Surveillance FAQs

1. What IESO-administered market activities are monitored and investigated?
2. How does the MSP monitor activities and market participant conduct in the IESO-administered markets?
3. How is confidential information handled by the Market Assessment and Compliance Division?
4. Does the Market Surveillance Panel have the authority to launch an investigation on its own?
5. Can market participants or other parties request the Market Surveillance Panel to launch an investigation?
6. Can the Market Surveillance Panel decide not to commence or terminate an investigation once a complaint or referral has been received?
7. Where can I find out more information about local market power?
8. Are all market surveillance reports public documents?
9. Where do I get more information?

1. What IESO-administered market activities are monitored and investigated?

   The IESO's Market Assessment Unit monitors activities within the IESO-administered markets and the conduct of market participants relating to:

   • inappropriate market conduct, including possible abuses of market power and gaming
   • design flaws and inefficiencies in the market rules and other rules and procedures of the IESO
   • design flaws in the overall structure of the IESO-administered markets

2. How does the MSP monitor activities and market participant conduct in the IESO-administered markets?

   The IESO's Market Assessment Unit has developed a sophisticated surveillance data repository to monitor activities and market participant conduct in the IESO-administered markets. Internal and external data will be aggregated on a frequent and timely basis by the market surveillance system. This data is used as the first step to assess market activity and market participant conduct.

3. How is confidential information handled by the Market Assessment and Compliance Division?

   All information in the possession of the Market Assessment and Compliance Division is subject to the Market Surveillance Confidentiality Policy.

4. Does the Market Surveillance Panel have the authority to launch an investigation on its own?

   The Market Surveillance Panel does not require prior concurrence when launching an investigation into any activity related to the IESO-administered markets or the conduct of a market patricipant.

5. Can market participants or other parties request the Market Surveillance Panel to launch an investigation?

   Any person requesting an investigation into market conduct may do so by setting out in writing:

   1. the name and address of the complainant or person referring the matter
   2. the particulars of the complaint or referral
   3. any information or facts supporting the complaint or referral
   4. the signature of the person making the complaint or referral or the signature of an officer or duly authorized representative of the person

6. Can the Market Surveillance Panel decide not to commence or terminate an investigation once a complaint or referral has been received?

   The Market Surveillance Panel may refuse to commence or decide to terminate an investigation because the complaint or referral is either: frivolous, not relevant, or within the jurisdiction of another person, board, agency or tribunal. A decision by the Panel not to commence or continue an investigation is subject to review by the Chair of the OEB.

7. Where can I find out more information about local market power?

   The IESO has a number of tools in place to mitigate the effect of Local Market Power. Market Manual 2.12: Treatment of Local Market Power provides detailed information about the local market power mitigation process and the price screening mechanism used to determine compensation for power generators affected by congestion of the grid.

8. Are all market surveillance reports public documents?

   Market surveillance reports will be published in accordance with the market rules. Reports may be edited to remove confidential information before being made public.

9. Where do I get more information?

   For more information, contact the IESO Help Centre at:
   Tel: 905-403-6900
   Toll Free: 1-888-448-7777
   Fax: 905-403-6921
   E-mail: helpcentre@ieso.ca

   Or send an e-mail to the Market Assessment and Compliance Division at: MACD@ieso.ca