If the certifying officers identify a weakness relating to the design or operation of DC&P that is significant existing as at the period-end date, the certifying officers could not conclude that the issuer’s DC&P is effective. Certifying officers may not qualify their assessment by stating that the issuer’s DC&P is effective subject to certain qualifications or exceptions unless the qualification pertains to one of the permitted scope limitations available in section 3.3 of the Instrument. A certifying officer could not conclude that the issuer’s DC&P is effective if there is a deficiency, or combination of deficiencies, in DC&P such that there is a reasonable possibility that the issuer will not disclose material information required to be disclosed under securities legislation, within the time periods specified in securities legislation.
As required by paragraph 6(a) in Form 52-109F1, the certifying officers must ensure the issuer has disclosed in its annual MD&A the certifying officers’ conclusions about the effectiveness of DC&P. The MD&A disclosure about the effectiveness of DC&P will be useful to investors if it discusses any identified weaknesses that are significant, whether the issuer has committed, or will commit, to a plan to remediate the identified weaknesses, and whether there are any mitigating procedures that reduce the risks that have not been addressed as a result of the identified weaknesses.