Useful links
Investor information
Financial organizations
Laws and courts
Regulatory organizations
Self-regulatory & enforcement organizations
Stock Exchanges and other marketplaces
Resources for young investors
Investor information
BC Centre for Elder Advocacy Support (BCCEAS)
Works to prevent elder abuse and to provide assistance and support to older adults whose rights may have been violated.
Better Business Bureau (BBB)
Mainland BC
Vancouver Island
Sets standards for marketplace trust and alerts the public of substandard marketplace behaviour. Provides educational resources and information on how to file a complaint against a business. Offers advice and warns consumers of potential scams and businesses to avoid.
British Columbia Corporate Registry
Provides the legal framework within which all businesses, not-for-profit societies, cooperative associations, and financial institutions operate in British Columbia. Also files documents for the incorporation, registration, maintenance, and dissolution of these entities. Can be useful when researching a private company investment.
British Columbia Unclaimed Property Society
Administers the unclaimed property program, which includes administering forgotten credit union accounts, unpaid wages, and overpayment to debt collectors, as well as unclaimed proceeds from courts, tax offices, and estates.
Business Practices & Consumer Protection Authority of British Columbia (BPCPA)
Answers questions regarding consumer and business rights and responsibilities. Investigates consumer complaints, and assists individuals with mediation and referrals were possible. Does not prosecute cases for individuals.
Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre (PhoneBusters)
The central agency in Canada for collecting consumer and/or victim information and criminal intelligence on mass marketing fraud (telemarketing), advance fee fraud letters, internet fraud, and identity theft complaints that have Canadian content. Does not conduct investigations, but provides valuable assistance to law enforcement agencies worldwide.
EDGAR (US reporting issuers' filing system)
Provides free public access to information about US public companies, allowing you to research a company’s financial information and operations by reviewing registration statements, prospectuses, and periodic reports.
Industry Canada
Provides services, tools, and resources available for consumers related to fraud, telephone scams, and debt problems. Also provides access to databases of Canadian companies.
Investing Online Resource Centre
Education site with non-commercial information about investing online, maintained by the North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA).
GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca (Investor Education Fund)
The Ontario Investor Education site which, like InvestRight, provides unbiased, independent financial information, programs, and tools to help consumers make better financial and investing decisions.
Real Estate Council of British Columbia
Responsible for licensing individuals and brokerages engaged in real estate sales, rental and strata property management. Also enforces entry qualifications, investigates complaints against licensees and imposes disciplinary sanctions under the Act.
Reporting Economic Crime Online (RECOL) Recommends appropriate law enforcement, regulatory agency, and/or private commercial organizations for potential investigation. Provides current data about fraud trends and supports education, prevention, and awareness of economic crime. Administered by the National White Collar Crime Centre of Canada and supported by the RCMP and other participating agencies.
SEDAR (System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval)
The official Canadian reporting issuers' filing system that provides access to most public securities documents and information filed by public companies and investment funds in Canada.
SEDI (System for Electronic Disclosure by Insiders)
The CSA's national web-based system that facilitates the filing and public dissemination of insider reports.
Seeking Compensation
A webpage of the Joint Forum that provides a clear step-by-step process for someone seeking compensation for losses due to misconduct or bankruptcy.
Victim Services
Provides information about the BC/Canadian justice system, plus practical help, emotional support and referrals to more than 160 programs funded by the BC government.
Financial organizations
Bankruptcy Canada
Provides people in financial distress with the information they need to make an infomred deciosions about bankrutcy.
Canada Revenue Agency (CRA)
Provides information on how investments are taxed and explains various social and economic benefit and incentive programs delivered through the tax system. Also provides tips and alerts for taxpayers, including information on enforcement and disclosure related to tax evasion, fraud, and other tax offences.
Canadian Bankers Association (CBA)
Professional industry association of the chartered banks of Canada. Provides consumer information on banks, banking, and financial issues in Canada.
Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC)
Provides information on whether your investment is insured and how much you would get in the event that your bank or financial institution fails or goes bankrupt.
Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF)
Protects cash and securities for eligible customers of investment dealers that are members of the Investment Industry Association of Canada (IIROC) in the unlikely event that the dealer member you are dealing with becomes insolvent.
Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC)
Provides consumers with information about financial products and services and informs Canadians of their rights and responsibilities when dealing with financial institutions. Ensures compliance with the federal consumer protection laws that apply to banks and federally incorporated trusts, loan, and insurance companies.
Insurance Council of British Columbia
Handles inquiries, requests for licensing information, and complaints regarding an insurance agent, adjuster, or salesperson.
Office of the Superintendant of Bankruptcy Canada
Protects the integrity of the bankruptcy and insolvency system and ensures public confidence in the marketplace.
Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada (OSFI)
Primary regulator and supervisor of federally regulated deposit-taking institutions, insurance companies, and federally regulated private pension plans.
Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments (OBSI)
Mediates disputes between participating banking services and investment firms and their customers.
Laws and courts
British Columbia Laws
Provides free public access to the current laws of British Columbia. This unofficial consolidation of BC Statutes and Regulations is updated continually as new and amended laws come into force.
British Columbia Securities Act, Regulations & Rules
Provides access to the BC Securities Act, Securities Regulation, and Securities Rules, as well as notices, instruments, and policy documents, regulate trading in securities and exchange contracts within BC. Is the statute that establishes BC's securities laws and gives the BC Securities Commission its powers and duties.
The Courts of British Columbia
Provides information on the BC Provincial Court, Supreme Court, and the Court of Appeal. Offers an overview of the BC legal system, court locations and contacts, and links to court services and judgments.
Lawyer Referral Service
Enables members of the public to consult with a lawyer for a small fee. Operated by the BC Branch of the Canadian Bar Association and funded by the Law Foundation of BC.
National Class Action Database
Provides lawyers and the public easy access to court documents related to class action lawsuits currently underway across the country.
Regulatory organizations
Securities commissions
Alberta Securities Commission (ASC)
Autorité des marchés financiers
British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC)
Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA)
Canadian Securities Transition Office (CSTO)
Manitoba Securities Commission (MSC)
Newfoundland and Labrador Financial Services Regulation
New Brunswick Securities Commission (NBSC)
Northwest Territories Registrar of Securities, Department of Justice
Nova Scotia Securities Commission (NSSC)
Nunavet Registrar of Securitees, Department of Justice
Ontario Securities Commission (OSC)
Prince Edward Island Securities Office
Saskatchewan Financial Services Commission (SFSC)
Yukon Securities Office
US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Self-regulatory and enforcement organizations
Canada
Canadian Derivatives Clearing Corporation (CDCC)
The issuer, clearinghouse, and guarantor of exchange-traded interest rate and equity derivative contracts in Canada under the oversight of the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF).
Canadian Public Accountability Board (CPAB)
Promotes high-quality, independent auditing in order to contribute to the integrity of financial reporting of reporting issuers in Canada. Assesses the fundamentals and policies of auditing firms that participate in their oversight program.
Competition Bureau Canada
An independent law enforcement agency that protects and promotes competitive markets and enables informed consumer choice.
Financial Institutions Commission (FICOM)
A regulatory agency of the provincial Ministry of Finance. Administers statutes that regulate pension, financial services, and real estate sectors in BC. Provides consumer alerts, news, and a process to file complaints.
Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC)
Receives, analyzes, assesses, and discloses financial intelligence on suspected money laundering, terrorist financing, and threats to the security of Canada.
Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC)
Regulates all investment dealers and trading activity on debt and equity marketplaces in Canada. Monitors and enforces rules regarding proficiency, business, and financial conduct of firms and advisors. Provides information useful for investor protection.
