We are the Ontario Securities Commission

The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) is responsible for regulating the capital markets in Ontario.

The OSC administers and enforces compliance with the provisions of the Securities Act (Ontario) and the Commodity Futures Act (Ontario). Specifically, we work to protect investors, foster fair and efficient markets, and contribute to the stability of the financial system by making and monitoring compliance with rules governing the securities industry in Ontario.

The Investor Office (www.InvestorOffice.ca) is a regulatory operations branch of the OSC. The Investor Office sets the strategic direction and leads the OSC’s efforts in investor engagement, education, outreach and research.

The Office also has a policy function, plays a key role in the oversight of the Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments (OBSI), and provides leadership in behavioural insights at the OSC and improving the investor experience.

Inquiries and Contact Centre

You can contact the Inquiries and Contact Centre of the Ontario Securities Commission if you have a question or complaint about a company, an investment product, or the conduct of your financial representative.

The team can answer your questions in over 200 languages.

The Inquiries and Contact Centre will answer your questions and may refer your complaint or inquiry to another branch at the Ontario Securities Commission.

We can help

Check before you invest

One of the best ways to help avoid investment fraud is to verify that any person offering you an investment or investing advice is registered to do so.

In general, anyone selling securities or offering investment advice must be registered with the securities regulator in the provinces and territories where they offer their services.

Registration helps protect investors because investment regulators, like the Ontario Securities Commission, will only register people or companies that are qualified to sell investments or offer advice to the public.

If you discover the person or company you are dealing with is not registered, or is offering you something they don’t seem permitted to, contact your local securities regulator. In Ontario, you can contact the Ontario Securities Commission.

What’s required to be registered?

Proficiency

Individuals must meet certain education and experience requirements in order to be registered. These requirements depend on what category of registration an individual is applying for. Each category has different requirements and permits different activities.

Integrity

Firms and individuals must conduct themselves with integrity, which includes honesty and good faith, particularly in dealing with clients. Individuals are subject to background and police checks and firms and all registered individuals are required to renew their registration each year.

Solvency

Firms must maintain solvency by meeting the capital and insurance requirements required to carry out their obligations on a daily basis.

Checking registration is quick and easy to do. Use the National Registration Search tool to check the registration status and review the discipline history of any person or business in the investment industry.

Check the registration of a business or individual now

Registration doesn’t guarantee that you’ll make money or that you won’t lose money.

Investing for your future in Canada

There are many investment options available to help you set money aside for your future needs, like buying a home, saving for your children’s education or saving for your retirement.

Investments generally fit into three main asset classes

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash investments include savings accounts, fixed-term deposits such as guaranteed investment certificates (GICs), currency, money market funds and government and corporate bonds maturing in 90 days or less.

Fixed income

Fixed income investments include government and corporate bonds, preferred shares and other debt instruments.

Equities

Equity investments include common shares, preferred shares and some derivatives (rights, warrants, options).

You can hold your investments in a registered or non-registered account. Each type of account comes with its own features, eligibility requirements and restrictions. It’s important to research which account (or accounts) is best for you and your family.

For more information about the types of investment accounts available in Canada and investment options, visit GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca

Plan & manage

Saving money, budgeting and managing debt are important practices when you are starting a financial plan.

Savings and chequing accounts are generally where people put money that they plan to spend soon. Almost anyone can open an account. You don’t need to have a job or minimum amount of money.

If you are under the age of 18, you can open an account with the help of a parent or guardian. You will need to have 2 pieces of acceptable identification to open an account.

Types of accounts

Chequing Account

An account that can be used for day-to-day spending or to pay bills.

Savings Account

Savings accounts are a good place to save for short-term goals or keep cash for emergencies. You can quickly withdraw money out of these accounts, and they usually pay slightly more interest than you would get in a chequing account.

Investment Account

An account used for investment purposes – to help you save and grow your money.

Most financial institutions offer many different types of accounts.

Banks and trust companies

Credit unions

Investment firms

The deposits in your chequing and savings accounts are protected against loss in the event of the financial institution going bankrupt, up to set limits, through the Canada Deposit Insurance Corporation (CDIC) or a provincial deposit insurance corporation. There is also similar coverage generally available through the Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF) for your investment account if your financial institution is a member of the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC). These deposits are not protected against personal, business or investment loss but are designed to return your property (e.g. shares) as a result of your member firm becoming insolvent.

Savings plans

To help you save or invest for your future goals, the Government of Canada has created several savings and investing plans that have tax advantages.

RRSPs

A Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) is intended to help you save money for retirement. RRSP contributions are made with pre-tax dollars, meaning you don’t pay tax on income used for contributions but you do pay tax on your withdrawals. The amount you can contribute to an RRSP is based on your earned income, up to certain limits.

5 reasons to open an RRSP

Contributions are tax deductible

You claim your RRSP contribution as a deduction on your tax return. For example, if you’re in the top tax bracket in Ontario, every $1,000 you contribute reduces the tax you pay by approximately $535.

Savings grow tax free

You won’t pay any tax on investment earnings as long as they stay in your RRSP. This tax-free compounding allows your savings to grow faster.

You can convert your RRSP to get regular payments when you retire

You can convert your RRSP savings tax free into a RRIF or an annuity when you retire. You’ll pay tax on the regular payments you receive each year — but if you’re in a lower tax bracket in retirement, you’ll pay less tax compared to when you were working. The required conversion date is December 31 in the year you turn 71.

A spousal RRSP can reduce your combined tax burden

If you earn more money than your spouse, you can help build their tax-free savings by contributing to a spousal RRSP. Retirement income will then be split more equally between the 2 of you — which may reduce the total amount of tax you pay.

You can borrow from your RRSP to buy your first home or pay for your education

You can take up to $35,000 for a down payment for your first home or up to $20,000 to pay education costs for you or your spouse. You won’t pay any taxes on these withdrawals as long as you pay the money back within the specified time periods.

RRSP savings calculator

Use this RRSP savings calculator to figure out how much your RRSP could be worth at retirement.

Use calculator

RESPs

A Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) is a dedicated savings plan to help you save for your child’s education after high school. If you have an RESP for a child, the Government of Canada will provide additional saving incentives by offering education grants up to a certain limit to help you save for your child’s education. The amount you receive depends on your annual contributions and household income.

3 types of RESP plans:

Individual

An individual plan is intended to pay for the education of one beneficiary. Anyone can open an individual plan and anyone can contribute to it. You can even open a plan for yourself. You usually don’t need to make a minimum deposit. If the beneficiary doesn’t continue with their education after high school, you may be able to name another beneficiary.

Contributions:

You decide when and how much money to put in, up to the lifetime contribution limit of $50,000 for a beneficiary.

Family

A family plan can have more than one beneficiary. But each beneficiary must be related to the person who opens the plan (for example, your children, grandchildren, brothers and sisters), and are under 21 when you name them.

Contributions:

You usually don’t have to make a minimum deposit when you open the plan and you decide when and how much money to put in, up to the lifetime limit of $50,000 for each beneficiary.

Group

Group plans work differently from individual and family plans, and each plan has its own rules. They also tend to have higher fees and more restrictive rules. The child doesn’t have to be related to you and you must make a minimum deposit when you open the plan.

Contributions:

You put money into the RESP according to a set schedule, up to the lifetime contribution limit of $50,000 for a beneficiary.

The money you put in is pooled together with contributions of other investors.

All of the investment decisions are made for you.

Did you know?

You have 60 days after signing your contract to cancel plans provided by scholarship plan dealers without any penalty.

TFSAs

A Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA) is a savings account that lets your savings grow tax-free for any goal you want.

4 reasons to open a TFSA

You are already contributing the full amount to your RRSP each year

When you retire, you can draw income from your TFSA tax free. This may allow you to delay taking cash from your RRSP – and paying the taxes on those withdrawals.

You expect your income tax rate to be higher when you take money out of the TFSA

The money you put into a TFSA has already been taxed. So, if your marginal tax rate is higher when you take the money out, you’ll have paid less in taxes. The opposite is true for saving in an RRSP. A higher tax rate over time will increase your tax bill when you withdraw your RRSP savings.

You need a flexible savings plan

You can carry forward any unused contribution room in your TFSA to future years. And, if you withdraw your TFSA savings, you can put back the full amount of your withdrawal at a later date and still save the maximum each year.

You want to reduce taxes on your investments

You can use the TFSA to shelter investments that would otherwise be taxed at the highest rate. That’s because you don’t pay tax on your TFSA’s earnings.

