For Immediate Release
June 2, 2011

MSC Provides Guidance in the Event of the Disruption of Mail Service

Winnipeg - Manitoba securities and real estate law contains various requirements in respect of filing of documents with the Manitoba Securities Commission and delivery of documents to securityholders.  The following is the Commission's position relating to these requirements during a postal strike and pending such a strike.

FILING WITH THE COMMISSION OTHER THAN BY SEDAR, SEDI, NRD, ROLS

All people and companies required to file material with the Commission should make the required filings by delivery or fax unless the filing is required to be made through SEDAR, SEDI, or NRD.  Relevant MSC fax numbers are provided below.  Deliveries should be made to 500-400 St. Mary Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 4K5.

The Commission notes that a mail strike will not impact on those filings required to be made through SEDAR, SEDI ,NRD and Real Estate On-line Renewals (ROLS).

AVAILABILITY OF FINANCIAL REPORTS, OFFERING DOCUMENTS, PROXY SOLICITATION MATERIALS AND BID CIRCULARS

       Financial reports: The Commission is prepared to provide an exemption to reporting issuers from the requirement to send financial statements and related disclosure to securityholders during a disruption in mail service upon certain conditions being met. The details of this exemptive relief can be found in Commission Order 6338.

       Offering documents, proxy solicitation materials, bid circulars: Issuers and other affected people and companies should consult with their service providers as to alternate delivery options and their legal advisers in order to determine how best to comply with their obligations.

Interested members of the public should be aware that the above documents are generally available on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.

REGISTRANT FILINGS, APPLICATIONS, FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND CONFIRMATIONS OF TRADE

Registrants must make reasonable efforts to meet their obligations to their clients with respect to confirmation of trades and the delivery of other client documentation.

Applications for registration, financial information and other information required to be filed by the registrant should be delivered or faxed to the Commission.

APPLICATIONS FOR EXEMPTIVE RELIEF FROM DELIVERY OBLIGATIONS

Applications for relief from the requirements for delivery of documents, other than financial reports ,  to securityholders and other parties as may be required by Manitoba securities law may be necessary.  In cases where relief is urgently needed, the Commission will attempt to deal with such applications as quickly as possible.

Market participants may also refer to the guidance in National Policy 11-201 Delivery of Documents by Electronic Means.

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If you have any questions or require exemptive relief please contact:


Corporate Finance
Bob Bouchard, Director – Corporate Finance 204-945-2555
bob.bouchard@gov.mb.ca

Legal and Take-Over
Chris Besko – Deputy Director – Legal
204-945-2561
chris.besko@gov.mb.ca

Compliance and Registrant Regulation
Isilda Tavares – Deputy Director/Registration Officer 
204-945-2560
Isilda.tavares@gov.mb.ca

Compliance and Registrant Regulation
Paula White, Senior Compliance Officer
204-945-5195
paula.white@gov.mb.ca

Real Estate
Bill Baluk, Registrar
204-945-2528
bill.baluk@gov.mb.ca

 

For Media Inquiries:        
Ainsley Cunningham
Manager, Education & Communications
204-945-4733

For Investor Inquiries:
Bob Bouchard
Director – Corporate Finance                 
204-945-2555
Toll Free:  1-800-655-5244