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Ontario Securites Commision - Investor offices
Investor News
November 1, 2019
Financial Literacy Month
 

November is Financial Literacy Month! We are undertaking a number of initiatives designed to build the financial knowledge of Ontarians and highlight the importance of financial literacy.

During Financial Literacy Month, we'll be connecting with people across Ontario in-person, online, over the phone and on social media through various activities. Our new initiatives will include the rollout of a new financial literacy video series, expanding our suite of multilingual resources, and publishing new financial literacy research later in the month. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter to get the latest updates. Read the OSC news release to learn more.

 
Financial Literacy Month Themes
 

Financial Literacy Month Themes

Financial Literacy Month is the time to take charge of your finances and improve your financial well-being. Find out more about Financial Literacy Month and this year's themes from the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada.

Start getting your finances back on track by taking action in these four areas:

Create a budget. A budget can help prioritize your spending, find ways to save money, and give you better control over your financial future. Find out how

Set your financial goals. Understand your current financial situation and set goals that are specific and measurable. Find out how

Be a smart investor. Understand the investment products and services offered to you before making a decision. Find out how

Reduce debt. It may be tempting to ignore your debt but dealing with financial challenges earlier will help you avoid an even more difficult situation in the future. Find out how

 
New Resource Hub for Canadian Armed Forces Members
 

New Resource Hub for Canadian Armed Forces Members

Visit our new Military Service hub on GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca for financial information and resources for the men and women of the Canadian Armed Forces and their families. Learn more

 
Re: Investing
 

Ask Us An Investing Question

Investing and the investment world can be complex. Our Re: Investing website offers clear, unbiased answers to your questions about investing, from a trusted source. Here are some recent questions and our responses:

“What are MER Fees on ETFs?”
“How does compound interest work on an investment?”
“I plan to retire early, must I convert my RRSP(s) to a RRIF(s) all at once or can I do this over time?”

 
Personal Information Inventory
 

Personal Information Inventory

In case you missed it earlier this year, download our Personal Information Inventory document. It can help a trusted contact locate your personal and financial accounts, and other records, in the event that you are unable to provide guidance. Learn more

 
Mutual Fund Fee Calculator
 

Mutual Fund Fee Calculator

You may directly or indirectly pay fees and expenses when investing in mutual funds. These fees reduce the return you get on your investment in a mutual fund, and not all mutual funds have the same fee structure.

Our Mutual Fund Fee Calculator will show you how fees and other costs affect what you make investing in different mutual funds. You can also compare the fees of different funds.

Visit GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca for more popular and free articles, tools calculators to help you with your finances.

 
Robo-advisors
 

Robo-advisors

Despite its frequent use in the media, the term "robo-advisor" can be misleading. The term robo-advisor may conjure up an image of a fully automated computer system that generates and delivers advice to investors. While that is how some firms operate in the United States, requirements are different in Ontario. Learn more

 
Client-Focused Reforms
 

Client-Focused Reforms

In our last issue, we put together a summary for investors on rule amendments to implement the Client-Focused Reforms across Canada.

Once these changes take effect, your dealer or adviser firm and its registered individuals will be required to put your interests first when recommending or choosing investments for you. If there is a material conflict of interest, they must address it in your best interest. They will also need to do more to clarify what you can expect from them in terms of products and services. For example, they will need to provide you with more information about any limits on the products they are able to offer, and the costs and risks associated with them. Read the summary

 
Investor Knowledge Quiz
 

Investor Knowledge Quiz

How well do you understand important investing concepts? Test your knowledge on investment risk, diversification and fraud prevention by taking our Investor Knowledge Quiz

Visit GetSmarterAboutMoney.ca for more popular and free articles, tools calculators to help you with your finances.

 
Telephone Townhall
 

Telephone townhalls are a way for the Investor Office to connect with thousands of Ontarians at a time, in the comfort of their own home. Telephone townhalls work much like a call-in radio show where OSC staff provide information, answer questions and conduct live polls over the course of one hour.

As part of Financial Literacy Month activities, we've invited special guests from the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC), the Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada (MFDA), and the Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments (OBSI) to join us.

The next telephone townhall is on November 19, 2019 at 6:30pm. Register for free

 
Investor Protection Clinic
 

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. The Clinic is staffed with Osgoode Hall Law School students that are paired with supervising lawyers from law firms in Ontario.

