The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) is the statutory body responsible for regulating Ontario’s capital markets in accordance with the mandate established in the provincial Securities Act and the Commodity Futures Act. The mandate of the OSC is to provide protection to investors from unfair, improper or fraudulent practices, to foster fair, efficient and competitive capital markets and confidence in the capital markets, to foster capital formation, and to contribute to the stability of the financial system and the reduction of systemic risk. This mandate is performed through policy, operational, and enforcement activities. The OSC also contributes to national and global securities regulation development.
We offer a diverse, fair, and flexible work environment and take pride in our challenging and rewarding work.
12 to 18 month Fixed Term Contract
Reporting to the Head of Growth Markets and Innovation Capital in the Office of Economic Growth and Innovation (OEGI), the Legal Counsel will draw upon legal and/or operational experience to advance the OSC’s mandate to foster fair, efficient and competitive capital markets and capital formation, and Goal 5 of the OSC Strategic Plan: to foster conditions for capital formation and innovation in both public and private markets. The Legal Counsel will work with innovative businesses navigating the OSC’s regulatory framework, help design and deliver tests of new products, services and regulatory approaches, and contribute legal and policy analysis to OEGI’s research and stakeholder engagement on access to capital and the competitiveness of Ontario’s capital markets.
This role requires a high level of intellectual curiosity about emerging areas within capital markets and the growth economy, as well as a willingness to continually learn and apply legal, business and analytical expertise to find practical solutions to the regulatory challenges facing novel business models and growth companies. It is an excellent opportunity for someone looking for creative, challenging, and innovative work in the securities industry.
What you will be doing:
Supporting Innovative Businesses and New Entrants through OSC LaunchPad and OSC TestLab
- Engage with businesses submitting requests for support through OSC LaunchPad, ensuring appropriate review of applications and determining appropriate next steps, including analyzing regulatory frameworks to ensure that appropriate investor protections and safeguards are considered at all stages.
- Collaborate with businesses to understand their products, services and business models, and consult with subject matter experts in other OSC branches (e.g., Corporate Finance, Trading and Markets, Investment Management, and Registration, Inspections and Examinations), as needed, to identify solutions and potential risks, taking into consideration the mandate of the Commission and external business needs.
- Conduct legal analysis of novel issues and recommend opportunities to support responsible innovation and new market entrants, including through testing, exemptive relief, time-limited registration and other flexible regulatory approaches, balancing business needs with regulatory objectives and investor protection.
- Support the design, delivery and evaluation of OSC TestLab tests, including initiatives that support early-stage capital raising, and assist in drafting related orders, decision documents, guidance and reporting.
- Support the development of guidance and education on the OSC’s regulatory environment, policies and practices, so that new businesses, investors and their advisors understand how to navigate prospectus, registration, compliance and marketplace requirements.
Policy, Research and Committees
- Support and, in some cases, lead the development and execution of policy initiatives that address capital-raising challenges along the private–public continuum, providing legal expertise and advice, managing project deliverables and timelines, resolving issues, and preparing briefing notes and status reports as required.
- Contribute legal and regulatory analysis to OEGI research on growth sectors, financing gaps, capital flows and equity markets, including comparisons with regulatory approaches in other jurisdictions, and help translate research findings into options for consultations, pilots, exemptions or rule changes.
- Keep abreast of, and inform team members, management and executives of, recent developments and emerging trends (domestically and internationally) that may impact Ontario’s capital markets, including identifying potential policy initiatives while ensuring investors are protected.
- With other team members, serve as an OSC representative on the CSA Financial Innovation Hub (CSA FinHub), including working groups, national testing initiatives and related research projects.
- Advocate for OSC views and work with other team members to negotiate effectively with the CSA, government and stakeholders and reach a resolution on contentious issues.
Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management
- Develop strong collaborative relationships across Ontario’s innovation and growth ecosystem, including early- and growth-stage founders and executives, angel investors and angel groups, venture and growth capital investors, innovation hubs, incubators and accelerators, industry and trade groups, lawyers and other professional advisors, academics and government, and provide guidance on securities regulation and its impact on business model development and capital raising.
- Support OEGI outreach, events, and consultations to gather stakeholder perspectives, raise awareness and adoption of OSC pilots and initiatives, and bring those insights into OSC policymaking.
• Develop relationships with stakeholders across the organization, including other OSC staff and management, to understand activities and concerns, provide advice and guidance, collaborate on files, and identify opportunities to challenge established approaches and practices.
What you need to succeed:
· Post-graduate education in Law and LLB/JD designation in Canada.
· Member in good standing of the Law Society of Ontario.
· Minimum 5 years post-call to the Bar with experience gained in a law firm and/or regulatory role within the securities industry, including significant in-depth experience in securities regulation.
· Keen interest in emerging developments within capital markets and the growth economy, access to capital for early- and growth-stage businesses, and how technology and new business models can provide solutions for businesses and investors.
· Operational experience in a start-up or other innovative business, or experience advising early- and growth-stage companies or their investors, would be a strong asset.
· Strong research and analytical skills, including comfort working with data and evidence to support legal and policy analysis.
· Strong project management, strategic thinking and critical thinking skills.
· A demonstrated ability to make sound, practical business recommendations.
· Commitment to building positive working relationships and engaging with internal and external stakeholders.
· Excellent ability to communicate (verbal and written) ideas clearly and concisely, including when delivering presentations and responding to questions.
· Self-motivated individual who can work in an agile team environment with minimal direction, prioritize multiple projects, assist others, and perform at a high level under pressure.
