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The Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) today published final rule amendments which set out requirements for IIROC Dealer Members to disclose that they are regulated by IIROC and link their websites directly to IIROC's searchable database of advisors working for these firms.
The new IIROC Membership Disclosure Policy is designed to raise public awareness about which investment firms and individuals are regulated by IIROC, and the requirements and ethical and professional standards to which they must adhere. Investors will also be able to check if the firm or individual has been disciplined by IIROC.
"As a public interest regulator, we believe these rule changes will help investors have a better understanding of the regulatory environment and what is expected of IIROC-regulated firms and their representatives," saidWendy Rudd, IIROC Senior Vice President, Member Regulation and Strategic Initiatives.
Effective January 1, 2017, under IIROC's requirements, dealer members must:
- display the IIROC logo at each business location to which the public has access
- distribute the IIROC official brochure, in print or electronic format, to new retail clients at account opening and existing retail clients upon request
- include the IIROC logo and a link to the IIROC website on the home page of their websites
- when providing services to retail investors, include a link and clearly visible reference to IIROC's online advisor check database (IIROC AdvisorReport) on their website homepage and on any other Dealer Member webpage that includes a profile of an IIROC-regulated investment advisor.
Effective July 1, 2018, investment firms must include the IIROC logo on all client account statements.
"In requiring investment firms to more prominently disclose how they are regulated, we hope investors will learn more about the high standards that must be met and the protections that are in place for investors dealing with IIROC-regulated firms and their advisors," said Lucy Becker, Vice President of Public Affairs and Member Education Services.
