The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) has published for comment its 2018-2019 Draft Statement of Priorities, which includes 14 priority areas that the OSC plans to focus on next fiscal year.

"We are pursuing an ambitious regulatory agenda that is responsive to our evolving capital markets," said Maureen Jensen, Chair and CEO of the OSC. "We will continue to support fintech innovation, advance measures to better protect investors, and initiate projects to lighten the regulatory load for businesses."

Embedded commissions

The OSC says it will continue “to foster new ways to raise capital and invest, while focusing on potential investor protection issues arising from cryptocurrency and blockchain-related developments.” The regulator says it intends to advance key investor protection measures, “including publishing reforms that address the best interests of the client, and defining actions on embedded commissions.”

The Draft Statement of Priorities is available on the OSC's website. Stakeholders are invited to provide written comments on the draft by May 28, 2018.

"We look forward to receiving comments on this draft and will publish our final Statement of Priorities in June," said Leslie Byberg, Executive Director and CAO of the OSC.