You may want to get some professional advice on how you can use a TFSA as an effective part of your tax planning.

Comparing TFSA and RRSP

TFSAs and RRSPs both offer tax advantages to help you reach your savings goals. If you can afford it, a good strategy is to contribute as much as you can to both.

But if you have to choose one over the other, make sure you understand how they differ. And then make your choice based on your own individual financial and tax situation.

Top 6 differences between TFSAs and RRSPs

An RRSP is intended for retirement savings. A TFSA is intended to be for any type of savings goal.

RRSP contributions are tax deductible. TFSA contributions are not. With an RRSP, you deduct your contribution from the income you report on your tax return. With a TFSA, you can’t deduct your contribution on your tax return.

You pay tax on your RRSP withdrawals because you made the contributions with pre-tax dollars. TFSA withdrawals are tax free because you made the contributions with after-tax dollars.

You need earned income to contribute to an RRSP but not to a TFSA.

The last year you can contribute to your RRSP is the year you turn 71. By the end of that same year, you must close your RRSP. You have the option to convert it into a RRIF.

With both plans, you can name your spouse as a beneficiary. The money will roll over to them upon your death. But with an RRSP, after your spouse dies, taxes will be due on any money left in the account. So if your children inherit the money, they will receive what is left after the tax is paid. With a TFSA, only the increase in the value of the TFSA since the date of death is taxed in the year the children receive it. If the amount they receive is not greater than the value of the TFSA at death, no tax is paid.

RRIFs

A Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF) is a plan that holds your retirement savings and provides income after you retire. It works like an RRSP in reverse because you withdraw money instead of saving.

There are rules about how much you can withdraw each year.

You can open a RRIF by transferring savings from a retirement account such as an RRSP.

RRIF fees

There is no set-up fee for most RRIFs, but you may pay other fees once you open a plan. These fees may include an annual administrative or trustee fee, investment fees and fees for making changes to your RRIF.

6 things to know about RRIFs

Once the RRIF is set up, you can’t make any more contributions to the plan. However, you can have more than one RRIF.

You open a RRIF by transferring money from your RRSP. Transfers from other registered plans like pension plans and DPSPs are allowed under certain circumstances.

You choose the types of investments to hold in a RRIF. Examples: GICs, mutual funds, ETFs, segregated funds, stocks and bonds.

If any money is left in your RRIF when you die, it will go to your named beneficiaries or to your estate.

You must take out a minimum amount from your RRIF each year. This amount increases as you get older. There is no maximum withdrawal limit.

You can open a RRIF anytime, but no later than the end of the year you turn 71.

RRIF withdrawal

You have to start withdrawing money from your RRIF in the year after you open it. The federal government sets the minimum amount you must take out of your RRIF every year and it’s based on a percentage of the value of your RRIF.

RDSPs

A Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP) is a savings plan that allows people with disabilities and their families to save for the future. Government grants add to your savings and your investments grow tax-free.

8 things to know about RDSPs

The beneficiary is the person with the disability who will receive the money in the future.

The plan holder is the person who opens and manages the RDSP. The beneficiary can also be the plan holder.

Until age 49, the beneficiary may be eligible for government contributions to the RDSP under the Canada Disability Savings Grant, and Canada Disability Savings Bond.

Contributions can be made to the plan until the beneficiary turns 59.

The beneficiary must start taking regular payments from the plan by age 60.

There is no annual limit on contributions but the lifetime contribution limit for a beneficiary is $200,000.

Contributions are not tax deductible, but your savings grow tax free. There is no tax on the investment earnings, as long as they stay in the plan.

RDSP savings can be held in a variety of investments, depending on where the plan is opened.

RDSP Contributions and Withdrawals

Anyone can contribute to an RDSP until the end of the year in which the beneficiary turns 59, or when the $200,000 contribution limit has been reached.

In general, if you withdraw money from your RDSP, you must repay some or all of the grants and bonds that have been in the plan for less than 10 years.

Regular payments must start by age 60

Withdrawals must be made at least annually

Withdrawals are taxable to the extent they exceed contributions

Investment products

Stocks

When you buy stock (also called shares) in a company, you are purchasing a piece of that company. A stock represents partial ownership of a company.

There are two main types of stocks:

Common stock

The majority of stocks sold are common stocks. Common stock offers the potential for growth through rising share prices and dividends.

