New Chair and CEO of Ontario Securities Commission Confirmed

For Immediate Release Other

 

McGuinty Government Confirms Appointment of Legal Expert Howard Wetston, Q.C.

Howard Wetston, Q.C. is the new Chair and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC), effective immediately.

Previously, Wetston was Chair of the Board and CEO of the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) since 2003. Prior to his appointment at the OEB, Wetston served four years as Vice-Chair of the OSC. Before that, he was a Judge of the Federal Court of Canada, Trial Division and Director of Investigation and Research, Bureau of Competition Policy. He is a member of the board of directors of Mount Sinai Hospital in Toronto, was appointed Queen's Counsel in 1990 and is a member of the Ontario and Alberta Bars.

As Chair and CEO, Wetston will ensure proper administration and enforcement of the Securities Act, and work with the Canadian Securities Transition Office to establish a Canadian securities regulator.

"I am pleased that Mr. Wetston's nomination has been confirmed. His expertise in legal, securities, business and economic matters are particularly well suited to his new role. In addition, they will be a real asset as we work with the federal government and our provincial partners to develop a Canadian securities regulator."
– Dwight Duncan
Minister of Finance

QUICK FACTS

  • Former OSC Chair and CEO David Wilson's term expired on October 31, 2010.
  • The OSC regulates capital markets activities and participants in Ontario including exchanges, public companies and registered intermediaries, as well as emerging new marketplaces, trading systems, products and investor services. This includes the Toronto Stock Exchange, which is the third-largest stock exchange in North America and the ninth-largest equity market in the world, based on domestic market capitalization.

For Media Inquiries only

Scott Blodgett - Ministry of Finance
416-325-0324

For public inquiries call

1-800-337-7222
(Toll-free in Ontario only)