Search Results for “do companies have to disclose climate targets?”

Q: do companies have to disclose climate targets?

A: The requirement for companies to disclose climate targets varies by jurisdiction and specific regulations: 1. **UK (Companies Act 2006)**: Companies that fall under certain categories and meet specific conditions, such as having more than 500 employees, are required to provide climate-related financial disclosures in their strategic report. This includes disclosing climate-related targets if they are part of the company's strategy. 2. **Canada (Proposed National Instrument 51-107)**: Companies must disclose the metrics and targets used to assess and manage climate-related risks and opportunities if such information is material. They must also disclose their performance against these targets. 3. **US (SEC Proposed Climate-Related Disclosure Rules, Regulation S-K, Item 1506)**: If a registrant has set climate-related targets or goals, they must disclose these targets or goals, including details such as the scope of activities, the unit of measurement, the time horizon, the baseline period, interim targets, and the strategy to meet these targets. They must also update this disclosure annually. In summary, while not all companies are universally required to disclose climate targets, those that have set such targets or fall under specific regulatory frameworks must provide detailed disclosures.

(This note is not part of the Regulations.)

These Regulations require certain companies to provide climate-related financial disclosures in their strategic report.

The requirement applies to a traded company, a banking company, an authorised insurance company and a company carrying on insurance business which in each case satisfy various conditions, including that of having more than 500 employees.

The companies are listed in section 414CA(1) of the Companies Act 2006 and the requirement for more than 500 employees is set out in section 414CA(4) as applied by section 414CA(1B).

In addition, these Regulations require two further types of company, with more than 500 employees, to make climate-related financial disclosures. These are a company which has securities admitted to trading on the Alternative Investment Market and a high turnover company which is a company which does not fall within another category but which has a turnover of more than £500 million (see regulation 3).

Proposed Companion Policy 51-107CP Disclosure of Climate-Related Matters

Part 2 TCFD Recommendations

Section 2

TCFD Recommendations

(1) The disclosure requirements of the Instrument are set out in Form 51-107A and Form 51-107B and, subject to certain modifications, are consistent with the recommendations (the “TCFD recommendations”) developed by the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (the “TCFD”) and published in their report entitled Recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures dated June 2017 (the “TCFD Final Report”)

[Lexata note: the TCFD’s 2021 document Implementing the Recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures supercedes the 2017 equivalent implementation document].

Notably, the Instrument does not require issuers to disclose a scenario analysis, which is the TCFD recommended disclosure that describes the resilience of an issuer’s strategy, taking into consideration different climate-related scenarios. In addition, issuers may elect to not provide the TCFD recommended disclosure respecting greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions and their related risks, provided they instead disclose their reasons for not including this disclosure. [FN 1]

FN 1 As an alternative, the CSA is also consulting on requiring issuers to disclose Scope 1 GHG emissions. Under this alternative, disclosure of Scope 2 and Scope 3 GHG emissions would not be mandatory. Issuers would have to disclose either their Scope 2 and 3 GHG emissions and the related risks or the issuer”s reasons for not disclosing this information.

(2) The TCFD recommendations are summarized in Figure 4 of Section C of the TCFD Final Report and are reproduced in Table 1 below. Table 1 also illustrates the modifications to the TCFD recommended disclosures required by the Instrument:

Table 1: TCFD Recommendations and disclosure required by the Instrument

TCFD Recommendations	TCFD Recommended Disclosures	Disclosure required by the Instrument
Governance Disclose the organization’s governance around climate-related risks and opportunities.	a) Describe the board’s oversight of climate-related risks and opportunities. b) Describe management’s role in assessing and managing climate-related risks and opportunities.	a) Same as TCFD Recommended Disclosures. b) Same as TCFD Recommended Disclosures.
Strategy Disclose the actual and potential impacts of climate-related risks and opportunities on the organization’s businesses, strategy, and financial planning where such information is material.	a) Describe the climate-related risks and opportunities the organization has identified over the short, medium, and long term. b) Describe the impact of climate-related risks and opportunities on the organization’s businesses, strategy, and financial planning. c) Describe the resilience of the organization’s strategy, taking into consideration different climate-related scenarios, including a 2°C or lower scenario.	a) Same as TCFD Recommended Disclosures. b) Same as TCFD Recommended Disclosures. c) Not required.
Risk management Disclose how the organization identifies, assesses, and manages climate-related risks.	a) Describe the organization’s processes for identifying and assessing climate-related risks. b) Describe the organization’s processes for managing climate-related risks. c) Describe how processes for identifying, assessing, and managing climate-related risks are integrated into the organization’s overall risk management.	a) Same as TCFD Recommended Disclosures. b) Same as TCFD Recommended Disclosures. c) Same as TCFD Recommended
Metrics and targets Disclose the metrics and targets used to assess and manage relevant climate-related risks and opportunities where such information is material.	a) Disclose the metrics used by the organization to assess climate-related risks and opportunities in line with its strategy and risk management process. b) Disclose Scope 1, Scope 2, and, if appropriate, Scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and the related risks. c) Describe the targets used by the organization to manage climate-related risks and opportunities and performance against targets.	a) Same as TCFD Recommended Disclosures. b) Not mandatory. An issuer must disclose its GHG emissions and the related risks or the issuer’s reasons for not disclosing this information. c) Same as TCFD Recommended Disclosures.

(3) Consistent with the TCFD recommendations and with disclosure requirements respecting corporate governance matters under National Instrument 58-101 Disclosure of Corporate Governance Practices, the disclosure required by the Instrument relating to the TCFD recommendation “Governance” and “Risk management” in Table 1 above are not subject to a materiality assessment. Accordingly, issuers must provide this disclosure in the applicable continuous disclosure document as required by the Instrument.

Disclosure under the headings “Strategy” and “Metrics and targets” is only required where such information is material. Information is likely material if a reasonable investor’s decision whether to buy, sell or hold securities in an issuer would likely be influenced or changed if the information in question was omitted or misstated.

An issuer must disclose its GHG emissions and the related risks or the issuer’s reasons for not disclosing this information. As an alternative, the CSA is also consulting on requiring issuers to disclose Scope 1 GHG emissions either a) when that information is material, or b) in all cases. Under this alternative, disclosure of Scope 2 and Scope 3 GHG emissions would not be mandatory. Issuers would have to disclose either their Scope 2 and 3 GHG emissions and the related risks, or the issuer’s reasons for not disclosing this information. If necessary, the final form of Policy will be modified to reflect the alternative chosen.

UK Climate Disclosure Rules

Companies Act 2006

Part 15 Accounts and reports

Chapter 4A Strategic Report

Section 414CB(A1)

Contents of non-financial and sustainability information statement

The non-financial and sustainability information statement must contain the climate-related financial disclosures of the company.

UK Climate Disclosure Rules

Companies Act 2006

Part 15 Accounts and reports

Chapter 4A Strategic Report

Section 414CB(4A)

Contents of non-financial and sustainability information statement – Exception from Disclosure Requirement

Where the directors of a company reasonably believe that, having regard to the nature of the company’s business, and the manner in which it is carried on, the whole or a part of a climate-related financial disclosure required by subsection (2A)(e), (f), (g) or (h) is not necessary for an understanding of the company’s business, the directors may omit the whole or (as the case requires) the relevant part of that climate-related financial disclosure.

Part 15 Accounts and reports

Chapter 4A Strategic Report

UK Climate Disclosure Rules

Companies Act 2006

Section 414CB(4B)

Contents of non-financial and sustainability information statement – Explanation of Omission

Where the directors omit the whole or part of a climate-related financial disclosure in reliance on subsection (4A) the non-financial and sustainability information statement must provide a clear and reasoned explanation of the directors’ reasonable belief mentioned in that subsection.