Preferred stock

Preferred stock offers regular income through fixed dividends and the potential for growth through rising share prices. The prices of preferred stock tend to be more stable than the prices of common stock.

There are fees associated with buying stocks that may differ depending on the type of investment firm you choose to invest with.

Remember, it’s important to ask questions about the costs of making the investment.

Learn more about stocks

Bonds

A bond is a kind of loan you make to the government or a company.

When you buy a bond, you’re lending your money to a company or a government (the bond issuer) for a set period of time (the term). If you hold bonds until the maturity date, you will get all your money back as well. If you sell before the maturity date and bond prices are up, you will make money and, if prices are down, you will lose money.

With most bonds, you’ll get regular interest payments while you hold the bond. Most bonds have a fixed interest rate that doesn’t change. Some have floating rates that go up or down over time.

Types of bonds

Arrow closely following a line, going upward

Regular bonds

You buy these bonds for a set amount and for a set period of time. You get regular interest payments while you hold the bond. On the maturity date, you get back the face value of the bond.

Arrow going up and down in drastic directions

Complex bonds

These bonds have certain features that may improve the return on your investment. These include strip, index and real return bonds.

Learn more about bonds

Mutual funds

A mutual fund is an investment that pools money from many people and invests it in a mix of investments such as stocks and bonds.

With a Mutual Fund, because your money is pooled with money from other investors, you’re able to invest in a large number of investments that would otherwise be too expensive and difficult to manage on your own.

The types of fees associated with the purchase of a mutual fund may include sales charges, other transaction fees, account fees and fund expenses.

You may pay varying sales charges, other transaction fees and account fees depending on which funds you buy, how you buy them and what accounts you hold them in. You don’t pay fund expenses directly, but they affect you because they reduce the fund’s returns.

Types of mutual funds

Money market funds

These funds invest in short-term fixed income securities such as government bonds, treasury bills, bankers’ acceptances, commercial paper and certificates of deposit. They are generally a safer investment, but with a lower potential return then other types of mutual funds.

Fixed income funds

These funds buy investments that pay a fixed rate of return like government bonds, investment-grade corporate bonds and high-yield corporate bonds.

Equity funds

These funds invest in stocks. These funds aim to grow faster than money market or fixed income funds, so there is usually a higher risk that you could lose money.

Balanced funds

These funds invest in a mix of equities and fixed income securities. They try to balance the aim of achieving higher returns against the risk of losing money.

Index funds

These funds aim to track the performance of a specific index such as the S&P/TSX Composite Index. The value of the mutual fund will go up or down as the index goes up or down.

Specialty funds

These funds focus on specialized mandates such as real estate, commodities or socially responsible investing.

Fund-of-funds

These funds invest in other funds. Similar to balanced funds, they try to make asset allocation and diversification easier for the investor.

Learn more about mutual funds

Exchange-traded funds

An exchange-traded fund (ETF) is an investment fund that holds a collection of investments, such as stocks or bonds owned by a group of investors and managed by a professional money manager. Unlike mutual funds, ETFs trade on a stock exchange.

Types of ETFs

Index ETFs

These ETFs are built to closely follow a benchmark (for example, the TSX/S&P 60). These are passive investments – they aim to closely track an index, and generally have less ETF fees and expenses. These ETFs do not attempt to outperform the benchmark.

Actively managed ETFs

Actively managed ETFs do not track an index. An actively managed ETF buys and sells investments based on the ETF’s investment objective and the portfolio manager’s strategy and generally has higher fees that index ETFs.

Learn more about ETFs

Real estate investments products

Investing in real property is a very hands-on way of investing in real estate, usually at a higher cost and demanding more time to manage.

Because of the time, cost and risks that come with owning a property as an investment, you may instead choose to invest in real estate through funds, trusts and other investment products that provide exposure to the real estate market without being required to manage and maintain properties on your own.

Purchasing these products, such as a share of a publicly-traded real estate company, means you are investing in the real estate market without maintaining any properties yourself.

Understanding real estate investments

Real estate investment trust

Real estate investment trust, or “REIT,” is a company that owns real estate. REITs typically own large-scale properties like office buildings, shopping malls, hotels, warehouses and apartments. Investing in a REIT means you are eligible to receive income through payouts that the trust receives from the properties that it owns.

