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How much do you know about the Nova Scotia Securities Commission (NSSC) and the people behind it? The Before You Invest Blog has previously published posts on the Commission, highlighting our mandate and the role of the different Commission branches. But, what about the people that make up the Commission, the ones who shoulder that mandate and tirelessly work to protect Nova Scotia investors? Our new series “Getting to know the Nova Scotia Securities Commission” takes a closer look at some of these people, what they do and how they support the mandate of the NSSC. Today we’re speaking with the Executive Director of the NSSC, Jane Anderson.
What is your role with the Nova Scotia Securities Commission?
I’m the Executive Director of the Nova Scotia Securities Commission. I’ve been in the role since 2008. I started in an acting capacity, and seven years later, here I am.
How do you support the mandate of NSSC?
The Executive Director is the Chief Administrative Officer of the Nova Scotia Securities Commission. I’m in charge of managing the overall operations of the Commission, including managing several staff and financial resources, and overseeing the administration of the Nova Scotia Securities Act. In a nutshell, I make sure the Commission has the staff and resources to fulfill our mandate of protecting investors and when not in conflict, fostering fair and efficient capital markets.
What should the public know about NSSC that they might not?
Securities law is regulated provincially. That means there are 13 different securities regulators (one in each of the provinces and territories in Canada), and they’re all of different sizes and structures. The Nova Scotia Securities Commission has 20 staff, whereas in Ontario, the Ontario Securities Commission has more than 700 employees, but we have the same mandate. While there’s no national securities regulator in Canada, because investing doesn’t stop at the borders, and securities law violations don’t stop at the borders either, the Canadian regulators work together to try to harmonize operations and regulations as much as possible under an umbrella organization called the CSA, or Canadian Securities Administrators. At present, staff of the Nova Scotia Securities Commission participate in upwards of 85 different CSA operational and policy committees and working groups.
What do you find most challenging about your role?
I guess that would be ensuring that staff have all the resources they need to do their jobs at a time when technology is changing the regulatory landscape with the proliferation of social media, new products, and online frauds and scams. It’s a challenge to stay ahead of, as well as keep up with the developments and to find the right tools and technology to help staff to do their jobs.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
Definitely the people aspect. I like being part of a team that’s focused on helping people by educating Nova Scotians about how to protect their hard-earned money, by regulating issuers that seek to raise funds from Nova Scotians, by regulating professionals that provide advice on investing in Nova Scotia, by alerting the public on potentially fraudulent investments, and by taking enforcement action to deter future violations of Nova Scotia’s securities laws and deter bad actions. I’m part of a small but mighty team at the Nova Scotia Securities Commission that provides an important public service. I’m also fortunate enough to be able to learn from and collaborate with a group of smart experts at the Nova Scotia Securities Commission as well as the other securities regulators across Canada and the North American Securities Administrators Association, NASAA.
What can you tell us about NASAA and your involvement with that organization?
NASAA, is an association of 67 members consisting of securities regulators in each of the 50 U.S. State, the 13 Canadian territories and provinces, as well as Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Mexico. Its mission is to represent its members through education, cooperation, coordination, subject matter expertise and advocacy.
As part of its mission NASAA provides excellent educational opportunities to its member staff. When I first started working at the Nova Scotia Securities Commission I was able to attend NASAA training that was aimed directly at securities regulators. Because it was such an excellent experience I decided I wanted to get involved. Currently, I am the Chair of the NASAA International Committee, which monitors international developments regarding relevant securities developments, and reports on the regulatory priorities of both the CSA and Mexico. I also began serving on the NASAA Board of Directors in 2024 and I currently sit on the Finance and Audit Committee.
How else do you represent NSSC outside the province?
As the Executive Director of the Nova Scotia Securities Commission, I participate on the CSA Executive Directors Committee. We meet monthly to share information for the purposes of harmonizing operation. I also participate on the Systems Governance Committee as the representative of the smaller Canadians provinces and territories. This committee overseas the national technology systems, such as SEDAR+, NRD, and SEDI, which are used by all securities regulators across Canada as well as our stakeholders.
What do you enjoy doing with your time outside the NSSC?
I love to travel and explore other countries. Earlier this year, my husband and I spent two weeks in Peru, which was incredible. We learned a lot about Inca history. We of course went to Machu Picchu. It was a beautiful sunny day, but the highlight of the trip was going sandboarding on a desert oasis called Huacachina. It was spectacular.