Representatives of seven governments, seven industry associations and several listed companies, Canadian universities and think tanks comprise some of the more than 130 delegates attending a symposium on the future of Canada’s regulatory framework at the Sheraton Centre in Toronto.

In opening today’s symposium, Toronto Stock Exchange CEO Barbara Stymiest said she looked forward to spirited debate and discussion of the issue, “This symposium is about identifying solutions, in our own experience and the experiences of others, and getting them out on the table. It is not about deciding among solutions. Deciding on the solution is for others — for those silent, watching governments.”

Today’s panel discussions are focusing on issues surrounding harmonization or nationalization of securities regulation, as leading academics and industry leaders from Canada, the United States, Europe and Australia share their experience with invited delegates. It is hoped that this debate will provide valuable insight about the direction the country takes on this issue.

The issue of whether to create a single regulatory body in Canada has been the subject of heated debate amongst the media, regulators and corporate Canada recently. Under the current system, companies seeking to list in Canada could be forced to register with as many as 13 separate provincial and territorial regulators at considerable expense and time for them.

This event, hosted by the Capital Markets Institute, in association with the Toronto Stock Exchange, is the first of a national symposium series focused on Canadian capital markets and is part of the new Canadian Foundation for Investor Education created by the Toronto Stock Exchange.