors of the first-mentioned person or company;

(b) in the case of a partnership that does not have directors, other than a limited partnership, the second-mentioned person or company holds more than 50 percent of the interests in the partnership; or

(c) in the case of a limited partnership, the general partner is the second-mentioned person or company.

(3) In this Instrument, a person or company is considered to be a subsidiary entity of another person or company if

(a) it is a controlled entity of,

(i) that other,

(ii) that other and one or more persons or companies each of which is a controlled entity of that other, or

(iii) two or more persons or companies, each of which is a controlled entity of that other; or

(b) it is a subsidiary entity of a person or company that is the other's subsidiary entity.

1.4 Interpretation -- Security

(1) In British Columbia, the term "security", when used in this Instrument, includes an option that is an exchange contract but does not include a futures contract.

(2) In Ontario, the term "security", when used in this Instrument, does not include a commodity futures contract or a commodity futures option that is not traded on a commodity futures exchange registered with or recognized by the Commission under the Commodity Futures Act or the form of which is not accepted by the Director under the Commodity Futures Act.

(3) In Québec, the term "security", when used in this Instrument, includes a standardized derivative as this notion is defined in the Derivatives Act.

1.5 Interpretation -- NI 23-101

Terms defined or interpreted in NI 23-101 and used in this Instrument have the respective meanings ascribed to them in NI 23-101.

PART 2 APPLICATION

2.1 Application -- This Instrument does not apply to a marketplace that is a member of a recognized exchange or a member of an exchange that has been recognized for the purposes of this Instrument and NI 23-101.

PART 3 MARKETPLACE INFORMATION

3.1 Initial Filing of Information

(1) A person or company must file as part of its application for recognition as an exchange or a quotation and trade reporting system Form 21-101F1.

(2) A person or company must not carry on business as an ATS unless it has filed Form 21-101F2 at least 45 days before the ATS begins to carry on business as an ATS.

3.2 Change in Information

(1) Subject to subsection (2), a marketplace must not implement a significant change to a matter set out in Form 21-101F1 or in Form 21-101F2 unless the marketplace has filed an amendment to the information provided in Form 21-101F1 or in Form 21-101F2 in the manner set out in the applicable form at least 45 days before implementing the change.

(1.1) A marketplace that has entered into an agreement with a regulation services provider under NI 23-101 must not implement a significant change to a matter set out in Exhibit E -- Operation of the Marketplace of Form 21-101F1 or Exhibit E -- Operation of the Marketplace of Form 21-101F2 as applicable, or Exhibit I -- Securities of Form 21-101F1 or Exhibit I -- Securities of Form 21-101F2 as applicable, unless the marketplace has provided the applicable exhibit to its regulation services provider at least 45 days before implementing the change.

(2) A marketplace must file an amendment to the information provided in Exhibit L -- Fees of Form 21-101F1 or Exhibit L -- Fees of Form 21-101F2, as applicable, at least seven15 business days before implementing a change to the information provided in Exhibit L -- Fees.

(3) For any change involving a matter set out in Form 21-101F1 or Form 21-101F2 other than a change referred to in subsection (1) or (2), a marketplace must file an amendment to the information provided in the applicable form by the earlier of

(a) the close of business on the 10th day after the end of the monthcalendar quarter in which the change was made, and

(b) if applicable, the time the marketplace discloses the change publicly.

(4) The chief executive officer of a marketplace, or an individual performing a similar function, must certify in writing, within 30 days after the end of each calendar year, that the information contained in the marketplace's current Form 21-101F1 or Form 21-101F2, as applicable, including the description of its operations, is true, correct, and complete and that the marketplace is operating as described in the applicable form.

(5) A marketplace must file an updated and consolidated Form 21-101F1 or Form 21-101F2, as applicable, within 30 days after the end of each calendar year.

(6) For the purposes of subsection (5), if information in a marketplace's Form 21-101F1 or Form 21-101F2, as applicable, has not changed since the marketplace filed its most recent Form 21-101F1 or Form 21-101F2 under subsection (5), the marketplace may incorporate that information by reference into its updated and consolidated Form 21-101F1 or Form 21-101F2.

3.3 Reporting Requirements

A marketplace must file Form 21-101F3 within 30 days after the end of each calendar quarter during any part of which the marketplace has carried on business.

3.4 Ceasing to Carry on Business as an ATS

(1) An ATS that intends to cease carrying on business as an ATS must file a report on Form 21-101F4 at least 30 days before ceasing to carry on that business.

(2) An ATS that involuntarily ceases to carry on business as an ATS must file a report on Form 21-101F4 as soon as practicable after it ceases to carry on that business.

3.5 Forms Filed in Electronic Form

A person or company that is required to file a form or exhibit under this Instrument must file that form or exhibit in electronic form.

PART 4 MARKETPLACE FILING OF AUDITED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

4.1 Filing of Initial Audited Financial Statements

(1) A person or company must file as part of its application for recognition as an exchange or a quotation and trade reporting system, together with Form 21-101F1, audited financial statements for its latest financial year that

(a) are prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP applicable to publicly accountable enterprises or IFRS,

(b) include notes to the financial statements that identify the accounting principles used to prepare the financial statements, and

(c) are audited in accordance with Canadian GAAS or International Standards on Auditing and are accompanied by an unmodified auditor's report.

(2) A person or company must not carry on business as an ATS unless it has filed, together with Form 21-101F2, audited financial statements for its latest financial year.

4.2 Filing of Annual Audited Financial Statements

(1) A recognized exchange and a recognized quotation and trade reporting system must file annual audited financial statements within 90 days after the end of its financial year in accordance with the requirements outlined in subsection 4.1(1).

(2) An ATS must file annual audited financial statements.

4.3 Filing of Interim Financial Reports

A recognized exchange and a recognized quotation and trade reporting system must file interim financial reports for each interim period, within 60 days after the end of the interim period, prepared in accordance with paragraphs 4.1(1)(a) and (b).

PART 5 MARKETPLACE REQUIREMENTS

5.1 Access Requirements

(1) A marketplace must not unreasonably prohibit, condition or limit access by a person or company to services offered by it.

(2) A marketplace must

(a) establish written standards for granting access to each of its services, and

(b) keep records of

(i) each grant of access including the reasons for granting access to an applicant, and

(ii) each denial or limitation of access, including the reasons for denying or limiting access to an applicant.

(3) A marketplace must not

(a) permit unreasonable discrimination among clients, issuers and marketplace participants, or

(b) impose any burden on competition that is not reasonably necessary and appropriate.

5.2 No Restrictions on Trading on Another Marketplace -- A marketplace must not prohibit, condition, or otherwise limit, directly or indirectly, a marketplace participant from effecting a transaction on any marketplace.

5.3 Public Interest Rules

(1) Rules, policies and other similar instruments adopted by a recognized exchange or a recognized quotation and trade reporting system

(a) must not be contrary to the public interest; and

(b) must be designed to

(i) ensure compliance with securities legislation,

(ii) prevent fraudulent and manipulative acts and practices,

(iii) promote just and equitable principles of trade, and

(iv) foster co-operation and co-ordination with persons or companies engaged in regulating, clearing, settling, processing information with respect to, and facilitating, transactions in securities.

(2) [repealed]

5.4 Compliance Rules -- A recognized exchange or a recognized quotation and trade reporting system must have rules or other similar instruments that

(a) require compliance with securities legislation; and

(b) provide appropriate sanctions for violations of the rules or other similar instruments of the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system.

5.5 Filing of Rules -- A recognized exchange or a recognized quotation and trade reporting system must file all rules, policies and other similar instruments, and all amendments thereto.

5.6 [repealed]

5.7 Fair and Orderly Markets -- A marketplace must take all reasonable steps to ensure that its operations do not interfere with fair and orderly markets.

5.8 Discriminatory Terms -- A marketplace must not impose terms that have the effect of discriminating between orders that are routed to the marketplace and orders that are entered on that marketplace for execution.

5.9 Risk Disclosure for Trades in Foreign Exchange-Traded Securities

(1) A marketplace that is trading foreign exchange-traded securities must provide each marketplace participant with disclosure in substantially the following words:

"The securities traded by or through the marketplace are not listed on an exchange in Canada and may not be securities of a reporting issuer in Canada. As a result, there is no assurance that information concerning the issuer is available or, if the information is available, that it meets Canadian disclosure requirements."

(2) Before the first order for a foreign exchange-traded security is entered onto the marketplace by a marketplace participant, the marketplace must obtain an acknowledgement from the marketplace participant that the marketplace participant has received the disclosure required in subsection (1).

5.10 Confidential Treatment of Trading Information

(1) A marketplace must not release a marketplace participant's order or trade information to a person or company, other than the marketplace participant, a securities regulatory authority or a regulation services provider unless

(a) the marketplace participant has consented in writing to the release of the information,

(b) the release of the information is required by this Instrument or under applicable law, or

(c) the information has been publicly disclosed by another person or company, and the disclosure was lawful.

(1.1) Despite subsection (1), a marketplace may release a marketplace participant's order or trade information to a person or company if the marketplace

(a) reasonably believes that the information will be used solely for the purpose of capital markets research,

(b) reasonably believes that if information identifying, directly or indirectly, a marketplace participant or a client of the marketplace participant is released,

(i) it is required for the purpose of the capital markets research, and

(ii) that the research is not intended for the purpose of

(A) identifying a particular marketplace participant or a client of the marketplace participant, or

(B) identifying a trading strategy, transactions, or market positions of a particular marketplace participant or a client of the marketplace participant,

(c) has entered into a written agreement with each person or company that will receive the order and trade information from the marketplace that provides that

(i) the person or company must

(A) not disclose to or share any information with any person or company if that information could, directly or indirectly, identify a marketplace participant or a client of the marketplace participant without the marketplace's consent, other than as provided under subparagraph (ii) below,

(B) not publish or otherwise disseminate data or information that discloses, directly or indirectly, a trading strategy, transactions, or market positions of a marketplace participant or a client of the marketplace participant,

(C) not use the order and trade information, or provide it to any other person or company, for any purpose other than capital markets research,

(D) keep the order and trade information securely stored at all times,

(E) keep the order and trade information for no longer than a reasonable period of time after the completion of the research and publication process, and

(F) immediately inform the marketplace of any breach or possible breach of the confidentiality of the information provided,

(ii) the person or company may disclose order or trade information used in connection with research submitted to a publication if

(A) the information to be disclosed will be used solely for the purposes of verification of the research carried out by the person or company,

(B) the person or company must notify the marketplace prior to disclosing the information for verification purposes, and

(C) the person or company must obtain written agreement from the publisher and any other person or company involved in the verification of the research that the publisher or the other person or company will

(I) maintain the confidentiality of the information,

(II) use the information only for the purposes of verifying the research,

(III) keep the information securely stored at all times,

(IV) keep the information for no longer than a reasonable period of time after the completion of the verification, and

(V) immediately inform the marketplace of any breach or possible breach of the agreement or of the confidentiality of the information provided, and

(iii) the marketplace has the right to take all reasonable steps necessary to prevent or address a breach or possible breach of the confidentiality of the information provided or of the agreement.

(1.2) A marketplace that releases a marketplace participant's order or trade information under subsection (1.1) must

(a) promptly inform the regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority, in the event the marketplace becomes aware of any breach or possible breach of the confidentiality of the information provided or of the agreement, and

(b) take all reasonable steps necessary to prevent or address a breach or possible breach of the confidentiality of the information provided or of the agreement.

(2) A marketplace must not carry on business unless it has implemented reasonable safeguards and procedures to protect a marketplace participant's order or trade information, including

(a) limiting access to order or trade information of marketplace participants to

(i) employees of the marketplace, or

(ii) persons or companies retained by the marketplace to operate the system or to be responsible for compliance by the marketplace with securities legislation; and

(b) implementing standards controlling trading by employees of the marketplace for their own accounts.

(3) A marketplace must not carry on business as a marketplace unless it has implemented adequate oversight procedures to ensure that the safeguards and procedures established under subsection (2) are followed.

5.11 Management of Conflicts of Interest

A marketplace must establish, maintain and ensure compliance with policies and procedures that identify and manage any conflicts of interest arising from the operation of the marketplace or the services it provides.

5.12 Outsourcing

If a marketplace outsources any of its key services or systems to a service provider, which includes affiliates or associates of the marketplace, the marketplace must

(a) establish and maintain policies and procedures for the selection of service providers to which key services and systems may be outsourced and for the evaluation and approval of such outsourcing arrangements,

(b) identify any conflicts of interest between the marketplace and the service provider to which key services or systems are outsourced, and establish and maintain policies and procedures to mitigate and manage such conflicts of interest,

(c) enter into a contract with the service provider to which key services or systems are outsourced that is appropriate for the materiality and nature of the outsourced activities and that provides for adequate termination procedures,

(d) maintain access to the books and records of the service providers relating to the outsourced activities,

(e) ensure that the securities regulatory authorities have access to all data, information and systems maintained by the service provider on behalf of the marketplace for the purposes of determining the marketplace's compliance with securities legislation,

(f) take appropriate measures to determine that service providers to which key services or systems are outsourced establish, maintain and periodically test an appropriate business continuity plan, including a disaster recovery plan,

(g) take appropriate measures to ensure that the service providers protect the marketplace participants' proprietary, order, trade or any other confidential information, and

(h) establish processes and procedures to regularly review the performance of the service provider under any such outsourcing arrangement.

5.13 Access Arrangements with a Service Provider

If a third party service provider provides a means of access to a marketplace, the marketplace must ensure the third party service provider complies with the written standards for access that the marketplace has established pursuant to paragraph 5.1(2)(a) when providing the access services.

PART 6 REQUIREMENTS APPLICABLE ONLY TO ATSs

6.1 Registration -- An ATS must not carry on business as an ATS unless

(a) it is registered as a dealer;

(b) it is a member of a self-regulatory entity; and

(c) it complies with the provisions of this Instrument and NI 23-101.

6.2 Registration Exemption Not Available -- Except as provided in this Instrument, the registration exemptions applicable to dealers under securities legislation are not available to an ATS.

6.3 Securities Permitted to be Traded on an ATS -- An ATS must not execute trades in securities other than

(a) exchange-traded securities;

(b) corporate debt securities;

(c) government debt securities; or

(d) foreign exchange-traded securities.

6.4 [repealed]

6.5 [repealed]

6.6 [repealed]

6.7 Notification of Threshold

(1) An ATS must notify the securities regulatory authority in writing if,

(a) during at least two of the preceding three months of operation, the total dollar value of the trading volume on the ATS for a month in any type of security is equal to or greater than 10 percent of the total dollar value of the trading volume for the month in that type of security on all marketplaces in Canada,

(b) during at least two of the preceding three months of operation, the total trading volume on the ATS for a month in any type of security is equal to or greater than 10 percent of the total trading volume for the month in that type of security on all marketplaces in Canada, or

(c) during at least two of the preceding three months of operation, the number of trades on the ATS for a month in any type of security is equal to or greater than 10 percent of the number of trades for the month in that type of security on all marketplaces in Canada.

(2) An ATS must provide the notice referred to in subsection (1) within 30 days after the threshold referred to in subsection (1) is met or exceeded.

6.8 [repealed]

6.9 Name -- An ATS must not use in its name the word "exchange", the words "stock market", the word "bourse" or any derivations of those terms.

6.10 [repealed]

6.11 Risk Disclosure to Non-Registered Subscribers

(1) When opening an account for a subscriber that is not registered as a dealer under securities legislation, an ATS must provide that subscriber with disclosure in substantially the following words:

Although the ATS is registered as a dealer under securities legislation, it is a marketplace and therefore does not ensure best execution for its subscribers.

(2) Before the first order submitted by a subscriber that is not registered as a dealer under securities legislation is entered onto the ATS by the subscriber, the ATS must obtain an acknowledgement from that subscriber that the subscriber has received the disclosure required in subsection (1).

6.12 [repealed]

6.13 [repealed]

PART 7 INFORMATION TRANSPARENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR MARKETPLACES DEALING IN EXCHANGE-TRADED SECURITIES AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE-TRADED SECURITIES

7.1 Pre-Trade Information Transparency -- Exchange-Traded Securities

(1) A marketplace that displays orders of exchange-traded securities to a person or company must provide accurate and timely information regarding orders for the exchange-traded securities displayed by the marketplace to an information processor as required by the information processor or, if there is no information processor, to an information vendor that meets the standards set by a regulation services provider.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the marketplace only displays orders to its employees or to persons or companies retained by the marketplace to assist in the operation of the marketplace and if the orders posted on the marketplace meet the size threshold set by a regulation services provider.

(3) A marketplace that is subject to subsection (1) must not make the information referred to in that subsection available to any person or company before it makes that information available to an information processor or, if there is no information processor, to an information vendor.

7.2 Post-Trade Information Transparency -- Exchange-Traded Securities

(1) A marketplace must provide accurate and timely information regarding trades for exchange-traded securities executed on the marketplace to an information processor as required by the information processor or, if there is no information processor, to an information vendor that meets the standards set by a regulation services provider.

(2) A marketplace that is subject to subsection (1) must not make the information referred to in that subsection available to any person or company before it makes that information available to an information processor or, if there is no information processor, to an information vendor.

7.3 Pre-Trade Information Transparency -- Foreign Exchange-Traded Securities

(1) A marketplace that displays orders of foreign exchange-traded securities to a person or company must provide accurate and timely information regarding orders for the foreign exchange-traded securities displayed by the marketplace to an information vendor.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the marketplace only displays orders to its employees or to persons or companies retained by the marketplace to assist in the operation of the marketplace and if the orders posted on the marketplace meet the size threshold set by a regulation services provider.

7.4 Post-Trade Information Transparency -- Foreign Exchange-Traded Securities -- A marketplace must provide accurate and timely information regarding trades for foreign exchange-traded securities executed on the marketplace to an information vendor.

7.5 Consolidated Feed -- Exchange-Traded Securities -- An information processor must produce an accurate consolidated feed in real-time showing the information provided to the information processor under sections 7.1 and 7.2.

7.6 Compliance with Requirements of an Information Processor -- A marketplace that is subject to this Part must comply with the reasonable requirements of the information processor to which it is required to provide information under this Part.

PART 8 INFORMATION TRANSPARENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONS AND COMPANIES DEALING IN UNLISTED DEBT SECURITIES

8.1 Pre-Trade and Post-Trade Information Transparency Requirements -- Government Debt Securities

(1) A marketplace that displays orders of government debt securities to a person or company must provide to an information processor accurate and timely information regarding orders for government debt securities displayed by the marketplace as required by the information processor.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the marketplace only displays orders to its employees or to persons or companies retained by the marketplace to assist in the operation of the marketplace.

(3) [repealed]

(4) An inter-dealer bond broker must provide to an information processor accurate and timely information regarding orders for government debt securities executed through the inter-dealer bond broker as required by the information processor.

(5) A person or company must provide to an information processor accurate and timely information regarding details of each trade of government debt securities executed by or through the person or company as required by the information processor.

8.2 Pre-Trade and Post-Trade Information Transparency Requirements -- Corporate Debt Securities

(1) A marketplace that displays orders of corporate debt securities to a person or company must provide to an information processor accurate and timely information regarding orders for corporate debt securities displayed by the marketplace as required by the information processor.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply if the marketplace only displays orders to its employees or to persons or companies retained by the marketplace to assist in the operation of the marketplace.

(3) A person or company must provide to an information processor accurate and timely information regarding details of each trade of corporate debt securities executed by or through the person or company as required by the information processor.

(4) [repealed]

(5) [repealed]

8.3 Consolidated Feed -- Unlisted Debt Securities -- An information processor must produce accurate consolidated information showing the information provided to the information processor under sections 8.1 and 8.2.

8.4 Compliance with Requirements of an Information Processor -- A person or company that is subject to this Part must comply with the reasonable requirements of the information processor to which it is required to provide information under this Part.

8.5 [repealed]

8.6 Exemption for Government Debt Securities [repealed]

PART 9 [repealed]

PART 10 TRANSPARENCY OF MARKETPLACE OPERATIONS

10.1 Disclosure by Marketplaces -- A marketplace must publicly disclose, on its website, information reasonably necessary to enable a person or company to understand the marketplace's operations or services it provides, including, but not limited to, information related to

(a) all fees, including any listing, trading, data, co-location and routing fees charged by the marketplace, an affiliate or by a party to which services have directly or indirectly been outsourced or which directly or indirectly provides those services,

(b) how orders are entered, interact and execute,

(c) all order types,

(d) access requirements,

(e) the policies and procedures that identify and manage any conflicts of interest arising from the operation of the marketplace or the services it provides,

(f) any referral arrangements between the marketplace and service providers,

(g) where routing is offered, how routing decisions are made,

(h) when indications of interest are disseminated, the information disseminated and the types of recipients of such indications of interest,

(i) any access arrangements with a third party service provider, including the name of the third party service provider and the standards for access to be complied with by the third party service provider, and

(j) the hours of operation of any testing environments provided by the marketplace, a description of any differences between the testing environment and production environment of the marketplace and the potential impact of these differences on the effectiveness of testing, and any policies and procedures relating to a marketplace's use of uniform test symbols for purposes of testing in its production environment.

10.2 [repealed]

10.3 [repealed]

PART 11 RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENTS FOR MARKETPLACES

11.1 Business Records -- A marketplace must keep such books, records and other documents as are reasonably necessary for the proper recording of its business in electronic form.

