Category: SEC Rulemaking

Capital Markets / SEC Rulemaking / Securities

EDGAR Next – Changes to Filer Access and Account Management

On September 27, 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) approved substantial updates to the EDGAR system’s login, password, and access protocols that will affect Canadian SEC reporting companies and other individuals and entities with EDGAR filing codes including Section 16 filers. (referred to as “EDGAR Next”). Compliance with the new EDGAR Next protocols will be mandatory for new filers starting March 24, 2025, while existing filers must comply from September 15, 2025. Filers have until December 19, 2025, to enroll in the EDGAR Next system. More information is available here.  

Natural Resources / SEC Rulemaking

SEC Staff Provides Welcome Guidance to Resource Extraction Issuers

As discussed in our January 10, 2024 webinar, new SEC rules require resource extraction issuers that file reports with the SEC to file a Form SD within 270 days after each fiscal year end to report their payments to the U.S. federal government and foreign governments. An issuer’s initial filing deadline in 2024 will therefore depend upon its fiscal year end, with reports from many companies already due, and others’ deadlines fast approaching. For an issuer with a December 31 fiscal year end, the Form SD will be due no later than September 26, 2024. In informal discussions, the SEC’s staff has provided our firm with welcome guidance on a number of related...

Corporate / SEC Rulemaking

Canadian CPCs, SPACs, and Shells Should Be Careful to Avoid U.S. Investment Company Status

On January 24, 2024, the SEC issued new guidance on when a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) may run afoul of the U.S. Investment Company Act (the Act).  While this guidance was directed at SPACs that register or file reports with the SEC, it is also instructive for other types of shell companies, including Canadian capital pool companies, SPACs, and similar shell companies that do not file reports with the SEC. Why Care About the U.S. Investment Company Act? If a Canadian issuer is deemed to be an investment company that has failed to register under the Act, it is prohibited from engaging in any business in the U.S. or offering or selling...

Capital Markets / SEC Rulemaking / Securities

The SEC Amends Policy on Economic Projections, and Issues Final Rules and Additional Guidance for SPACs and Shell Companies

As discussed in our eUpdate published today, the SEC on January 24, 2024 adopted final rules amending the disclosure and registration requirements applicable to special purpose acquisition companies (SPACs) and shell companies that register or file reports with the SEC. These amendments impose significant new requirements on SPAC IPOs, as well as de-SPAC and similar transactions for SEC reporting shell companies. The new SEC rules do not apply to Canadian capital pool companies, SPACs, or shell companies unless they register or file reports with the SEC. As part of the final rule package, the SEC also amended its guidance for all SEC reporting companies on how to make economic projections in SEC filings,...

SEC Rulemaking / Securities

SEC Amends Schedule 13D/G Requirements

On October 10, 2023, the Securities and Exchange Commission approved amendments to the Regulation 13D-G reporting regime for persons who beneficially own more than 5% of a class of securities (“5% Owners”) that is registered under Section 12 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.  The amendments accelerate the deadlines by which 5% Owners must file initial reports and amendments on Schedule 13D or 13G, mandate the use of machine-readable language in those reports, and provide for additional amendments and guidance.  The amendments apply to 5% Owners of all Section 12 registered securities, including 5% Owners of Canadian foreign private issuers and MJDS filers listed on Nasdaq, the New York...

SEC Rulemaking

New SEC Cybersecurity Disclosure Rules

Canadian issuers that are reporting issuers with the Securities and Exchange Commission should be aware of new rules that impose disclosure requirements regarding cybersecurity risk management, strategy, governance and incidents. The new rules have two basic components.   First, certain issuers will have new disclosure requirements regarding the registrant’s processes and policies for cybersecurity risk management, strategy and governance.  These disclosures (which we refer to as “risk management disclosures”) will be required in the registrant’s annual report. The new risk management disclosures apply to nearly all domestic SEC reporting issuers (including Canadian issuers that report on domestic forms) and those foreign private issuers that report on Form 20-F. Second, in the event of a material...

Corporate / SEC Rulemaking

Canadian Companies Listed on the NYSE, NYSE American, or Nasdaq Must Adopt Updated Clawback Policies by December 1, 2023

As discussed in our Governance & Compliance Insider blog and a recent Dorsey eUpdate, all companies with securities listed on NYSE, NYSE American, or Nasdaq will be required to adopt and comply with updated clawback policies governing the recovery of erroneously awarded compensation by December 1, 2023, pursuant to rules proposed by each stock exchange and approved by the SEC under Section 954 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010.  The new clawback requirements will apply to substantially all listed companies, including foreign private issuers and Canadian MJDS filers.

SEC Rulemaking

Implications of SEC Amendment to Insider Trading Safe Harbor for Canadian Issuers

On December 14, 2022, the SEC adopted final rules amending Rule 10b5-1, a safe harbor from liability under the U.S. insider trading rules.  The safe harbor permits directors, executive officers and others, including issuers, to engage in securities transactions while in possession of material non-public information, by entering into a binding contract, instruction or plan adopted prior to effecting the transaction and at a time when the seller or buyer was not in possession of material non-public information about the issuer. The new rules include a number of measures intended to limit certain potentially abusive strategies permitted under the old rules and certain new disclosure requirements intended to enhance investors’ understanding of the...

Capital Markets / SEC Rulemaking / Securities

New NASDAQ Board Diversity Disclosure Rules

As discussed in more detail here, on August 6, 2021, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) approved NASDAQ Rules 5605(f) and 5606, which require each NASDAQ listed company (subject to certain narrow exceptions) to (i) publicly disclose, to the extent permitted by applicable law, information on the voluntary self disclosed gender, racial characteristics and LGBTQ+ status of the issuer’s board members, and (ii) have at least two “diverse” board members or explain why it does not have two diverse members meeting the applicable requirements. Issuers with five or fewer board members are required only to have one “diverse” board member. Canadian issuers that are NASDAQ listed are subject to the...

Capital Markets / SEC Rulemaking

Revised Definition of an “Accredited Investor”

Effective December 8, 2020, the SEC’s definition of an “accredited investor” that is eligible to purchase securities in a private placement will be expanded to cover additional categories of investors, including investment advisers, individuals with certain professional certifications, and certain family offices, Indian tribes, governmental bodies, LLCs, funds and others.  For more details, click here. To take advantage of the new, broader definition, Canadian issuers should reach out to their U.S. counsel to update their applicable subscription agreement and other investment forms.