FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS, RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES 

This MD&A, in particular the sections under the headings Strategy and Outlook, Changes to Listing Fees for 2006 and Toronto Stock Exchange – Interlisted trading and pricing changes contains forward-looking statements, which are not historical facts but are based on certain assumptions and reflect our current expectations. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. Some of the risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations are those set out below. 

We have in place an integrated risk management process in which the Board assumes overall stewardship responsibility for risk; the Finance & Audit Committee of the Board assesses the adequacy of risk management policies and procedures; and Senior Management oversees implementation of risk management policies and processes. The management framework supporting the risk management objectives includes regular assessments of principal risks, and implementation of risk management tactics, which are monitored and adjusted as required. 

Our business, financial condition, or operating results could be materially adversely affected if any of these risks and uncertainties were to materialize, and if we were unsuccessful in mitigation any of these risks. Additional risk factors are discussed in our materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities in Canada from time to time, including our most recent Annual Information Form. Given these risks and uncertainties, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as a prediction of actual results. 

We Face Competition from Other Exchanges, ATSs, New Technologies and Other Sources
We face competition from other exchanges as well as from ATSs, Electronic Communication Networks (ECNs) and the OTC market. This competition may intensify in the near future, especially as technological advances create pressure to develop more efficient and less costly trading in global or regional markets. If we cannot maintain and enhance our ability to compete or respond to competitive threats, it will have an adverse impact on our results of operations.

Other Exchanges
We face increased competition for business from other exchanges, especially those in the United States as they consolidate, and investing becomes more global. We face competition from foreign exchanges, such as AIM,  for listings of Canadian-based issuers and trading in their securities. Our exchanges are smaller than some of the exchanges in the United States that we compete with. If we are unable to continue to provide competitive trade execution, the value traded in Canadian-based interlisted issuers over our exchanges could decrease in the future and adversely affect our operating results. We continue to face competition from CNQ, which has announced that it plans to launch a facility to trade our listed issuers’ securities.

The trend for exchanges to form alliances or consolidate and become for-profit and publicly traded is increasing and will result in our competitors becoming stronger. If we are not included in any alliances, these developments could materially adversely affect us.

ATSs
Technological advances have lowered barriers to entry and have facilitated the establishment of new exchanges and mechanisms, such as ATSs and ECNs, to electronically trade securities and other financial instruments outside traditional exchanges. ATSs have a framework to operate in Canada under the ATS Rules and may become our significant competitors in the future.

OTC Market
NGX’s business of trading and clearing energy contracts faces primary competition in energy markets in Canada and the United States from the OTC or bilateral markets (with support from voice brokers) who have recently consolidated. These voice brokers continue to provide efficient contract matching services for both standardized and structured products and are expanding their product offerings to include access to clearing facilities for trading parties who may have credit constraints. If NGX is unable to compete with the OTC voice brokers and their clearing partners, NGX may not be able to expand its business, which could materially affect its business and operating results.

In addition, CanDeal faces competition primarily from the OTC market. If CanDeal fails to attract institutional order flow from this market, it would adversely affect its operating results.