2.1 Investment Objective and Strategies
Disclose under the heading “Investment Objective and Strategies” a brief summary of the fundamental investment objective and strategies of the investment fund.
INSTRUCTION:
Disclosing the fundamental investment objective provides investors with a reference point for assessing the information contained in the MRFP. It must be a concise summary of the fundamental investment objective and strategies of the investment fund, and not merely copied from the prospectus.
2.2 Risk
Disclose under the heading “Risk” a discussion of how changes to the investment fund over the financial year affected the overall level of risk associated with an investment in the investment fund.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Ensure that the discussion is not merely a repeat of information contained in the prospectus of the investment fund, but rather a discussion that reflects any changes in risk level of the investment fund over the financial year.
Consider how the changes in the risks associated with an investment in the investment fund affect the suitability or investor risk tolerance stated in the prospectus or offering document. All investment funds should refer to Items 9 and 10 of Part B of Form 81-101F1 as if those sections applied to them.
2.3 Results of Operations
(1) Under the heading “Results of Operations” provide a summary of the results of operations of the investment fund for the financial year to which the MDFP pertains, including a discussion of
(a) any material changes in investments in specific portfolio assets and overall asset mix from the previous period;
(b) how the composition and changes to the composition of the investment portfolio relate to the investment fund’s fundamental investment objective and strategies or to changes in the economy, markets or unusual events;
(c) unusual trends in redemptions or sales and the effect of these on the investment fund;
(d) significant components and changes to the components of revenue and expenses;
(e) risks, events, trends and commitments that had a material effect on past performance; and
(f) unusual or infrequent events or transactions, economic changes and market conditions that affected performance.
(2) An investment fund that borrows money, other than immaterial operating overdrafts, must disclose,
(a) the minimum and maximum amount borrowed during the period;
(b) the percentage of net assets of the investment fund that the borrowing represented as of the end of the period;
(c) how the borrowed money was used; and
(d) the terms of the borrowing arrangements.
(3) An investment fund that uses leverage must disclose
(a) a brief explanation of the sources of leverage, including cash borrowing, short selling or use of specified derivatives, used during the reporting period,
(b) the lowest and highest levels of aggregate exposure to those sources of leverage in the period, and
(c) a brief explanation of the significance of the lowest and highest levels of aggregate exposure to those sources of leverage to the investment fund, including the impact of the use of specified derivatives for hedging purposes.
INSTRUCTIONS:
(1) Explain the nature of and reasons for changes in the investment fund’s performance. Do not only disclose the amount of change in a financial statement item from period to period. Avoid the use of boilerplate wording. Your discussion must be prepared in a manner that will assist a reasonable reader to understand the significant factors that have affected the investment fund’s performance.
(2) For the purposes of the disclosure required in Item 2.3 (3) (b), an investment fund must calculate its aggregate exposure to sources of leverage in accordance with section 2.9.1 of National Instrument 81-102 Investment Funds.
(3) In discussing the impact of the use of specified derivatives for hedging purposes on the investment fund’s calculation of its aggregate exposure to sources of leverage, the fund must discuss by how much the aggregate exposure was reduced by subtracting the notional value of the fund’s specified derivatives positions that are hedging transactions as is contemplated in paragraph 2.9.1 (2) (c) of National Instrument 81-102 Investment Funds.
2.4 Recent Developments
Under the heading “Recent Developments” discuss the developments affecting the investment fund, including
(a) known changes to the strategic position of the investment fund;
(b) known material trends, commitments, events or uncertainties that might reasonably be expected to affect the investment fund;
(c) changes to the manager or portfolio adviser, or change of control of the manager, of the investment fund;
(d) the effects of any actual or planned reorganizations, mergers or similar transactions;
(e) the estimated effects of changes in accounting policies adopted subsequent to year end; and
(f) changes to the composition or members of the independent review committee of the investment fund.
INSTRUCTIONS:
(1) Preparing the management discussion necessarily involves some degree of prediction or projection. The discussion must describe anticipated events, decisions, circumstances, opportunities and risks that management considers reasonably likely to materially impact performance. It must also describe management’s vision, strategy and targets.
(2) There is no requirement to provide forward-looking information. If any forward-looking information is provided, it must contain a statement that the information is forward-looking, a description of the factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information, your material assumptions and appropriate risk disclosure and cautionary language. You must also discuss any forward-looking information disclosed for a prior period which, in light of intervening events and absent further explanations, may be misleading.
2.5 Related Party Transactions
Under the heading “Related Party Transactions” discuss any transactions involving related parties to the investment fund.
INSTRUCTIONS:
(1) In determining who is a related party, investment funds should look to the Handbook. In addition, related parties include the manager and portfolio adviser (or their affiliates) and a broker or dealer related to any of the investment fund, its manager or portfolio adviser.
(2) When discussing related party transactions, include the identity of the related party, the relationship to the investment fund, the purpose of the transaction, the measurement basis used to determine the recorded amount and any ongoing commitments to the related party.
(3) Related party transactions include portfolio transactions with related parties of the investment fund. When discussing these transactions, include the dollar amount of commission, spread or any other fee that the investment fund paid to any related party in connection with a portfolio transaction.
(4) If the investment fund has an independent review committee, state whether the investment fund has relied on the positive recommendation or approval of the independent review committee to proceed with the transaction, and provide details of any conditions or parameters surrounding the transaction imposed by the independent review committee in its positive recommendation or approval.