11.2 Other Records

(1) As part of the records required to be maintained under section 11.1, a marketplace must include the following information in electronic form:

(a) a record of all marketplace participants who have been granted access to trading in the marketplace;

(b) daily trading summaries for the marketplace including

(i) a list of securities traded,

(ii) transaction volumes

(A) for securities other than debt securities, expressed as the number of issues traded, number of trades, total unit volume and total dollar value of trades and, if the price of the securities traded is quoted in a currency other than Canadian dollars, the total value in that other currency, and

(B) for debt securities, expressed as the number of trades and total dollar value traded and, if the price of the securities traded is quoted in a currency other than Canadian dollars, the total value in that other currency,

(c) a record of each order which must include

(i) the order identifier assigned to the order by the marketplace,

(ii) the marketplace participant identifier assigned to the marketplace participant transmitting the order,

(iii) the identifier assigned to the marketplace where the order is received or originated,

(iv) each unique client identifier assigned to a client accessing the marketplace using direct electronic access,

(v) the type, issuer, class, series and symbol of the security,

(vi) the number of securities to which the order applies,

(vii) the strike date and strike price, if applicable,

(viii) whether the order is a buy or sell order,

(ix) whether the order is a short sale order, if applicable,

(x) whether the order is a market order, limit order or other type of order, and if the order is not a market order, the price at which the order is to trade,

(xi) the date and time the order is first originated or received by the marketplace,

(xii) whether the account is a retail, wholesale, employee, proprietary or any other type of account,

(xiii) the date and time the order expires,

(xiv) whether the order is an intentional cross,

(xv) whether the order is a jitney and if so, the identifier of the underlying broker,

(xvi) the currency of the order,

(xvii) whether the order is routed to another marketplace for execution, and the date, time and name of the marketplace to which the order was routed, and

(xviii) whether the order is a directed-action order, and whether the marketplace marked the order as a directed-action order or received the order marked as a directed-action order, and

(d) in addition to the record maintained in accordance with paragraph (c), all execution report details of orders, including

(i) the identifier assigned to the marketplace where the order was executed,

(ii) whether the order was fully or partially executed,

(iii) the number of securities bought or sold,

(iv) the date and time of the execution of the order,

(v) the price at which the order was executed,

(vi) the identifier assigned to the marketplace participant on each side of the trade,

(vii) whether the transaction was a cross,

(viii) time-sequenced records of all messages sent to or received from an information processor, an information vendor or a marketplace,

(ix) the marketplace trading fee for each trade, and

(x) each unique client identifier assigned to a client accessing the marketplace using direct electronic access.

11.2.1 Transmission in Electronic Form -- A marketplace must transmit

(a) to a regulation services provider, if it has entered into an agreement with a regulation services provider in accordance with NI 23-101, the information required by the regulation services provider within ten business days, in electronic form and in the manner requested by the regulation services provider, and

(b) to the securities regulatory authority the information required by the securities regulatory authority under securities legislation within ten business days, in electronic form and in the manner requested by the securities regulatory authority.

11.3 Record Preservation Requirements

(1) For a period of not less than seven years from the creation of a record referred to in this section, and for the first two years in a readily accessible location, a marketplace must keep

(a) all records required to be made under sections 11.1 and 11.2;

(b) at least one copy of its standards for granting access to trading, if any, all records relevant to its decision to grant, deny or limit access to a person or company and, if applicable, all other records made or received by the marketplace in the course of complying with section 5.1;

(c) at least one copy of all records made or received by the marketplace in the course of complying with section 12.1 and 12.4, including all correspondence, memoranda, papers, books, notices, accounts, reports, test scripts, test results, and other similar records;

(d) all written notices provided by the marketplace to marketplace participants generally, including notices addressing hours of system operations, system malfunctions, changes to system procedures, maintenance of hardware and software, instructions pertaining to access to the marketplace and denials of, or limitation to, access to the marketplace;

(e) the acknowledgement obtained under subsection 5.9(2) or 6.11(2);

(f) a copy of any agreement referred to in section 8.4 of NI 23-101;

(g) a copy of any agreement referred to in subsections 13.1(2) and 13.1(3);

(h) a copy of any agreement referred to in section 5.10; and

(i) a copy of any agreement referred to in paragraph 5.12(c).

(2) During the period in which a marketplace is in existence, the marketplace must keep

(a) all organizational documents, minute books and stock certificate books;

(b) copies of all forms filed under Part 3; and

(c) in the case of an ATS, copies of all notices given under section 6.7.

11.4 [repealed]

11.5 Synchronization of Clocks

(1) A marketplace trading exchange-traded securities or foreign exchange-traded securities, an information processor receiving information about those securities, and a dealer trading those securities must synchronize the clocks used for recording or monitoring the time and date of any event that must be recorded under this Part and under NI 23-101 with the clock used by a regulation services provider monitoring the activities of marketplaces and marketplace participants trading those securities.

(2) A marketplace trading corporate debt securities or government debt securities, an information processor receiving information about those securities, a dealer trading those securities, and an inter-dealer bond broker trading those securities must synchronize the clocks used for recording or monitoring the time and date of any event that must be recorded under this Part and under NI 23-101.

PART 12 MARKETPLACE SYSTEMS AND BUSINESS CONTINUITY PLANNING

12.1 System Requirements -- For each system, operated by or on behalf of the marketplace, that supports order entry, order routing, execution, trade reporting, trade comparison, data feeds, market surveillance and trade clearing, a marketplace must

(a) develop and maintain

(i) an adequate system of internal controlcontrols over those systems, and

(ii) adequate information technology general controls, including without limitation, controls relating to information systems operations, information security, cyber resilience, change management, problem management, network support and system software support,

(b) in accordance with prudent business practice, on a reasonably frequent basis and, in any event, at least annually,

(i) make reasonable current and future capacity estimates,

(ii) conduct capacity stress tests to determine the abilityprocessing capability of those systems to process transactionsperform in an accurate, timely and efficient manner, and

(c) promptly notify the regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority and, if applicable, its regulation services provider, of any material systems failure, malfunction, delay or security breachincident that is material and provide timely updates on the status of the failure, malfunction, delay or security breachincident, the resumption of service and the results of the marketplace's internal review of the failure, malfunction, delay or security breachincident, and

(d) keep a record of any systems failure, malfunction, delay or security incident and identify whether or not it is material.

12.1.1 Auxiliary Systems -- For each system that shares network resources with one or more of the systems, operated by or on behalf of the marketplace, that supports order entry, order routing, execution, trade reporting, trade comparison, data feeds, market surveillance and trade clearing, that, if breached, would pose a security threat to one or more of the previously mentioned systems, a marketplace must

(a) develop and maintain an adequate system of information security controls that relate to the security threats posed to any system that supports order entry, order routing, execution, trade reporting, trade comparison, data feeds, market surveillance and trade clearing, and

(b) promptly notify the regulator, or in Québec, the securities regulatory authority and, if applicable, its regulation services provider, of any material security breachincident that is material and provide timely updates on the status of the breachincident, the resumption of service, where applicable, and the results of the marketplace's internal review of the security breachincident, and

(c) keep a record of any security incident and identify whether or not it is material.

12.1.2 Vulnerability Assessments -- On a reasonably frequent basis and, in any event, at least annually, a marketplace must engage one or more qualified parties to perform appropriate assessments and testing to identify security vulnerabilities and measure the effectiveness of information security controls that assess the marketplace's compliance with paragraphs 12.1(a) and 12.1.1(a).

12.2 System Reviews

(1) AOn a reasonably frequent basis and, in any event, at least annually, a marketplace must annually engage aone or more qualified partyexternal auditors to conduct an independent systems review and prepare a report in accordance with established audit standards to ensureand best industry practices that assesses the marketplace is in's compliance with

(a) paragraph 12.1(a),

(b) section 12.1.1, and

(c) section 12.4.

(2) A marketplace must provide the report resulting from the review conducted under subsection (1) to

(a) its board of directors, or audit committee, promptly upon the report's completion, and

(b) the regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority, by the earlier of

(i) the 30th day after providing the report to its board of directors or the audit committee or , and

(ii) the 60th day after the calendar year endreport's completion.

12.3 Marketplace Technology Requirements and Testing Facilities

(1) A marketplace must make publicly available all technology requirements regarding interfacing with or accessing the marketplace in their final form,

(a) if operations have not begun, for at least three months immediately before operations begin; andor

(b) if operations have begun, for at least three months before implementing a material change to its technology requirements.

(2) After complying with subsection (1), a marketplace must make available testing facilities for interfacing with or accessing the marketplace,

(a) if operations have not begun, for at least two months immediately before operations begin; andor

(b) if operations have begun, for at least two months before implementing a material change to its technology requirements.

(3) A marketplace must not begin operations before

(a) it has complied with paragraphs (1)(a) and (2)(a),

(b) its regulation services provider, if applicable, has confirmed to the marketplace that trading may commence on the marketplace, and

(c) the chief information officer of the marketplace, or an individual performing a similar function, has certified in writing to the regulator, or in Québec, the securities regulatory authority, that all information technology systems used by the marketplace have been tested according to prudent business practices and are operating as designed.

(3.1) A marketplace must not implement a material change to the systems referred to in section 12.1 before

(a) it has complied with paragraphs (1)(b) and (2)(ab), and

(b) the chief information officer of the marketplace, or an individual performing a similar function, has certified in writing to the regulator, or in Québec, the securities regulatory authority, that the change has been tested according to prudent business practices and is operating as designed.

(4) Subsection (3.1) does not apply to a marketplace if the change must be made immediately to address a failure, malfunction or material delay of its systems or equipment if

(a) the marketplace immediately notifies the regulator, or in Québec, the securities regulatory authority, and, if applicable, its regulation services provider of its intention to make the change; and

(b) the marketplace publishes the changed technology requirements as soon as practicable.

12.3.1 Uniform Test Symbols

A marketplace must use uniform test symbols, as set by a regulator, or in Québec, the securities regulatory authority, for the purpose of performing testing in its production environment.

12.4 Business Continuity Planning

(1) A marketplace must

(a) develop and maintain reasonable business continuity plans, including disaster recovery plans, and

(b) test its business continuity plans, including disaster recovery plans, according to prudent business practices on a reasonably frequent basis and, in any event, at least annually.

(2) A marketplace with a total trading volume in any type of security equal to or greater than 10% of the total dollar value of the trading volume in that type of security on all marketplaces in Canada during at least two of the preceding three months of operation must establish, implement, and maintain policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that each system, operated by or on behalf of the marketplace, that supports order entry, order routing, execution, trade reporting, trade comparison, data feeds, and trade clearing, can resume operations within two hours following the declaration of a disaster by the marketplace.

(3) A recognized exchange or quotation and trade reporting system, that directly monitors the conduct of its members or users and enforces requirements set under section 7.1(1) or 7.3(1) of NI 23-101, must establish, implement, and maintain policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that each system, operated by or on behalf of the marketplacerecognized exchange or quotation and trade reporting system, that is critical and supports real-time market surveillance, can resume operations within two hours following the declaration of a disaster at the primary site by the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system.

(4) A regulation services provider, that has entered into a written agreement with a marketplace to conduct market surveillance for the marketplace, must establish, implement, and maintain policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that each system, operated by or on behalf of the regulation services provider, that is critical and supports real-time market surveillance can resume operations within two hours following the declaration of a disaster at the primary site by the regulation services provider.

12.4.1 Industry-Wide Business Continuity Tests

A marketplace, recognized clearing agency, information processor, and participant dealer must participate in all industry-wide business continuity tests, as determined by a regulation services provider, regulator, or in Québec, the securities regulatory authority.

PART 13 CLEARING AND SETTLEMENT

13.1 Clearing and Settlement

(1) All trades executed on a marketplace must be reported to and settled through a clearing agency.

(2) For a trade executed through an ATS by a subscriber that is registered as a dealer under securities legislation, the ATS and its subscriber must enter into an agreement that specifies whether the trade must be reported to a clearing agency by

(a) the ATS;

(b) the subscriber; or

(c) an agent for the subscriber that is a clearing member of a clearing agency.

(3) For a trade executed through an ATS by a subscriber that is not registered as a dealer under securities legislation, an ATS and its subscriber must enter into an agreement that specifies whether the trade must be reported to a clearing agency by

(a) the ATS; or

(b) an agent for the subscriber that is a clearing member of a clearing agency.

13.2 Access to Clearing Agency of Choice

(1) A marketplace must report a trade in a security to a clearing agency designated by a marketplace participant.

(2) Subsection (1) does not apply to a trade in a security that is a standardized derivative or an exchange-traded security that is an option.

PART 14 REQUIREMENTS FOR AN INFORMATION PROCESSOR

14.1 Filing Requirements for an Information Processor

(1) A person or company that intends to carry on business as an information processor must file Form 21-101F5 at least 90 days before the information processor begins to carry on business as an information processor.

(2) [repealed]

14.2 Change in Information

(1) At least 45 days before implementing a significant change involving a matter set out in Form 21-101F5, an information processor must file an amendment to the information provided in Form 21-101F5 in the manner set out in Form 21-101F5.

(2) If an information processor implements a change involving a matter set out in Form 21-101F5, other than a change referred to in subsection (1), the information processor must, within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter in which the change takes place, file an amendment to the information provided in Form 21-101F5 in the manner set out in Form 21-101F5.

14.3 Ceasing to Carry on Business as an Information Processor

(1) If an information processor intends to cease carrying on business as an information processor, the information processor must file a report on Form 21-101F6 at least 30 days before ceasing to carry on that business.

(2) If an information processor involuntarily ceases to carry on business as an information processor, the information processor must file a report on Form 21-101F6 as soon as practicable after it ceases to carry on that business.

14.4 Requirements Applicable to an Information Processor

(1) An information processor for exchange-traded securities must enter into an agreement with each marketplace that is required to provide information to the information processor that the marketplace will

(a) provide information to the information processor in accordance with Part 7; and

(b) comply with any other reasonable requirements set by the information processor.

(2) An information processor must provide timely, accurate, reliable and fair collection, processing, distribution and publication of information for orders for, and trades in, securities.

(3) An information processor must keep such books, records and other documents as are reasonably necessary for the proper recording of its business.

(4) An information processor must establish in a timely manner an electronic connection or changes to an electronic connection to a person or company that is required to provide information to the information processor.

(5) An information processor must provide prompt and accurate order and trade information and must not unreasonably restrict fair access to such information.

(6) An information processor must file annual audited financial statements within 90 days after the end of its financial year that

(a) are prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP applicable to publicly accountable enterprises, Canadian GAAP applicable to private enterprises or IFRS,

(b) include notes to the financial statements that identify the accounting principles used to prepare the financial statements, and

(c) are audited in accordance with Canadian GAAS or International Standards on Auditing and are accompanied by an auditor's report.

(6.1) If an information processor is operated as a division or unit of a person or company, the person or company must file the income statement and the statement of cash flow of the information processor and any other information necessary to demonstrate the financial condition of the information processor within 90 days after the end of the financial year of the person or company.

(7) An information processor must file its financial budget within 30 days after the start of a financial year.

(7.1) If an information processor is operated as a division or unit of a person or company, the person or company must file the financial budget relating to the information processor within 30 days of the start of the financial year of the person or company.

(8) [repealed]

(9) [repealed]

14.5 System Requirements -- An information processor must,

(a) develop and maintain

(i) an adequate system of internal controls over its critical systems, and

(ii) adequate information technology general controls, including, without limitation, controls relating to information systems operations, information security, cyber resilience, change management, problem management, network support, and system software support,

(b) in accordance with prudent business practice, on a reasonably frequent basis and in any event, at least annually,

(i) make reasonable current and future capacity estimates for each of its systems, and

(ii) conduct capacity stress tests of its critical systems to determine the abilityprocessing capability of those systems to process informationperform in an accurate, timely and efficient manner,

(c) on a reasonably frequent basis and, in any event, at least annually, engage aone or more qualified partyexternal auditors to conduct an independent systems review and prepare a report in accordance with established audit standards to ensure that it is inand best industry practices that assesses the information processor's compliance with paragraph (a) and section 14.6,

(d) provide the report resulting from the review conducted under paragraph (c) to

(i) its board of directors or the audit committee promptly upon the report's completion, and

(ii) the regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority, by the earlier of the 30th day after providing the report to its board of directors or the audit committee orand the 60th day after the information processor's fiscal year endreport's completionand

(e) promptly notify the following of any systems failure, malfunction, delay orsecurity incident that is material delay of its systems or equipmentand provide timely updates on the status of the failure, malfunction, delay or security incident, the resumption of service and the results of the information processor's internal review of the failure, malfunction, delay or security incident:

(i) the regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority, and;

(ii) any regulation services provider, recognized exchange or recognized quotation and trade reporting system monitoring trading of the securities about which information is provided to the information processor, and

(f) keep a record of any systems failure, malfunction, delay or security incident and identify whether or not it is material.

14.5.1 Vulnerability Assessments

On a reasonably frequent basis and, in any event, at least annually, an information processor must engage one or more qualified parties to perform appropriate assessments and testing to identify security vulnerabilities and measure the effectiveness of information security controls that assess the information processor's compliance with paragraph 14.5(a).

14.6 Business Continuity Planning

An information processor must

(a) develop and maintain reasonable business continuity plans, including disaster recovery plans,

(b) test its business continuity plans, including disaster recovery plans, according to prudent business practices and on a reasonably frequent basis and, in any event, at least annually, and

(c) establish, implement, and maintain policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that its critical systems can resume operations within one hour following the declaration of a disaster by the information processor.

14.7 Confidential Treatment of Trading Information

An information processor must not release order and trade information to a person or company other than the person or company that provided this information in accordance with this Instrument or a securities regulatory authority, unless

(a) the release of that information is required by this Instrument or under applicable law, or

(b) the information processor received prior approval from the securities regulatory authority.

14.8 Transparency of Operations of an Information Processor

An information processor must publicly disclose on its website information reasonably necessary to enable a person or company to understand the information processor's operations or services it provides including, but not limited to

(a) all fees charged by the information processor for the consolidated data,

(b) in the case of an information processor for government debt securities or corporate debt securities,

(i) the marketplaces that are required to report details of orders for government debt securities or corporate debt securities to the information processor, as applicable;

(ii) the inter-dealer bond brokers that are required to report details of orders for government debt securities to the information processor;

(iii) the classes of persons and companies that are required to report details of trades of government debt securities or corporate debt securities to the information processor, as applicable,

(iv) when details of trades in each government debt security or corporate debt security, as applicable, must be reported to the information processor by a person or company,

(v) when the information provided to the information processor will be publicly disseminated by the information processor, and

(vi) the cap on the displayed volume of trades for each government debt security or corporate debt security, as applicable,

(c) access requirements, and

(d) the policies and procedures to manage conflicts of interest that may arise in the operation of the information processor.

PART 15 EXEMPTION

15.1 Exemption

(1) The regulator or the securities regulatory authority may grant an exemption from this Instrument, in whole or in part, subject to such conditions or restrictions as may be imposed in the exemption.

(2) Despite subsection (1), in Ontario, only the regulator may grant such an exemption.

 

FORM 21-101F1 INFORMATION STATEMENT EXCHANGE OR QUOTATION AND TRADE REPORTING SYSTEM

Filer:

[ ] EXCHANGE

[ ] QUOTATION AND TRADE REPORTING SYSTEM

 

Type of Filing:

[ ] INITIAL

[ ] AMENDMENT; AMENDMENT No.<<_______________>>

1. Full name of exchange or quotation and trade reporting system:

2. Name(s) under which business is conducted, or name of market or facility, if different from item 1:

3. If this filing makes a name change on behalf of the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system in respect of the name set out in item 1 or item 2, enter the previous name and the new name:

Previous name:

New name:

4. Head office

Address:

Telephone:

Facsimile:

5. Mailing address (if different):

6. Other offices

Address:

Telephone:

Facsimile:

7. Website address:

8. Contact employee

Name and title:

Telephone number:

Facsimile:

E-mail address:

9. Counsel

Firm name:

Contact name:

Telephone number:

Facsimile:

E-mail address:

10. Market Regulation is being conducted by:

[ ] the exchange

[ ] he quotation and trade reporting system

[ ] regulation services provider other than the filer (see Exhibit M)

EXHIBITS

File all Exhibits with the Filing. For each Exhibit, include the name of the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system, the date of filing of the Exhibit and the date as of which the information is accurate (if different from the date of the filing). If any Exhibit required is inapplicable, a statement to that effect must be furnishedincluded instead of suchthe Exhibit.

Except as provided below, if the filer, recognized exchange or recognized quotation and trade reporting system files an amendment to the information provided in its Filing and the information relates to an Exhibit filed with the Filing or a subsequent amendment, the filer, recognized exchange or recognized quotation and trade reporting system, must, in order to comply with subsectionssubsection 3.2(1), 3.2(2(2) or 3.2(3(3) of National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation, provide a description of the change,and the actual or expected date of the implementation of the change, and file a complete and updated Exhibit. The filer must provide a clean and a blacklined version showing changes from the previous filing.

If the filer, recognized exchange or recognized quotation and trade reporting system has otherwise filed the information required by the previous paragraph pursuant to section 5.5 of National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation, it is not required to file the information again as an amendment to an Exhibit. However, if supplementary material relating to a filed rule is contained in an Exhibit, an amendment to the Exhibit must also be filed.

Exhibit A -- Corporate Governance

1. Legal status:

[ ] Corporation

[ ] Partnership

[ ] Sole Proprietorship

[ ] Other (specify):

2. Except where the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system is a sole proprietorship, indicate the following:

1. Date (DD/MM/YYYY) of formation.

2. Place of formation.

3. Statute under which exchange or quotation and trade reporting system was organized.

3. Provide a copy of the constating documents (including corporate by-laws), shareholder agreements, partnership agreements and other similar documents, and all subsequent amendments.

