International Network of Financial Services Ombudsman Schemes (INFO Network)
The INFO Network is a worldwide association of financial services ombudsman schemes.
Consumer Resources
Below you will find useful links and resources.
OBSI is not responsible for the content or functionality of external websites.
The CAFC operates pursuant to a joint management team structure consisting of representatives of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP), The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) and the Competition Bureau Canada.
Canadian Foundation for Advancement of Investor Rights (FAIR)
Non-profit organization representing the interests of Canadian investors in securities regulations.
Canadian Foundation for Economic Education
This site has several resources that help increase financial capability.
Consumers will find resources that will help them make informed decisions when participating in the marketplace.
GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca (OSC Investor Education)
GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca is a website founded by the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) that provides unbiased and independent financial tools to help you make better financial decisions.
The Get Smarter About Money tool is run by the OSC's Investor Office which sets the strategic direction and leads the OSC's efforts in investor engagement, education, outreach and research. The Office also brings the investor perspective to policy-making and operations.
Osgoode Investor Protection Clinic
The Investor Protection Clinic at Osgoode Hall Law School provides free legal advice to people who believe their investments were mishandled and who cannot afford a lawyer.
U of T Investor Protection Clinic
The Investor Protection Clinic at University of Toronto provides free legal services and public legal education to members of vulnerable communities who are at risk of suffering harm, or may have suffered harm, relating to their investments.
The Canadian Securities Administrator's guide to different types of firm registrations and the services each type of firm provides.
Provincial Securities Commission Investor Education
Low to Moderate Income Families
Prosper Canada is a national charity dedicated to expanding economic opportunity for Canadians living in poverty through program and policy innovation.
ACORN (Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now) Canada is an independent national organization of low- and moderate-income families. They connect community members -- low and moderate income consumers -- with information about their rights, financial literacy education, tax and benefit services, and leadership development training.
Canadian Securities Administrators
This umbrella organization for the provincial securities regulators includes links to member sites and consumer information.
Alberta Securities Commission (ASC)
Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF)
British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC)
Office of the Yukon Superintendent of Securities
Manitoba Securities Commission (MSC)
Financial and Consumer Services Commission of New Brunswick (FCNB)
Nova Scotia Securities Commission (NSSC)
Ontario Securities Commission (OSC)
Prince Edward Island Securities Office
Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan
Office of the Superintendent of Securities, Service Newfoundland and Labrador
Office of the Superintendent of Securities (Northwest Territories)
Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO)
CIRO is the national self-regulatory organization that oversees all investment dealers, mutual fund dealers and trading activity on Canada’s debt and equity marketplaces.
Other Regulatory Organizations
Joint Forum of Financial Market Regulators
The national forum for pension, securities and insurance regulators to co-ordinate, harmonize and streamline financial services regulation in Canada.
Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC)
The federal marketplace conduct regulator of federally regulated financial services firms including banks.
Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI)
The federal government regulator for financial services firms in federal jurisdiction.
Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada
The federal government office that monitors and enforces the privacy law.
Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC)
PIAC is a non-profit organization and charity that provides legal and research services on behalf of consumer interests, and, in particular, vulnerable consumer interests, concerning the provision of important public services.
Their mission is to promote and defend the interests of consumers while ensuring that these interests are respected. They take interest in questions related to personal finances, financial services, business practices, private life, and telecommunications.
Canadian Bankers Association (CBA)
The national industry association for Canada's banks.
Canadian Credit Union Association (CCUA)
The trade association and central finance facility for credit unions in Canada.
Federation of Investment Dealers (FID)
The trade association representing independent dealerships across Canada.
Investment Funds Institute of Canada (IFIC)
The trade association for the investment funds industry in Canada.
Investment Industry Association of Canada (IIAC)
The trade association for the investment industry in Canada.
The organization responsible for Canada's financial clearing and settlement infrastructure, processes and rules.