Limited partnership

Real estate limited partnership, or “LP,” is commonly used to develop a property or manage properties that have already been built. The general partner, who manages the real estate LP may use money from investors to buy land and develop it or to resell it at a higher price, giving investors the potential for growth if the land or development project goes up in value.

Mortgage investment entitY

Mortgage investment entity, or “MIE,” is a mortgage-financing business that pools money from investors to lend to people who may not be able to obtain a mortgage from traditional lenders like banks or credit unions.

Syndicated mortgage

Syndicated mortgage is a mortgage provided by two or more investors that have directly invested in a single mortgage for a property. Unlike an investment in an MIE, a syndicated mortgage investment applies to single mortgage rather than a portfolio of mortgages.

Visit GetSmarterAboutRealEstate.ca

Understanding risk and return

Risk involves the possibility of an investment’s actual return differing from its expected return and the potential to lose some or all of the money you have invested. You invest to earn a return on your money, but returns are not the only consideration. Generally, the higher the risk of an investment, the higher the potential return. If you have a low risk tolerance, you will likely choose a portfolio with lower risk investments and therefore a lower potential return. If you have a higher risk tolerance, you will likely choose a portfolio with higher risk investment and therefore a higher potential return.

Types of investment risks

When you invest, you’re exposed to different types of risk.

Learn more about risks

Learn to recognize investment fraud

There’s a saying that if something sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Fraudulent investment opportunities and the people trying to sell them can sometimes be very convincing, so it’s important to learn what some common scams look like and where they can happen.

Investors can lose some or all of their life savings to fraud. Many people often don’t report the fraud out of fear of embarrassment or backlash from their friends and family. They may try to resolve problems within the group, which can leave others vulnerable to the same fraud.

Fraudsters will go to great lengths to get between you and your hard-earned money. Knowing what to look for can help you avoid losing money to investment fraud.

Common signs of investment fraud

High returns with little or no risk

Generally, the higher the potential return of an investment, the higher the risk of that investment. If someone promises you an investment that has high returns with little or no risk, the investment that they are offering might be a scam.

“Hot Tip” or Insider information

The sources of “hot tips” or “insider information” don’t have your best interests in mind. Think about why they’re offering you tips, and how they benefit by telling you about them. If it is really insider information about a public company, it would be illegal to act on it under insider trading laws.

Pressure to buy

Fraudsters frequently use high-pressure sales tactics to quickly get your money and then move on to other victims. Be very cautious if you are asked to make a decision right away, or are presented with a limited-time offer.

They’re not registered to sell investments

Before you invest, check the registration of the person offering you the investment. In general, anyone selling securities or offering investment advice must be registered with their provincial securities regulator.

You may hesitate to report fraud but it’s important to remember that investment fraud can happen to anyone. If you suspect that you have been approached by a fraudster or that you may have been defrauded, please contact us immediately.

Avoiding investment scams

Take the time you need

Be suspicious of limited-time offers and high-pressure salespeople. If the investment is legitimate, you should not have to invest on the spot. Take the time you need to make an informed decision.

Get a second opinion

Be skeptical of unsolicited investment opportunities that you might receive over the phone, online or from acquaintances. Before you invest, call us or get a second opinion from someone you’ve confirmed is a financial representative. You may also want to consult a lawyer or an accountant.

Research the investment

Before you make any investment, understand how it works, and the risks and fees associated with it. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Make sure it fits with your financial goals and needs.

Check Registration

Anyone selling securities or offering investment advice must be registered with their provincial securities regulator.

Learn more about checking registration

Frauds & scams

Frauds and scams come in many forms, but they are all linked by common elements. Learn what you can do to help protect yourself and your money.

Common frauds & scams

Affinity fraud

Affinity fraud is a form of investment fraud in which fraudsters approach potential victims through a group or community organization that they belong to. These groups could be religious groups, ethnic groups, or even workforce communities like unions or the military.

Exempt securities scam

On their own, exempt securities aren’t scams. But some scammers pitch fraudulent investments as “exempt” securities. Be suspicious if you get an unsolicited phone call about a hot tip on a promising business that is about to “go public” and contact your local securities regulator to check.

Forex scam

Forex ads promote easy access to the foreign exchange market, often through courses or software. But foreign exchange trading is dominated by large, well-resourced international banks with highly trained staff, access to leading edge technology and large accounts. It’s extremely difficult to beat these professionals.

