Briefly:

(August 6, 2008) The Ontario Securities Commission has appointed Michael Watson, Q.C., as special advisor, capital markets enforcement, to the RCMP’s Integrated Market Enforcement program.

Appointing such an expert to IMET was a key recommendation of a report penned by Nick Le Pan, titled Enhancing Integrated Market Enforcement Teams, Achieving Results in Fighting Capital Markets Crime, released on October 25, 2007.

“The RCMP and OSC have an important and ongoing collaborative relationship. Mike’s appointment to the position of special advisor furthers that collaboration,” said OSC chair David Wilson. “His skills and experience in capital market enforcement and criminal prosecution will enhance the IMET and provide it with valuable insight and perspective.”

Michael Watson was appointed director of enforcement of the OSC in 1999, having worked as director of enforcement and executive director of the British Columbia Securities Commission.

Prior to that, he practised criminal law for almost 20 years, including a 10-year stint as counsel to the Alberta Attorney General.

Executive director Peggy Dowdall-Logie will oversee the activities of the OSC enforcement branch until Watson’s permanent successor is named.

Barclays to split iShares units

(August 6, 2008) In an effort to make its exchange-traded funds more accessible, Barclays Global Investors Canada has revealed the split ratio for several of its iShares offerings. The impending split was previously announced on July 16.

The iShares CDN S&P/TSX Capped Energy Index Fund, CDN S&P/TSX Global Gold Index Fund, CDN S&P/TSX Capped Composite Index Fund, CDN S&P/TSX 60 Index Fund and CDN S&P/TSX Completion Index Fund will all be split on a four-to-one basis.

The iShares CDN S&P/TSX Capped Financials Index Fund and CDN S&P/TSX Capped Materials Index Fund will be split on a two-to-one basis.

The splits will be effective on August 8, 2008, and require no action on behalf of unitholders.

(08/06/08)

Staff

The staff of Advisor.ca have been covering news for financial advisors since 1998.