Portfolio Management Association of Canada (PMAC)
The association for portfolio management firms in Canada.
Private Capital Markets Association of Canada (PCMA)
The association for exempt market dealers and issuers in Canada.
RESP Dealers Association of Canada (RESPDAC)
The industry association for Scholarship Plan Dealers in Canada.
Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association (CLHIA)
The trade association for life and health (including disability) insurance companies in Canada.
OmbudService for Life and Health Insurance (OLHI)
The OmbudService for Life & Health Insurance (OLHI) is a national independent complaint resolution and information service for consumers of Canadian life and health insurance products and services, including life, disability, employee health benefits, travel, and insurance investment products such as annuities and segregated funds.
Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC)
The trade association representing the home, auto and business insurance industry in Canada.
General Insurance OmbudService (GIO)
For Canadian consumers of home, automobile and business insurance, there is an alternative. The General Insurance OmbudService (GIO) is an independent dispute resolution service that is responsive, thorough and focused on the successful resolution of consumer complaints.
Their program helps immigrants before and after they arrive in Canada, delivering essential information focusing on job search, financial first steps, settlement and more.
Additional Resources for Seniors
In the broader financial services world, many organizations are putting special effort into identifying and addressing seniors' issues. Below are some of the resources available for both financial industry professionals and elderly financial service consumers.
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OBSI |
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| Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) | |
| Alberta Securities Commission (ASC) | |
| BC Securities Commission (BCSC) |
InvestRight.org |
| Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) | Life Event Guides |
| Investment Industry Association of Canada (IIAC) | Protecting Senior Investors: Compliance, Supervisory and Other Practices When Serving Senior Investors Guidance Report |
| Canadian Bankers Association (CBA) | Your Money Seniors |
Provincial Seniors Advocates
The provincial offices of the seniors advocates have authority to identify, review and analyze systemic issues related to seniors and make recommendations respecting changes to improve seniors' services.
Organizations for Seniors
CanAge is Canada’s national seniors’ advocacy organization, working to improve the lives of older adults through advocacy, policy, and community engagement.
The Canadian Association of Retired Persons (CARP)
CARP is Canada’s largest advocacy association for older Canadians promoting equitable access to health care, financial security, and freedom from ageism.
Canadian Centre for Elder Law (CCEL)
The CCEL is a national, non-profit body dedicated to exploring the particular legal issues which affect older Canadians. Their objectives are to enrich and inform the lives of older adults with the law; to meet the increasing need for legal education and research in relation to legal issues having particular significance for older adults; and, to serve as a national focal point for this emergent field.
Elder Abuse Prevention Ontario (EAPO)
EAPO is a provincial organization recognized for its leadership in elder abuse prevention in the province, providing awareness-raising education, delivering targeted sectoral training, resource development and information about the increasingly complex issues of elder abuse.
- Engages with over 40 local area Elder Abuse Networks across Ontario, to support local communities in preventing elder abuse and building collaborative linkages to agencies working in the realm of senior programs and services.
- Works collaboratively with government and community partners, across all sectors, to ensure support for seniors is optimized and appropriately prioritized within growing needs.
- Provides information, referrals and consultations with seniors, families and service providers seeking assistance to respond to elder abuse and older adults at-risk of abuse in effective and safe manners.
Ontario Society of Senior Citizens Organizations (OSSCO)
The OSSCO is a provincial organization and a registered charity who works to improve the quality of life for Ontario's seniors through educational programs, research, public awareness, information, referral, counseling, community outreach and support, self-help and volunteer programs.
Seniors' College Association of Nova Scotia (SCANS)
SCANS is an association of senior learners founded in 2007. Volunteer members operate the society with the following objectives:
- To provide affordable learning opportunities for seniors (age 50 years and older) on academic topics they select that will be arranged and monitored by the peers they choose.
- To liaise, develop linkages and partner, when practicable, with other organizations in the field of life-long learning
- To promote and advocate the interests of seniors in the field of life-long learning