2021-10-07
The securities regulator amends Regulation 81-102 to update the conditions under which an investment fund may reorganize or transfer assets to another fund. The changes refine the requirements for the target fund to have substantially similar investment objectives and fee structures, while mandating specific disclosure in circulars if differences exist or if the transaction lacks tax-deferred status. These amendments come into force on January 5, 2022, with a delayed effective date for Saskatchewan if filed after that date.
REGULATION TO AMEND REGULATION 81-102 RESPECTING INVESTMENT FUNDS Securities Act (chapter V-1.1, s. 331.1, par. (1), (8) and (16))
(iii) the other investment fund is not in default of any requirement of securities legislation; (iv) the other investment fund is a reporting issuer in the local jurisdiction and, if it is a mutual fund, has a current prospectus in the local jurisdiction;”; (2) by replacing subparagraph (b) with the following: “(b) either of the following apply: (i) the transaction is a “qualifying exchange” within the meaning of section 132.2 of the ITA or is a tax-deferred transaction under subsection 85(1), 85.1(1), 86(1) or 87(1) of the ITA; (ii) if the transaction is not a “qualifying exchange” within the meaning of section 132.2 of the ITA or a tax-deferred transaction under subsection 85(1), 85.1(1), 86(1) or 87(1) of the ITA, the following apply: (A) the manager reasonably believes that the transaction is in the best interests of the investment fund despite the tax treatment of the transaction; (B) the circular referred to in subparagraph (f)(i) (I) discloses that the transaction is not a “qualifying exchange” within the meaning of section 132.2 of the ITA or a tax-deferred transaction under subsection 85(1), 85.1(1), 86(1) or 87(1) of the ITA, (II) discloses the reason why the transaction is not structured so that subparagraph (i) applies, and (III) explains why the manager is of the belief that the transaction is in the best interests of the investment fund despite the tax treatment of the transaction;”. 3. Effective Date (1) This Regulation comes into force on 5 January 2022. (2) In Saskatchewan, despite paragraph (1), if this Regulation is filed with the Registrar of Regulations after 5 January 2022, this Regulation comes into force on the day on which it is filed with the Registrar of Regulations.