The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) has announced one-time relief on participation fees for certain small registered firms and reporting issuers.
The relief, outlined in OSC Staff Notice 13-704 Applications for Participation Fee Relief for Certain Small Registered Firms and Reporting Issuers, has been developed specifically for market participants dealing with challenging conditions that may have resulted in decreased revenues and market capitalization.
The OSC expects to publish the results of its review of its fee rule and any amendments in the fall of 2014, for a 90-day comment period.
The limited fee relief announced today will reduce the OSC’s 2013/14 revenues and impact its ability to reach cost recovery by the end of fiscal 2016, as originally set out in 2013. Under this fee relief, the average market participant that meets the defined criteria will see relief ranging between $235 and $17,275 (for registered firms) and between $160 and $13,150 (for reporting issuers), with most participants entitled to relief closer to the lower end of both bands.
Eligible registered firms and reporting issuers must apply for relief using the relevant application form available on the OSC website. There is no cost for applying, and application forms must be submitted by March 31, 2014.
This story originally appeared on our sister publication, Advisor.ca.