In this article – “Progressive changes in a historic year for capital markets activity” – we review such factors as the continuing push to modernize Canadian securities regulation and reduce regulatory burdens; the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on issuers and investors; the significant interest in ESG from the investment community and from securities regulatory authorities; the adoption of a nationally harmonized process for the confidential pre-filing and review of prospectuses; the announcement of a new, single self-regulatory organization; efforts made to make capital raising more efficient for small and mid-sized companies;  the Canadian Securities Administrators’ proposed mandatory climate-related disclosure requirements; and the proposed new Capital Markets Act by the Ontario government.

This article is authored by James Brown, Rosalind Hunter, Michael Innes, Desmond Lee, Amelia Miao, François Paradis, Trevor Scott and Andrea Whyte, partners with Osler’s Corporate team.

Legal Year in Review is brought to you by Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP. Osler is a leading, national law firm with a singular focus – your business. We advise clients on an array of domestic and cross-border legal issues, drawing on the expertise of over 450 lawyers to provide the answers you need, when you need them.

Our Legal Year in Review, published December 7, 2021, provides general information only and does not constitute legal or other professional advice. Specific advice should be sought in connection with your circumstances.

For more information about Osler, please visit our website at osler.com. For the full Legal Year in Review, please visit www.legalyearinreview.ca.