Registration and compliance best practices and standards are the cornerstone of securities regulation. The NSSC’s registration and compliance sections work hard to ensure that firms and individuals are registered to sell securities and that they are complying with securities laws in order to protect investors.
On September 28, 2009, a new Canada-wide regime for registrants came into force. In Nova Scotia, these reforms were introduced through a combination of amendments to the Securities Act (Nova Scotia), and the introduction of National Instrument 31-103 Registration Requirements, Exemptions and Ongoing Registrant Obligations.
Whether you are an investment fund manager, portfolio manager, investment adviser or a dealer, it is required that you are registered in accordance with Nova Scotia securities laws (subject to the availability of exemptions).
The NSSC will only register firms and individuals that meet specific qualifications and standards. Investors should check the registration of any individual or firm they are dealing with because it confirms whether the person or firm is authorized to sell investments or offer investment advice. Investors should immediately contact their local securities regulatory authority if they discover that the person or company offering them an investment opportunity is not registered.
The NSSC has the authority under subsection 29E(1) of the Securities Act (Nova Scotia) (the Act) to designate staff to review the books and records that are required to be kept by a market participants for the purpose of determining whether Nova Scotia securities laws are being complied with. Compliance reviews are one of the main tools we use to ensure that registered firms are meeting their regulatory requirements. Compliance reviews are also useful for registrants to use as a learning opportunity to assist them in evaluating their compliance processes and understand where improvements can be made.
Visit Registration Information and Forms for more information.