[1][2] The CSA's national systems include the National Registration Database (NRD), a web-based database that allows security dealers and investment advisors to file registration forms electronically;[3] the System for Electronic Disclosure by Insiders (SEDI), an online, browser-based service for the filing and viewing of insider trading reports;[4] and the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR), a publicly-accessible database that contains all the required non-confidential filings related to publicly traded Canadian companies.

[5] As an informal body, the CSA originally functioned primarily through meetings, conference calls, and day-to-day collaborations with the various territorial and provincial securities regulatory authorities.

[7] While the CSA co-ordinates initiatives on a cross-Canada basis, the 10 provinces and 3 territories in Canada are responsible for securities regulations and their enforcement.

The latter are formed to work on specific policy projects, and can deal with subjects such as short- and long-form prospectuses, continuous disclosure, proportionate regulation, and investor confidence.

Standing committees include: Executive Directors, Enforcement, Market Oversight, Registrant Regulation, Investment Funds and Investor Education.

Created to replace the original paper form system, the NRD increases the efficiency of information filing and sharing between provincial security regulators.

[3] In 2001, the CSA commissioned a study that estimated the total economic benefits of such a database to the Canadian financial services industry would be $85 million over a 5-year period.

These searches can be made by company name, industry group, document type or date filed; its results are rendered in PDF format.

Other updated features include extended operating hours, an integrated fee calculator, and a portal for filing exemptive relief applications.

Among themselves, CSA members work closely in the development of new policy initiatives and the continuous improvement of the regulatory framework for securities.

[22] As a result of the coordination efforts of the CSA, securities markets are governed by harmonized national or multilateral instruments, which are assigned uniform 5-digit numbers, starting with a number that represents one of the 9 subject matter categories:[22] The CSA's impact on most Canadians comes through its efforts to help educate Canadians about the securities industry, the stock markets and how to protect investors from investment scams.

It has produced brochures and booklets explaining various topics such as how to choose a financial adviser, mutual funds, and investing via the internet.