Form 51-107B Climate-Related Strategy, Risk Management and Metrics and Targets Disclosure (Proposed)

Item 4

GHG Emissions

(a) Disclose:

(i) the issuer’s Scope 1 GHG emissions and the related risks, or the issuer’s reasons for not disclosing this information,

(ii) the issuer’s Scope 2 GHG emissions and the related risks, or the issuer’s reasons for not disclosing this information, and

(iii) the issuer’s Scope 3 GHG emissions and the related risks, or the issuer’s reasons for not disclosing this information.*

(b) disclose the reporting standard used by the issuer to calculate and disclose the GHG emissions referred to in (a).

(c) If the reporting standard referred to in (b) is not the GHG Protocol, disclose how the reporting standard used by the issuer is comparable with the GHG Protocol.

As an alternative, the CSA is also consulting on requiring issuers to disclose Scope 1 GHG emissions either a) when that information is material, or b) in all cases. Under this alternative, disclosure of Scope 2 and Scope 3 GHG emissions would not be mandatory. Issuers would have to disclose either their Scope 2 and 3 GHG emissions and the related risks, or the issuer’s reasons for not disclosing this information. Text reflecting this alternative disclosure requirement for Scope 1 GHG emissions in all cases is set out below.

GHG Emissions

(a) Disclose:

(i) the issuer’s Scope 1 GHG emissions and the related risks,

(ii) the issuer’s Scope 2 GHG emissions and the related risks, or the issuer’s reasons for not disclosing this information, and

(iii) the issuer’s Scope 3 GHG emissions and the related risks, or the issuer’s reasons for not disclosing this information.

(b) disclose the reporting standard used by the issuer to calculate and disclose the GHG emissions referred to in (a).

(c) If the reporting standard referred to in (b) is not the GHG Protocol, disclose how the reporting standard used by the issuer is comparable with the GHG Protocol.

* Lexata note: the disclosures required under (a)(i)-(iii) above are similar to the Recommendations of the Task-Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures (TCFD). The main difference is that, under the TCFD recommendations, companies do not have the option of explaining their reasons for not disclosing emissions as a substitute for actually disclosing emissions.

Part 15 Accounts and reports

Chapter 4A Strategic Report

UK Climate Disclosure Rules

Companies Act 2006

Section 414CB(2A)

Contents of non-financial and sustainability information statement – Meaning of “climate-related financial disclosures”

In this section, “climate-related financial disclosures” mean

(a) a description of the company’s governance arrangements in relation to assessing and managing climate-related risks and opportunities;

(b) a description of how the company identifies, assesses, and manages climate-related risks and opportunities;

(c) a description of how processes for identifying, assessing, and managing climate-related risks are integrated into the company’s overall risk management process;

(d) a description of

(i) the principal climate-related risks and opportunities arising in connection with the company’s operations, and

(ii) the time periods by reference to which those risks and opportunities are assessed;

(e) a description of the actual and potential impacts of the principal climate-related risks and opportunities on the company’s business model and strategy;

(f) an analysis of the resilience of the company’s business model and strategy, taking into consideration different climate-related scenarios;

(g) a description of the targets used by the company to manage climate-related risks and to realise climate-related opportunities and of performance against those targets; and

(h) a description of the key performance indicators used to assess progress against targets used to manage climate-related risks and realise climate-related opportunities and of the calculations on which those key performance indicators are based.

Proposed Companion Policy 51-107CP Disclosure of Climate-Related Matters

Part 2 TCFD Recommendations

Section 5

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Disclosure

(1) Item 4(a) of Form 51-107B requires an issuer to disclose each of its Scope 1, Scope 2 and Scope 3 GHG emissions or explain why it has not done so. Accordingly, where an issuer has disclosed its Scope 1 and Scope 2 GHG emissions but has elected to not disclose its Scope 3 GHG emissions, the issuer would be required to disclose its reasons for not providing its Scope 3 GHG emissions. Where an issuer has elected to not disclose any GHG emissions, the issuer may provide its reasons for not doing so in respect of GHG emissions as a whole, as opposed to a separate explanation for each scope.

