The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) is encouraging interested or affected parties to engage with and comment on the recently published draft version of its inaugural action plan for truth and reconciliation (APTR).
In developing the APTR, the securities regulator seeks to ensure that the province’s capital markets are inviting, thriving, and secure for everybody involved, said a news release from the OSC.
According to information from the OSC’s website, its preliminary vision for truth and reconciliation entails:
- building a culturally aware and safe and inclusive workforce that shows the diversity of Ontario’s Indigenous peoples and communities
- collaborate with the province’s Indigenous individuals and communities, investors, market participants, and partners to promote an inclusive culture and investor confidence for everyone’s benefit
The OSC listed the following pillars for its commitments to its vision for truth and reconciliation:
- governance and leadership
- people and employment
- education and awareness
- community and economic engagement
- regulatory and policy work
In 2022, the OSC commenced its efforts to respond to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s calls to action 57 and 92.
The OSC researched and reached out to Ontario’s Indigenous communities, organizations, Indigenous-led market participants, and Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals well-versed with the capital markets. The OSC edited its draft APTR based on the insights obtained.
“The OSC is committed to pursuing truth and reconciliation and in supporting equitable access to the capital markets by, with and for Indigenous Peoples in Ontario,” said Grant Vingoe, chief executive officer of the OSC, in the news release.
Feedback sought
In its news release, the OSC said it is seeking feedback and response letters from the province’s rightsholders, Indigenous organizations, market participants, regulators, investors, and investor advocates, among others, ideally by Oct. 31. However, the OSC assured that it would remain receptive to ongoing engagement beyond that date.
“We look forward to engaging with and receiving feedback that we will consider when we publish our inaugural Action Plan for Truth and Reconciliation,” Vingoe said in the OSC’s news release.
According to the OSC, those interested or impacted can share their insights regarding the draft APTR via:
- a meeting with the OSC’s staff, requested by email to [email protected]
- a written response letter, submitted electronically using the same email address
- a roundtable discussion session, with the session dates and registration information available on the OSC’s website
- the final province-wide roundtable discussion session on Oct. 21