Joint Forum of Financial Market Regulators
A mechanism through which pension, securities, and insurance regulators co-ordinate, harmonize, and streamline the regulation of financial products and services in Canada.
Mutual Fund Dealers Association - Investor Protection Corporation (MFDA IPC)
Provides protection to eligible clients of MFDA members on a discretionary basis to prescribed limits if securities, cash, and other property held by the member are unavailable as a result of the member’s insolvency.
Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)
Canadian national police service and an agency of the Ministry of Public Safety Canada. Provides information about scams and fraud, how and when to contact them, and how they can help you.
International
European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA)
Designed to improve co-ordination among European securities regulators and act as an advisory group to assist the EU Commission. Forum for securities regulators in Europe established to respond to the challenges of creating a single European market in financial services.
International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO)
Organization of securities commissions around the world established to promote high standards of regulation to exchange information, and establish standards and effective surveillance of international securities transactions.
North American Securities Administrators Association (NASAA)
Provides information and services for investor protection. Membership consists of state, provincial, and territorial securities administrators in the United States, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Canada, and Mexico.
United States Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC)
Prohibits fraudulent conduct in the trading of futures contracts. Protects market users and the public from fraud, manipulation, and abusive practices related to the sale of commodity and financial futures and options.
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA)
Largest independent regulator for all securities firms doing business in the United States. Dedicated to investor protection and market integrity through regulation, compliance, and technology-based services.
National Futures Association (NFA)
Provides arbitration and mediation programs to help investors and NFA members resolve futures-related disputes efficiently and cost-effectively. The industry wide, self-regulatory organization for the US futures industry.
Stock Exchanges and other Marketplaces
Alpha Trading Systems (ATS)
BATS Global Markets (BATS)
Canadian National Stock Exchange (CNSX)
Chicago Mercantile Exhcange Group (CME)
Chi-X Canada
Intercontinental Exchange (ICE)
London Stock Exchange
MATCH now
Montreal Exchange (MX)
NASDAQ
NEX
New York Stock Exchange (NYSE)
NYSE Euronext
OMEGA ATS
Pure Trading (a division of CNSX Markets, Inc.)
TMX Group Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) & TSX Venture Exchange
OTC Markets (Pink Sheets)
OTC Bulletin Board (OTC BB)
Tokyo Stock Exchange (TSE)
Resources for Young Investors
Education and student resources
CanLearn
Information and planning guides on post-secondary education in Canada, including student loans and finances.
EducationPlanner
Guide to post-secondary education in BC, including student finances.
Jump$tart Coalition Clearinghouse
Searchable database of US education resources on financial literacy.
Make it Count
Activities and information to help parents and teachers incorporate money management lessons into daily routines.
Ministry of Education
Information about Planning 10 and other courses.
Planning 10 IRP
Information about Planning 10.
Canadian Youth Business Foundation
Information on self-employment.
Service Canada Youth and Students
Information and links from the Government of Canada on programs for youth.
Financial planning
Canlearn Financial Planner
Financial tools for students, including cost of education and budget calculators.
Financial stuff for youth
The Money Belt
Information for young people about handling your money.
Your Money
The basics on managing your money, from the Canadian Bankers Association.
It'$ Your Money-So Make It Your Business
Website for 14 to 24 year olds from the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF).
Consumer Jungle
Entertaining, relevant information for youth, from the US.
Junior Achievement Student Center
US site with cool learning tools and information.
Teen Resource Bureau
Financial stories and advice developed with a board of teen advisors, from the US.
Spendster.org
Videos and blogs about spending and getting it under control.
Financial Literacy for Youth
Lessons and activities for BC students in Planning 10.
The Mint
Youth-oriented activities and info about managing your money, from a US perspective.
Games (they're free!)
Stockticker
Stock market simulation game.
Gazillionaire
Game of economics and business strategy.
Hollywood Stock Exchange
Trade imaginary stocks based on the value of current movies and stars.