AGF Funds Inc., on Behalf of the AGF Group of Funds under its Management - MRRS Decision

MRRS Decision

Headnote

Mutual Reliance Review System for Exemptive Relief Applications -- Variation allowing an extension of sunset clause -- original decision granted an exemption from the requirement to calculate net asset value for purposes other than financial statements in accordance with Canadian GAAP following the introduction of Handbook section 3855 -- changes to Canadian GAAP would require investment funds to change valuation of certain portfolio securities.

Applicable Legislative Provisions

Securities Act, R.S.O. 1990, c. S.5, as am., s.144(1).

September 28, 2007

IN THE MATTER OF

THE SECURITIES LEGISLATION OF

BRITISH COLUMBIA, ALBERTA, SASKATCHEWAN,

MANITOBA, ONTARIO, QUEBEC, NEW BRUNSWICK,

NOVA SCOTIA, NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR,

THE NORTHWEST TERRITORIES, NUNAVUT,

AND YUKON (THE JURISDICTIONS)

AND

IN THE MATTER OF

THE MUTUAL RELIANCE REVIEW SYSTEM

FOR EXEMPTIVE RELIEF APPLICATIONS

AND

IN THE MATTER OF

AGF FUNDS INC., ON BEHALF OF THE AGF GROUP

OF FUNDS UNDER ITS MANAGEMENT (THE FUNDS)

(THE FILER)

 

MRRS DECISION DOCUMENT

Background

The local securities regulatory authority or regulator (the Decision Maker) in each of the Jurisdictions has received an application from the Filer, on behalf of the Funds and each investment fund which is now or becomes subject to section 14.2 of National Instrument 81-106 Investment Fund Continuous Disclosure (NI 81-106) which is managed by a manager other than the Filer (collectively, the Affected Funds), for a decision under the securities legislation of the Jurisdictions (the Legislation) to vary the decision document issued by the Decision Makers dated September 28, 2006 (the Original Decision).

The Original Decision granted relief from the requirements of section 14.2 of NI 81-106 insofar as it relates to:

    • calculating net asset value for any purpose (including for greater certainty, for purchases and redemptions of securities of a mutual fund as required by Parts 9 and 10 of National Instrument 81-102 Mutual Funds), other than for purposes of the financial statements, or

    • providing the net asset value of each Fund or Affected Fund, or providing information based on net asset value of a Fund or Affected Fund, in any report, marketing material, any other document or any other commentary (including arranging for publication of net asset value pursuant to subsection 14.2(7) of NI 81-106), other than in the financial statements of the Fund or Affected Fund.

The Original Decision terminates on the earlier of (i) September 30, 2007, or (ii) the date on which changes to Part 14 of NI 81-106 come into effect with respect to calculating net asset value for purposes other than the financial statements and providing net asset value of a Fund or Affected Fund, or information based on net asset value of a Fund or Affected Fund, in any report, marketing material, any other document or any other commentary.

The variation requested is that termination of the Original Decision be extended to the earlier of (i) September 30, 2008, or (ii) the date on which changes to Part 14 of NI 81-106 come into effect with respect to calculating net asset value for purposes other than the financial statements and providing net asset value of a Fund or Affected Fund, or information based on net asset value of a Fund or Affected Fund, in any report, marketing material, any other document or any other commentary (the Requested Relief).

Under the Mutual Reliance Review System for Exemptive Relief Applications:

(a) the Ontario Securities Commission is the principal regulator for this application; and

(b) this MRRS decision document evidences the decision of each Decision Maker.

Interpretation

Defined terms contained in National Instrument 14-101 Definitions have the same meaning in this decision unless they are defined in this decision.

Representations

This Decision is based on the following facts represented by the Filer:

1. The Filer is the manager of the Funds under its management.

2. Each of the existing Funds is a reporting issuer and is subject, amongst others, to the requirements of NI 81-106.

3. Each existing Fund currently calculates its net asset value as required by the Original Decision.

4. Since the date of the Original Decision, extensive submissions and dialogue between the investment funds industry and the staff of the Decision Makers regarding the calculation of net asset value have occurred in a very timely manner.

5. A notice of proposed amendments to certain sections of NI 81-106, including Part 14, consequential amendments and request for comments were published by the CSA on June 1, 2007 (the Proposed Amendments). The Proposed Amendments require the net asset value of an investment fund to be calculated using the fair value of the investment fund's assets and liabilities. The Proposed Amendments require the financial statements of an investment fund to be prepared in accordance with Canadian GAAP.

6. The comment period for the Proposed Amendments ended on August 31, 2007. The Filer expects the CSA to review and consider the comments received, and to determine whether any changes will be made to the Proposed Amendments. The Filer understands that the CSA requires additional time before finalizing the Proposed Amendments and time before final amendments come into effect.

7. The Filer does not believe that allowing the Original Decision to terminate on September 30, 2007 is in the best interests of investors in the Funds. The Filer believes that the Funds should continue to rely on the relief granted in the Original Decision until changes to Part 14 of NI 81-106 come into effect.

Decision

Each of the Decision Makers is satisfied that the test contained in the Legislation that provides the Decision Makers with the jurisdiction to make the decision has been met.

The decision of the Decision Makers under the Legislation is that the Requested Relief is granted.

"Leslie Byberg"
Interim Director, Investment Funds Branch
Ontario Securities Commission