Offshore investing scam

This scam promises huge profits if you send your money “offshore” to another country. Usually the goal is to lower or avoid your taxes, but you could end up owing the government money in back taxes, interest and penalties. Also, if something goes wrong, you likely won’t be able to take your case to civil court in Canada.

Ponzi or pyramid scheme

These schemes recruit people through ads and e-mails that promise you can make big money working from home or turn $10 into $20,000 in just weeks. Or, you may be given the chance to join a special group of investors who are going to get rich on a great investment. The invitation might even come from someone you know.

Pump and dump scam

Scammers contact you to promote a low-priced stock. What you don’t know is that the scammer already owns a large amount of this stock. As you and other investors buy shares, the value of the stock rises. At the peak price, the scammer sells their shares and the value of the stock plummets, leaving you with worthless stocks.

Advance fees scheme

In this scam, the victim is persuaded to pay money up front in order to take advantage of an investment opportunity promising significantly more in return. But the scammer takes the money and the victim never hears from them again. Investors who have lost money in a risky investment are often targeted.

Are you considering a new investment?

Use our Scam Spotter tool to learn how to spot the warning signs of fraud, and to learn how to protect yourself from suspected scams.

Scam Spotter

Growing older in Canada

Older Canadians have a variety of financial needs, from planning for retirement, to paying off debt, helping out family members, living in retirement and estate planning.

Here are some resources to help answer financial questions related to this stage in life.

Retirement planning

A retirement plan helps you decide what type of lifestyle you’d like to have, how much you need to save and how to manage your money after you stop working.

Retirement planning is about managing your money so you can make the most of your retirement years. Your retirement plan should balance your needs, wants and the reality of your finances.

3 reasons to have a retirement plan

Set goals

A plan helps you set goals for retirement, including the age when you want to stop working and your lifestyle.

Know how much to save

It can help you figure out how much money you need to save to live comfortably in retirement.

grid of circles with a hand choosing one

Choose what to invest in

A plan can guide your investment choices based on your goals and your risk tolerance.

Saving
How much you need to save depends on 3 things:

Your age

When you start saving makes a big difference in how much you need to put away. The younger you are when you start, the less money you have to put aside, thanks to the power of compounding. Use this calculator to see how much you could save.

Your lifestyle

Do you plan to stay home or travel the world? The amount you’ll need to save will depend on the life you plan to lead when you retire.

Federal government benefits

You could be entitled to government retirement benefits like the Canada Pension Plan (CPP), Old Age Security (OAS) and the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS). If you’re eligible for income from these government programs, you might not have to save as much.

Are you eligible for a seniors’ tax credit?

As a senior, you may qualify for certain tax credits. You may also be able to claim expenses like medical costs and caregiver costs.

Financial Abuse

For many people, aging can also be accompanied by health, mobility, or cognitive changes that may affect a person’s ability to make decisions later in life, as well as their susceptibility to financial abuse and fraud. It’s important to recognize that these factors may affect different individuals at different points in their lives, and to significantly different degrees.

If you believe or suspect that someone is stealing funds or manipulating you into giving them money, access to accounts, or financial power, here are some steps you can take to help stop the behaviour:

Speak to someone you trust

This could be a neighbour, a family member, a health care worker, or someone else in your community. They can help you in getting assistance.

Get copies of your financial records

Examine your bank, investment and pension records to confirm if there’s any suspicious activity. You can also ask for copies of cashed cheques. You may also want to review your will, power of attorney and other important paperwork. If something is unclear, speak with your bank or financial representative directly.

Talk to professionals

There are people who can help you look out for your financial interests. This includes your lawyer or accountant.

Speak to the police

Fraud is a serious crime that will be taken seriously. Non-emergency police staff can be of assistance in investigating suspicious activity and potentially charging those who break the law.

Reach out to organizations that can give you advice

Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario has a Seniors Safety Line (SSL):
1-866-299-1011

This is available 24/7 in several languages and provides people with a safe, confidential place to discuss issues.

These tips can protect you from financial abuse:

Stay connected with family, friends and your community

Set up automatic payments for bills and deposits into your bank account; review your financial records for anything unusual

Keep your personal and financial information (PIN, passwords etc.) safe, do not share this information

Lend money only if you want to, and have a signed document for repayment

Have an enduring or continuing power of attorney appointing someone you trust to look after you and your finances

Understand all documents before you sign them

To get a better understanding of elder abuse visit Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (CNPEA) which has tips and resources for Canadians in every province. Visit www.cnpea.ca to learn more.

