News Release
Canadian securities regulators provide update to investors in response to COVID-19
May 21, 2020
Montreal – As the COVID-19 pandemic causes continued uncertainty in the economy and the capital markets, the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) has been working to protect and educate investors.
“We understand this is a very difficult time for many Canadians who depend on their investments to meet their current and future financial needs,” said Louis Morisset, CSA and President and CEO of the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF). “The CSA is committed to protecting investors during COVID-19 through enforcement, education and policy."
Since the pandemic emerged, the CSA and its members have seen an increase in potentially fraudulent investment schemes. These schemes often appear legitimate because they refer to current news, medical reports and social and political developments. The CSA urges investors to exercise caution with investment solicitations that involve COVID-19.
In response to the impacts of the pandemic, CSA investor focused efforts include:
- Helping investors identify investment fraud and stay up-to-date on the latest regulatory developments, through the new COVID-19 Information Hub on the CSA website as well as investor-focused social media campaigns and advertisements.
- Continuing to coordinate efforts to protect and support investors with local law enforcement agencies, other regulatory bodies in Canada, international securities regulators and the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO).
- Participating in the NASAA COVID-19 Enforcement Task Force.
- Implementing key investor-focused policy initiatives, including the Client Focused Reforms. While interim project timelines have changed, final implementation will follow original timelines.
- Continuing work on a proposed regulatory framework to enhance protection of older and vulnerable clients.
The CSA encourages investors to review their financial goals in light of changing circumstances, understand the fees and charges that they pay and consider seeking advice from a registered adviser. These discussions should be an ongoing feature of the client-adviser relationship, but are critical to an investor’s well-being during uncertain economic times.
The CSA also encourages investors suffering from financial hardship to talk with their registered firms and advisers about relief options. Investors may also wish to inquire whether fees can be waived on the basis of financial hardship, including Deferred Sales Charges (DSCs).
When considering any new investment, carefully research the opportunity and ensure you read the required disclosure materials. The CSA's website has resources to help you navigate key disclosure documents, such as Fund Facts and ETF Facts.
OBSI is also available to investors. OBSI resolves disputes between investment firms and their clients if they can't solve them on their own. The CSA is renewing its focus on strengthening OBSI as an independent dispute resolution service, in order to secure fair, efficient and conclusive redress for investor losses where warranted. If OBSI finds that a firm has acted unfairly, made an error or given bad advice, and a client lost money as a result, it can recommend that a firm compensate the client. Residents of Québec can also bring related complaints to the AMF.
The CSA, the council of the securities regulators of Canada’s provinces and territories, co-ordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian capital markets.
-30-
For Investor inquiries, please refer to your respective securities regulator. You can contact them here.
For media inquiries, please refer to the list of provincial and territorial representatives below or contact us at media@acvm-csa.ca
Kristen Rose
Ontario Securities Commission
416-593-2336
media_inquiries@osc.gov.on.ca
Sylvain Théberge
Autorité des marchés financiers
sylvain.theberge@lautorite.qc.ca
Brian Kladko
British Columbia Securities Commission
mediainquiries@bcsc.bc.ca
Sara Wilson
Financial and Consumer Services Commission, New Brunswick
506-643-7045
Renée Dyer
Office of the Superintendent of Securities
Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-4909
Jeff Mason
Nunavut Securities Office
867-975-6591
Shannon McMillan
Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan
306-798-4160
Hilary McMeekin
Alberta Securities Commission
403-592-8186
Jason Booth
The Manitoba Securities Commission
204-945-1660
Steven Dowling
Government of Prince Edward Island
Superintendent of Securities
902-368-4550
David Harrison
Nova Scotia Securities Commission
902-424-8586
Rhonda Horte
Office of the Yukon Superintendent of Securities
867-667-5466
Tom Hall
Office of the Superintendent of Securities,
Northwest Territories
867-767-9305