The Ontario Securities Commission granted Forge First Asset Management Inc. (the Filer) an exemption from subsection 5.1(a) of National Instrument 81-105 Mutual Fund Sales Practices (NI 81-105). This exemption allows the Filer to cover direct costs for participating dealers related to sales communications, investor conferences, or seminars that primarily provide educational information on financial planning. The exemption is subject to conditions ensuring compliance with other subsections of NI 81-105, no sales requirements for the Filer’s funds, no additional incentives for recommending the funds, and the provision of only general educational information without specific advice. The materials must be prepared or approved by the Filer, and the content must clearly state its informational purpose and indicate the types of professionals qualified to give advice on the topics presented. This decision facilitates investor access to financial planning education, potentially aiding their financial decision-making involving mutual funds.
