The Ontario Securities Commission's (OSC) Investor Office today published a new study that explores retail investor responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. Investors have been confronted with unprecedented uncertainty and the OSC is closely monitoring retail investor experiences and behaviours during this time to support its investor protection mandate. Learn more

The new study has many findings, including nearly half of investors are experiencing increased levels of stress, most have had communication with their advisors, and few have sold more than 20% of their portfolios during the pandemic. Learn more

We conducted a survey of nearly 2,000 Canadians in the spring to further our understanding of the retail investor experience in Canada. Given the unique point in time, we asked investors about their actions and attitudes related to investing during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings will be used to inform further work to understand the impact of the pandemic on retail investors. Learn more

Today we have published both the full research findings and a COVID-19 summary report. Over the coming weeks we will publish additional summary reports highlighting key findings.

Capital Markets Modernization Taskforce

The Capital Markets Modernization Taskforce released its initial consultation report and is currently seeking feedback from the public and stakeholders on how to transform Ontario's capital markets to:

• foster economic growth and capital formation
• reduce regulatory burden
• improve the regulatory governance structure and framework
• ensure a level playing-field for all market participants
• improve investor protection

Comments are due September 7, 2020. Learn more

Walied Soliman is the Chair of Ontario's Capital Markets Modernization Taskforce. We recently sat down with Walied to talk about the Taskforce's work, its stakeholder consultations and the more than 47 policy proposals to modernize the province's capital markets. Read the interview

Summertime Financial Checkup

Many Canadians continue to face financial uncertainty given the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. And even if your financial situation is unchanged, it's still a good idea to take a few minutes to check your financial health.

Understand how much you own, owe, earn, and spend. Our Net Worth Calculator and Financial Goals Worksheet are two popular tools that many investors use throughout the year to help them understand their financial situation.

If you’re struggling with debt or spending more than you earn, here are 6 tips to help you in the short-term. For a long-term solution, consider creating or updating your financial plan. You can create one on your own or work with a professional. Learn more

Improving Your Credit Score

Your credit score reflects your financial health. It helps lenders understand how financially responsible you are with debt. Improving your credit score may make it easier to qualify for loans and credit products, such as mortgages and credit cards, and can help you get better interest rates and terms. Learn more 

Building Your Emergency Savings Fund

Some emergencies in life can affect you financially. You could get sick, lose your job, or have a costly repair to your car or home. An emergency savings fund can help you deal with unexpected expenses. Make it a summer goal to build, or rebuild, your fund. Use our Emergency Fund Calculator to get started. Learn more

Balancing Your Portfolio

Diversifying your portfolio with a mix of assets, like stocks and bonds, is a good way to lower risk and smooth out returns.

Over time, your asset mix can change as your individual investments gain or lose value. Rebalancing your portfolio from time to time – either by yourself or with your financial advisor – is part of the regular maintenance you need to do to keep your asset mix close to your financial plan and on track with your goals. Learn more

The OSC will participate in the fourth annual World Investor Week, a global campaign promoted by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO) to raise awareness about the importance of investor education and protection.

World Investor Week runs from October 5 through 11 in Canada.

Tyler Fleming, Director of the OSC's Investor Office, along with two colleagues from Quebec's Autorité des marchés financiers are Canada's national co-leads. Learn more

Fee Calculator

Do you know the impact of fees on your investment returns? Over time, fees can have a major impact on the value of your portfolio. Common types of fees include fund management fees, advisory fees, transactions fees and custodian fees.

Use our Fee Calculator to find how fees could potentially impact your portfolio.

Understanding ETF Facts

ETF Facts is a document that summarizes key information about an ETF in a simple, accessible and easily comparable format. It is designed to help you make an informed decision about your investment by including information such as a fund’s investments, risk rating, past performance and the costs associated with owning it.

View a sample ETF Facts document using our interactive tool to find out what each section of the document means. Learn more

Syndicated Mortgages

The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA), which includes the OSC, published final amendments that substantially harmonize the regulatory framework for syndicated mortgages in Canada.

The CSA first published proposed changes to the syndicated mortgage regime in 2018 and conducted two comment periods to gather feedback.

Due to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, to allow time for stakeholders to implement the changes, the final amendments will come into effect on March 1, 2021. Learn more

"Financial Planner" and "Financial Advisor" Titles

The Financial Services Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) is proposing minimum standards for the use of the "financial planner" and "financial advisor" titles, so that consumers can have confidence in the quality of financial planning and financial advisory services they receive from these individuals.

The Government of Ontario has introduced legislation that will require individuals who use the "financial planner" (FP) and "financial advisor" (FA) titles to have a financial planner or financial advisor credential from a FSRA-approved credentialing body. Learn more

The Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF) has released its third Investor Series, Top Facts At-A-Glance, to educate and inform investors about its role in the Canadian financial system. CIPF provides limited protection for property held by a CIPF member firm on behalf of an eligible client, if the firm becomes insolvent. CIPF's mandate was established by Canada's provincial and territorial securities regulators, including the OSC. Learn more