The Ontario Securities Commission, AMF and MSC have now released notices reminding derivatives market participants of the imminent requirement to identify counterparties to a transaction by a Legal Entity Identifier (LEI). The OSC further advises that "non-reporting counterparties should provide all relevant information to reporting counterparties under OSC Rule 91-507, including their LEI, to assist reporting counterparties in complying with their obligations". The obligations in Quebec and Manitoba are similar.
As we've recently discussed, trade reporting rules in Ontario Manitoba and Quebec will require reporting beginning October 31. The requirement to identify counterparties by an LEI will apply to all transactions for which the reporting counterparty is a derivatives dealer or recognized or exempt clearing agency.
The OSC, AMF and MSC also state that reporting counterparties faced with legal barriers to reporting counterparty-identifying information in their jurisdiction should apply for exemptive relief. Meanwhile, while derivatives market participants may face operation challenges not related to legal impediments to obtaining counterparty LEIs by October 31, the notices advise that best efforts should be used to obtain counterparty LEIs as soon as possible.
The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.
