Late last month, the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) announced that it was undertaking a consultation process in regards to the practice of tied selling among commercial lenders. The announcement follows a request by Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalv that the OSC undertake analysis on the subject following concerns identified by the Capital Markets Modernization Taskforce last year.

According to the OSC, its consultation will include engaging with stakeholders, including dealers, issuers and investors, with submissions being accepted until January 10, 2022. The OSC intends to report its findings and potential recommendations to the Minister by February 28, 2022.

For more information, see OSC Staff Notice 33-753 OSC Consultation on Tied Selling and other Anti-Competitive Practices in Capital Markets.