4. Provide the policies and procedures to address potential conflicts of interest arising from the operation of the marketplace or the services it provides, including those related to the commercial interest of the marketplace, the interests of its owners and its operators, the responsibilities and sound functioning of the marketplace, and those between the operations of the marketplace and its regulatory responsibilities.

Exhibit B -- Ownership

AIn the case of an exchange or quotation and trade reporting system that is a corporation, other than an exchange or quotation and trade reporting system that is a reporting issuer, provide a list of the registered or beneficial holders of 10 percent or more of any class of securities of, partnership interests in, or other ownership interests in, the exchange or recognized quotation and trade reporting system. For each of the persons listed in the Exhibit, pleasesecurity holder, provide the following:

1. Name.

2. Principal business or occupation and title, if any.

3. Ownership interest, including the total number of securities held, the percentage of the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system's issued and outstanding securities held, and the class or type of security held.

4. Nature of the ownership interest, including a description of the type of security, partnership interest or other ownership interest.

5. Whether the personsecurity holder has control (as interpreted in subsection 1.3(2) of National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation).

In the case of an exchange or quotation and trade reporting system that is publicly traded, ifa partnership, sole proprietorship or other type of organization, provide a list of the registered or beneficial holders of the partnership interests or other ownership interests in the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system is a corporation, please only provide a list of each shareholder that directly owns five percent or more of a class of a voting security of the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system.. For each person or company listed, provide the following:

1. Name.

2. Principal business or occupation and title, if any.

3. Nature of the ownership interest, including a description of the type of partnership interest or other ownership interest.

4. Whether the person or company has control (as interpreted in subsection 1.3(2) of National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation).

Exhibit C -- Organization

1. A list of partners, directors, officers, governors, and members of the board of directors and any standing committees of the board, or persons performing similar functions, who presently hold or have held their offices or positions during the previous year, indicating the following for each:

1. Name.

2. Principal business or occupation and title.

3. Dates of commencement and expiry of present term of office or position.

4. Type of business in which each is primarily engaged and current employer.[repealed]

5. Type of business in which each was primarily engaged in the preceding five years, if different from that set out in item 4.[repealed]

6. Whether the person is considered to be an independent director.

2. A list of the committees of the board, including their mandates and the Board mandate.

Exhibit D -- Affiliates

1. For each affiliated entity of the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system provide the name, head office address and describe the principal business of the affiliate.

2. For each affiliated entity of the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system

(i) to which the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system has outsourced any of its key services or systems affecting the market or facility described in Exhibit E -- Operations of the Marketplace, including order entry, trading, execution, routing and data, or

(ii) with which the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system has any other material business relationship, including loans, cross-guarantees, etc.

provide the following information:

1. Name and address of the affiliate.

2. The name and title of the directors and officers, or persons performing similar functions, of the affiliate.[repealed]

3. A description of the nature and extent of the contractual and other agreements with the exchange and quotation and trade reporting system, and the roles and responsibilities of the affiliate under the arrangement.

4. A copy of each material contract relating to any outsourced functions or other material relationships.

5. Copies of constating documents (including corporate by-laws), shareholder agreements, partnership agreements and other similar documents.[repealed]

6. For the latest financial year of the affiliated entity, financial statements, which may be unaudited, prepared in accordance with

a. Canadian GAAP applicable to publicly accountable enterprises or

b. Canadian GAAP applicable to private enterprises, or

c. IFRS.

Where the affiliated entity is incorporated or organized under the laws of a foreign jurisdiction, such financial statements may also be prepared in accordance with

a. U.S. GAAP or

b. accounting principles of a designated foreign jurisdiction as defined under National Instrument 52-107 Acceptable Accounting Principles and Auditing Standards.[repealed]

Exhibit E -- Operations of the Marketplace

Describe in detail the manner of operation of the market or facility and its associated functions. This must include, but is not limited to, a description of the following:

1. The structure of the market (e.g., call market, auction market, dealer market).

2. Means of access to the market or facility and services, including a description of any co-location arrangements.

3. The hours of operation.

4. A description of the services offered by the marketplace, including, but not limited to, order entry, co-location, trading, execution, routing and data.

5. A list of the types of orders offered, including, but not limited to, a description of the features and characteristics of orders.

6. Procedures regarding the entry, display and execution of orders. If indications of interest are used, please describe the information they include and list the types of recipients.

7. A description of how orders interact, including, but not limited to, the priority of execution for all order types.[repealed]

8. A description of order routing procedures.[repealed]

9. A description of order and trade reporting procedures.

10. A description of procedures for clearance and settlement of transactions.

11. The safeguards and procedures of the marketplace to protect trading information of marketplace participants.

12. Training provided to participants and a copy of any materials provided both with respect to systems of the marketplace, the requirements of the marketplace, and the rules of the regulation services providers, if applicable.

13. Steps taken to ensure that marketplace participants have knowledge of and comply with the requirements of the marketplace.

The filer must provide all policies, procedures and trading manuals related to the operation of the marketplace and, if applicable, the order router.

The filer must provide all material contracts related to order routing, execution, trade reporting, trade comparison, data feeds, market surveillance and trade clearing.

Exhibit F -- Outsourcing

Where the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system has outsourced the operation of key services or systems affecting the market or facility described in Exhibit E -- Operations of the Marketplace to an arms-length third party, including any function associated with the routing, trading, execution, data, clearing and settlement and, if applicable, surveillance, provide the following information:

1. Name and address of person or company to whom the function has been outsourced.

2. A description of the nature and extent of the contractual or other agreement with the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system and the roles and responsibilities of the arms-length party under the arrangement.

3. A copy of each material contract relating to any outsourced function.

4. A copy of the marketplace's policies and procedures for the selection of service providers to which key services and systems may be outsourced and for the evaluation and approval of such outsourcing arrangements that are established and maintained pursuant to paragraph 5.12(a) of National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation.

5. A description of any conflicts of interest between the marketplace and the service provider to which key services and systems are outsourced and a copy of the policies and procedures to mitigate and manage such conflicts of interest that have been established pursuant to paragraph 5.12(b) of National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation.

6. A description of the measures the marketplace has taken pursuant to paragraph 5.12(f) of National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation to ensure that the service provider has established, maintains and periodically tests an appropriate business continuity plan, including a disaster recovery plan.

7. A description of the measures the marketplace has taken pursuant to paragraph 5.12(g) of National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation to ensure that the service provider protects the proprietary, order, trade or any other confidential information of the participants of the marketplace.

8. A copy of the marketplace's processes and procedures to regularly review the performance of a service provider under an outsourcing arrangement that are established pursuant to paragraph 5.12(h) of National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation.

Exhibit G -- Systems and Contingency Planning

General

Provide:

1. A high --level description of the marketplace's systems that support order entry, order routing, execution, trade reporting, trade comparison, data feeds, co-location and if applicable, market surveillance and trade clearing.

2. An organization chart of the marketplace's information technology group unless otherwise provided as part of the report required by subsection 12.2(1) of theNational Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation.

Business Continuity Planning

Please provide a description of the marketplace's business continuity and disaster recovery plans that includes, but is not limited to, information regarding the following:

1. Where the primary processing site is located.

2. What the approximate percentage of hardware, software and network redundancy is at the primary site.

3. Any uninterruptible power source (UPS) at the primary site.

4. How frequently market data is stored off-site.

5. Any secondary processing site, the location of any such secondary processing site, and whether all of the marketplace's critical business data is accessible through the secondary processing site.

6. The creation, management, and oversight of the plans, including a description of responsibility for the development of the plans and their ongoing review and updating.

7. Escalation procedures, including event identification, impact analysis, and activation of the plans in the event of a disaster or disruption.

8. Procedures for internal and external communications, including the distribution of information internally, to the securities regulatory authority, and, if appropriate, to the public, together with the roles and responsibilities of marketplace staff for internal and external communications.

9. The scenarios that would trigger the activation of the plans.

10. How frequently the business continuity and disaster recovery plans are tested.

11. Procedures for record keeping in relation to the review and updating of the plans, including the logging of tests and deficiencies.

12. The targeted time to resume operations of critical information technology systems following the declaration of a disaster by the marketplace and the service level to which such systems are to be restored.

13. Any single points of failure faced by the marketplace

Systems Capacity

Please provide information regarding:

1. How frequently future market activity is evaluated in order to adjust processing capacity.

2. The approximate excess capacity maintained over average daily transaction volumes.

3. How often or at what point stress testing is performed.

Systems

Please provide information regarding:

1. Whether the trading engine was developed in-house or by a commercial vendor.

2. Whether the trading engine is maintained in-house or by a commercial vendor and provide the name of the commercial vendor, if applicable.

3. The marketplace's networks. Please provide a copy of a high-level network diagram of the systems referred to in section 12.1 of the National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation, as applicable, together with a description of the external points of contact for the marketplace's networks.

4. The message protocols supported by the marketplace's systems.

5. The transmission protocols used by the marketplace's systems.

IT Risk Assessment

Please describe the IT risk assessment framework, including:

1. How the probability and likelihood of IT threats are considered.

2. How the impact of risks areis measured according to qualitative and quantitative criteria.

3. The documentation process for acceptable residual risks with related offsets.

4. The development of management's action plan to implement a risk response to a risk that has not been accepted.

Exhibit H -- Custody of Assets

1. If the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system proposes to hold funds or securities of a marketplace participant on a regular basis, a description of the controls that will be implemented to ensure the safety of the funds or securities.

2. If any other person or company, other than the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system, will hold or safeguard funds or securities of a marketplace participant on a regular basis, provide the name of the person or company and a description of the controls that will be implemented to ensure the safety of the funds or securities.

Exhibit I -- Securities

1. List the types of securities listed on the exchange or quoted on the quotation and trade reporting system. If this is an initial filing, list the types of securities the filer expects to list or quote.

2. List the types of any other securities that are traded on the marketplace or quoted on the quotation and trade reporting system, indicating the exchange(s) on which such securities are listed. If this is an initial filing, list the types of securities the filer expects to trade.

Exhibit J -- Access to Services

1. A complete set of all forms, agreements or other materials pertaining to access to the services of the marketplace described in Exhibit E item 4, including trading on the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system.

2. Describe the classes of marketplace participants.

3. Describe the exchange or quotation and trade reporting service's criteria for access to the services of the marketplace.

4. Describe any differences in access to the services offered by the marketplace to different groups or classes of marketplace participants.

5. Describe conditions under which marketplace participants may be subject to suspension or termination with regard to access to the services of the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system.

6. Describe any procedures that will be involved in the suspension or termination of a marketplace participant.

7. Describe the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system's arrangements for permitting clients of marketplace participants to have access to the marketplace. Provide a copy of any agreements or documentation relating to these arrangements.

Exhibit K -- Marketplace Participants

Provide an alphabetical list of all marketplace participants, including the following information:

1. Name.

2. Date of becoming a marketplace participant.

3. Describe the type of trading activities primarily engaged in by the marketplace participant (e.g., agency trading, proprietary trading, registered trading, market making).

4. The class of participation or other access. Please identify if the marketplace participant accesses the marketplace through co-location.

5. Provide a list of all persons or entities that were denied or limited access to the marketplace, indicating for each

(i) whether they were denied or limited access,

(ii) the date the marketplace took such action,

(iii) the effective date of such action, and

(iv) the nature and reason for any denial or limitation of access.

Exhibit L -- Fees

A description of the fee model and all fees charged by the marketplace, or by a party to which services have been directly or indirectly outsourced, including, but not limited to, fees relating to connecting to the market or facility, access, data, regulation (if applicable), trading, routing, and co-location, how such fees are set, and any fee rebates or discounts and how the rebates and discounts are set.

Exhibit M -- Regulation

Market Regulation is being conducted by:

[ ] the exchange or QTRS

1. Provide a description of the regulation performed by the exchange or QTRS, including the structure of the department performing regulation, how the department is funded, policies and procedures in place to ensure confidentiality and the management of conflicts of interest, and policies and procedures relating to conducting an investigation.

2. If more than one entity is performing regulation services for a type of security and the filer is conducting market regulation for itself and its members, provide a copy of the contract between the filer and the regulation services provider providing for co-ordinated monitoring and enforcement under section 7.5 of National Instrument 23-101 Trading Rules.

[ ] a regulation services provider other than the filer (provide a copy of the contract between the filer and the regulation services provider)

Exhibit N -- Acknowledgement

The form of acknowledgement required by subsection 5.9(2) of National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation.

CERTIFICATE OF EXCHANGE OR QUOTATION AND TRADE REPORTING SYSTEM

The undersigned certifies that the information given in this report is true and correct.

DATED at __________ this _____ day of _______________ 20 _____

(Name of exchange or quotation and trade reporting system)

(Name of director, officer or partner -- please type or print)

(Signature of director, officer or partner)

(Official capacity -- please type or print)

 

FORM 21-101F2 INFORMATION STATEMENT ALTERNATIVE TRADING SYSTEM

TYPE OF FILING:

[ ] INITIAL OPERATION REPORT

[ ] AMENDMENT; AMENDMENT No.<<_____________________>>

Identification:

1. Full name of alternative trading system:

2. Name(s) under which business is conducted, if different from item 1:

3. If this filing makes a name change on behalf of the alternative trading system in respect of the name set out in Item 1 or Item 2, enter the previous name and the new name.

Previous name:

New name:

4. Head office

Address:

Telephone:

Facsimile:

5. Mailing address (if different):

6. Other offices

Address:

Telephone:

Facsimile:

7. Website address:

8. Contact employee

Name and title:

Telephone number:

Facsimile:

E-mail address:

9. Counsel

Firm name:

Contact name:

Telephone number:

Facsimile:

E-mail address:

10. The ATS is

[ ] a member of ____________________(name of the recognized self-regulatory entity)

[ ] a registered dealer

11. If this is an initial operation report, the date the alternative trading system expects to commence operation:

12. The ATS has contracted with [name of regulation services provider] to perform market regulation for the ATS and its subscribers.

EXHIBITS

File all Exhibits with the Initial Operation Report. For each Exhibit, include the name of the ATS, the date of filing of the Exhibit and the date as of which the information is accurate (if different from the date of the filing). If any Exhibit required is inapplicable, a statement to that effect must be furnishedincluded instead of suchthe Exhibit.

If the ATS files an amendment to the information provided in its Initial Operation Report and the information relates to an Exhibit filed with the Initial Operation Report or a subsequent amendment, the ATS must, in order to comply with subsection 3.2(1), 3.2(2(2) or 3.2(3(3) of National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation, provide a description of the change,and the actual or expected date of the implementation of the change, and file a complete and updated Exhibit. The ATS must provide a clean and blacklined version showing changes from the previous filing.

Exhibit A -- Corporate Governance

1. Legal status:

[ ] Corporation

[ ] Partnership

[ ] Sole Proprietorship

[ ] Other (specify):

2. Except where the ATS is a sole proprietorship, indicate the following:

1. Date (DD/MM/YYYY) of formation.

2. Place of formation.

3. Statute under which the ATS was organized.

3. Provide a copy of the constating documents (including corporate by-laws), shareholder agreements, partnership agreements and other similar documents, and all subsequent amendments.

4. Provide the policies and procedures to address conflicts of interest arising from the operation of the marketplace or the services it provides, including those related to the commercial interest of the marketplace, the interests of its owners and its operators, and the responsibilities and sound functioning of the marketplace.

Exhibit B -- Ownership

AIn the case of an ATS that is a corporation, other than an ATS that is a reporting issuer, provide a list of the registered or beneficial holders of 10 percent or more of any class of securities of, partnership interests in, or other ownership interests in, the ATS. For each of the persons listed in the Exhibit, pleasesecurity holder, provide the following:

1. Name.

2. Principal business or occupation and title, if any.

3. Ownership interest.

4. Nature of the ownership interest, including a description of thethe total number of securities held, the percentage of the ATS's issued and outstanding securities held, and the class or type of security, partnership interest or other ownership interestheld.

4. 5. Whether the personsecurity holder has control (as interpreted in subsection 1.3(2) of National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation).

In the case of an ATS that is publicly traded, if the ATS is a corporation, please onlya partnership, sole proprietorship or other type of organization, provide a list of each shareholder that directly owns five percent or more of a class of a voting security ofthe registered or beneficial holders of the partnership interests or other ownership interests in the ATS. For each person or company listed, provide the ATSfollowing:

1. Name.

2. Principal business or occupation and title, if any.

3. Nature of the ownership interest, including a description of the type of partnership interest or other ownership interest.

4. Whether the person or company has control (as interpreted in subsection 1.3(2) of National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation).

Exhibit C -- Organization

1. A list of partners, directors, officers, governors, and members of the board of directors and any standing committees of the board, or persons performing similar functions, who presently hold or have held their offices or positions during the previous year, indicating the following for each:

1. Name.

2. Principal business or occupation and title.

3. Dates of commencement and expiry of present term of office or position.

4. Type of business in which each is primarily engaged and current employer.[repealed]

5. Type of business in which each was primarily engaged in the preceding five years, if different from that set out in item 4.[repealed]

6. Whether the person is considered to be an independent director.

2. A list of the committees of the board, including their mandates.

Exhibit D -- Affiliates

1. For each affiliated entity of the ATS provide the name, head office address and describe the principal business of the affiliate.

2. For each affiliated entity of the ATS

(i) to which the ATS has outsourced any of its key services or systems affecting the market or facility described in Exhibit E -- Operations of the Marketplace, including order entry, trading, execution, routing and data, or

(ii) with which the ATS has any other material business relationship, including loans, cross-guarantees, etc.

provide the following information:

1. Name and address of the affiliate.

2. The name and title of the directors and officers, or persons performing similar functions, of the affiliate.[repealed]

3. A description of the nature and extent of the contractual and other agreement with the ATS, and the roles and responsibilities of the affiliate under the arrangement.

4. A copy of each material contract relating to any outsourced functions or other material relationship.

Copies of constating documents (including corporate by-laws), shareholder agreements, partnership agreements and other similar documents.[repealed]

Exhibit E -- Operations of the Marketplace

Describe in detail the manner of operation of the market and its associated functions. This must include, but is not limited to, a description of the following:

1. The structure of the market (e.g., call market, auction market, dealer market).

2. Means of access to the market or facility and services, including a description of any co-location arrangements.

3. The hours of operation.

4. A description of the services offered by the marketplace including, but not limited to, order entry, co-location, trading, execution, routing and data.

5. A list of the types of orders offered, including, but not limited to, a description of the features and characteristics of orders.

6. Procedures regarding the entry, display and execution of orders. If indications of interest are used, please describe the information they include and list the types of recipients.

7. A description of how orders interact, including, but not limited to, the priority of execution for all order types.[repealed]

8. A description of order routing procedures.[repealed]

9. A description of order and trade reporting procedures.

10. A description of procedures for clearance and settlement of transactions.

11. The safeguards and procedures of the marketplace to protect trading information of marketplace participants.

12. Training provided to participants and a copy of any materials provided both with respect to systems of the marketplace, the requirements of the marketplace, and the rules of the regulation services providers, if applicable.

13. Steps taken to ensure that marketplace participants have knowledge of and comply with the requirements of the marketplace.

The filer must provide all policies, procedures and trading manuals related to the operation of the marketplace and, if applicable, the order router.

The filer must provide all material contracts relating to order routing, execution, trade reporting, trade comparison, data feeds, market surveillance and trade clearing.

Exhibit F -- Outsourcing

Where the ATS has outsourced the operation of key services or systems affecting the market or facility described in Exhibit E -- Operations of the Marketplace to an arms-length third party, including any function associated with routing, trading, execution, clearing and settlement, data and co-location, provide the following information:

1. Name and address of person or company to whom the function has been outsourced.

2. A description of the nature and extent of the contractual or other agreement with the ATS and the roles and responsibilities of the arms-length party under the arrangement.

3. A copy of each material contract relating to any outsourced function.

4. A copy of the marketplace's policies and procedures for the selection of service providers to which key services and systems may be outsourced and for the evaluation and approval of such outsourcing arrangements that are established and maintained pursuant to paragraph 5.12(a) of National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation.

5. A description of any conflicts of interest between the marketplace and the service provider to which key services and systems are outsourced and a copy of the policies and procedures to mitigate and manage such conflicts of interest that have been established pursuant to paragraph 5.12(b) of National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation.

6. A description of the measures the marketplace has taken pursuant to paragraph 5.12(f) of National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation to ensure that the service provider has established, maintains and periodically tests an appropriate business continuity plan, including a disaster recovery plan.

7. A description of the measures the marketplace has taken pursuant to paragraph 5.12(g) of National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation to ensure that the service provider protects the proprietary, order, trade or any other confidential information of the participants of the marketplace.

8. A copy of the marketplace's processes and procedures to regularly review the performance of a service provider under an outsourcing arrangement that are established pursuant to paragraph 5.12(h) of National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation.

Exhibit G -- Systems and Contingency Planning

General

Provide:

1. A high --level description of the marketplace's systems that support order entry, order routing, execution, trade reporting, trade comparison, data feeds, co-location and if applicable, market surveillance and trade clearing.

2. An organization chart of the marketplace's information technology group unless otherwise provided as part of the report required by subsection 12.2(1) of theNational Instrument21-101 Marketplace Operation.

