OSC publishes 2020 Corporate Finance Branch Report
Nov 19, 2020
On November 19, 2020, the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) published its annual Corporate Finance Branch Report, an important resource to help issuers and their advisors comply with their reporting obligations. Due to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the report also provides issuers with guidance on additional considerations related to the impact of COVID-19.
The report provides issuers with guidance on trends and issues identified during compliance reviews. Key areas of focus in fiscal 2020 included MD&A disclosure, mining technical reports, the use of non-GAAP financial measures, forward-looking information and executive compensation. The report also outlines the Branch’s operational and policy work.
In addition, the report provides an update on the progress made on reducing burden for issuers, a key focus for the OSC. To date, eight of the 13 burden reduction recommendations for issuers have been completed and many of the remaining recommendations are on target for their estimated completion date. Key recommendations completed in 2020 include a program that allows issuers to file an entire prospectus confidentially for staff review and the adoption of a pre-filing review for mining reporting issuers seeking staff views on certain technical disclosure documents.
Review the press release and OSC Staff Notice 51-731 Corporate Finance Branch 2020 Annual Report on the OSC's website.
