Earlier this week, the Bank of Canada and securities regulators in Alberta, Quebec, B.C., Manitoba and Ontario released a list of Canadian central counterparties that can be considered qualifying central counterparties (QCCP) under the applicable Basel standard.

Specifically, the Basel standard defines a QCCP as

...an entity that is licensed to operate as a CCP (including a license granted by way of confirming an exemption), and is permitted by the appropriate regulator/overseer to operate as such with respect to the products offered. This is subject to the provision that the CCP is based and prudentially supervised in a jurisdiction where the relevant regulator/overseer has established, and publicly indicated that it applies to the CCP on an ongoing basis, domestic rules and regulations that are consistent with the CPSS-IOSCO Principles for Financial Market Infrastructures (PFMIs).

In Canada, CDS Clearing and Depository Services Inc., Canadian Derivatives Clearing Corporation, ICE Clear Canada, Inc., and Natural Gas Exchange Inc. have been designated or recognized by at least one of the regulators above.

For more information, see CSA Multilateral Staff Notice 24-311.

The content of this article is intended to provide a general guide to the subject matter. Specialist advice should be sought about your specific circumstances.