Business Continuity Planning

Please provide a description of the marketplace's business continuity and disaster recovery plans that includes, but is not limited to, information regarding the following:

1. Where the primary processing site is located.

2. What the approximate percentage of hardware, software and network redundancy is at the primary site.

3. Any uninterruptible power source (UPS) at the primary site.

4. How frequently market data is stored off-site.

5. Any secondary processing site, the location of any such secondary processing site and whether all of the marketplace's critical business data is accessible through the secondary processing site.

6. The creation, management, and oversight of the plans, including a description of responsibility for the development of the plans and their ongoing review and updating.

7. Escalation procedures, including event identification, impact analysis, and activation of the plans in the event of a disaster or disruption.

8. Procedures for internal and external communications, including the distribution of information internally, to the securities regulatory authority, and, if appropriate, to the public, together with the roles and responsibilities of marketplace staff for internal and external communications.

9. The scenarios that would trigger the activation of the plans.

10. How frequently the business continuity and disaster recovery plans are tested.

11. Procedures for record keeping in relation to the review and updating of the plans, including the logging of tests and deficiencies.

12. The targeted time to resume operations of critical information technology systems following the declaration of a disaster by the marketplace and the service level to which such systems are to be restored.

13. Any single points of failure faced by the marketplace.

Systems Capacity

Please provide informaion regarding:

1. How frequently future market activity is evaluated in order to adjust processing capacity.

2. The approximate excess capacity maintained over average daily transaction volumes.

3. How often or at what point stress testing is performed.

Systems

Please provide information regarding:

1. Whether the trading engine was developed in-house or by a commercial vendor.

2. Whether the trading engine is maintained in-house or by a commercial vendor and provide the name of the commercial vendor, if applicable.

3. The marketplace's networks. Please provide a copy of a high-level network diagram of the systems referred to in section 12.1 of the Instrument, as applicable, together with a description of the external points of contact for the marketplace's networks.

4. The message protocols supported by the marketplace's systems.

5. The transmission protocols used by the marketplace's systems.

IT Risk Assessment

Please describe the IT risk assessment framework, including:

1. How the probability and likelihood of IT threats are considered.

2. How the impact of risks areis measured according to qualitative and quantitative criteria.

3. The documentation process for acceptable residual risks with related offsets.

4. The development of management's action plan to implement a risk response to a risk that has not been accepted.

Exhibit H -- Custody of Assets

1. If the ATS proposes to hold funds or securities of a marketplace participant on a regular basis, a description of the controls that will be implemented to ensure the safety of the funds or securities.

2. If any other person or company, other than the ATS, will hold or safeguard funds or securities of a marketplace participant on a regular basis, provide the name of the person or company and a description of the controls that will be implemented to ensure the safety of the funds or securities.

Exhibit I -- Securities

List the types of securities that are traded on the ATS, indicating the exchange(s) on which such securities are listed. If this is an initial filing, list the types of securities the ATS expects to trade.

Exhibit J -- Access to Services

1. A complete set of all forms, agreements or other materials pertaining to access to the services of the marketplace described in Exhibit E item 4, including trading on the ATS.

2. Describe the classes of marketplace participants (i.e. dealer, institution or retail).

3. Describe the ATS's criteria for access to the services of the marketplace.

4. Describe any differences in access to the services offered by the marketplace to different groups or classes of marketplace participants.

5. Describe conditions under which marketplace participants may be subject to suspension or termination with regard to access to the services of the ATS.

6. Describe any procedures that will be involved in the suspension or termination of a marketplace participant.

7. Describe the ATS's arrangements for permitting clients of marketplace participants to have access to the marketplace. Provide a copy of any agreements or documentation relating to these arrangements.

Exhibit K -- Marketplace Participants

Provide an alphabetical list of all marketplace participants, including the following information:

1. Name.

2. Date of becoming a marketplace participant.

3. Describe the type of trading activities primarily engaged in by the marketplace participant (e.g., agency trading, proprietary trading, registered trading, market making).

4. The class of participation or other access. Please identify if the marketplace participant accesses the marketplace through co-location.

5. Provide a list of all persons or entities that were denied or limited access to the marketplace, indicating for each

(i) whether they were denied or limited access,

(ii) the date the marketplace took such action,

(iii) the effective date of such action, and

(iv) the nature and reason for any denial or limitation of access.

Exhibit L -- Fees

A description of the fee model and all fees charged by the marketplace, or by a party to whom services have been directly or indirectly outsourced, including, but not limited to, fees relating to connecting to the market or facility, access, data, regulation (if applicable), trading, routing, and co-location, how such fees are set and any fee rebates or discounts and how the rebates or discounts are set.

Exhibit M -- Regulation

The ATS has contracted with regulation services provider ............................. to perform market regulation for ATS and its subscribers. Provide a copy of the contract between the filer and the regulation services provider.

Exhibit N -- Acknowledgement

The form of acknowledgement required by subsections 5.9(2) and 6.11(2) of National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation.

CERTIFICATE OF ALTERNATIVE TRADING SYSTEM

The undersigned certifies that the information given in this report is true and correct.

DATED at __________ this _____ day of _______________ 20 _____

______________________________

(Name of alternative trading system)

______________________________

(Name of director, officer or partner -- please type or print)

______________________________

(Signature of director, officer or partner)

______________________________

(Official capacity -- please type or print)

 

FORM 21-101F3 QUARTERLY REPORT OF MARKETPLACE ACTIVITIES

A -- General Marketplace Information

1. Marketplace Name:

2. Period covered by this report:

3. Identification

A. Full name of marketplace (if sole proprietor, last, first and middle name):

B. Name(s) under which business is conducted, if different from item A:[repealed]

C. Marketplace main street address:[repealed]

4. A list of all amendments in the information in Form 21-101F1 or 21-101F2 that were filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities and implemented during the period covered by the report. The list must include a brief description of each amendment, the date filed and the date implemented.[repealed]

5. A list of all amendments in the information in Form 21-101F1 or 21-101F2 that have been filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities but not implemented as of the end of the period covered by the report. The list must include a brief description of each amendment, the date filed and the reason why it was not implemented.[repealed]

6. Systems -- If any outages occurred at any time during the period for any system relating to trading activity, including trading, routing or data, provide the date, duration, reason for the outage and its resolution.[repealed]

7. Systems Changes -- A brief description of any significant changes to the systems and technology used by the marketplace that support order entry, order routing, execution, trade reporting, trade comparison, data feeds, co-location and if applicable, market surveillance and trade clearing that were planned, under development, or implemented during the quarter. Please provide the current status of the changes that are under development.[repealed]

B -- Marketplace Activity Information

Section 1 -- Equity Marketplaces Trading Exchange-Listed Securities

1General trading activity -- For each type of security traded on the marketplace, provide the details (where appropriate) requested in the form set out in Chart 1. The information must be provided for transactions executed at the opening of the market, during regular trading hours, and after hours during the quarter. Enter "None", "N/A", or "0" where appropriate.[repealed]

Chart 1 -- General trading activity for equity marketplaces trading exchange-listed securities

[repealed]

Category of Securities

Volume

Value

Number of Trades

 

 

Transparent

Non-transparent

Transparent

Non-transparent

Transparent

Non-transparent

 

Exchange-Traded Securities

 

1. Equity (includes preferred shares)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Debt securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Options

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign Exchange-Traded Securities

 

1. Equity (includes preferred shares)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. ETFs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. Debt securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Options

 

 

 

 

 

 

2Crosses -- Provide the details (where appropriate) requested in the form set out in Chart 2 below for each type of cross executed on the marketplace for trades executed at the opening of the market, during regular trading and after hours during the quarter. Enter "None", "N/A", or "0" where appropriate.-- [repealed]

Chart 2 -- Crosses

[repealed]

Types of Crosses

Volume

Value

Number of Trades

 

1. Intentional Crosses[SUP]1[/SUP]

 

 

 

 

2. Internal crosses

 

 

 

 

3. Other crosses

 

 

 

3. Order information -- Provide the details (where appropriate) requested in the form set out in Chart 3 below for each type of order in exchange traded securities executed on the marketplace for orders entered at the opening of the market, during regular trading and after hours during the quarter. Enter "none", "N/A", or "0" where appropriate.[repealed]

Chart 3 -- Order information

[repealed]

Types of Orders

Number of Orders

Orders Executed

Orders Cancelled[SUP]2[/SUP]

 

1. Anonymous[SUP]3[/SUP]

 

 

 

 

2. Fully transparent

 

 

 

 

3. Pegged Orders

 

 

 

 

4. Fully hidden

 

 

 

 

5. Separate dark facility of a transparent market

 

 

 

 

6. Partially hidden (reserve)

 

 

 

 

7. Total number of orders entered during the quarter

 

 

 

4. Trading by security -- Provide the details requested in the form set out in Chart 4 below for the 10 most traded securities on the marketplace (based on the volume of securities traded) for trades executed at the opening of the market, during regular trading and after hours during the quarter. Enter "None", "N/A", or "0" where appropriate.[repealed]

Chart 4 -- Most traded securities

[repealed]

Category of Securities

Volume

Value

Number of Trades

 

Exchange-Traded Securities

 

1. Equity (includes preferred shares) [Name of Securities]

 

 

 

1.

 

 

 

2.

 

 

 

3.

 

 

 

4.

 

 

 

5.

 

 

 

6.

 

 

 

7.

 

 

 

8.

 

 

 

9.

 

 

 

10.

 

 

 

 

2. ETFs [Name of Securities]

 

 

 

1.

 

 

 

2.

 

 

 

3.

 

 

 

4.

 

 

 

5.

 

 

 

6.

 

 

 

7.

 

 

 

8.

 

 

 

9.

 

 

 

10.

 

 

 

 

3. Debt [Enter issuer, maturity and coupon]

 

 

 

1.

 

 

 

2.

 

 

 

3.

 

 

 

4.

 

 

 

5.

 

 

 

6.

 

 

 

7.

 

 

 

8.

 

 

 

9.

 

 

 

10.

 

 

 

 

Foreign Exchange-Traded Securities

 

1. Equity (includes preferred shares) [Name of Securities]

 

 

 

1.

 

 

 

2.

 

 

 

3.

 

 

 

4.

 

 

 

5.

 

 

 

6.

 

 

 

7.

 

 

 

8.

 

 

 

9.

 

 

 

10.

 

 

 

 

2. ETFs [Name of Securities]

 

 

 

1.

 

 

 

2.

 

 

 

3.

 

 

 

4.

 

 

 

5.

 

 

 

6.

 

 

 

7.

 

 

 

8.

 

 

 

9.

 

 

 

10.

 

 

 

 

3. Debt [Name of Securities]

 

 

 

1.

 

 

 

2.

 

 

 

3.

 

 

 

4.

 

 

 

5.

 

 

 

6.

 

 

 

7.

 

 

 

8.

 

 

 

9.

 

 

 

10.

 

 

 

5. Trading by marketplace participant -- Provide the details requested in the form set out in Chart 5 below for the top 10 marketplace participants (based on the volume of securities traded). The information must be provided for the total trading volume, including for trades executed at the opening of the market, during regular trading and after hours during the quarter. Enter "None", "N/A", or "0" where appropriate. Where a marketplace's marketplace participants are dealers and non-dealers, the marketplace must complete a separate chart for each.-- [repealed]

Chart 5 -- Concentration of trading by marketplace participant

Marketplace Participant Name

Total Active Volume

Total Passive Volume

 

1.

 

 

2.

 

 

3.

 

 

4.

 

 

5.

 

 

6.

 

 

7.

 

 

8.

 

 

9.

 

 

10.

 

 

6. Routing activities -- Indicate the percentage of marketplace participants that used marketplace-owned or third party or affiliated routing services during the reporting period. In addition, provide the information in Chart 6 below.-- [repealed]

Chart 6 -- Routing of marketplace orders

[repealed]

Number of orders executed on the reporting marketplace

 

 

Number of orders routed to away marketplaces (list all marketplaces where orders were routed)

 

 

Number of orders that are marked and treated as Directed Action Orders (DAO)

 

Section 2 -- Fixed Income Marketplaces

1. General trading activity -- Provide the details (where appropriate) requested in the form set out in Chart 7 below for each type of fixed income security traded on the marketplace for transactions executed during regular trading hours during the quarter. Enter "None", "N/A", or "0" where appropriate.

Chart 7 -- Fixed income activity

Category of Securities

Value Traded

Number of Trades

 

Domestic Unlisted Debt Securities -- Government

 

 

 

1. Federal

 

 

 

2. Federal Agency

 

 

 

3. Provincial and Municipal

 

 

 

Domestic Unlisted Debt Securities -- Corporate

 

 

 

Domestic Unlisted Debt Securities -- Other

 

 

 

Foreign Unlisted Debt Securities -- Government

 

 

 

Foreign Unlisted Debt Securities -- Corporate

 

 

 

Foreign Unlisted Debt Securities -- Other

 

 

2. Trading by security -- Provide the details requested in the form set out in Chart 8 below for each fixed income security traded on the marketplace during regular trading hours during the quarter. Enter "None", "N/A", or "0" where appropriate.

Chart 8 -- Traded fixed income securities

Category of Securities

Value Traded

Number of Trades

 

Domestic Unlisted Debt Securities -- Government

 

 

1. Federal [Enter issuer, maturity, coupon]

 

 

 

2. Federal Agency [Enter issuer, maturity, coupon]

 

 

 

3. Provincial and Municipal [Enter issuer, maturity, coupon]

 

 

 

Domestic Unlisted Debt Securities -- Corporate [Enter issuer, maturity, coupon]

 

 

 

Domestic Unlisted Debt Securities -- Other [Enter issuer, maturity, coupon]

 

 

 

Foreign Unlisted Debt Securities -- Government [Enter issuer, maturity, coupon]

 

 

 

Foreign Unlisted Debt Securities -- Corporate [Enter issuer, maturity, coupon]

 

 

 

Foreign Unlisted Debt Securities -- Other [Enter issuer, maturity, coupon]

 

 

3. Trading by marketplace participant -- Provide the details requested in the form set out in Chart 9 below for the top 10 marketplace participants for trades executed during regular trading hours during the quarter. Enter "None", "N/A", or "0" where appropriate. If marketplace participants are dealers and non-dealer institutions, the marketplace must complete a separate chart for each.-- [repealed]

Chart 9 -- Concentration of trading by marketplace participant

[repealed]

Marketplace Participant Name

Value Traded

 

1.

 

2.

 

3.

 

4.

 

5.

 

6.

 

7.

 

8.

 

9.

 

10.

 

Section 3 -- Securities Lending Marketplaces

1. General lending activity -- Please provide details (where appropriate) requested in the form set out inChart 10 below for each type of securities loaned on the marketplace. Enter "None", "N/A" or "0" where appropriate.

Chart 10 -- Lending activity

Category of Securities

Quantity of Securities Lent During the Quarter

Aggregate Value of Securities Lent During the Quarter

 

Domestic

 

 

 

1. Corporate Equity Securities

 

 

 

1.1. Common Shares

 

 

 

1.2. Preferred Shares

 

 

 

2. Non-Corporate Equity Securities (e.g. trust units, partnership units, etc.) (please specify)

 

 

 

3. Government Debt Securities

 

 

 

4. Corporate Debt Securities

 

 

 

5. Other Fixed Income Securities (please specify)

 

 

 

Foreign

 

 

 

1. Corporate Equity Securities

 

 

 

1.1. Common Shares

 

 

 

1.2. Preferred Shares

 

 

 

2. Non-Corporate Equity Securities (e.g. trust units, partnership units, etc.) (Please specify)

 

 

 

3. Government Debt Securities

 

 

 

4. Corporate Debt Securities

 

 

 

5. Other Fixed Income Securities (please specify)

 

 

2. Trading by marketplace participant -- Provide the details requested in the form set out in Chart 11 and Chart 12 below for the top 10 borrowers and lenders based on their aggregate value of securities borrowed or loaned, respectively, during the quarter.

Chart 11 -- Concentration of activity by borrower

Borrower Name

Aggregate Value of Securities Borrowed During the Quarter

 

1.

 

2.

 

3.

 

4.

 

5.

 

6.

 

7.

 

8.

 

9.

 

10.

 

Chart 12 -- Concentration of activity by lender

Lender Name

Aggregate Value of Securities Loaned During the Quarter

1.

 

2.

 

3.

 

4.

 

5.

 

6.

 

7.

 

8.

 

9.

 

10.

 

3. Lending activity by security -- Provide the details requested in the form set out in Chart 13 below for the 10 most loaned securities on the marketplace (based on the quantity of securities loaned during the quarter). Enter "None", "N/A" or "0" where appropriate.

Chart 13 -- Most loaned securities

Category of Securities

Quantity of Securities Lent During the Quarter

Aggregate Value of Securities Lent During the Quarter

 

Domestic

 

 

 

1. Common Shares [Name of Security]

 

 

1.

 

 

2.

 

 

3.

 

 

4.

 

 

5.

 

 

6.

 

 

7.

 

 

8.

 

 

9.

 

 

10.

 

 

 

2. Preferred Shares [Name of Security]

 

 

1.

 

 

2.

 

 

3.

 

 

4.

 

 

5.

 

 

6.

 

 

7.

 

 

8.

 

 

9.

 

 

10.

 

 

 

3. Non-Corporate Equity Securities [Name of Security]

 

 

1.

 

 

2.

 

 

3.

 

 

4.

 

 

5.

 

 

6.

 

 

7.

 

 

8.

 

 

9.

 

 

10.

 

 

 

4. Government Debt Securities [Name of Security]

 

 

1.

 

 

2.

 

 

3.

 

 

4.

 

 

5.

 

 

6.

 

 

7.

 

 

8.

 

 

9.

 

 

10.

 

 

 

5. Corporate Debt Securities [Name of Security]

 

 

1.

 

 

2.

 

 

3.

 

 

4.

 

 

5.

 

 

6.

 

 

7.

 

 

8.

 

 

9.

 

 

10.

 

 

 

6. Other Fixed Income Securities [Name of Security]

 

 

1.

 

 

2.

 

 

3.

 

 

4.

 

 

5.

 

 

6.

 

 

7.

 

 

8.

 

 

9.

 

 

10.

 

 

 

Foreign

 

 

 

1. Common Shares [Name of Security]

 

 

1.

 

 

2.

 

 

3.

 

 

4.

 

 

5.

 

 

6.

 

 

7.

 

 

8.

 

 

9.

 

 

10.

 

 

 

2. Preferred Shares [Name of Security]

 

 

1.

 

 

2.

 

 

3.

 

 

4.

 

 

5.

 

 

6.

 

 

7.

 

 

8.

 

 

9.

 

 

10.

 

 

 

3. Non-Corporate Equity Securities [Name of Security]

 

 

1.

 

 

2.

 

 

3.

 

 

4.

 

 

5.

 

 

6.

 

 

7.

 

 

8.

 

 

9.

 

 

10.

 

 

 

4. Government Debt Securities [Name of Security]

 

 

1.

 

 

2.

 

 

3.

 

 

4.

 

 

5.

 

 

6.

 

 

7.

 

 

8.

 

 

9.

 

 

10.

 

 

 

5. Corporate Debt Securities [Name of Security]

 

 

1.

 

 

2.

 

 

3.

 

 

4.

 

 

5.

 

 

6.

 

 

7.

 

 

8.

 

 

9.

 

 

10.

 

 

 

6. Other Fixed Income Securities [Name of Security]

 

 

1.

 

 

2.

 

 

3.

 

 

4.

 

 

5.

 

 

6.

 

 

7.

 

 

8.

 

 

9.

 

 

10.

 

 

Section 4 -- Derivatives Marketplaces in Quebec

1General trading activity -- For each category of product traded on the marketplace, provide the details (where appropriate) requested in the form set out in Chart 14 below. For products other than options on ETFs and equity options, provide the details on a product-by-product basis in the appropriate category. Details for options on ETFs and equity options must be provided on an aggregate basis (one total for options on ETFs and one for options on equities). The information must be provided for transactions executed in the early session, during the regular session, and in the extended session during the quarter. Enter "None", "N/A", or "0" where appropriate.

Chart 14 -- General trading activity

Category of Product

Volume

Number of Trades

Open Interest (Number/End of Quarter)

 

Futures Products

 

1(a) Interest rate -- short term

 

 

 

 

1(b) Interest rate -- long term

 

 

 

 

2. Index

 

 

 

 

3. ETF

 

 

 

 

4. Equity

 

 

 

 

5. Currency

 

 

 

 

6. Energy

 

 

 

 

7. Others, please specify

 

 

 

 

Options Products

 

1(a) Interest rate-short term

 

 

 

 

1(b) Interest rate -- long term

 

 

 

 

2. Index

 

 

 

 

3. ETF

 

 

 

 

4. Equity

 

 

 

 

5. Currency

 

 

 

 

6. Energy

 

 

 

 

7. Others, please specify

 

 

 

2. Trades resulting from pre-negotiation discussions -- Provide the details (where appropriate) requested in the form set out in Chart 15 below by product and for each type of trade resulting from pre-negotiation discussions. For products other than options on ETFs and equity options, provide the details on a product-by-product basis in the appropriate category. Details for options on ETFs and equity options must be provided on an aggregate basis (one total for options on ETFs and one for options on equities). The information must be provided for trades executed in the early session, during the regular session and in the extended session during the quarter. Enter "None", "N/A", or "0" where appropriate.