We were pleased to have some of the students join us and present at OSC in the Community seminars this year (pictured above). Learn more about the Clinic's activities by reading the its 2019 Annual Report or visiting its website.

 
 

CONSULTATIONS

 

Proposed amendments to business acquisition report requirements

Comments due: December 4, 2019

The Canadian Securities Administrators published for comment proposed amendments to the business acquisition report requirements for reporting issuers that are not venture issuers. Learn more

 

Proposed eight initiatives to reduce regulatory burden for investment funds

Comments due: December 11, 2019

The Canadian Securities Administrators published for comment proposed rule amendments aimed at implementing eight initiatives that seek to eliminate duplicative requirements, streamline regulatory processes, codify frequently-granted exemptions from certain rules for investment funds, and eliminate the need for certain regulatory approvals. These proposed changes are part of the CSA’s ongoing work to reduce regulatory burden for investment funds. Learn more

 

Proposed changes to auditor oversight rules

Comments due: January 2, 2020

The Canadian Securities Administrators published for comment proposed amendments to National Instrument 52-108 Auditor Oversight intended to provide the Canadian Public Accountability Board (CPAB) with improved ability to perform audit inspections. Learn more

 

WARNINGS/ALERTS

 

Always know the 10 most recent OSC investor warnings and alerts by bookmarking this Fact Card or embedding it on your website or blog.

 

Axe Invest

Axe Invest, offering investment services on its website found at www[dot]axeinvest[dot]com, is not registered in Ontario to engage in the business of trading in securities. Learn more

 

Blue Sail Trading

The OSC is warning investors that Blue Sail Trading and its associated trading platform Derivative 360/360Pro (collectively “BST”) are not registered to deal or advise in securities in Ontario. Learn more

 

Maxi Platinum Ltd., Strategy One Ltd

Strategy One Ltd. and Maxi Platinum Ltd., doing business as www[dot]superbinary[dot]com (together “Superbinary”) appears to operate an online binary options trading platform. Advertising, offering, selling or otherwise trading binary options by any entity, is prohibited in Ontario as specified in CSA Multilateral Instrument 91-102, Prohibition of Binary Options which was implemented on September 28, 2017. Learn more

 

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.

 

KEY DATES

 

Telephone Townhall

November 19, 2019

Telephone townhalls are a way for the Investor Office to connect with thousands of Ontarians at a time, in the comfort of their own home. Telephone townhalls work much like a call-in radio show where Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) staff provide information, answer questions and conduct live polls over the course of one hour. We'll also have special guests from IIROC, the MFDA and OBSI.

The next telephone townhall is being held as part of Financial Literacy Month. 

Register now

 

OSC Dialogue 2019

November 21, 2019

The OSC recently announced the agenda and preliminary list of speakers for Dialogue 2019: Regulation for Confidence and Growth. This year’s event brings together financial industry leaders, senior regulators and investors to discuss collaborative strategies to drive efficiency and economic growth, while fostering market confidence.

The event will feature opening remarks by the Honourable Rod Phillips, Minister of Finance, Ontario, and a keynote discussion between OSC Chair and CEO Maureen Jensen and Stephen S. Poloz, Governor of the Bank of Canada. Governor Poloz will discuss his organization’s approach to addressing emerging risks and maintaining a safe and effective financial system.

Register now
85% sold out!

 

OSC in the Community

OSC staff are taking the Commission's regulatory mandate from Bay Street to Main Street with seminars on preventing fraud and making informed investment decisions.

  • November 4, 2019 - Mississauga
  • November 6, 2019 - Markham
  • November 6, 2019 - Oshawa
  • November 12, 2019 - Toronto (Scarborough)
  • November 14, 2019 - Toronto (Downtown)
  • November 14, 2019 - Toronto (North York)
  • November 20, 2019 - Markham
  • November 26, 2019 - Toronto (Scarborough)
  • November 28, 2019 - Toronto (Scarborough)
  • December 4, 2019 - Ridgetown

Learn more

 
oscar - owl

Follow these 6 steps when opening a Registered Retirement Income Fund (RRIF).

 
 
Investor News icon

Visit InvestorOffice.ca to find past issues of Investor News.

 
 
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