(2) Certain issuers are already required to disclose GHG emissions under existing reporting programs, including for example, on a per facility basis under the federal Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program. The securities regulatory authorities expect issuers that are subject to an existing GHG emissions reporting program to disclose Scope 1 GHG emissions under the Instrument. However, should they elect to not disclose Scope 1 GHG emissions under the Instrument, they should clearly explain their election in light of such pre-existing reporting obligations.

(3) Subsection 4(2) of the Instrument requires an issuer to use a GHG emissions reporting standard to calculate and report its GHG emissions. A GHG emissions reporting standard is the GHG Protocol, or a reporting standard for calculating and reporting GHG emissions if it is comparable with the GHG Protocol. Accordingly, pursuant to item 4(c) of Form 51-107B, issuers who disclose GHG emissions using a reporting standard that is not the GHG Protocol must disclose how such standard is comparable with the GHG Protocol.

(4) Form 51-107B permits an issuer to incorporate GHG disclosure by reference to another document. If doing so, the issuer must clearly identify the reference document or any excerpt of it that the issuer incorporates into the disclosure provided under Item 4 of Form 51-107B. Unless the issuer has already filed the reference document or excerpt under its SEDAR profile, the issuer must file it at the same time as it files the document containing the disclosure required under Form 51-107B.

National Policy 51-201 Disclosure Standards

Part VI Best Disclosure Practices

Section 6.1

General

(1) There are some practical measures that companies can adopt to help ensure good disclosure practices. The consistent application of “best practices” in the disclosure of material information will enhance a company’s credibility with analysts and investors, contribute to the fairness and efficiency of the capital markets and investor confidence in those markets, and minimize the risk of non-compliance with securities legislation.

(2) The measures recommended in this policy statement are not intended to be prescriptive. We recognize that many large listed companies have specialist investor relations staff and devote considerable resources to disclosure, while in smaller companies this is often just one of the many roles of senior officers. We encourage companies to adopt the measures suggested in this policy statement, but they should be implemented flexibly and sensibly to fit the situation of each individual company.

National Policy 51-201 Disclosure Standards

Part IV Materiality

Section 4.4

External Political, Economic and Social Developments

Companies are not generally required to interpret the impact of external political, economic and social developments on their affairs. However, if an external development will have or has had a direct effect on the business and affairs of a company that is both material and uncharacteristic of the effect generally experienced by other companies engaged in the same business or industry, the company is urged to explain, where practical, the particular impact on them. For example, a change in government policy that affects most companies in a particular industry does not require an announcement, but if it affects only one or a few companies in a material way, such companies should make an announcement.

National Policy 51-201 Disclosure Standards

Part V Risks Associated With Certain Disclosures

Section 5.5

Selective Disclosure Violations Can Occur in a Variety of Settings

Selective disclosure most often occurs in one-on-one discussions (like analyst meetings) and in industry conferences and other types of private meetings and break-out sessions. But it can occur elsewhere. For example, a company should not disclose material nonpublic information at its annual shareholders meeting unless all interested members of the public may attend the meeting and the company has given adequate public notice of the meeting (including a description of what will be discussed at the meeting). Alternatively, a company can issue a news release at or before the time of the meeting.

National Policy 51-201 Disclosure Standards

Part III Overview of the Statutory Prohibitions Against Selective Disclosure

Section 3.5

Generally Disclosed

(1) The tipping prohibition does not require a company to release all material information to the marketplace. [FN 20] Instead, it prohibits a company from disclosing nonpublic material information to anyone (other than in the “necessary course of business”) before the company generally discloses the information to the marketplace.

