RBC Phillips, Hager and North Investment Counsel Inc. (“RBC PH&N IC”) Client Complaint Examination and Resolution Policy Overview

Problem Resolution Process: At RBC PH&N IC we strive to provide a high level of client service. If you have a problem or a complaint about your account, we encourage you to contact us so that we can review and resolve your issues. If you make a written or verbal complaint about a product or service offered by RBC PH&N IC or about one of its Investment Counsellors, RBC PH&N IC will follow its internal complaint policy and respond to your complaint in a timely and fair manner.

Step 1 – Contact your Investment Counsellor

Speak with your Investment Counsellor about your concerns so that he/she can review and try to address any issues you have. If you prefer, put your complaint in writing.

Step 2 – Contact the Managing Director

If your Investment Counsellor is not able to address your concerns to your satisfaction, ask him/her for the name of the Managing Director responsible for the office where your account is held, and speak to him or her. If your complaint is unclear, the Managing Director will ask you to put your concerns in writing so that they can be thoroughly reviewed and responded to appropriately.

Step 3 – Contact Head Office

If the Managing Director is unable to resolve your complaint to your satisfaction, you should contact RBC PH&N IC’s Head Office. You may contact us by telephone at 1-877-534-4219 or send your written complaint to the following address:

Complaints are responded to as soon as possible, however, this process may take up to 90 days depending on the subject matter involved. A written or verbal status update will be provided to you with a revised expected response time frame if Head Office’s review and response to your complaint will not be completed within the 90 day period.

Step 4 – The Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments (OBSI) or Autorité des marches financiers (AMF) or the RBC Office of the Ombudsman

If you are dissatisfied with RBC PH&N IC’s response to your concerns, or you do not receive a final response within 90 days of your complaint, you may contact the Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments (OBSI). OBSI is a free, independent service for resolving investment disputes impartially. You have up to 180 days after receiving RBC PH&N IC’s response to submit your complaint to OBSI. OBSI can recommend compensation of up to $350,000.

If you reside in Quebec and you are not satisfied with the outcome or with the examination of the complaint, you may request that your complaint file be transferred to the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) at any time. Or if you have not received our response you may submit your request to the AMF. Following the transfer, the AMF will examine the file and, if deemed appropriate, may offer dispute resolution services.

Toll Free: 1-877-525-0337

You may also ask the RBC Office of the Ombudsman to review your complaint. The RBC Office of the Ombudsman may be contacted as follows:

The RBC Ombudsman’s services are free. The estimated time that the RBC Ombudsman takes to review and provide a response to matters is within 90 days upon receipt of a signed client consent form; however, complex investigations may take longer to resolve. The RBC Ombudsman is employed by RBC and is not an independent dispute resolution service. If you are not satisfied with our decision, or if we have not provided you with a written notice of our decision within 90 days of receipt of your complaint, you may immediately submit a complaint to the OBSI without going to the RBC Ombudsman. The use of the RBC Ombudsman process is voluntary and the limitation periods for escalation to the OBSI or the AMF or to commence a civil action continue to run while the RBC Ombudsman reviews your complaint. Escalation to the OBSI or AMF or the RBC Ombudsman does not affect your rights for taking legal action in the civil courts.