Until Jan. 12, 2026, stakeholders can provide their written input regarding the Ontario Securities Commission’s (OSC) proposed statement of priorities for fiscal year 2026–27, including its planned initiatives in support of its 2024–30 strategic plan, published in May 2024.
“The rapidly evolving global political and economic environment underscores the need for the OSC to demonstrate agility, timely and strategic responsiveness, and a sharpened focus on competitiveness,” said Grant Vingoe, the OSC’s chief executive officer, in a news release.
The OSC’s strategic plan outlines the long-term direction of its work, while the statement of priorities explores important areas the OSC plans to bring into focus in the near future.
“The OSC has already undertaken measures to support businesses at all stages across the capital markets continuum,” Vingoe said in the OSC’s news release. “We will continue to identify opportunities to further support capital formation and enhance competitiveness, while maintaining investor protections.”
The OSC stated that it will review the submissions received, incorporate any necessary revisions into the final priorities, and include this final version in its business plan, scheduled for publication in Spring 2026.
Key priorities
A staff notice listed the OSC’s proposed priorities for 2026–27 and welcomed comments from interested stakeholders on its plans.
To swiftly deliver effective regulatory actions in anticipation of emerging trends, the OSC plans to:
- Build on its cross-disciplinary approach to artificial intelligence (AI)
- Devote efforts centred on crypto asset trading platforms (CTPs)
- Study the opportunities, risks, and possible consequences of quantum computing on capital markets
- Respond to the rising use of social media and other platforms to engage retail investors
To improve individual investor experience, the OSC intends to:
- Offer opportunities for investors to seek redress
- Develop and adapt new and existing programs to address individual investor challenges
- Examine sales practices among bank-affiliated mutual fund dealers and assess their impacts on the behaviour of mutual fund dealing representatives and investors
- Apply behavioural science across both policy and non-policy areas
To dynamically adapt regulation to shifting needs, risks, and practices in the province and worldwide, the OSC proposes the following priorities, among others:
- Harmonize prospectus exemptions among jurisdictions
- Enhance efficiency in internal processes
- Secure and explore agreements with jurisdictions outside North America
- Monitoring the proposed implementation of the semi-annual reporting pilot project published on Oct. 23
To adopt a tougher and more visible response to capital markets misconduct, the OSC plans to:
- Respond to warning signs and possible disruptions that threaten investors
- Sharpen its focus on online investment fraud or scams
- Create new and expand existing domestic and international relationships with fellow regulators and law enforcement agencies
- Adopt new and optimize existing technologies relevant to its enforcement mandate
To foster conditions for capital formation and innovation in public and private markets alike, the OSC intends to prioritize the following, among others:
- Utilize regulatory testing via the OSC TestLab to drive innovation and capital formation
- Raise awareness and promote participation in consultations, pilots, and experiments aimed at improving access to capital
- Issue recommendations about how to address financing gaps along the public-private continuum
- Publish proposed harmonized rules for comment to determine whether there is a need to codify the four coordinated blanket orders, published last April/May, to help companies go public and maintain a Canadian listing
To establish itself as a trusted and influential voice within the Canadian capital markets, the OSC proposes to:
- Enhance information-sharing and collaboration with Canada’s federal authorities
- Strive to strengthen its voice within the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO)