Investor Education and Protection

It is Investor Education Month and World Investor Week. The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) is expanding investor education activities throughout October to help people make informed financial decisions.

The need for investor education and protection has never been greater as Canadians face increasingly complex financial challenges. The OSC reminds investors to always check registration, research a product before investing, and recognize the benefits of early financial planning.

World Investor Week

The OSC is proud to participate in World Investor Week, a global initiative by the International Organization of Securities Commissions (IOSCO). It takes place from October 4 through 10 in Canada and highlights important investor education and protection themes.

Benefits of Compound Growth

The earlier you save or invest, the more you can benefit from compound growth. By reinvesting interest and dividends earned, you can grow your money faster as you receive additional returns from the reinvested amounts.

Investment Risks

All investments have some level of risk, and some investments have many different types of risk. These common types of risk can affect your returns.

Mutual Fund Series Explained

Mutual funds are categorized into different “series” or “classes”. They provide different benefits as well as fees or expenses. They also indicate the compensation arrangements for the advisors who sell the fund.

Regulatory Updates & Initiatives

Here are some recent notable developments and publications:

• The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) and Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) published guidance to help crypto trading platforms understand and comply with requirements under securities law and IIROC rules for advertising, marketing and social media use. Learn more
• The OSC announced a roundtable on broader diversity in capital markets. The virtual roundtable is on Wednesday, October 13 from 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. ET to discuss broader diversity (beyond gender) on boards and in executive officer positions, with a specific focus on targets, term limits and diversity data. Learn more
• The OSC published its 2021 Annual Report which highlights the Commission's work over the past year, delivering at a high level for our stakeholders, support investors and firms during unprecedented times, maintain market integrity, and build toward an innovative future. Learn more

Investor News is also available in French. Investor news sont également disponibles en français. Abonnez-vous dès maintenant

Check Before You Invest

Remember to always check the registration of any person or business selling an investment or offering investment advice. Checking registration helps protect you from unqualified or fraudulent individuals.

Real Estate Investment Products

There are different ways people can invest in real estate without buying and maintaining properties on their own. Real estate investments can help diversify your portfolio, but there are also risks you should know about.

Osgoode's Investor Protection Clinic Annual Report

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. Read their most recent 2021 Annual Report.

Warnings & Alerts

Upcoming events