Quebec-based firms will be able to begin joining the National Registration Database as of Oct. 29, the Autorité des marchés financiers says.

The AMF is holding information sessions about joining the NRD on Oct. 26 and 28 in Montréal and in Québec City. Then, the NRD enrollment period begins Oct. 29, running to Nov. 30.

Training sessions on the use of the NRD will be held from Dec. 2 to 11. As of Dec. 20, firms will be able to add branch information. This will allow firms to be ready to add information regarding representatives on Jan. 5, 2005.

As of Dec. 20, the AMF will no longer accept any paper-based applications for enrolment or for the renewal or modification of a record. And, between Dec. 20 and Jan. 4, 2005, no applications will be processed so that the AMF can prepare to handle enrolments via the NRD as of Jan. 5.

The AMF notes that the NRD will have an impact on the payment of annual registration maintenance fees. The electronic system will directly debit the fees as at Dec. 31 of each year, starting in 2005. Firms’ next invoice for annual registration fees will therefore be calculated pro rata to the number of remaining months so that the renewal date will always be Dec. 31.