The Securities Commission has granted Manulife Investment Management Limited (MIML) an exemption from subsection 5.1(a) of National Instrument 81-105 Mutual Fund Sales Practices. This exemption allows MIML to cover the direct costs incurred by participating dealers for sales communications, conferences, or seminars that primarily provide educational information on financial planning. The exemption is conditional upon MIML’s adherence to subsections 5.1(b) through (e) of NI 81-105, not requiring dealers to sell specific funds or products, not offering incentives for fund recommendations, and ensuring that educational content is general and not advisory in nature. The materials must also clearly state their informational purpose and indicate the types of professionals qualified to give advice on the topics presented. This decision aims to enhance investor access to educational information on financial planning, which can inform their investment decisions involving mutual funds.
