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June is Seniors' Month. During the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, older adults face the possibility of increased financial vulnerability in addition to health risks.
Financial elder abuse occurs when an older adult is pressured, coerced or tricked into doing something they don’t want to do with their money or property. Cases are often unreported since many feel embarrassed, especially if the abuse comes from friends or family members. Learn how to recognize the 7 signs of financial elder abuse.
For a list of organizations and phone numbers for seniors including crisis support resources, visit our Resources for Seniors page.
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Understanding Financial Statements
You need clear information to make investment decisions, which is why public companies and investment funds are required to disclose key information to investors.
Learn why financial statements can help current and potential investors make informed decisions about buying, selling or holding an investment by visiting our new Understanding Financial Statements hub.
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COVID-19 Response - Update to Investors
As the COVID-19 pandemic causes continued uncertainty in the economy and the capital markets, the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA), which includes the Ontario Securities Commission (OSC), has been working to protect and educate investors.
A new COVID-19 Information hub was added to the CSA's website.
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).
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. Learn more
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Request for Comments
The CSA, which includes the OSC, is proposing changes to tackle financial exploitation and diminished mental capacity of older and vulnerable clients.
The deadline to provide comments was extended to July 20, 2020. Learn more
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May 29: OSC continues to temporarily waive late fees for market participants due to COVID-19
The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) continues to temporarily waive late fees for market participants impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The extensions build on the temporary relief the OSC announced in April of this year. Read more
May 29: Canadian securities regulators remind issuers of importance of disclosure in financial reporting
Given the significant impacts that the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have on Canadian public companies, the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) is reminding reporting issuers of the importance of disclosing high quality financial information to investors. Read more
May 29: Temporary relief from certain regulatory filings available to registrants and unregistered capital markets participants due to COVID-19
The securities regulatory authorities in Alberta, British Columbia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Northwest Territories, Nova Scotia, Nunavut, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan and Yukon (the participating jurisdictions) published temporary blanket relief for registrants and unregistered capital markets participants from certain financial statement and information delivery requirements, as a result of COVID-19. Read more
May 20: Temporary relief from certain regulatory filings available to investment funds and non-investment fund issuers due to COVID-19
The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) published two blanket orders that provide investment funds and non-investment fund issuers with temporary relief from certain regulatory filings and delivery obligations, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The conditions of the relief are substantially the same as the temporary relief announced on March 23 (prior relief), but the relief is only applicable to issuers and investment funds with filing deadlines in the news release. Read more
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COVID-19 Fraud Alerts
Watch our new COVID-19 fraud alert videos. Fraudsters are exploiting the fear of economic conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic.
*New* Quick High-Return Schemes. Fraudsters are targeting people experiencing financial hardship from COVID-19 with quick high-return schemes based outside of Canada.
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Money Tips for Life in Retirement
Running out of money in retirement worries many people. You could face higher than expected food or medical costs, lower than expected income, or financial emergencies. Making the most of your government benefits and tax credits are among some of the ways to manage your retirement finances. Learn more
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Choosing an Executor
Choosing an executor is one of the most important decisions you'll make when preparing your will. Your executor will be responsible for protecting and administering your estate and distributing your assets to your beneficiaries. Learn more
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Volatility-linked ETFs
Given the recent stock markets fluctuations, volatility-linked ETFs have once again received attention in the news, social media and investing forums. Despite their name, these products are very different from most other ETFs. Some perform well if there are major swings in the market such as a stock market crash while others do well when the market is stable. These are high-risk investments, and you could risk major losses if you invest without fully understanding how they work. Learn more
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Borrowing Against Your Home
If you're thinking about a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or a reverse mortgage, understand all the costs along with the advantages and disadvantages before making a decision. These products can help free up cash and allow you to continue to stay in your home. However, you may also incur added costs, such as legal fees, and increased borrowing costs if interest rates increase. Learn more
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Retirement Cash Flow Calculator
Will your savings be enough for retirement? Try our Retirement Cash Flow Calculator to plan your cash flow in retirement. You can estimate how long your money will last given the impact of different rates of return, spending habits and lifestyle choices.
Visit GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca for more popular and free articles, tools and calculators to help you with your finances.
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Financial Support for Seniors
Both the federal government and the Ontario government have announced several income support and financial measures related to the impact of COVID-19.
Visit Ontario.ca for more information.
- Doubled GAINS payments for seniors – if you are a senior receiving monthly Ontario Guaranteed Annual Income System (GAINS) payments.
- Ontario community support program - If you are a low-income senior or a person with a disability in need, such as those in supportive housing environments or community-based independent living programs, you can get: paid or subsidized delivery of meals and delivery of medicine and other necessities.
- The federal government is providing a one-time tax-free payment of $300 for seniors eligible for the Old Age Security (OAS) pension, with an additional $200 for seniors eligible for the Guaranteed Income Supplement (GIS).
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Proposed rule for Non-GAAP and other financial measures
Comments due: June 29, 2020
The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) published a second notice and request for comment on revisions to a proposed rule for Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures (the proposed rule). The rule would establish disclosure requirements for issuers that disclose non-GAAP and other financial measures, which often lack standardized meanings, resulting in potentially misleading disclosure. Learn more
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Proposed rule to restrict use of deferred sales charge option
Comments due: July 6, 2020
The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) published for comment a proposed rule that would restrict the use of the deferred sales charge (DSC) option in the sale of mutual funds. The proposed rule is intended to address negative investor outcomes by limiting the circumstances in which mutual funds with the DSC option can be sold and by giving clients greater flexibility to redeem these investments without penalties. Learn more
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Proposed new nationally harmonized crowdfunding rules
Comments due: July 13, 2020
The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) is seeking comment on proposed harmonized rules for start-up securities crowdfunding.
Proposed National Instrument 45-110 Start-up Crowdfunding Registration and Prospectus Exemptions would replace and enhance the requirements currently in effect in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Québec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. Learn more
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Proposed changes to tackle financial exploitation and diminished mental capacity of older and vulnerable clients
Comments due: July 20, 2020
The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) published for comment proposed amendments designed to clearly outline how registrants can address situations involving diminished mental capacity or the potential financial exploitation of vulnerable clients. Learn more
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Always know the 10 most recent OSC investor warnings and alerts by bookmarking this Fact Card or embedding it on your website or blog.
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First City Markets
First City Markets, found at www[dot]firstcitymarkets[dot]com, is not registered in Ontario to engage in the business of trading in securities. Learn more
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Pinnacle Capital
Pinnacle Capital, offering investment services on its website found at www[dot]pinnacle[dot]capital, is not registered in Ontario to engage in the business of trading in securities. Learn more
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IOSCO Investor Alerts
Stay informed about the latest international investor warnings and alerts by visiting the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) Investor Alerts Portal.
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OSC in the Community
OSC in the Community is an outreach program that takes the OSC's regulatory mandate from Bay Street to Main Street. OSC staff travel to communities across Ontario to talk to people about making informed financial decisions and avoiding investment fraud.
To protect the health and safety of the public and staff, all OSC in the Community events will be delivered online or by phone until further notice. We will continue to monitor the situation and follow guidance from public health authorities.
- June 4, 2020 - Township of Guelph/Eramosa
- June 9, 2020 - Toronto (Etobicoke)
- June 9, 2020 - Toronto (North York)
- June 10, 2020 - Toronto (Downtown)
- June 10, 2020 - Windsor
- June 11, 2020 - Ottawa
- June 15, 2020 - Toronto (North York)
- June 15, 2020 - Muskoka
- June 16, 2020 - Grimsby
- June 16, 2020 - Township of Leeds and Thousand Islands
Learn more
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