The Ontario Securities Commission has approved amendments to an IDA by-law regarding the provision of financial assistance by the Investment Dealers Association to securities industry organizations and securities regulatory organizations.

The approval is subject to two conditions:

  1. the by-law must receive a text revision in order to clarify the IDA’s intention; and
  2. 30 days prior to exercising its powers, the IDA must notify the principal regulator that the IDA intends to provide financial support to other securities industry organizations or securities regulatory organizations.

The IDA must also include details of the financial support and provide a copy of its most recent interim financial statements. Currently, the principal regulator is the Ontario Securities Commission.

In addition, the Saskatchewan Securities Commission approved, the Alberta Securities Commission did not disapprove and the B.C. Securities Commission did not object to these amendments, subject to the same two conditions.

The amendments will streamline the process for the IDA to provide financial support to securities industry organizations and securities regulatory organizations, while tightening the controls surrounding the authorization of such support.