Chart 15 --Trades resulting from pre-negotiation discussions

Type of Trade

Volume

Number of Trades

 

Futures Products

 

A. Cross

 

 

 

B. Pre-arranged

 

 

 

C. Block

 

 

 

D. Exchange for physical

 

 

 

E. Exchange for risk

 

 

 

F. Riskless basis cross

 

 

 

G. Others, please specify

 

 

 

Options Products

 

A. Cross

 

 

 

B. Pre-arranged

 

 

 

C. Block

 

 

 

D. Others, please specify

 

 

3. Order information -- Provide the details (where appropriate) requested in the form set out in Chart 16 below by product and for each type of order in exchange traded contracts executed on the marketplace. For products other than options on ETFs and equity options, provide the details on a product-by-product basis in the appropriate category. Details for options on ETFs and equity options must be provided on an aggregate basis (one total for options on ETFs and one for options on equities). The information must be provided for orders entered in the early session, during the regular session and in the extended session during the quarter. Enter "none", "N/A", or "0" where appropriate.

Chart 16 -- Order Information

Type of Orders

Volume

Number of Trades

 

1. Anonymous

 

 

 

2. Fully transparent

 

 

 

3. Pegged orders

 

 

 

4. Fully hidden

 

 

 

5. Separate dark facility of a transparent market

 

 

 

6. Partially hidden (reserve, for example, iceberg orders)

 

 

4. Trading by product -- Provide the details requested in the form set out in Chart 17 below. For each product other than options on ETFs and equity options, list the most actively-traded contracts (by volume) on the marketplace that in the aggregate constitute at least 75% of the total volume for each product during the quarter. The list must include at least 3 contracts. For options on ETFs and equity options, list the 10 most actively traded classes by volume. Details for options on ETFs and equity options must be provided on an aggregate basis (one total for options on ETFs and one for options on equities). The information must be provided for trades executed in the early session, during the regular session and in the extended session during the quarter. Enter "None", "N/A", or "0" where appropriate.

Chart 17 -- Most traded contracts

Category of Product

Volume

Number of Trades

Open Interest (Number/End of Quarter)

 

Futures Products

 

 

 

 

1. Name of products -- 3 most-traded contracts (or more as applicable)

 

 

 

1.

 

 

 

2.

 

 

 

3.

 

 

 

 

Options Products

 

 

 

 

2. ETF [Classes]

 

 

 

1.

 

 

 

2.

 

 

 

3.

 

 

 

4.

 

 

 

5.

 

 

 

6.

 

 

 

7.

 

 

 

8.

 

 

 

9.

 

 

 

10.

 

 

 

 

3. Equity [Classes]

 

 

1.

 

 

2.

 

 

3.

 

 

4.

 

 

5.

 

 

6.

 

 

7.

 

 

8.

 

 

9.

 

 

10.

 

 

 

4. Other listed options (specify for each) -- 3 most traded contracts (or more as applicable)

 

 

1.

 

 

2.

 

 

3.

 

 

5. Concentration of trading by marketplace participant -- Provide the details requested in the form set out in Chart 18 below. For each product other than options on ETFs and equity options, list the top marketplace participants whose aggregate trading (by volume) constituted at least 75% of the total volume traded. The list must include at least 3 marketplace participants. For options on ETFs and equity options, provide the top 10 most active marketplace participants (by volume). The information must be provided on an aggregate basis (one total for options on ETFs and one for options on equities). The information must be provided for trades executed in the early session, during the regular session and in the extended session during the quarter. Enter "None", "N/A", or "0" where appropriate.

Chart 18 -- Concentration of trading by marketplace participant

Product Name

Marketplace Participant Name

Volume

 

Futures

 

Product Name (specify for each)

1.

 

 

2.

 

 

3. (more if necessary)

 

 

Options

 

 

 

ETF

1.

 

 

2.

 

 

3.

 

 

4.

 

 

5.

 

 

6.

 

 

7.

 

 

8.

 

 

9.

 

 

10.

 

 

Equity

1.

 

 

2.

 

 

3.

 

 

4.

 

 

5.

 

 

6.

 

 

7.

 

 

8.

 

 

9.

 

 

10.

 

 

Other options (specify for each)

1.

 

 

2.

 

 

3. (more if necessary)

 

C -- Certificate of Marketplace

The undersigned certifies that the information given in this report relating to the marketplace is true and correct.

DATED at_________________ this _____ day of ________________ 20___

______________________________

(Name of Marketplace)

______________________________

(Name of director, officer or partner -- please type or print)

______________________________

(Signature of director, officer or partner)

______________________________

(Official capacity -- please type or print)

 

FORM 21-101F4 CESSATION OF OPERATIONS REPORT FOR ALTERNATIVE TRADING SYSTEM

1. Identification:

A. Full name of alternative trading system (if sole proprietor, last, first and middle name):

B. Name(s) under which business is conducted, if different from item 1A:

2. Date alternative trading system proposes to cease carrying on business as an ATS:

3. If cessation of business was involuntary, date alternative trading system has ceased to carry on business as an ATS:

4. Please check the appropriate box:

[ ] the ATS intends to carry on business as an exchange and has filed Form 21-101F1.

[ ] the ATS intends to cease to carry on business.

[ ] the ATS intends to become a member of an exchange.

Exhibits

File all Exhibits with the Cessation of Operations Report. For each exhibit, include the name of the ATS, the date of filing of the exhibit and the date as of which the information is accurate (if different from the date of the filing). If any Exhibit required is inapplicable, a statement to that effect must be furnished instead of such Exhibit.

Exhibit A

The reasons for the alternative trading system ceasing to carry on business as an ATS.

Exhibit B

A list of each of the securities the alternative trading system trades.

Exhibit C

The amount of funds and securities, if any, held for subscribers by the alternative trading system, or another person or company retained by the alternative trading system to hold funds and securities for subscribers and the procedures in place to transfer or to return all funds and securities to subscribers.

CERTIFICATE OF ALTERNATIVE TRADING SYSTEM

The undersigned certifies that the information given in this report is true and correct.

DATED at ____________ this ____________ day of _____________________ 20 _____

______________________________

(Name of alternative trading system)

______________________________

(Name of director, officer or partner -- please type or print)

______________________________

(Signature of director, officer or partner)

______________________________

(Official capacity -- please type or print)

 

FORM 21-101F5 INFORMATION STATEMENT INFORMATION PROCESSOR

TYPE OF FILING:

[ ] INITIAL FORM

[ ] AMENDMENT ; AMENDMENT No. _________________

GENERAL INFORMATION

1. Full name of information processor:

2. Name(s) under which business is conducted, if different from item 1:

3. If this filing makes a name change on behalf of the information processor in respect of the name set out in item 1 or item 2, enter the previous name and the new name:

Previous name:

New name:

4. Head office

Address:

Telephone:

Facsimile:

5. Mailing address (if different):

6. Other offices

Address:

Telephone:

Facsimile:

7. Website address:

8. Contact employee

Name and title:

Telephone number:

Facsimile:

E-mail address:

9. Counsel

Firm name:

Contact name:

Telephone number:

Facsimile:

E-mail address:

10. List of all marketplaces, dealers or other parties for which the information processor is acting or for which it proposes to act as an information processor. For each marketplace, dealer or other party, provide a description of the function(s) which the information processor performs or proposes to perform.

11. List all types of securities for which information will be collected, processed, distributed or published by the information processor. For each such marketplace, dealer or other party, provide a list of all securities for which information with respect to quotations for, or transactions in, is or is proposed to be collected, processed, distributed or published.

Exhibits

File all Exhibits with the Initial Form. For each Exhibit, include the name of the information processor, the date of filing of the Exhibit and the date as of which the information is accurate (if different from the date of the filing). If any Exhibit required is inapplicable, a statement to that effect must be furnishedincluded instead of suchthe Exhibit.

If the information processor files an amendment to the information provided in its Initial Form, and the information relates to an Exhibit filed with the Initial Form or a subsequent amendment, the information processor must, in order to comply with sections 14.1 and 14.2 of National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation, provide a description of the change,and the actual or expected date of the implementation of the change, and file a complete and updated Exhibit. The information processor must provide a clean and a blacklined version showing changes from the previous filing.

Exhibit A -- Corporate Governance

1. Legal status:

[ ] Corporation

[ ] Sole Proprietorship

[ ] Partnership

[ ] Other (specify):

2. Except where the information processor is a sole proprietorship, indicate the date and place where the information processor obtained its legal status (e.g., place of incorporation, place where partnership agreement was filed or where information processor was formed):

a) Date (DD/MM/YYYY) of formation.

b) Place of formation.

c) Statute under which the information processor was organized.

3. Provide a copy of the constating documents (including corporate by-laws), shareholder agreements, partnership agreements and other similar documents, and all subsequent documents.

4. Provide the policies and procedures which promote independence of the information processor from the marketplaces, inter-dealer bond brokers and dealers that provide data.

5. Provide the policies and procedures which address the potential conflicts of interest between the interests of the information processor and its owners, partners, directors and officers.

Exhibit B -- Ownership

List any person or company who owns 10 percent or more of the information processor's outstanding shares or who, either directly or indirectly, through agreement or otherwise, in any other manner, may control or direct the management or policies of the information processor. Provide the full name and address of each such person and attach a copy of the agreement or, if there is none written, describe the agreement or basis through which such person exercises or may exercise such control or direction.

Exhibit C -- Organization

1. A list of the partners, directorsofficers, governors, and members of the board of directors and any standing committees of the board, or persons performing similar functions, who presently hold or have held their offices or positions during the previous year, identifying those individuals with overall responsibility for the integrity and timeliness of data reported to and displayed by the system (the "System") of the information processor, indicating the following for each:

1. Name.

2. Principal business or occupation and title.

3. Dates of commencement and expiry of present term of office or position.

4. Type of business in which each is primarily engaged and current employer.[repealed]

5. Type of business in which each was primarily engaged in the preceding five years, if different from that set out in item 4.[repealed]

6. Whether the person is considered to be an independent director.

7. A list of the committees of the board, including their mandates.

8. A narrative or graphic description of the organizational structure of the information processor.

Exhibit D -- Staffing

A description of the personnel qualifications for each category of professional, non-professional and supervisory employee employed by the information processor. Detail whether the personnel are employed by the information processor or a third party, identifying the employees responsible for monitoring the timeliness and integrity of data reported to and displayed by the System.

Exhibit E -- Affiliates

For each affiliated entity of the information processor, and for any person or company with whom the information processor has a contractual or other agreement relating to the operations of the information processor, including loans or cross-guarantees, provide the following information:

1. Name and address of person or company.

2. Form of organization (e.g., association, corporation, partnership, etc.).

3. Name of location and statute citation under which organized.

4. Date of incorporation in present form.

5. Description of nature and extent of affiliation and/or contractual or other agreement with the information processor.

6. Description of business or functions of the affiliates.

7. If a person or company has ceased to be an affiliated entity of the information processor during the previous year or ceased to have a contractual or other agreement relating to the operation of the information processor during the previous year, provide a brief statement of the reasons for termination of the relationship.

Exhibit F -- Services

A description in narrative form of each service or function performed by the information processor. Include a description of all procedures utilized for the collection, processing, distribution, validation and publication of information with respect to orders and trades in securities.

Exhibit G -- System and Operations

1. Describe the manner of operation of the System of the information processor that collects, processes, distributes and publishes information in accordance with National InstrumentsInstrument 21-101 andMarketplace Operation and National Instrument 23-101 Trading Rules. This description must include the following:

1. The means of access to the System.

2. Procedures governing entry and display of quotations and orders in the System including data validation processes.

3. A description of any measures used to verify the timeliness and accuracy of information received and disseminated by the System, including the processes to resolve data integrity issues identified.

4. The hours of operation of the System.

5. A description of the training provided to users of the System and any materials provided to the users.

2. Include a list of all computer hardware utilized by the information processor to perform the services or functions listed in Exhibit F, indicating:

1. Manufacturer, and manufacturer's equipment and identification number.

2. Whether purchased or leased (if leased, duration of lease and any provisions for purchase or renewal).

3. Where such equipment (exclusive of terminals and other access devices) is physically located.

3. Provide a description of the measures or procedures implemented by the information processor to provide for the security of any system employed to perform the functions of an information processor. This must include a general description of any physical and operational safeguards designed to prevent unauthorized access to the system.

4. Provide a description of all backup systems which are designed to prevent interruptions in the performance of any information providing functions as a result of technical malfunctions or otherwise in the system itself, in any permitted input or output system connection or as a result of any independent source.

5. Describe the business continuity and disaster recovery plans of the information processor, and provide any relevant documentation.

6. List each type of interruption which has lasted for more than two minutes and has occurred within the six (6) months preceding the date of the filing, including the date of each interruption, the cause and duration. Provide the total number of interruptions which have lasted two minutes or less.

7. Describe the procedures for reviewing system capacity, and indicate current and future capacity estimates.

8. Quantify in appropriate units of measure the limits on the information processor's capacity to receive, collect, process, store or display the data elements included within each function.

9. Identify the factors (mechanical, electronic or other) which account for the current limitations on the capacity to receive, collect, process, store or display the data elements included within each function described in section 8 above.

10. Describe the procedures for conducting stress tests.

Exhibit H -- Outsourcing

Where the information processor has outsourced the operation of any aspect of the services listed in Exhibit F to an arms-length third party, including any function related to the collection, consolidation, and dissemination of data, provide the following information:

1. Name and address of person or company to whom the function has been outsourced.

2. A description of the nature and extent of the contractual or other agreement with the information processor, and the roles and responsibilities of the arms-length third party under the arrangement.

3. A copy of each material contract relating to any outsourced function.

Exhibit I -- Financial Viability

1. Provide a business plan with pro forma financial statements and estimates of revenue.

2. Discuss the financial viability of the information processor in the context of having sufficient financial resources to properly perform its functions.

Exhibit J -- Fees and Revenue Sharing

1. Provide a complete list of all fees and other charges imposed, or to be imposed, by or on behalf of the information processor for its information services. This would include all fees to provide data and fees to receive the data from the information processor.

2. Where arrangements exist to share revenue from the sale of data disseminated by the information processor with marketplaces, inter-dealer bond brokers and dealers that provide data to the information processor in accordance with National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation, provide a complete description of the arrangements and the basis for these arrangements.

Exhibit K -- Reporting to the Information Processor

1. List all persons and entities that provide data to the information processor in accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation.

2. Provide a complete set of all forms, agreements and other materials pertaining to the provision of data to the information processor.

3. A description of any specifications or criteria required of marketplaces, inter-dealer bond brokers or dealers that provide securities information to the information processor for collection, processing for distribution or publication. Identify those specifications or criteria which limit, are interpreted to limit or have the effect of limiting access to or use of any services provided by the information processor and state the reasons for imposing such specifications or criteria.

4. For each instance during the past year in which any person or entity has been prohibited or limited to provide data by the information processor, indicate the name of each such person or entity and the reason for the prohibition or limitation.

Exhibit L -- Access to the Services of the Information Processor

1. A list of all persons and entities who presently subscribe or who have notified the information processor of their intention to subscribe to the services of the information processor.

2. The form of contract governing the terms by which persons may subscribe to the services of an information processor.

3. A description of any specifications or criteria which limit, are interpreted to limit or have the effect of limiting access to or use of any services provided by the information processor and state the reasons for imposing such specifications or criteria. This applies to limits relating to providing information to the information processor and the limits relating to accessing the consolidated feed distributed by the information processor.

4. For each instance during the past year in which any person has been prohibited or limited in respect of access to services offered by the information processor, indicate the name of each such person and the reason for the prohibition or limitation.

Exhibit M -- Selection of Securities for which Information Must Be Reported to the Information Processor

Where the information processor is responsible for making a determination of the data which must be reported, including the securities for which information must be reported in accordance with National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation, describe the manner of selection and communication of these securities. This description must include the following:

1. The criteria used to determine the securities for which information must be reported and the data which must be reported to the information processor.

2. The process for selection of the securities, including a description of the parties consulted in the process and the frequency of the selection process.

3. The process to communicate the securities selected and data to be reported to the marketplaces, inter-dealer bond brokers and dealers providing the information as required by National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation. The description must include where this information is located.

CERTIFICATE OF INFORMATION PROCESSOR

The undersigned certifies that the information given in this report is true and correct.

DATED at ___________ this _____ day of _______________ 20 _____

______________________________

(Name of information processor)

______________________________

(Name of director, officer or partner -- please type or print)

______________________________

(Signature of director, officer or partner)

______________________________

(Official capacity -- please type or print)

 

FORM 21-101F6 CESSATION OF OPERATIONS REPORT FOR INFORMATION PROCESSOR

1. Identification:

A. Full name of information processor:

B. Name(s) under which business is conducted, if different from item 1A:

2. Date information processor proposes to cease carrying on business:

3. If cessation of business was involuntary, date information processor ceased to carry on business:

Exhibits

File all Exhibits with the Cessation of Operations Report. For each Exhibit, include the name of the information processor, the date of filing of the Exhibit and the date as of which the information is accurate (if different from the date of the filing). If any Exhibit required is inapplicable, a statement to that effect must be furnished instead of such Exhibit.

Exhibit A

The reasons for the information processor ceasing to carry on business.

Exhibit B

A list of each of the securities the information processor displays.

CERTIFICATE OF INFORMATION PROCESSOR

The undersigned certifies that the information given in this report is true and correct.

DATED at ____________ this ____________ day of _____________________ 20 _____

______________________________

(Name of information processor)

______________________________

(Name of director, officer or partner -- please type or print)

______________________________

(Signature of director, officer or partner)

______________________________

(Official capacity -- please type or print)

 

COMPANION POLICY 21-101 CP MARKETPLACE OPERATION

PART 1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Introduction -- Exchanges, quotation and trade reporting systems and ATSs are marketplaces that provide a market facility or venue on which securities can be traded. The areas of interest from a regulatory perspective are in many ways similar for each of these marketplaces since they may have similar trading activities. The regulatory regime for exchanges and quotation and trade reporting systems arises from the securities legislation of the various jurisdictions. Exchanges and quotation and trade reporting systems are recognized under orders from the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, with various terms and conditions of recognition. ATSs, which are not recognized as exchanges or quotation and trade reporting systems, are regulated under National Instrument 21-101 Marketplace Operation (the Instrument) and National Instrument 23-101 Trading Rules (NI 23-101). The Instrument and NI 23-101, which were adopted at a time when new types of markets were emerging, provide the regulatory framework that allows and regulates the operation of multiple marketplaces.

The purpose of this Companion Policy is to state the views of the Canadian securities regulatory authorities on various matters related to the Instrument, including:

(a) a discussion of the general approach taken by the Canadian securities regulatory authorities in, and the general regulatory purpose for, the Instrument; and

(b) the interpretation of various terms and provisions in the Instrument.

1.2 Definition of Exchange-Traded Security -- Section 1.1 of the Instrument defines an "exchange-traded security" as a security that is listed on a recognized exchange or is quoted on a recognized quotation and trade reporting system or is listed on an exchange or quoted on a quotation and trade reporting system that is recognized for the purposes of the Instrument and NI 23-101.

If a security trades on a recognized exchange or recognized quotation and trade reporting system on a "when issued" basis, as defined in IIROC's Universal Market Integrity Rules, the security would be considered to be listed on that recognized exchange or quoted on that recognized quotation and trade reporting system and would therefore be an exchange-traded security.

If no "when issued" market has been posted by a recognized exchange or recognized quotation and trade reporting system for a security, an ATS may not allow this security to be traded on a "when issued" basis on its marketplace.

A security that is inter-listed would be considered to be an exchange-traded security. A security that is listed on a foreign exchange or quoted on a foreign quotation and trade reporting system, but is not listed or quoted on a domestic exchange or quotation and trade reporting system, falls within the definition of "foreign exchange-traded security".

1.3 Definition of Foreign Exchange-Traded Security -- The definition of foreign exchange-traded security includes a reference to ordinary members of the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO). To determine the current list of ordinary members, reference should be made to the IOSCO website at www.iosco.org.

1.4 Definition of Regulation Services Provider -- The definition of regulation services provider is meant to capture a third party provider that provides regulation services to marketplaces. A recognized exchange or recognized quotation and trade reporting system would not be a regulation services provider if it only conducts these regulatory services for its own marketplace or an affiliated marketplace.

PART 2 MARKETPLACE

2.1 Marketplace

(1) The Instrument uses the term "marketplace" to encompass the different types of trading systems that match trades. A marketplace is an exchange, a quotation and trade reporting system or an ATS. Subparagraphs (a)(iii) and (a)(iv) of the definition of "marketplace" describe marketplaces that the Canadian securities regulatory authorities consider to be ATSs. A dealer that internalizes its orders for exchange-traded securities and does not execute and print the trades on an exchange or quotation and trade reporting system in accordance with the rules of the exchange or the quotation and trade reporting system (including an exemption from those rules) is considered to be a marketplace pursuant to paragraph (d) of the definition of "marketplace" and an ATS.

(2) Two of the characteristics of a "marketplace" are

(a) that it brings together orders for securities of multiple buyers and sellers; and

(b) that it uses established, non-discretionary methods under which the orders interact with each other.

(3) The Canadian securities regulatory authorities consider that a person or company brings together orders for securities if it

(a) displays, or otherwise represents to marketplace participants, trading interests entered on the system; or

(b) receives orders centrally for processing and execution (regardless of the level of automation used).

(4) The Canadian securities regulatory authorities are of the view that "established, nondiscretionary methods" include any methods that dictate the terms of trading among the multiple buyers and sellers entering orders on the system. Such methods include providing a trading facility or setting rules governing trading among marketplace participants. Common examples include a traditional exchange and a computer system, whether comprised of software, hardware, protocols, or any combination thereof, through which orders interact, or any other trading mechanism that provides a means or location for the bringing together and execution of orders. Rules imposing execution priorities, such as time and price priority rules, would be "established, non-discretionary methods."

