CNSX-listed securities now automatically eligible for Retirement Savings Plans and Tax-free Savings Accounts

TORONTO – January 13, 2009 – CNSX Markets Inc. today announced that the Canadian National Stock Exchange has been added to the list of Designated Stock Exchanges, allowing securities listed on CNSX to automatically be eligible for Registered Retirement Savings Plans and Tax-free Savings Accounts.

The designation, made by The Honourable Jim Flaherty, P.C., M.P., Minister of Finance, came into effect on January 1, 2009, under section 262 of the Income Tax Act (Canada), R.S.C. 1985 ch. 1 (5th Supp.). CNSX is the first stock exchange to achieve this designation since the new criteria and process were announced in July 2008. Accordingly, CNSX will be added to the list of designated exchanges posted on the Department of Finance website.

“This designation levels the playing field among stock exchanges in Canada and means that CNSX is competitive in all respects, including allowing investors the ability to buy and hold CNSX-listed securities in their RRSPs and their TFSAs, just as they do with other securities. Along with CNSX’s listing cost advantages and streamlined regulatory model, this will encourage more companies to choose to list on CNSX,” said Rob Cook, President of CNSX.

By virtue of being so designated by the Minister of Finance in Canada, CNSX has also become a “recognised stock exchange” in the United Kingdom (UK) under the Income Tax Act 2007 (UK). This will make CNSX more attractive as a listing venue for Eurobonds and other debt products issued in the UK and will make CNSX listed securities more attractive for investors using some forms of tax-advantaged savings accounts in the UK.

CNSX Markets is recognized as a stock exchange by the Ontario Securities Commission. CNSX competes for listings and trading with the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) and the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSX-V”) by offering lower fees for listed companies and innovative continuous disclosure features designed to minimize regulatory costs while improving the quality of information available to investors. CNSX joins TSX and TSXV on the list of designated exchanges and is equivalent for RRSP-eligibility. CNSX recently announced it is offering listed companies a steep discount to switch to CNSX. Until March 31, 2009, companies that switch from another exchange will pay just $2,000 rather than the usual initial listing fee of $10,000.

For more information, please contact

CNSX Markets Inc.



Rob Cook - President
T: (416) 572-2000 x 2470
E: [email protected]



Or



Richard Smith – Listings Manager, Vancouver
T: (604) 331-1213 x 227
E: [email protected]

Or visit our website: www.cnsx.ca





For more information on CNSX listing requirements, please also feel free to contact our listing department directly: [email protected]


For more information about recognized stock exchange status in the UK, please see the following website: http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/fid/rse.htm.