(2) Securities legislation does not define the term “generally disclosed”. Insider trading court decisions state that information has been generally disclosed if:

(a) the information has been disseminated in a manner calculated to effectively reach the marketplace; and

(b) public investors have been given a reasonable amount of time to analyze the information. [FN 21]

(3) Except for “material changes,” which must be disclosed by news release, securities legislation does not generally require a particular method of disclosure to satisfy the “generally disclosed” requirement. In determining whether material information has been generally disclosed, we will consider all of the relevant facts and circumstances, including the company’s traditional practices for publicly disclosing information and how broadly investors and the investment community follow the company. We recognize that the effectiveness of disclosure methods varies between companies. Whatever disclosure method is used to release information, we encourage consistency in a company’s disclosure practices. [FN 22]

(4) Companies may satisfy the “generally disclosed” requirement by using one or a combination of the following disclosure methods:

(a) News releases distributed through a widely circulated news or wire service. [FN 23]

(b) Announcements made through press conferences or conference calls that interested members of the public may attend or listen to either in person, by telephone, or by other electronic transmission (including the Internet). A company needs to provide the public with appropriate notice of the conference or call by news release.[FN 24] The notice should include the date and time of the conference or call, a general description of what is to be discussed, and the means of accessing the conference or call. [FN 25] The notice should also indicate for how long the company will make a transcript or replay of the call available over its Web site.

(5) We recognize that many companies prefer news release disclosure as the safest means of satisfying the “generally disclosed” requirement. In section 6.6 of the Policy, we recommend as a “best practice” a disclosure model centred around news release disclosure of material information, followed by an open and accessible conference call to discuss the information contained in the news release. However, we believe that alternative methods may also be appropriate. We believe it is important to preserve for companies the flexibility to develop a disclosure model that suits their circumstances and disseminates material information in the manner best calculated to effectively reach the marketplace.

(6) Posting information to a company’s Web site will not, by itself, be likely to satisfy the “generally disclosed” requirement. Investors’ access to the Internet is not yet sufficiently widespread such that a Web site posting alone would be a means of dissemination “calculated to effectively reach the marketplace.” Further, effective dissemination involves the “pushing out” of information into the marketplace. Notwithstanding the ability of some issuers’ Web sites to alert interested parties to new postings, Web sites by and large do not push information out into the marketplace. Instead, investors would be required to seek out this information from a company’s Web site. Active and effective dissemination of information is central to satisfying the “generally disclosed” requirement.

(7) We support the use of technology in the disclosure process and believe that companies’ Web sites can be an important and useful tool in improving communications to the marketplace. As technology evolves and as more investors gain access to the Internet, it may be that postings to certain companies’ Web sites alone could satisfy the “generally disclosed” requirement. At such time, we will revisit this policy statement and reconsider the guidance provided on this issue. In the meantime, we strongly encourage companies to utilize their Web sites to improve investor access to corporate information. [FN 26]

FN 20 See, however, section 2.1 regarding an issuer’s timely disclosure obligations.

FN 21 Green v. Charterhouse Group Can. Ltd. (1976), 12 O.R. (2d) 280. In the Matter of Harold P. Connor et al. (1976) Volume II OSCB 149. Existing case law does not establish a firm rule as to what would be a reasonable amount of time for investors to be given to analyze information. The time period will depend on a number of factors including the circumstances in which the event arises, the nature and complexity of the information, the nature of the market for the company’s securities, and the manner used to release the information. We recognize that the case law is dated in this respect and that, if the courts were to revisit these decisions today, they may not find the time parameters set out in the decisions appropriate for modern technology.

FN 22 A sudden change from the usual method of generally disclosing material information may attract regulatory attention in certain circumstances; for example, a last minute webcast of poor quarterly results without advance notice when positive quarterly results are generally released in advance of a subsequently scheduled discussion of the results.

FN 23 We encourage companies to file their news releases on SEDAR. Filing a news release on SEDAR alone will not constitute “general disclosure”.

FN 24 This is based on guidance provided by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) in the adopting release to Regulation FD.

FN 25 This might include a Web site link to any software that is necessary to access the webcast.

FN 26 See also The Toronto Stock Exchange’s Electronic Communications Disclosure Guidelines.