(5) The Canadian securities regulatory authorities do not consider the following systems to be marketplaces for purposes of the Instrument:

(a) A system operated by a person or company that only permits one seller to sell its securities, such as a system that permits issuers to sell their own securities to investors.

(b) A system that merely routes orders for execution to a facility where the orders are executed.

(c) A system that posts information about trading interests, without facilities for execution.

In the first two cases, the criteria of multiple buyers and sellers would not be met. In the last two cases, routing systems and bulletin boards do not establish non-discretionary methods under which parties entering orders interact with each other.

(6) A person or company operating any of the systems described in subsection (5) should consider whether the person or company is required to be registered as a dealer under securities legislation.

(7) Inter-dealer bond brokers that conduct traditional inter-dealer bond broker activity have a choice as to how to be regulated under the Instrument and NI 23-101. Each inter-dealer bond broker can choose to be subject to IIROC Rule 36 and IIROC Rule 2100, fall within the definition of inter-dealer bond broker in the Instrument and be subject to the transparency requirements of Part 8 of the Instrument. Alternatively, the inter-dealer bond broker can choose to be an ATS and comply with the provisions of the Instrument and NI 23-101 applicable to a marketplace and an ATS. An inter-dealer bond broker that chooses to be an ATS will not be subject to Rule 36 or IIROC Rule 2100, but will be subject to all other IIROC requirements applicable to a dealer.

(8) Section 1.2 of the Instrument contains an interpretation of the definition of "marketplae". The Canadian securities regulatory authorities do not consider a system that only routes unmatched orders to a marketplace for execution to be a marketplace. If a dealer uses a system to match buy and sell orders or pair orders with contra-side orders outside of a marketplace and route the matched or paired orders to a marketplace as a cross, the Canadian securities regulatory authorities may consider the dealer to be operating a marketplace under subparagraph (a)(iii) of the definition of "marketplace". The Canadian securities regulatory authorities encourage dealers that operate or plan to operate such a system to meet with the applicable securities regulatory authority to discuss the operation of the system and whether the dealer's system falls within the definition of "marketplace".

PART 3 CHARACTERISTICS OF EXCHANGES, QUOTATION AND TRADE REPORTING SYSTEMS AND ATSs

3.1 Exchange

(1) Securities legislation of most jurisdictions does not define the term "exchange".

(2) The Canadian securities regulatory authorities generally consider a marketplace, other than a quotation and trade reporting system, to be an exchange for purposes of securities legislation, if the marketplace

(a) requires an issuer to enter into an agreement in order for the issuer's securities to trade on the marketplace, i.e., the marketplace provides a listing function;

(b) provides, directly, or through one or more marketplace participants, a guarantee of a two-sided market for a security on a continuous or reasonably continuous basis, i.e., the marketplace has one or more marketplace participants that guarantee that a bid and an ask will be posted for a security on a continuous or reasonably continuous basis. For example, this type of liquidity guarantee can be carried out on exchanges through traders acting as principal such as registered traders, specialists or market makers;

(c) sets requirements governing the conduct of marketplace participants, in addition to those requirements set by the marketplace in respect of the method of trading or algorithm used by those marketplace participants to execute trades on the system (see subsection (3)); or

(d) disciplines marketplace participants, in addition to discipline by exclusion from trading, i.e., the marketplace can levy fines or take enforcement action.

(3) An ATS that requires a subscriber to agree to comply with the requirements of a regulation services provider as part of its contract with that subscriber is not setting "requirements governing the conduct of subscribers". In addition, marketplaces are not precluded from imposing credit conditions on subscribers or requiring subscribers to submit financial information to the marketplace.

(4) The criteria in subsection 3.1(2) are not exclusive and there may be other instances in which the Canadian securities regulatory authorities will consider a marketplace to be an exchange.

3.2 Quotation and Trade Reporting System

(1) Securities legislation in certain jurisdictions contains the concept of a quotation and trade reporting system. A quotation and trade reporting system is defined under securities legislation in those jurisdictions as a person or company, other than an exchange or registered dealer, that operates facilities that permit the dissemination of price quotations for the purchase and sale of securities and reports of completed transactions in securities for the exclusive use of registered dealers. A person or company that carries on business as a vendor of market data or a bulletin board with no execution facilities would not normally be considered to be a quotation and trade reporting system.

(2) A quotation and trade reporting system is considered to have "quoted" a security if

(a) the security has been subject to a listing or quoting process, and

(b) the issuer issuing the security or the dealer trading the security has entered into an agreement with the quotation and trade reporting system to list or quote the security.

3.3 Definition of an ATS

(1) In order to be an ATS for the purposes of the Instrument, a marketplace cannot engage in certain activities or meet certain criteria such as

(a) requiring listing agreements,

(b) having one or more marketplace participants that guarantee that a two-sided market will be posted for a security on a continuous or reasonably continuous basis,

(c) setting requirements governing the conduct of subscribers, in addition to those requirements set by the marketplace in respect of the method of trading or algorithm used by those subscribers to execute trades on the system, and

(d) disciplining subscribers.

A marketplace, other than a quotation and trade reporting system, that engages in any of these activities or meets these criteria would, in the view of the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, be an exchange and would have to be recognized as such in order to carry on business, unless exempted from this requirement by the Canadian securities regulatory authorities.

(2) An ATS can establish trading algorithms that provide that a trade takes place if certain events occur. These algorithms are not considered to be "requirements governing the conduct of subscribers".

(3) A marketplace that would otherwise meet the definition of an ATS in the Instrument may apply to the Canadian securities regulatory authorities for recognition as an exchange.

3.4 Requirements Applicable to ATSs

(1) Part 6 of the Instrument applies only to an ATS that is not a recognized exchange or a member of a recognized exchange or an exchange recognized for the purposes of the Instrument and NI 23-101. If an ATS is recognized as an exchange, the provisions of the Instrument relating to marketplaces and recognized exchanges apply.

(2) If the ATS is a member of an exchange, the rules, policies and other similar instruments of the exchange apply to the ATS.

(3) Under paragraph 6.1(a) of the Instrument, an ATS that is not a member of a recognized exchange or an exchange recognized for the purposes of the Instrument and NI 23-101 must register as a dealer if it wishes to carry on business. Unless otherwise specified, an ATS registered as a dealer is subject to all of the requirements applicable to dealers under securities legislation, including the requirements imposed by the Instrument and NI 23-101. An ATS will be carrying on business in a local jurisdiction if it provides direct access to subscribers located in that jurisdiction.

(4) If an ATS registered as a dealer in one jurisdiction in Canada provides access in another jurisdiction in Canada to subscribers who are not registered dealers under securities legislation, the ATS must be registered in that other jurisdiction. However, if all of the ATS's subscribers in the other jurisdiction are registered as dealers in that other jurisdiction, the securities regulatory authority in the other jurisdiction may consider granting the ATS an exemption from the requirement to register as a dealer under paragraph 6.1(a) and all other requirements in the Instrument and in NI 23-101 and from the registration requirements of securities legislation. In determining if the exemption is in the public interest, a securities regulatory authority will consider a number of factors, including whether the ATS is registered in another jurisdiction and whether the ATS deals only with registered dealers in that jurisdiction.

(5) Paragraph 6.1(b) of the Instrument prohibits an ATS to which the provisions of the Instrument apply from carrying on business unless it is a member of a self-regulatory entity. Membership in a self-regulatory entity is required for purposes of membership in the Canadian Investor Protection Fund, capital requirements and clearing and settlement procedures. At this time, the IIROC is the only entity that would come within the definition.

(6) Any registration exemptions that may otherwise be applicable to a dealer under securities legislation are not available to an ATS, even though it is registered as a dealer (except as provided in the Instrument), because of the fact that it is also a marketplace and different considerations apply.

(7) Subsection 6.7(1) of the Instrument requires an ATS to notify the securities regulatory authority if one of three thresholds is met or exceeded. Upon being informed that one of the thresholds is met or exceeded, the securities regulatory authority intends to review the ATS and its structure and operations in order to consider whether the person or company operating the ATS should be considered to be an exchange for purposes of securities legislation or if additional terms and conditions should be placed on the registration of the ATS. The securities regulatory authority intends to conduct this review because each of these thresholds may be indicative of an ATS having significant market presence in a type of security, such that it would be more appropriate that the ATS be regulated as an exchange. If more than one Canadian securities regulatory authority is conducting this review, the reviewing jurisdictions intend to coordinate their review. The volume thresholds referred to in subsection 6.7(1) of the Instrument are based on the type of security. The Canadian securities regulatory authorities consider a type of security to refer to a distinctive category of security such as equity securities, debt securities or options.

(8) Any marketplace that is required to provide notice under section 6.7 of the Instrument will determine the calculation based on publicly available information.

PART 4 RECOGNITION AS AN EXCHANGE OR QUOTATION AND TRADE REPORTING SYSTEM

4.1 Recognition as an Exchange or Quotation and Trade Reporting System

(1) In determining whether to recognize an exchange or quotation and trade reporting system, the Canadian securities regulatory authorities must determine whether it is in the public interest to do so.

(2) In determining whether it is in the public interest to recognize an exchange or quotation and trade reporting system, the Canadian securities regulatory authorities will look at a number of factors, including

(a) the manner in which the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system proposes to comply with the Instrument;

(b) whether the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system has fair and meaningful representation on its governing body, in the context of the nature and structure of the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system;

(c) whether the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system has sufficient financial resources for the proper performance of its functions;

(d) whether the rules, policies and other similar instruments of the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system ensure that its business is conducted in an orderly manner so as to afford protection to investors;

(e) whether the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system has policies and procedures to effectively identify and manage conflicts of interest arising from its operation or the services it provides;

(f) whether the requirements of the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system relating to access to its services are fair and reasonable; and

(g) whether the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system's process for setting fees is fair, transparent and appropriate, and whether the fees are equitably allocated among the participants, issuers and other users of services, do not have the effect of creating barriers to access and at the same time ensure that the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system has sufficient financial resources for the proper performance of its functions.

4.2 Process--Although the basic requirements or criteria for recognition of an exchange or quotation and trade reporting system may be similar in various jurisdictions, the precise requirements and the process for seeking a recognition or an exemption from recognition in each jurisdiction is determined by that jurisdiction.

PART 5 ORDERS

5.1 Orders

(1) The term "order" is defined in section 1.1 of the Instrument as a firm indication by a person or company, acting as either principal or agent, of a willingness to buy or sell a security. By virtue of this definition, a marketplace that displays good faith, non-firm indications of interest, including, but not limited to, indications of interest to buy or sell a particular security without either prices or quantities associated with those indications, is not displaying "orders". However, if those prices or quantities are implied and determinable, for example, by knowing the features of the marketplace, the indications of interest may be considered an order.

(2) The terminology used is not determinative of whether an indication of interest constitutes an order. Instead, whether or not an indication is "firm" will depend on what actually takes place between the buyer and seller. At a minimum, the Canadian securities regulatory authorities will consider an indication to be firm if it can be executed without further discussion between the person or company entering the indication and the counterparty (i.e. the indication is "actionable"). The Canadian securities regulatory authorities would consider an indication of interest to be actionable if it includes sufficient information to enable it to be executed without communicating with the marketplace participant that entered the order. Such information may include the symbol of the security, side (buy or sell), size, and price. The information may be explicitly stated, or it may be implicit and determinable based on the features of the marketplace. Even if the person or company must give its subsequent agreement to an execution, the Canadian securities regulatory authorities will still consider the indication to be firm if this subsequent agreement is always, or almost always, granted so that the agreement is largely a formality. For instance, an indication where there is a clear or prevailing presumption that a trade will take place at the indicated or an implied price, based on understandings or past dealings, will be viewed as an order.

(3) A firm indication of a willingness to buy or sell a security includes bid or offer quotations, market orders, limit orders and any other priced orders. For the purpose of sections 7.1, 7.3, 8.1 and 8.2 of the Instrument, the Canadian securities regulatory authorities do not consider special terms orders that are not immediately executable or that trade in special terms books, such as all-or-none, minimum fill or cash or delayed delivery, to be orders that must be provided to an information processor or, if there is no information processor, to an information vendor for consolidation.

(4) The securities regulatory authority may consider granting an exemption from the pre-trade transparency requirements in sections 7.1, 7.3, 8.1 and/or 8.2 of the Instrument to a marketplace for orders that result from a request for quotes or facility that allows negotiation between two parties provided that

(a) order details are shown only to the negotiating parties,

(b) other than as provided by paragraph (a), no actionable indication of interest or order is displayed by either party or the marketplace, and

(c) each order entered on the marketplace meets the size threshold set by a regulation services provider as provided in subsection 7.1(2) of the Instrument.

(5) The determination of whether an order has been placed does not turn on the level of automation used. Orders can be given over the telephone, as well as electronically.

PART 6 MARKETPLACE INFORMATION AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

6.1 Forms Filed by Marketplaces

(1) The definition of marketplace includes exchanges, quotation and trade reporting systems and ATSs. The legal entity that is recognized as an exchange or quotation and trade reporting system, or registered as a dealer in the case of an ATS, owns and operates the market or trading facility. In some cases, the entity may own and operate more than one trading facility. In such cases the marketplace may file separate forms in respect of each trading facility, or it may choose to file one form covering all of the different trading facilities. If the latter alternative is chosen, the marketplace must clearly identify the facility to which the information or changes apply.

(2) The forms filed by a marketplace under the Instrument will be kept confidential. The Canadian securities regulatory authorities are of the view that the forms contain proprietary financial, commercial and technical information and that the interests of the filers in non-disclosure outweigh the desirability of adhering to the principle that the forms be available for public inspection.

(3) While initial Forms 21-101F1 and 21-101F2 and amendments thereto are kept confidential, certain Canadian securities regulatory authorities may publish a summary of the information included in the forms filed by a marketplace, or information related to significant changes to the forms of a marketplace, where the Canadian securities regulatory authorities are of the view that a certain degree of transparency for certain aspects of a marketplace would allow investors and industry participants to be better informed as to how securities trade on the marketplace.

(4) Under subsection 3.2(1) of the Instrument, a marketplace is required to file an amendment to the information provided in Form 21-101F1 or Form 21-101F2, as applicable, at least 45 days prior to implementing a significant change. The Canadian securities regulatory authorities consider a significant change to be a change that could significantly impact a marketplace, its systems, its market structure, its marketplace participants or their systems, investors, issuers or the Canadian capital markets.

A change would be considered to significantly impact the marketplace if it is likely to give rise to potential conflicts of interest, to limit access to the services of a marketplace, introduce changes to the structure of the marketplace or result in costs, such as implementation costs, to marketplace participants, investors or, if applicable, the regulation services provider.

The following types of changes are considered to be significant changes as they would always have a significant impact:

(a) changes in the structure of the marketplace, including procedures governing how orders are entered, displayed (if applicable), executed, how they interact, are cleared and settled;

(b) new or changes to order types, and

(c) changes in the fees and the fee model of the marketplace.

The following may be considered by the Canadian securities regulatory authorities as significant changes, depending on whether they have a significant impact:

(d) new or changes to the services provided by the marketplace, including the hours of operation;

(e) new or changes to the means of access to the market or facility and its services;

(f) new or changes to types of securities traded on the marketplace;

(g) new or changes to types of securities listed on exchanges or quoted on quotation and trade reporting systems;

(h) new or changes to types of marketplace participants;

(i) changes to the systems and technology used by the marketplace that support order entry, order routing, execution, trade reporting, trade comparison, data feeds, co-location and, if applicable, market surveillance and trade clearing, including those affecting capacity;

(j) changes to the corporate governance of the marketplace, including changes to the composition requirements for the board of directors or any board committees and changes to the mandates of the board of directors or any board committees;

(k) changes in control over marketplaces;

(l) changes in affiliates that provide services to or on behalf of the marketplace;

(m) new or changes in outsourcing arrangements for key marketplace services or systems; and

(n) new or changes in custody arrangements.

(5) Changes to information in Form 21-101F1 or Form 21-101F2 that

(a) do not have a significant impact on the marketplace, its market structure, marketplace participants, investors, issuers or the Canadian capital markets, or

(b) are housekeeping or administrative changes such as

(i) changes in the routine processes, policies, practices, or administration of the marketplace,

(ii) changes due to standardization of terminology,

(iii) corrections of spelling or typographical errors,

(iv) necessary changes to conform to applicable regulatory or other legal requirements,

(v) minor system or technology changes that would not significantly impact the system or its capacity, and

(vi) changes to the list of marketplace participants and the list of all persons or entities denied or limited access to the marketplace,

would be filed in accordance with the requirements outlined in subsection 3.2(3) of the Instrument.

(6) As indicated in subsection (4) above, the Canadian securities regulatory authorities consider a change in a marketplace's fees or fee model to be a significant change. However, the Canadian securities regulatory authorities recognize that in the current, competitive multiple marketplace environment, which may at times require that frequent changes be made to the fees or fee model of marketplaces, marketplaces may need to implement fee changes within tight timeframes. To facilitate this process, subsection 3.2(2) of the Instrument provides that marketplaces may provide information describing the change in fees or fee structure in a shorter timeframe, at least seven15 business days before the expected implementation date of the change in fees or fee structure.

(7) For the changes referred to in subsection 3.2(3) of the Instrument, the Canadian securities regulatory authorities may review these filings to ascertain the appropriateness of the categorization of such filings. The marketplace will be notified in writing if there is disagreement with respect to the categorization of the filing.

(8) The Canadian securities regulatory authorities will make best efforts to review amendments to Forms 21-101F1 and 21-101F2 within the timelines specified in subsections 3.2(1) and (2) of the Instrument. However, where the changes are complex, raise regulatory concerns, or when additional information is required, the period for review may exceed these timeframes. The Canadian securities regulatory authorities will review changes to the information in Forms 21-101F1 and 21-101F2 in accordance with staff practices in each jurisdiction.

(8.1) In order to ensure records regarding the information in a marketplace's Form 21-101F1 or Form 21-101F2 are kept up to date, subsection 3.2(4) of the Instrument requires the chief executive officer of a marketplace to certify, within 30 days after the end of each calendar year, that the information contained in the marketplace's Form 21-101F1 or Form 21-101F2 as applicable, is true, correct and complete and the marketplace is operating as described in the applicable form. This certification is required at the same time as the updated and consolidated Form 21-101F1 or Form 21-101F2, as applicable, is required to be filed pursuant to subsection 3.2(5) of the Instrument. The certification under subsection 3.2(4) is also separate and apart from the form of certification in Form 21-101F1 and Form 21-101F2.

(8.2) The Canadian securities regulatory authorities expect that the certifications provided pursuant to subsection 3.2(4) of the Instrument will be preserved by the marketplace as part of its books and records obligation under Part 11 of the Instrument.

(9) Section 3.3 of the Instrument requires a marketplace to file Form 21-101F3 by the following dates: April 30 (for the calendar quarter ending March 31), July 30 (for the calendar quarter ending June 30), October 30 (for the calendar quarter ending September 30) and January 30 (for the calendar quarter ending December 31).

6.2 Filing of Financial Statements--Part 4 of the Instrument sets out the financial reporting requirements applicable to marketplaces. Subsections 4.1(2) and 4.2(2) respectively require an ATS to file audited financial statements initially, together with Form 21-101F2, and on an annual basis thereafter. These financial statements may be in the same form as those filed with IIROC. The annual audited financial statements may be filed with theCanadian securities regulatory authorities at the same time as they are filed with IIROC.

Section 4.3 requires recognized exchanges and recognized quotation and trade reporting systems to file interim financial reports within 60 days after the end of each interim period. In the view of the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, the term interim period means a period commencing on the first day of the recognized exchange's or quotation and trade reporting system's financial year and ending nine, six or three months before the end of the same financial year.

The Canadian securities regulatory authorities at the same time as they are filed with IIROC.expect that financial statements and reports filed under subsections 4.2 and 4.3 should disclose the accounting principles used to prepare them. For clarity, financial statements and reports should include:

(a) in the case of annual financial statements, an unreserved statement of compliance with IFRS;

(b) in the case of an interim financial report, an unreserved statement of compliance with International Accounting Standard 34 Interim Financial Reporting.

PART 7 MARKETPLACE REQUIREMENTS

7.1 Access Requirements

(1) Section 5.1 of the Instrument sets out access requirements that apply to a marketplace. The Canadian securities regulatory authorities note that the requirements regarding access for marketplace participants do not restrict the marketplace from maintaining reasonable standards for access. The purpose of these access requirements is to ensure that rules, policies, procedures, and fees, as applicable, of the marketplace do not unreasonably create barriers to access to the services provided by the marketplace.

(2) For the purposes of complying with the order protection requirements in Part 6 of NI 23-101, a marketplace should permit fair and efficient access to

(a) a marketplace participant that directly accesses the marketplace,

(b) a person or company that is indirectly accessing the marketplace through a marketplace participantmarketplaceparticipant, or

(c) another marketplace routing an order to the marketplace.

The reference to "a person or company" in paragraph (b) includes a system or facility that is operated by a person or company.

(3) The reference to "services" in section 5.1 of the Instrument means all services that may be offered to a person or company and includes all services relating to order entry, trading, execution, routing, data and includes co-location.

(4) Marketplaces that send indications of interest to a selected smart order router or other system should send the information to other smart order routers or systems to meet the fair access requirements of the Instrument.

(5) Marketplaces are responsible for ensuring that the fees they set are in compliance with section 5.1 of the Instrument. In assessing whether its fees unreasonably condition or limit access to its services, a marketplace should consider a number of factors, including

(a) the value of the security traded,

(b) the amount of the fee relative to the value of the security traded,

(c) the amount of fees charged by other marketplaces to execute trades in the market,

(d) with respect to market data fees, the amount of market data fees charged relative to the market share of the marketplace, and,

(e) with respect to order-execution terms, including fees, whether the outcome of their application is consistent with the policy goals of order protection.

The Canadian securities regulatory authorities will consider these factors, among others, in determining whether the fees charged by a marketplace unreasonably condition or limit access to its services. With respect to trading fees, it is the view of the Canadian securities regulatory authorities that a trading fee equal to or greater than the minimum trading increment as defined in IIROC's Universal Market Integrity Rules, as amended, would unreasonably condition or limit access to a marketplace's services as it would be inconsistent with the policy goals of order protection. Trading fees below the minimum trading increment may also unreasonably condition or limit access to a marketplace's services when taking into account factors including those listed above.

7.2 Public Interest Rules -- Section 5.3 of the Instrument sets out the requirements applicable to the rules, policies and similar instruments adopted by recognized exchanges and recognized quotation and trade reporting systems. These requirements acknowledge that recognized exchanges and quotation and trade reporting systems perform regulatory functions. The Instrument does not require the application of these requirements to an ATS's trading requirements. This is because, unlike exchanges, ATSs are not permitted to perform regulatory functions, other than setting requirements regarding conduct in respect of the trading by subscribers on the marketplace, i.e. requirements related to the method of trading or algorithms used by their subscribers to execute trades in the system. However, it is the expectation of the Canadian securities regulatory authorityauthorities that the requirement in section 5.7 of the Instrument that marketplaces take reasonable steps to ensure they operate in a manner that does not interfere with the maintenance of fair and orderly markets, applies to an ATS's requirements. Such requirements may include those that deal with subscriber qualification, access to the marketplace, how orders are entered, interact, execute, clear and settle.

7.3 Compliance Rules -- Section 5.4 of the Instrument requires a recognized exchange and recognized quotation and trade reporting system to have appropriate procedures to deal with violations of rules, policies or other similar instruments of the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system. This section does not preclude enforcement action by any other person or company, including the Canadian securities regulatory authorities or the regulation services provider.

7.4 Filing of Rules -- Section 5.5 of the Instrument requires a recognized exchange and recognized quotation and trade reporting system to file all rules, policies and other similar instruments and amendments as required by the securities regulatory authority. Initially, all rules, policies and other similar instruments will be reviewed before implementation by the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system. Subsequent to recognition, the securities regulatory authority may develop and implement a protocol that will set out the procedures to be followed with respect to the review and approval of rules, policies and other similar instruments and amendments.

7.5 Review of Rules -- The Canadian securities regulatory authorities review the rules, policies and similar instruments of a recognized exchange or recognized quotation and trade reporting system in accordance with the recognition order and rule protocol issued by the jurisdiction in which the exchange or quotation and trade reporting system is recognized. The rules of recognized exchanges and quotation and trade reporting systems are included in their rulebooks, and the principles and requirements applicable to these rules are set out in section 5.3 of the Instrument. For an ATS, whose trading requirements, including any trading rules, policies or practices, are incorporated in Form 21-101F2, any changes would be filed in accordance with the filing requirements applicable to changes to information in Form 21-101F2 set out in subsections 3.2(1) and 3.2(3) of the Instrument and reviewed by the Canadian securities regulatory authorities in accordance with staff practices in each jurisdiction.

7.6 Fair and Orderly Markets

(1) Section 5.7 of the Instrument establishes the requirement that a marketplace take reasonable steps to ensure it operates in a way that does not interfere with the maintenance of fair and orderly markets. This applies both to the operation of the marketplace itself and to the impact of the marketplace's operations on the Canadian market as a whole.

(2) This section does not impose a responsibility on the marketplace to oversee the conduct of its marketplace participants, unless the marketplace is an exchange or quotation and trade reporting system that has assumed responsibility for monitoring the conduct of its marketplace participants directly rather than through a regulation services provider. However, marketplaces are expected in the normal course to monitor order entry and trading activity for compliance with the marketplace's own operational policies and procedures. They should also alert the regulation services provider if they become aware that disorderly or disruptive order entry or trading may be occurring, or of possible violations of applicable regulatory requirements.

(3) Part of taking reasonable steps to ensure that a marketplace's operations do not interfere with fair and orderly markets necessitates ensuring that its operations support compliance with regulatory requirements including applicable rules of a regulation services provider. This does not mean that a marketplace must system-enforce all regulatory requirements. However, it should not operate in a manner that to the best of its knowledge would cause marketplace participants to breach regulatory requirements when trading on the marketplace.

7.7 Confidential Treatment of Trading Information

(0.1) The Canadian securities regulatory authorities are of the view that it is in the public interest for capital markets research to be conducted. Since marketplace participants' order and trade information may be needed to conduct this research, subsection 5.10(1.1) of the Instrument allows a marketplace to release a marketplace participant's order or trade information without obtaining its written consent, provided this information is used solely for capital markets research and only if certain terms and conditions are met. Subsection 5.10(1.1) is not intended to impose any obligation on a marketplace to disclose information if requested by a researcher and the marketplace may choose to maintain its marketplace participants' order and trade information in confidence. However, if the marketplace decides to disclose this information, it must ensure that certain terms and conditions are met to ensure that the marketplace participant's information is not misused.

(0.2) In order for a marketplace to disclose a marketplace participant's order or trade information, subparagraphs 5.10(1.1)(a)-(b) of the Instrument require a marketplace to reasonably believe that the information will be used by the recipient solely for the purposes of capital markets research and to reasonably believe that if information identifying, directly or indirectly, a marketplace participant, or a client of the marketplace participant is released, the information is necessary for the research and that the purpose of the research is not intended to identify the marketplace participant or client or to identify a trading strategy, transactions, or market positions of the marketplace participant or client. The Canadian securities regulatory authorities expect that a marketplace will make sufficient inquiries of the recipient of the information in order for the marketplace to sustain a reasonable belief that the information will be used by the recipient only for capital markets research. Where the information to be released to the recipient could identify a marketplace participant or a client of a marketplace participant, the Canadian securities regulatory authorities also expect the marketplace to make sufficient inquiries of the recipient in order for the marketplace to sustain a reasonable belief that the information identifying, directly or indirectly, a marketplace participant or its client is required for purposes of the research and that the purpose of the research is not to identify a particular marketplace participant or a client of the marketplace participant or to identify a trading strategy, transactions, or market positions of a particular marketplace participant or a client of the marketplace participant.

(0.3) In considering releasing order or trade information, the Canadian securities regulatory authorities expect a marketplace to exercise caution regarding information that could disclose the identity of a marketplace participant or client of the marketplace participant. In particular, a marketplace may only release information in any order entry field that would identify the marketplace participant or client, using a broker number, trader ID, or DEA client identifier, if it reasonably believes that this information is required for the research.

(0.4) Subparagraph 5.10(1.1)(c) of the Instrument requires a marketplace that intends to provide its marketplace participants' order and trade information to a researcher to enter into a written agreement with each person or company that will receive such information. Subparagraph 5.10(1.1)(c)(i) of the Instrument requires the agreement to provide that the person or company agrees to use the order and trade information only for capital markets research purposes. In the view of the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, commercialization of the information by the recipient, for example by using the information for the purposes of trading, advising others to trade or for reverse engineering a trading strategy, would not constitute use of the information for capital markets research purposes.

(0.5) Subparagraph 5.10(1.1)(c)(i) of the Instrument provides that the agreement must also prohibit the recipient from sharing the marketplace participants' order and trade data with any other person or company, such as a research assistant, without the marketplace's consent. The marketplace will be responsible for determining what steps are necessary to ensure the other person or company receiving the marketplace participants' data is not misusing this data. For example, the marketplace may enter into a similar agreement with each individual or company that has access to the data.

(0.6) To protect the identity of particular marketplace participants or their customers, subparagraph 5.10(1.1)(c)(i) of the Instrument requires the agreement to provide that recipients will not publish or disseminate data or information that discloses, directly or indirectly, a trading strategy, transactions, or market positions of a marketplace participant or its clients. Also, to protect the confidentiality of the data, the agreement must require that the order and trade information is securely stored at all times and that the data is kept for no longer than a reasonable period of time following the completion of the research and publication process.

(0.7) The agreement must also require that the marketplace be notified of any breach or possible breach of the confidentiality of the information. Marketplaces are required to notify the appropriate securities regulatory authorities of the breach or possible breach and have the right to take all reasonable steps necessary to prevent or address a breach or possible breach of the agreement or of the confidentiality of the information provided. In the view of the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, reasonable steps in the event of an actual or apparent breach of the agreement or of the confidentiality of the information may include the marketplace seeking an injunction preventing any unauthorized use or disclosure of the information by a recipient.

(0.8) Subparagraph 5.10(1.1)(c)(ii) of the Instrument provides for a limited carve-out from the restraints on the use and disclosure of the information by a recipient for purposes of allowing those conducting peer reviews of the research to have access to the data to verify the research prior to the publication of the results of the research. In particular, clause 5.10(1.1)(c)(ii)(C) requires a marketplace to enter into a written agreement with a person or company receiving order or trade information from the marketplace that provides that the person or company may disclose information used in connection with research submitted to a publication so long as the person or company obtains a written agreement from the publisher and anyone involved in the verification of the research that provides for certain restrictions on the use and disclosure of the information by the publisher or the other person or company. A marketplace may consider requiring a person or company that proposes to disclose order or trade information pursuant to subparagraph 5.10(1.1)(c)(ii) to acknowledge that it has obtained the agreement required by clause 5.10(1.1)(c)(ii)(C) at the time that it notifies the marketplace prior to disclosing the information for verification purposes, as required by clause 5.10(1.1)(c)(ii)(B).

(1) Subsection 5.10 (2) of the Instrument provides that a marketplace must not carry on business as a marketplace unless it has implemented reasonable safeguards and procedures to protect a marketplace participant's trading information. These include

(a) limiting access to the trading information of marketplace participants, such as the identity of marketplace participants and their orders, to those employees of, or persons or companies retained by, the marketplace to operate the system or to be responsible for its compliance with securities legislation; and

(b) having in place procedures to ensure that employees of the marketplace cannot use such information for trading in their own accounts.

(2) The procedures referred to in subsection (1) should be clear and unambiguous and presented to all employees and agents of the marketplace, whether or not they have direct responsibility for the operation of the marketplace.

(3) Nothing in section 5.10 of the Instrument prohibits a marketplace from complying with National Instrument 54-101 Communication with Beneficial Owners of Securities of a Reporting Issuer. This statement is necessary because an investment dealer that operates a marketplace may be an intermediary for the purposes of National Instrument 54-101, and may be required to disclose information under that Instrument.

7.8 Management of Conflicts of Interest

(1) Marketplaces are required under section 511 of the Instrument to maintain and ensure compliance with policies and procedures that identify and manage conflicts of interest arising from the operation of the marketplace or the services it provides. These may include conflicts, actual, potential or perceived, related to the commercial interest of the marketplace, the interests of its owners or its operators, including partners, directors, officers, or employees of the marketplace's owners, referral arrangements and the responsibilities and sound functioning of the marketplace. For an exchange and quotation and trade reporting system, they may also include potential conflicts between the operation of the marketplace and its regulatory responsibilities.

(2) The marketplace's policies should also take into account conflicts for owners that are marketplace participants. These may include inducements to send order flow to the marketplace to obtain a larger ownership position or to use the marketplace to trade against their clients' order flow. These policies should be disclosed as provided in paragraph 10.1(e) of the Instrument.

7.9 Outsourcing -- Section 5.12 of the Instrument sets out the requirements that marketplaces that outsource any of their key services or systems to a service provider, which may include affiliates or associates of the marketplace, must meet. Generally, marketplaces are required to establish policies and procedures to evaluate and approve these outsourcing agreements. Such policies and procedures would include assessing the suitability of potential service providers and the ability of the marketplace to continue to comply with securities legislation in the event of the service provider's bankruptcy, insolvency or termination of business. Marketplaces are also required to monitor the ongoing performance of the service provider to which they outsourced key services, systems or facilities. The requirements under section 5.12 of the Instrument apply regardless of whether the outsourcing arrangements are with third-- party service providers, or with affiliates of the marketplaces.

7.10 Access Arrangements with a Service Provider -- If a third party service provider provides a means of access to a marketplace, section 5.13 of the Instrument requires the marketplace to ensure the third party service provider complies with the written standards for access the marketplace has established pursuant to paragraph 5.1(2)(a) of the Instrument when providing access services. A marketplace must establish written standards for granting access to each of its services under paragraph 5.1(2)(a) and the Canadian securities regulatory authorities are of the view that it is the responsibility of the marketplace to ensure that these written standards are complied with when access to its platform is provided by a third party.

PART 8 RISK DISCLOSURE TO MARKETPLACE PARTICIPANTS

8.1 Risk disclosure to marketplace participants -- Subsections 5.9(2) and 6.11(2) of the Instrument require a marketplace to obtain an acknowledgement from its marketplace participants. The acknowledgement may be obtained in a number of ways, including requesting the signature of the marketplace participant or requesting that the marketplace participant initial an initial box or check a check-off box. This may be done electronically. The acknowledgement must be specific to the information required to be disclosed under the relevant subsection and must confirm that the marketplace participant has received the required disclosure. The Canadian securities regulatory authorities are of the view that it is the responsibility of the marketplace to ensure that an acknowledgement is obtained from the marketplace participant in a timely manner.

8.2 [repealed]

PART 9 INFORMATION TRANSPARENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR EXCHANGE-TRADED SECURITIES

9.1 Information Transparency Requirements for Exchange-Traded Securities

(1) Subsection 7.1(1) of the Instrument requires a marketplace that displays orders of exchange-traded securities to any person or company to provide accurate and timely information regarding those orders to an information processor as required by the information processor or, if there is no information processor, to an information vendor that meets the standards set by a regulation services provider. The Canadian securities regulatory authorities consider that a marketplace that sends information about orders of exchange-traded securities, including indications of interest that meet the definition of an order, to a smart order router is "displaying" that information. The marketplace would be subject to the transparency requirements of subsection 7.1(1) of the Instrument. The transparency requirements of subsection 7.1(1) of the Instrument do not apply to a marketplace that displays orders of exchange-traded securities to its employees or to persons or companies retained by the marketplace to assist in the operation of the marketplace, as long as these orders meet a minimum size threshold set by the regulation services provider. In other words, the only orders that are exempt from the transparency requirements are those meeting the minimum size threshold. Section 7.2 requires a marketplace to provide accurate and timely information regarding trades of exchange-traded securities that it executes to an information processor as required by the information processor or, if there is no information processor, to an information vendor that meets the standards set by a regulation services provider. Some marketplaces, such as exchanges, may be regulation services providers and will establish standards for the information vendors they use to display order and trade information to ensure that the information displayed by the information vendors is timely, accurate and promotes market integrity. If the marketplace has entered into a contract with a regulation services provider under NI 23-101, the marketplace must provide information to the regulation services provider and an information vendor that meets the standards set by that regulation services provider.

(2) In complying with sections 7.1 and 7.2 of the Instrument, any information provided by a marketplace to an information processor or information vendor must include identification of the marketplace and should contain all relevant information including details as to volume, symbol, price and time of the order or trade.

(2.1) Subsections 7.1(3) and 7.2(2) prohibit a marketplace from making available order and trade information to any person or company before it makes the information available to the information processor or, if there is no information processor, to an information vendor. The Canadian securities regulatory authorities acknowledge that there may be differences between the time at which a marketplace participant that takes in market data directly from a marketplace receives the order and trade information and the time at which a marketplace participant that takes in market data from the information processor receives the information. However, in complying with subsections 7.1(3) and 7.2(2) of the Instrument, the Canadian securities regulatory authorities expect that marketplaces will release order and trade information simultaneously to both the information processor and to persons or companies that may receive order and trade information directly from the marketplace.

(3) [repealed]

(4) [repealed]

(5) It is expected that if there are multiple regulation service providers, the standards of the various regulation service providers must be consistent. In order to maintain market integrity for securities trading in different marketplaces, the Canadian securities regulatory authorities will, through their oversight of the regulation service providers, review and monitor the standards established by all regulation service providers so that business content, service level standards, and other relevant standards are substantially similar for all regulation service providers.

9.2 [repealed]

PART 10 INFORMATION TRANSPARENCY REQUIREMENTS FOR UNLISTED DEBT SECURITIES

10.1 Information Transparency Requirements for Unlisted Debt Securities

(1) The requirements for pre-trade and post-trade transparency for unlisted debt securities are set out in sections 8.1 and 8.2 of the Instrument. The detailed reporting requirements, such as who must report information, deadlines for reporting, delays in publication of information and caps on displayed volume are determined by the information processor, subject to approval by the Canadian securities regulatory authorities as described below, and may be different for different government debt securities and corporate debt securities. The information processor is also required to make the reporting requirements, deadlines, dissemination delays and volume caps publicly available.

(2) [repealed]

(3) [repealed]

(4) [repealed]

(5) [repealed]

(6) [repealed]

(7) [repealed]

(8) [repealed]

(9) The information processor may propose changes to its transparency requirements by filing an amendment to Form 21-101F5 with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities pursuant to subsection 14.2(1) of the Instrument. The Canadian securities regulatory authorities will review the amendment to Form 21-101F5 to determine whether the proposed changes are contrary to the public interest, to ensure fairness and to ensure that there is an appropriate balance between the standards of transparency and market quality (defined in terms of market liquidity and efficiency) in each area of the market. Both the initial transparency requirements and any proposed changes will be subject to consultation with market participants through a notice and comment process, prior to approval by the Canadian securities regulatory authorities.

10.2 [repealed]

10.3 [repealed]

PART 11 MARKET INTEGRATION

11.1 [repealed]

11.2 [repealed]

11.3 [repealed]

11.4 [repealed]

11.5 Market Integration -- Although the Canadian securities regulatory authorities have removed the concept of a market integrator, we continue to be of the view that market integration is important to our marketplaces. We expect to achieve market integration by focusing on compliance with fair access and best execution requirements. We will continue to monitor developments to ensure that the lack of a market integrator does not unduly affect the market.

PART 12 TRANSPARENCY OF MARKETPLACE OPERATIONS

12.1 Transparency of Marketplace Operations

(1) Section 10.1 of the Instrument requires that marketplaces make publicly available certain information pertaining to their operations and services. While section 10.1 sets out the minimum disclosure requirements, marketplaces may wish to make publicly available other information, as appropriate. Where this information is included in a marketplace's rules, regulations, policies and procedures or practices that are publicly available, the marketplace need not duplicate this disclosure.

(2) Paragraph 10.1(a) requires marketplaces to disclose publicly all fees, including listing, trading, co-location, data and routing fees charged by the marketplace, an affiliate or by a third party to which services have been directly or indirectly outsourced or which directly or indirectly provides those services. This means that a marketplace is expected to publish and make readily available the schedule(s) of fees charged to any and all users of these services, including the basis for charging each fee (e.g., a per share basis for trading fees, a per subscriber basis for data fees, etc.) and would also include any fee rebate or discount and the basis for earning the rebate or discount. With respect to trading fees, it is not the intention of the Canadian securities regulatory authorities that a commission fee charged by a dealer for dealer services be disclosed in this context.

(3) Paragraph 10.1(b) requires marketplaces to disclose information on how orders are entered, interact and execute. This would include a description of the priority of execution for all order types and the types of crosses that may be executed on the marketplace. A marketplace should also disclose whether it sends information regarding indications of interest or order information to a smart order router.

(4) Paragraph 10.1(e) requires a marketplace to disclose its conflict of interest policies and procedures. For conflicts arising from the ownership of a marketplace by marketplace participants, the marketplace should include in its marketplace participant agreements a requirement that marketplace participants disclose that ownership to their clients at least quarterly. This is consistent with the marketplace participant's existing obligations to disclose conflicts of interest under National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Requirements. A marketplace should disclose if a marketplace or affiliated entity of a marketplace intends to trade for its own account on the marketplace against or in competition with client orders.

(5) Paragraph 10.1(f) requires marketplaces to disclose a description of any arrangements where the marketplace refers its participants to the services of a third-party provider where the marketplace receives some benefit (fee rebate, payment, etc.) if the marketplace participant uses the services of the third-- party service provider, and has a potential conflict of interest.

(6) Paragraph 10.1(g) requires marketplaces that offer routing services to disclose a description of how routing decisions are made. The subsection applies whether routing is done by a marketplace-owned smart order router, by an affiliate of a marketplace, or by a third-- party to which routing was outsourced.

(7) Paragraph 10.1(h) applies to marketplaces that disseminate indications of interest or any information in order to attract order flow. The Instrument requires that these marketplaces make publicly available information regarding their practices regarding the dissemination of information. This would include a description of the type of information included in the indication of interest displayed, and the types of recipients of such information. For example, a marketplace would describe whether the recipients of an indication of interest are the general public, all of its subscribers, particular categories of subscribers or smart order routers operated by their subscribers or by third party vendors.

PART 13 RECORDKEEPING REQUIREMENTS FOR MARKETPLACES

13.1 Recordkeeping Requirements for Marketplaces -- Part 11 of the Instrument requires a marketplace to maintain certain records. Generally, under provisions of securities legislation, the securities regulatory authorities can require a marketplace to deliver to them any of the records required to be kept by them under securities legislation, including the records required to be maintained under Part 11.

