Ms. Brenda Leong reports

BCSC TAKES ON DIRECT OVERSIGHT OF CANADIAN SECURITIES EXCHANGE

The B.C. Securities Commission (BCSC) will join the Ontario Securities Commission in overseeing the Canadian Securities Exchange, bringing the BCSC's venture market focus to regulation of an exchange dominated by British Columbia-based, early-stage companies.

The CSE has grown in the past few years, driven largely by cannabis listings, and now has about 500 companies trading shares on its platform. With the legalization of cannabis in Canada and in some U.S. states, CSE market capitalization has risen dramatically in the last two years.

"The B.C. Securities Commission brings extensive knowledge and experience to the public venture markets by virtue of its long history regulating the junior mining sector and overseeing the TSX Venture Exchange with the Alberta Securities Commission," commented Brenda Leong, the BCSC's chair and chief executive officer. "We believe we can add significant value to supporting venture financing on CSE and managing issues unique to early-stage companies."

"We look forward to collaborating with the Ontario Securities Commission to oversee the CSE," commented Peter Brady, the BCSC's executive director.

"The Canadian Securities Exchange is home to a large number of public companies domiciled in British Columbia," commented Richard Carleton, chief executive officer of the CSE. "We will continue to work closely with our colleagues from the British Columbia Securities Commission to enhance our collective investor protection efforts and access to capital for B.C.-based entrepreneurs."

About the B.C. Securities Commission

The BCSC is the independent provincial government agency responsible for regulating capital markets in British Columbia through the administration of the Securities Act. Its mission is to protect and promote the public interest by fostering:

• A securities market that is fair and warrants public confidence;
• A dynamic and competitive securities industry that provides investment opportunities and access to capital.