Companion Policy 51-102CP Continuous Disclosure Obligations

Part 1 Introduction and Definitions

Section 1.3

Corporate Law Requirements

Reporting issuers are reminded that they may be subject to requirements of corporate law that address matters similar to those addressed by the Instrument, and which may impose additional or more onerous requirements. For example, applicable corporate law may require the delivery of annual financial statements to shareholders or may require the board of directors to approve interim financial reports.

National Policy 51-201 Disclosure Standards

Part III Overview of the Statutory Prohibitions Against Selective Disclosure

Section 3.6

Unintentional Disclosure

Securities legislation does not provide a safe harbour which allows companies to correct an unintentional selective disclosure of material information. If a company makes an unintentional selective disclosure it should take immediate steps to ensure that a full public announcement is made. This includes contacting the relevant stock exchange and requesting that trading be halted pending the issuance of a news release. Pending the public release of the material information, the company should also tell those parties who have knowledge of the information that the information is material and that it has not been generally disclosed.

Part 15 Accounts and reports

Chapter 4A Strategic Report

UK Climate Disclosure Rules

Companies Act 2006

Section 414CA(A1)

Non-financial and sustainability information statement

A strategic report of a company to which this subsection applies must include a non-financial and sustainability information statement.

National Policy 51-201 Disclosure Standards

Part VI Best Disclosure Practices

Section 6.3

Overseeing and Coordinating Disclosure

Establish a committee of company personnel or assign a senior officer to be responsible for:

(a) developing and implementing your disclosure policy;

(b) monitoring the effectiveness of and compliance with your disclosure policy;

(d) reviewing and authorizing disclosure (including electronic, written and oral disclosure) in advance of its public release; and

(e) monitoring your Web site.

Companion Policy 51-102CP Continuous Disclosure Obligations

Part 5 MD&A

Section 5.1

Delivery of MD&A

Reporting issuers are not required to send a request form to their securityholders under Part 5 of the Instrument. This is because the request form that must be delivered under section 4.6 of the Instrument relates to both a reporting issuer’s financial statements, and the MD&A applicable to those financial statements.

National Policy 51-201 Disclosure Standards

Part VI Best Disclosure Practices

Section 6.2

Establishing a Corporate Disclosure Policy

(1) Establish a written corporate disclosure policy. A disclosure policy gives you a process for disclosure and promotes an understanding of legal requirements among your directors, officers and employees. The process of creating it is itself a benefit, because it forces a critical examination of your current disclosure practices.

(2) You should design a policy that is practical to implement. Your policy should be reviewed and approved by your board of directors and widely distributed to your officers and employees. Directors, officers and those employees who are, or may be, involved in making disclosure decisions should also be trained so that they understand and can apply the disclosure policy. Your policy should be periodically reviewed and updated, as necessary, and responsibility for these functions (i.e., review and update of the policy and education of appropriate employees and company officials) should be clearly assigned within your company.

(3) The focus of your disclosure policy should be on promoting consistent disclosure practices aimed at informative, timely and broadly disseminated disclosure of material information to the market. Every disclosure policy should generally include the following:

(a) how to decide what information is material;

(b) policy on reviewing analyst reports;

(d) how to conduct meetings with investors and the media;

(e) what to say or not to say at industry conferences;

(f) how to use electronic media and the corporate Web site;

(g) policy on the use of forecasts and other forward-looking information (including a policy regarding issuing updates);

(h) procedures for reviewing briefings and discussions with analysts, institutional investors and other market professionals;

(i) how to deal with unintentional selective disclosures;

(j) how to respond to market rumours;

(k) policy on trading restrictions; and

(l) policy on “quiet periods”.