13.2 Synchronization f Clocks -- Subsections 11.5(1) and (2) of the Instrument require the synchronization of clocks with a regulation services provider that monitors the trading of the relevant securities on marketplaces, and by, as appropriate, inter-dealer bond brokers or dealers. The Canadian securities regulatory authorities are of the view that synchronization requires continual synchronization using an appropriate national time standard as chosen by a regulation services provider. Even if a marketplace has not retained a regulation services provider, its clocks should be synchronized with any regulation services provider monitoring trading in the particular securities traded on that marketplace. Each regulation services provider will monitor the information that it receives from all marketplaces, dealers and, if appropriate, inter-dealer bond brokers, to ensure that the clocks are appropriately synchronized. If there is more than one regulation services provider, in meeting their obligation to coordinate monitoring and enforcement under section 7.5 of NI 23-101, regulation services providers are required to agree on one standard against which synchronization will occur. In the event there is no regulation services provider, a recognized exchange or recognized quotation and trade reporting system are also required to coordinate with other recognized exchanges or recognized quotation and trade reporting systems regarding the synchronization of clocks.

PART 14 MARKETPLACE SYSTEMS AND BUSINESS CONTINUITY PLANNING

14.1 Systems Requirements -- This section applies to all the systems of a particular marketplace that are identified in the introduction to section 12.1 of the Instrument whether operating in-house or outsourced.

(1) Paragraph 12.1(a) of the Instrument requires the marketplace to develop and maintain an adequate system of internal controlcontrols over the systems specified. As well, the marketplace is required to develop and maintain adequate general computer controls. These are the controls which are implemented to support information technology planning, acquisition, development and maintenance, computer operations , information systems support, cyber resilience, and security. Recognized guides as to what constitutes adequate information technology controls may include 'Information Technology Control Guidelines' from the Canadian Institute ofguidance, principles or frameworks published by the Chartered Professional Accountants (CICA) and 'COBIT' ® 5 Management Guidelines, from the IT Governanceof Canada (CPA Canada), American Institute, © 2012 ISACA, IT Infrastructure Library (ITIL) -- Service Delivery best practices, ISO/IEC27002:2005 -- Information technology -- Code of practice for information security management.of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA), Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA), International Organization for Standardization (ISO) or the National Institute of Standards and Technology (U.S. Department of Commerce) (NIST).

(2) ParagraphCapacity management requires that a marketplace monitor, review, and test (including stress test) the actual capacity and performance of its systems on an ongoing basis. Accordingly, paragraph 12.1(b) of the Instrument requires a marketplace to meet certain systems capacity, performanceprocessing capability and disaster recovery standards. These standards are consistent with prudent business practice. The activities and tests required in this paragraph are to be carried out at least once a yearevery 12 months. In practice, continuing changes in technology, risk management requirements and competitive pressures will often result in these activities being carried out or tested more frequently.

(2.1) Paragraph 12.1(c) of the Instrument refers to a material security breach. A materialrequires a marketplace to promptly notify the regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority of any systems failure, malfunction, delay or security incident that is material. A failure, malfunction, delay or security incident is considered "material" if the marketplace would, in the normal course of operations, escalate the matter to or inform senior management ultimately accountable for technology. Such events would not generally include those that have or would have little or no impact on the marketplace's operations or on participants. Non-material events may become material if they recur or have a cumulative effect.

(2.2) For purposes of paragraph 12.1(c) of the Instrument, a security breach or systems intrusionincident is considered to be any unauthorized entry intoevent that actually or potentially jeopardizes the confidentiality, integrity or availability of any of the systems that support the functions listed in section 12.1 of the Instrument or any system that shares network resources with one or more of these systems. Virtually any security breachor the information the system processes, stores or transmits, or that constitutes a violation or imminent threat of violation of security policies, security procedures or acceptable use policies. Any security incident that requires non-routine measures or resources by the marketplace would be considered material and thus reportable to the regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority. The onus would be on the marketplace to document the reasons for any security breachincident it did not consider material. Marketplaces should also have documented criteria to guide the decision on when to publicly disclose a security breachincident. The criteria for public disclosure of a security breachincident should include, but not be limited to, any instance in which client data could be compromised. Public disclosure should include information on the types and number of participants affected.

(2.3) With respect to the prompt notification requirement in paragraph 12.1(c), the Canadian securities regulatory authorities expect that a marketplace will provide notification of a systems failure, malfunction, delay or security incident that is material, orally or in writing, upon escalating the matter to its senior management. It is expected that, as part of the required notification, the marketplace will provide updates on the status of the failure, malfunction, delay or incident and the resumption of service. The marketplace should also have comprehensive and well-documented procedures in place to record, report, analyze, and resolve all incidents. In this regard, the marketplace should undertake a "post-incident" review to identify the causes and any required improvement to the normal operations or business continuity arrangements. Such reviews should, where relevant, include the marketplace's participants. The results of such internal reviews are required to be communicated to the regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority as soon as practicable. We note that CSA Staff Notice 21-326 Guidance for Reporting Material Systems Incidents provides marketplaces with additional guidance and a comprehensive set of guidelines for reporting material systems incidents under paragraph 12.1(c).

(2.4) Paragraph 12.1(d) of the Instrument requires a marketplace to keep a record of any systems failure, malfunction, delay or security incident and identify whether or not it is material. We note that a marketplace may be asked to provide the regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority, with additional information, such as but not limited to reports, logs or other documents related to a systems failure, malfunction, delay, security incident or any other system or process-related data.

(2.5) A marketplace should also refer to the guidance in (2.2), (2.3) and (2.4) regarding security incidents that arise in connection with a marketplace's auxiliary systems under section 12.1.1 of the Instrument. A marketplace may be asked to provide the regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority, with additional information, such as but not limited to reports, logs or other documents related to a security incident.

(3) Subsection 12.2(1) of the Instrument requires a marketplace to engage aone or more qualified partyexternal auditors to conduct an annual independent assessmentsystems review to ensure thatassess the marketplace is in's compliance with paragraph 12.1(a), section 12.1.1 and section 12.4 of the Instrument. The review must be conducted and reported on at least once in each 12-month period by a qualified external auditor in accordance with established audit standards and best industry practices. We consider that best industry practices include the "Trust Services Criteria" developed by the American Institute of CPAs and CPA Canada. The focus of the assessment of any systems that share network resources with trading-related systems required under subsectionparagraph 12.2(1)(b) would be to address potential threats from a security breachincident that could negatively impact a trading-related system. AFor purposes of subsection 12.2(1), we consider a qualified party isexternal auditor to be a person or company or a group of persons or companies with relevant experience in both information technology and in the evaluation of related internal controls in a complex information technology environment, such as external auditors or third party information system consultants. Before engaging a qualified partyexternal auditor to conduct the independent systems review, a marketplace shouldis expected to discuss its choice of external auditor and the scope of the systems review mandate with the regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority. We further expect that the report prepared by the external auditor include, to the extent applicable, an audit opinion that (i) the description included in the report fairly presents the systems and controls that were designed and implemented throughout the reporting period, (ii) the controls stated in the description were suitably designed, and (iii) the controls operated effectively throughout the reporting period.

(3.1) The Canadian securities regulatory authorities also note the critical importance of an appropriate system of cyber-security controls over the systems described in section 12.1 of the Instrument. We further note that, as a matter of best practices, marketplaces may also conduct a vulnerability assessment of these controls in addition to the independent systems review required by subsection 12.2(1) of the Instrument. To the extent that a marketplace carries out, or engages an independent party to carry out on its behalf, a vulnerability assessment and prepares a report of that assessment as part of the development and maintenance of the controls required by section 12.1 of the Instrument, we expect a marketplace to provide that report to the regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority in addition to the report required to be provided by subsection 12.2(2) of the Instrument.

(3.1) Section 12.1.2 of the Instrument requires a marketplace to engage one or more qualified parties to perform appropriate assessments and testing to identify security vulnerabilities and measure the effectiveness of information security controls. We would expect a marketplace to implement appropriate improvements where necessary. For the purposes of section 12.1.2, we consider a qualified party to be a person or company or a group of persons or companies with relevant experience in both information technology and in the evaluation of related internal systems or controls in a complex information technology environment. We consider that qualified parties may include external auditors or third-party information system consultants, as well as employees of the marketplace or an affiliated entity of the marketplace but may not be persons responsible for the development or operation of the systems or capabilities being tested. The regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority may, in accordance with securities legislation, require the marketplace to provide a copy of any such assessment.

(4) Paragraph 12.1(c) of the Instrument requires the marketplace to notify the regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority of any material systems failure. The Canadian securities regulatory authorities consider a failure, malfunction or delay to be "material" if the marketplace would in the normal course of operations escalate the matter to or inform its senior management ultimately accountable for technology. The Canadian securities regulatory authorities also expect that, as part of this notification, the marketplace will provide updates on the status of the failure, the resumption of service and the results of its internal review of the failure.[repealed]

(5) Under section 15.1 of the Instrument, athe regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority may consider granting a marketplace an exemption from the requirements to engage aone or more qualified partyexternal auditors to conduct an annual independent systems review and prepare a report under subsection 12.2(1) of the Instrument provided that the marketplace prepare a control self-assessment and file this self-assessment with the regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority. The scope of the self-assessment would be similar to the scope that would have applied if the marketplace underwent an independent systems review. Reporting of the self-assessment results and the timeframe for reporting would be consistent with that established for an independent systems review.

In determining if the exemption is in the public interest and the length of the exemption, the regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority may consider a number of factors including: the market share of the marketplace, the timing of the last independent systems review, changes to systems or staff of the marketplace and whether the marketplace has experienced material systems failures, malfunction or delays.

14.2 Marketplace Technology Specifications and Testing Facilities

(1) Subsection 12.3(1) of the Instrument requires marketplaces to make their technology requirements regarding interfacing with or accessing the marketplace publicly available in their final form for at least three months. If there are material changes to these requirements after they are made publicly available and before operations begin, the revised requirements should be made publicly available for a new three month period prior to operations. The subsection also requires that an operating marketplace make its technology specifications publicly available for at least three months before implementing a material change to its technology requirements.

The Canadian securities regulatory authorities consider a material change to a marketplace's technology requirements to include a change that would require a person or company interfacing with or accessing the marketplace to incur a significant amount of systems-related development work or costs in order to accommodate the change or to fully interact with the marketplace as a result of the change. Such material changes could include changes to technology requirements that would significantly impact a marketplace participant's trading activities, such as the introduction of an order type, or significant changes to a regulatory feed that a regulation services provider takes in from the marketplace.

(2) Subsection 12.3(2) of the Instrument requires marketplaces to provide testing facilities for interfacing with or accessing the marketplace for at least two months immediately prior to operations once the technology requirements have been made publicly available. Should the marketplace make its specifications publicly available for longer than three months, it may make the testing available during that period or thereafter as long as it is at least two months prior to operations. If the marketplace, once it has begun operations, proposes material changes to its technology systems, it is required to make testing facilities publicly available for at least two months before implementing the material systems change.

(2.1) Paragraph 12.3(3)(c) of the Instrument prohibits a marketplace frm beginning operations before the chief information officer of the marketplace, or an individual performing a similar function, has certified in writing that all information technology systems used by the marketplace have been tested according to prudent business practices and are operating as designed. This certification may be based on information provided to the chief information officer from marketplace staff knowledgeable about the information technology systems of the marketplace and the testing that was conducted.

(2.2) In order to help ensure that appropriate testing procedures for material changes to technology requirements are being followed by the marketplace, subsection 12.3(3.1) of the Instrument requires the chief information officer of the marketplace, or an individual performing a similar function, to certify to the regulator or securities regulatory authority, as applicable, that a material change has been tested according to prudent business practices and is operating as designed. This certification may be based on information provided to the chief information officer from marketplace staff knowledgeable about the information technology systems of the marketplace and the testing that was conducted.

(3) Subsection 12.3(4) of the Instrument provides that if a marketplace must make a change to its technology requirements regarding interfacing with or accessing the marketplace to immediately address a failure, malfunction or material delay of its systems or equipment, it must immediately notify the regulator or, in Québec, the securities regulatory authority, and, if applicable, its regulation services provider. We expect the amended technology requirements to be made publicly available as soon as practicable, either while the changes are being made or immediately after.

14.2.1 Uniform Test Symbols

(1) Section 12.3.1 of the Instrument requires a marketplace to use uniform test symbols for the purpose of performing testing in its production environment. In the view of the Canadian securities regulatory authorities, the use of uniform test symbols is in furtherance to a marketplace's obligations at section 5.7 of the Instrument to take all reasonable steps to ensure that its operations do not interfere with fair and orderly markets.

(2) The use of uniform test symbols is intended to facilitate the testing of functionality in a marketplace's production environment; it is not intended to enable stress testing by marketplace participants. The Canadian securities regulatory authorities are of the view that a marketplace may suspend access to a test symbol where its use in a particular circumstance reasonably represents undue risk to the operation or performance of the marketplace's production environment. The Canadian securities regulatory authorities also note that misuse of the test symbols by marketplace participants could amount to a breach of the fair and orderly markets provisions of National Instrument 23-103 Electronic Trading and Direct Electronic Access to Marketplaces.

14.3 Business Continuity Planning

(1) Business continuity management is a key component of a marketplace's operational risk-management framework. Section 12.4 of the Instrument requires that marketplaces develop and maintain reasonable business continuity plans, including disaster recovery plans. Business continuity planning should encompass all policies and procedures to ensure uninterrupted provision of key services regardless of the cause of potential disruption. In fulfilling the requirement to develop and maintain reasonable business continuity plans, the Canadian securities regulatory authorities expect that marketplaces are to remain current with best practices for business continuity planning and to adopt them to the extent that they address their critical business needs.

(2) Paragraph 12.4(1)(b) of the Instrument also requires a marketplace to test its business continuity plans, including disaster recovery plans, according to prudent business practices on a reasonably frequent basis and, in any event, at least annually.

(3) Section 12.4 of the Instrument also establishes requirements for marketplaces meeting a minimum threshold of total dollar value of trading volume, recognized exchanges or quotation and trade reporting systems that directly monitor the conduct of their members, and regulation services providers that have entered into a written agreement with a marketplace to conduct market surveillance to establish, implement, and maintain policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that critical systems can resume operation within certain time limits following the declaration of a disaster. In fulfilling the requirement to establish, implement and maintain the policies and procedures prescribed by section 12.4, the Canadian securities regulatory authorities expect that these policies and procedures will form part of the entity's business continuity and disaster recovery plans and that the entities subject to the requirements at subsections 12.4(2) to (4) of the Instrument will be guided by their own business continuity plans in terms of what constitutes a disaster for purposes of the requirements.

14.4 Industry-Wide Business Continuity Tests -- Section 12.4.1 of the Instrument requires a marketplace, recognized clearing agency, information processor, and participant dealer to participate in all industry-wide business continuity tests, as determined by a regulation services provider, regulator, or in Québec, the securities regulatory authority. The Canadian securities regulatory authorities expect that marketplaces will make their production environments available for purposes of all industry-wide business continuity tests.

PART 15 CLEARING AND SETTLEMENT

15.1 Clearing and Settlement -- Subsection 13.1(1) of the Instrument requires all trades executed through a marketplace to be reported and settled through a clearing agency. Subsections 13.1(2) and (3) of the Instrument require that an ATS and its subscriber enter into an agreement that specifies which entity will report and settle the trades of securities. If the subscriber is registered as a dealer under securities legislation, the ATS, the subscriber or an agent for the subscriber that is a member of a clearing agency may report and settle trades. If the subscriber is not registered as a dealer under securities legislation, either the ATS or an agent for the subscriber that is a clearing member of a clearing agency may report and settle trades. The ATS is responsible for ensuring that an agreement with the subscriber is in place before any trade is executed for the subscriber. If the agreement is not in place at the time of the execution of the trade, the ATS is responsible for clearing and settling that trade if a default occurs.

15.2 Access to Clearing Agency of Choice -- As a general proposition, marketplace participants should have a choice as to te clearing agency that they would like to use for the clearing and settlement of their trades, provided that such clearing agency is appropriately regulated in Canada. Subsection 13.2(1) of the Instrument thus requires a marketplace to report a trade in a security to a clearing agency designated by a marketplace participant.

The Canadian securities regulatory authorities are of the view that where a clearing agency performs only clearing services (and not settlement or depository services) for equity or other cash-product marketplaces in Canada, it would need to have access to the existing securities settlement and depository infrastructure on non-discriminatory and reasonable commercial terms.

Subsection 13.2(2) of the Instrument provides that subsection 13.2(1) does not apply to trades in standardized derivatives or exchange-traded securities that are options.

PART 16 INFORMATION PROCESSOR

16.1 Information Processor

(1) The Canadian securities regulatory authorities believe that it is important for those who trade to have access to accurate information on the prices at which trades in particular securities are taking place (i.e., last sale reports) and the prices at which others have expressed their willingness to buy or sell (i.e., orders).

(2) An information processor is required under subsection 14.4(2) of the Instrument to provide timely, accurate, reliable and fair collection, processing, distribution and publication of information for orders for, and trades in, securities. The Canadian securities regulatory authorities expect that in meeting this requirement, an information processor will ensure that all persons and companies that are required to provide information are given access to the information processor on fair and reasonable terms. In addition, it is expected that an information processor will not give preference to the information of any person or company when collecting, processing, distributing or publishing that information.

(3) An information processor is required under subsection 14.4(5) of the Instrument to provide prompt and accurate order and trade information, and to not unreasonably restrict fair access to the information. As part of the obligation relating to fair access, an information processor is expected to make the disseminated and published information available on terms that are reasonable and not discriminatory. For example, an information processor will not provide order and trade information to any single person or company or group of persons or companies on a more timely basis than is afforded to others, and will not show preference to any single person or company or group of persons or companies in relation to pricing.

16.2 Selection of an Information Processor

(1) The Canadian securities regulatory authorities will review Form 21-101F5 to determine whether it is contrary to the public interest for the person or company who filed the form to act as an information processor. In Québec, a person or company may carry on the activity of an information processor only if it is recognized by the securities regulatory authority and in Ontario and Saskatchewan, only if it is designated by the securities regulatory authority. The Canadian securities regulatory authorities will look at a number of factors when reviewing the form filed, including,

(a) the performance capability, standards and procedures for the collection, processing, distribution, and publication of information with respect to orders for, and trades in, securities;

(b) whether all marketplaces may obtain access to the information processor on fair and reasonable terms;

(c) personnel qualifications;

(d) whether the information processor has sufficient financial resources for the proper performance of its functions;

(e) the existence of another entity performing the proposed function for the same type of security;

(f) the systems report referred to in paragraph 14.5(c) of the Instrument.

(2) The Canadian securities regulatory authorities request that the forms and exhibits be filed in electronic format, where possible.

(3) The forms filed by an information processor under the Instrument will be kept confidential. The Canadian securities regulatory authorities are of the view that they contain intimate financial, commercial and technical information and that the interests of the filers in non-disclosure outweigh the desirability of adhering to the principle that all forms be available for public inspection.

16.3 Change in Information -- Under subsection 14.2(1) of the Instrument, an information processor is required to file a amendment to the information provided in Form 21-101F5 at least 45 days before implementing a significant change involving a matter set out in Form 21-101F5, in the manner set out in Form 21-101F5. The Canadian securities regulatory authorities would consider significant changes to include:

(a) changes to the governance of the information processor, including the structure of its board of directors and changes in the board committees and their mandates;

(b) changes in control over the information processor;

(c) changes affecting the independence of the information processor, including independence from the persons and companies that provide their data to meet the requirements of the Instrument;

(d) changes to the services or functions performed by the information processor;

(e) changes to the data products offered by the information processor;

(f) changes to the fees and fee structure related to the services provided by the information processor;

(g) changes to the revenue sharing model for revenues from fees related to services provided by the information processor;

(h) changes to the systems and technology used by the information processor, including those affecting its capacity;

(i) new arrangements or changes to arrangements to outsource the operation of any aspect of the services of the information processor;

(j) changes to the means of access to the services of the information processor; and

(k) in the case of an information processor for government debt securities or corporate debt securities, changes to the information transparency requirements referred to in paragraph 14.8(b) of the Instrument.

These would not include housekeeping or administrative changes to the information included in Form 21-101F5, such as changes in the routine processes, practice or administration of the information processor, changes due to standardization of terminology, or minor system or technology changes that do not significantly impact the system of the information processor or its capacity. Such changes would be filed in accordance with the requirements outlined in subsection 14.2(2) of the Instrument.

16.3.1 Filing of Financial Statements -- Subsection 14.4(6) of the Instrument requires an information processor to file annual audited financial statements within 90 days after the end of its financial year. However, where an information processor is operated as a division or unit of a person or company, which may be a marketplace, clearing agency, issuer or any other person or company, the person or company must file an income statement, a statement of cash flow and any other information necessary to demonstrate the financial condition of the information processor. In this case, the income statement, statement of cash flow and other necessary financial information pertaining to the operation of the information processor may be unaudited.

16.4 System Requirements -- The guidance in section 14.1 of this Companion Policy applies to the systems requirements for an information processor.

 

ANNEX G

LOCAL MATTERS ONTARIO SECURITIES COMMISSION

The Amendments and other required materials were delivered to the Minister of Finance on June 17, 2020. The Minister may approve or reject the Amendments or return them for further consideration. If the Minister approves the Amendments or does not take any further action, the Amendments will come into force on September 14, 2020.