Survey Related to Capital Accumulation Plans

The purpose of this notice is to request that you participate in an important survey being conducted by the Joint Forum of Financial Market Regulators (Joint Forum) related to Capital Accumulation Plans (CAPs).

The Joint Forum is comprised of pensions, insurance and securities regulators across Canada. CAPs include defined contribution registered pension plans, group RRSPs, and deferred profit sharing plans.

Note: your participation in this survey is voluntary and anonymous.

On May 28, 2004, the Joint Forum released Guidelines for Capital Accumulation Plans. The objectives of the guidelines were to:

• Outline and clarify the responsibilities of CAP sponsors, service providers and CAP members;
• Ensure that CAP members have the information and assistance they need to make investment decisions in a CAP; and
• Ensure that there is similar regulatory result for all CAP products and services, regardless of the regulatory regime that applies to them.

The Joint Forum is now conducting a review to assess to what extent the guidelines have been successful in achieving their original objectives and to determine whether any changes are required to the guidelines.

This survey is part of that review. We are seeking your assistance and support by completing the survey. Please read the instructions (PDF: 13k), then choose either the English or French version of the suvey for completion.

The deadline to complete the survey is February 15, 2008.

To ensure anonymity of responses, no identifiers of any kind (i.e. name of person, company, etc.) are being asked.

If you encounter difficulties in completing the survey or if you have any questions, please contact the Joint Forum Secretariat at jointforum@fsco.gov.on.ca.