Guidance on suitability
An investment fund must include, in its Fund Facts or ETF Facts, as applicable, a brief statement of the suitability of the fund for particular investors, including describing the characteristics of the investor for whom the fund may or may not be an appropriate investment, and the portfolios for which the fund is and is not suited.16 If the fund is particularly suitable for investors who have particular investment objectives, this can be disclosed.17
Similar to fund names, investment objectives, and fund types, in order to avoid greenwashing, the suitability statement should accurately reflect the extent of the fund’s focus on ESG as well as the particular aspect(s) of ESG that the fund is focused on, but only if applicable.
Where appropriate, an ESG Objective Fund may state that it is particularly suitable for investors who have ESG-related investment objectives or who are interested in ESG-focused investments. However, if the fund is only focused on a particular aspect of ESG, such as gender diversity in leadership or the reduction of carbon emissions, staff’s view is that any suitability statement that indicates that the fund is particularly suitable for investors who have ESG-related investment objectives should accurately reflect the particular aspect(s) of ESG that the fund is focused on.
Staff’s view is that a fund that is not an ESG Objective Fund should not reference ESG in its suitability statement, as such a statement may inaccurately suggest that the fund has an ESG-related focus.
16 Item 7(1) of Part I of Form 81-101F3; Item 7 of Part I of Form 41-101F4.
17Instruction to Item 7 of Part I of Form 81-101F3; Instruction (1) to Item 7 of Part I of Form 41-101F4.