Supreme Court to rule on securities regulator
The chase by Marty Cej:
Our top story today is the Supreme Court of Canada's decision on whether the government can proceed with plans to create a single securities regulator for the country. The plan, which has scandalized regional regulators in Alberta and Quebec (a single regulator? Next thing you know people will be allowed to marry their pets!!), would establish the Canadian Securities Regulatory Authority (CSRA), targeted to begin operations by the end of 2013. The push for a national regulator gained significant momentum with the financial crisis but the debate began decades ago. The Feds argue that a single regulator will provide more consistent protection for investors across Canada, improve regulator and criminal enforcement, create new tools to support the stability of the Canadian financial system, faster policy response, simpler and cheaper processes for businesses and investors and more effective international representation and influence for Canada. Canada remains the only country in the G7 without a single regulator. The provincial holdouts' argument goes something like this: That's what you say.
Today's decision will affect companies, institutions, investors, traders and analysts at home and abroad. A decision that allows the government to proceed will put into motion a process that will bring Canada into line with global standards but will also cause great consternation and worry for many people working at regional regulators now. Will regional expertise be sacrificed in the transition? Is regional expertise of any value in the first place? What will the next steps be for the holdouts in the event of a ruling in the government's favour? And what would the government's next steps be if the court rules against? The decision comes down at 9:45 a.m. ET. Our analysis begins with the Street.
Among our guests on this key Canadian story today are Tom Hockin, Executive Director for the IMF representing Canada; Ermanno Pascutto, Executive Director of FAIR Canada and Ian Russell, Executive Director of the Investment Industry Association of Canada. We are also expecting to hear from Finance Minister Jim Flaherty after the decision.
Today also sees the unveiling of BNN's Newsmaker of the Year. Beginning at 11:00 a.m. ET, we'll count down the stories that mattered most to Canadian investors to No. 1. What were the biggest deals? The biggest blunders? The boldest coups? The toughest calls and flimsiest strategies?
Speaking of strategy, Thomson Reuters said a few moments ago that it has suspended its attempt to sell its healthcare business. The company put the unit up for sale back in June, but says the "global economic conditions have become more challenging and the company believes they are not conducive to concluding a transaction that reflects the fair value of the Healthcare business at this time." This is a big important company that is in turmoil and struggling to find its feet again after a period of remarkable internal upheaval.
Yahoo will be a stock to watch amid speculation the company is poised to sell a big chunk of its holding in Alibaba Group.