Canadian securities regulators encourage checking registration before investing

Winnipeg The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) are kicking off Investor Education Month this October by encouraging investors to check the registration of any firm or individual selling securities or offering advice.

“Through the registration process, Canadian securities regulators ensure individuals and firms meet specific qualifications and standards before they offer products or advice to investors,” says Louis Morisset, Chair of the CSA and President and CEO of the Autorité des marches financiers. “Investors should have confidence in whomever they choose to handle their money, and checking registration is an essential first step toward building a positive working relationship.”

To assist investors, the CSA offers the National Registration Search – a free online tool that makes it quick and easy to check the registration of any individual or firm in Canada.

Simply visit aretheyregistered.ca and search the name of an individual or firm. Investors can also call their local securities regulator to verify registration.

Anyone who has been offered an investment by a person or organization that is not registered should contact the securities regulator in their province or territory.

Investors are encouraged to visit securities-administrators.ca for more information and resources on understanding investments and recognizing fraud. @CSA_News will also be sharing tips and links throughout Investor Education Month.

The CSA, the council of securities regulators of Canada’s provinces and territories, coordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian capital markets. Their mandate is to protect investors from unfair or fraudulent practices through regulation of the securities industry. Part of this protection is educating investors about the risks, responsibilities and rewards of investing.

For more information:

Richard Gilhooley
British Columbia Securities Commission
604-899-6713

Mark Dickey
Alberta Securities Commission
403-297-4481

Carolyn Shaw-Rimmington
Ontario Securities Commission
416-593-2361

Sylvain Théberge
Autorité des marchés financiers
514-940-2176

Kevan Hannah
Manitoba Securities Commission
204-945-1513

Andrew Nicholson
Financial and Consumer Services
Commission, New Brunswick
506-658-3021

Tanya Wiltshire
Nova Scotia Securities Commission
902-424-8586

Janice Callbeck
Office of the Superintendent of Securities
P.E.I.
902-368-6288

Don Boyles
Office of the Superintendent of Securities
Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-4501

Rhonda Horte
Office of the Yukon Superintendent of
Securities
867-667-5466

Shamus Armstrong
Nunavut Securities Office
867-975-6587

Tom Hall
Northwest Territories
Securities Office
867-873-7490

Noel Busse
Financial and Consumer Affairs
Authority of Saskatchewan
306-798-4160