About the OSC
Investment Funds
The Investment Funds Branch administers the regulation of investment funds that offer securities to the public. These investment funds include mutual funds, exchange-traded funds, structured products, scholarship plans and labour-sponsored funds.
The Branch oversees the formation and operation of investment funds and the regulation of fund issuers, as well as certain aspects of the regulation of fund managers and portfolio advisers.
Branch staff consider investor protection issues related to the offering of investment funds in Ontario. Staff focus on whether an investment fund has fully explained its investment objective and strategy. When an issue is identified, staff engage the investment fund issuer in their review of the disclosure related to the offering of the investment fund or the continuous disclosure filings made by an existing fund. The filings of funds are reviewed against the standard of “full, true and plain disclosure” and for compliance with other requirements set out in the Securities Act.
The Investment Funds Branch helps develop policy that contributes to fostering fair and efficient capital markets. Working closely with other provincial securities regulators, staff assist in developing new and harmonized investment fund rules and policies, and proposing amendments to existing rules, as needed, to adapt to changes in the fund industry.
Investment funds represent a significant part of Ontario’s dynamic capital markets. As the marketplace evolves, the Investment Funds Branch helps the OSC to deliver strong compliance programs while championing investor protection, especially for retail investors.