Fact Cards

Fact Cards are free digital cards containing unbiased information on investment topics that can be embedded on third-party websites.

The Fact Cards cover topics ranging from the red flags of investment fraud to understanding mutual funds to checking the registration of a financial representative. They are all identified with the OSC’s consumer education website GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca.

Fact Cards can be embedded by using a publicly available web code (similar to how YouTube videos can be embedded on websites) and shared through social media links.

4 signs of investment fraud

Seniors: 6 signs of financial abuse

OSC Investor Warnings and Alerts

9 types of investment risk

COVID-19 & Your Money

As the financial impact of novel coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to affect Canadians and their families, many people are looking for answers to their financial questions and evaluating their financial preparedness.

Impact on investments

While each market downturn is unique and it is difficult to predict the future, there is evidence to support being optimistic when thinking about the long-term. Markets have historically recovered from downturns and continued to grow.

4 tactics to ride out the turmoil

Avoid continuously checking your portfolio

You should regularly check your investments but checking on them too often can create unnecessary stress and anxiety.

Avoid trying to time the market

For long-term investors, holding on to your investments, even during downturns, has generally been an effective strategy assuming that your financial goals and situation remains unchanged.

Avoid fear-based decisions

A pandemic can lead to hasty decisions, such as panic selling or buying stocks on an impulse.

Review your financial goals

If you become unemployed, you might need to cash out some of your investments for short-term expenses. Review your financial goals to make sure your investments align with them.

Learn more

GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca

GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca is an Ontario Securities Commission website that provides independent and unbiased information and financial tools to help you make better decisions about your money.

Here you will find information on investing basics, the different types of investment accounts available in Canada, and questions to ask before you choose an investment.

GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca also has calculators, worksheets and quizzes to help you make better informed investment decisions for you and your family.

Learn more

Contact Us

Local (Toronto)

416-593-8314

Toll-free (North America)

1-877-785-1555

TTY

1-866-827-1295

Fax

416-593-8122

(Questions and complaints)

Email

inquiries@osc.gov.on.ca

What’s required to be registered?

Proficiency

Integrity

Solvency

Investments generally fit into three main asset classes

Cash and cash equivalents

Fixed income

Equities

Types of accounts

Chequing Account

Savings Account

Investment Account

Most financial institutions offer many different types of accounts.

Banks and trust companies

Credit unions

Investment firms

5 reasons to open an RRSP

Contributions are tax deductible

Savings grow tax free

You can convert your RRSP to get regular payments when you retire

A spousal RRSP can reduce your combined tax burden

You can borrow from your RRSP to buy your first home or pay for your education

RRSP savings calculator

3 types of RESP plans:

Individual

Family

Group

Did you know?

4 reasons to open a TFSA

You are already contributing the full amount to your RRSP each year

You expect your income tax rate to be higher when you take money out of the TFSA

You need a flexible savings plan

You want to reduce taxes on your investments

Comparing TFSA and RRSP

Top 6 differences between TFSAs and RRSPs

RRIF fees

6 things to know about RRIFs

RRIF withdrawal

8 things to know about RDSPs

RDSP Contributions and Withdrawals

There are two main types of stocks:

Common stock

Preferred stock

Types of bonds

Regular bonds​

Complex bonds

Types of mutual funds

Money market funds

Fixed income funds

Equity funds

Balanced funds

Index funds

Specialty funds

Fund-of-funds

Types of ETFs

Index ETFs

Actively managed ETFs

Understanding real estate investments

Real estate investment trust

Limited partnership

Mortgage investment entitY

Syndicated mortgage

Types of investment risks

Common signs of investment fraud

High returns with little or no risk

“Hot Tip” or Insider information

Pressure to buy

They’re not registered to sell investments

Avoiding investment scams

Take the time you need

Get a second opinion

Research the investment

Check Registration

Common frauds & scams

Affinity fraud

Exempt securities scam

Forex scam

Offshore investing scam

Ponzi or pyramid scheme

Pump and dump scam

Regular bonds

Saving
How much you need to save depends on 3 things: