About the OSC
Corporate Finance
The Corporate Finance Branch administers the regulation of companies that offer their securities for sale to the public in Ontario. It also leads OSC policy initiatives related to the regulation of public companies and plays an active role in policy initiatives of the Canadian Securities Administrators.
Ontario securities law establishes the regulatory framework for securities offerings in Ontario’s public and exempt markets, and the Corporate Finance Branch monitors compliance with these requirements. In general, Branch staff review prospectuses, other offering documents and applications for exemptive relief from Ontario securities laws filed by issuers. Certain filings are selected for review and reviews are conducted by Branch staff using a risk-based approach.
Branch staff also contribute to developing requirements for the ongoing dissemination of information to the marketplace by public companies. They promote compliance with disclosure requirements by conducting a continuous disclosure review program. In addition, Branch staff are responsible for administering insider reporting requirements.
A specialized team within the Corporate Finance Branch monitors compliance with Ontario securities law by parties involved in mergers and acquisitions. Staff in this area are responsible for matters relating to take-over bids, issuer bids, business combinations, related-party transactions and significant acquisitions of securities of reporting issuers.
Issuers of securities who comply with regulations help foster confidence in the capital markets. To promote issuer compliance, the OSC strives to conduct compliance programs that are fair, vigorous and timely. The Corporate Finance Branch plays a key role in helping the OSC achieve this goal on behalf of investors and market participants.
