TITLE: British Columbia Securities Commission Updates Annual Information Form Disclosure Requirements for Mutual Funds
BODY:
On April 22, 2026, the British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC) published an updated consolidation of Form 81-101F2 Contents of Annual Information Form, which sets out disclosure requirements for mutual funds under National Instrument 81-101 Mutual Fund Prospectus Disclosure.
The updated form establishes comprehensive disclosure standards across 24 items, covering mutual fund formation, investment restrictions, securities descriptions, valuation methods, net asset value calculations, purchase and redemption procedures, fund governance, fees, tax considerations, and material contracts. Key requirements include detailed disclosure of fund operations, including management arrangements, portfolio adviser responsibilities, brokerage practices, custodian relationships, and independent review committee mandates. The form requires mutual funds to disclose conflicts of interest, principal security holders, affiliated entities, and governance policies relating to derivatives trading, securities lending, and proxy voting procedures.
The updated consolidation introduces enhanced governance disclosure requirements, including detailed information on risk management policies for derivatives and securities lending transactions, short-term trading deterrence procedures, and proxy voting records. Mutual funds must also disclose management fee structures, remuneration of directors and trustees, and any exemptions or approvals obtained under applicable national instruments. The form permits flexibility in presentation format, allowing mutual funds to use tables, bullet points, and other organizational techniques to enhance readability while requiring plain language disclosure.
The form applies to all mutual funds offering securities in British Columbia and requires certificates from the mutual fund, manager, promoters, and principal distributor confirming full and accurate disclosure of material facts.
REFERENCES:
British Columbia Securities Commission. (2026). Form 81-101F2 Contents of Annual Information Form. Retrieved from https://www.bcsc.bc.ca