Quebec’s Autorité des marchés financiers has joined other provincial securities regulators by bringing a temporary order against Portus Alternative Asset Management Inc., placing certain conditions on the firm’s registration.

The AMF says that it requested the order “in light of irregularities uncovered in respect of the sales practices and record keeping carried out by Portus.”

Similar to other provincial orders issued against the firm, the AMF says the order, which is effective February 11, prohibits the hedge fund manager from opening new accounts on behalf of clients and from accepting funds or assets for investment purposes from current clients.

The order does not prevent investors from accessing accounts they hold at Portus.

The AMF says the order remains in effect until it is amended or revoked following a hearing before the Bureau de décision et de révision en valeurs mobilières.

According to the AMF, Portus has about 40 clients in Quebec.