National Policy 51-201 Disclosure Standards

Part VI Best Disclosure Practices

Section 6.6

Recommended Disclosure Model

(1) You should consider using the following disclosure model when making a planned disclosure of material corporate information, such as a scheduled earnings release:

(a) issue a news release containing the information (for example, your quarterly financial results) through a widely circulated news or wire service;

(b) provide advance public notice by news release of the date and time of a conference call to discuss the information, the subject matter of the call and the means for accessing it;

(c) hold the conference call in an open manner, permitting investors and others to listen either by telephone or through Internet webcasting; and

(d) provide dial-in and/or web replay or make transcripts of the call available for a reasonable period of time after the analyst conference call. [FN 42]

(2) The combination of news release disclosure of the material information and an open and accessible conference call to subsequently discuss the information should help to ensure that the information is disseminated in a manner calculated to effectively reach the marketplace and minimize the risk of an inadvertent selective disclosure during the follow-up call.

FN 42 This model disclosure policy was recommended by the SEC in the adopting release to Regulation FD.

Companion Policy 51-102CP Continuous Disclosure Obligations

Part 4A Forward-Looking Information

Section 4A.6

Disclosure of Material Factors or Assumptions

Paragraph 4A.3(c) of the Instrument requires a reporting issuer to disclose the material factors or assumptions used to develop material forward-looking information. The factors or assumptions should be relevant to the forward-looking information. Disclosure of material factors or assumptions does not require an exhaustive statement of every factor or assumption applied – a materiality standard applies.

National Policy 51-201 Disclosure Standards

Part I Introduction

Section 1.1

Purpose

(1) It is fundamental that everyone investing in securities have equal access to information that may affect their investment decisions. The Canadian Securities Administrators (“the CSA” or “We”) are concerned about the selective disclosure of material corporate information by companies to analysts, institutional investors, investment dealers and other market professionals. Selective disclosure occurs when a company discloses material nonpublic information to one or more individuals or companies and not broadly to the investing public. Selective disclosure can create opportunities for insider trading and also undermines retail investors’ confidence in the marketplace as a level playing field.

(2) This policy provides guidance on “best disclosure” practices in a difficult area involving competing business pressures and legislative requirements. Our recommendations are not intended to be prescriptive. We encourage companies to adopt the suggested measures, but they should be implemented flexibly and sensibly to fit the situation of individual companies.

(3) The timely disclosure requirements and prohibitions against selective disclosure are substantially similar everywhere in Canada, but there are differences among the provinces and territories, so companies should carefully review the legislation which is applicable to them for the details.

National Policy 51-201 Disclosure Standards

Part II Timely Disclosure

Section 2.1

Timely Disclosure

(1) Companies are required by law to immediately disclose a “material change” [FN 1] in their business. For changes that a company initiates, the change occurs once the decision has been made to implement it. This may happen even before a company’s directors approve it, if the company thinks it is probable they will do so. A company discloses a material change by issuing and filing a press release describing the change. A company must also file a material change report as soon as practicable, and no later than 10 days after the change occurs. This policy statement does not alter in any way the timely disclosure obligations of companies.

(2) Announcements of material changes should be factual and balanced. Unfavourable news must be disclosed just as promptly and completely as favourable news. Companies that disclose positive news but withhold negative news could find their disclosure practices subject to scrutiny by securities regulators. A company’s press release should contain enough detail to enable the media and investors to understand the substance and importance of the change it is disclosing. Avoid including unnecessary details, exaggerated reports or promotional commentary.

FN 1 Securities legislation defines the term material change as “a change in the business, operations or capital of the issuer that would reasonably be expected to have a significant effect on the market price or value of any of the securities of the issuer and includes a decision to implement such a change made by the board of directors of the issuer by senior management of the issuer who believe that confirmation of the decision by the board of directors is probable”. The Québec Securities Act does not define the term “material change” and provides that “where a material change occurs that is likely to have a significant influence on the value or the market price of the securities of a reporting issuer and is not generally known, the reporting issuer shall immediately prepare and distribute a press release disclosing the substance of the change”. See also Pezim v. British Columbia (Superintendent of Brokers), [1994] 2 S.C.R. 557, where the Supreme Court held that a change in assay and drilling results was a material change in the company’s assets.