CIBC and CIBC Asset Management Inc. have received exemptive relief from the Ontario Securities Commission allowing a certain selection of their mutual funds to engage in short selling.

The latest issue of the OSC Bulletin reports that CIBC has been granted relief to allow its mutual funds to short up to 10% of net assets, subject to a number of conditions.

Numerous disclosure conditions apply, including disclosure in the fund’s prospectus and annual information form spelling out how it intends to engage in shorting, short selling risks, and its risk management procedures, among other things.

The relief also requires that the fund holds “cash cover” that is at least 150% of the aggregate market value of all securities sold short; the fund maintains appropriate internal controls regarding its short sales including written policies and procedures, risk management controls and proper books and records; and, any short sales will be subject to compliance with the investment objectives of the fund, among other conditions.