Are you ready for it? Time to talk about money

Talking about money can feel awkward. Breaking that taboo is the focus of Financial Literacy Month. “Money on your Mind. Talk about it!” is the theme of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada’s annual event.   

It may be tough to talk about money with close family and friends, but it can be helpful. To break the ice, take a look at five conversation starters to build better money habits.

Steps to shake off debt

Debt can add up for many reasons. The more debt accumulates, the more overwhelmed you may feel. The sooner you pay off your debts, the sooner your money can go into savings or an investment that will earn you a return. Take a look at strategies to pay down debt. And if you’re trying to figure out where to find extra funds, it may be helpful to review what to consider before borrowing against your home.

Money and mental math

Feel like you have extra cash because you didn’t get Taylor Swift concert tickets? Mental accounting is when you think about money differently based on how you earned it or where you intend to spend it. You might be careful with your paycheque but spend impulsively when you get a tax refund. Mental accounting can affect how you spend, save and invest.

What to look for in a bank account

A bank account is an important part of financial planning. There are a lot of bank account choices. Find out more about types of bank accounts, how to choose and open an account, and how to reduce bank account fees.

Investors influenced by confusing ESG ratings

An OSC study examined the influence of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors on retail investor decision making. It found ESG ratings greatly influence investor decisions, but these ratings are difficult for people to understand. The report identified challenges for investors when evaluating the ESG component of investment funds, including the lack of standardized definitions and measurements of ESG factors and the differences in ratings. Find out more about the report and learn more about ESG investing.

The unsteady truth about stablecoins

Despite their name, stablecoins can be volatile and unstable. Find out why value-referenced crypto assets is a better term to describe these crypto assets.

Regulatory Updates & Initiatives

Here are some recent developments and publications: 

• The OSC published the Summary Report for Investment Fund and Structured Product Issuers.
• Canadian securities regulators published coordinated blanket orders to provide temporary exemptions from certain derivatives data reporting requirements. 
• Participating Canadian securities regulators published the results of their 10th consecutive annual review of disclosures relating to women on boards and in executive officer positions, as well as the underlying data that was used to prepare the report. 
• The OSC released the results of a study examining the influence of environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors on retail investor decision making.  
• The OSC’s 2023-2024 Annual Report documents OSC accomplishments during the last fiscal year and the work underway to strengthen investor protection and build a dynamic, adaptable regulatory environment amid an evolving landscape. 
• Canadian roundtable on audit quality addressed current state and trends. 
• The OSC issued an award of nearly $150,000 to an international whistleblower who provided information about significant issues at an early-stage firm.  
• The Capital Markets Tribunal is seeking applications for membership to the Securities Proceedings Advisory Committee. 
• The OSC released 2024 Investment Fund Survey Data Dashboard. The annual survey was sent to more than 500 investment fund managers registered in Ontario.
• The CSA published its biennial report on its Continuous Disclosure Review Program.

Resources in many languages

New Canadians and people new to investing can find information in 23 languages at Introduction to Investing. The OSC’s multilingual website has resources to help you plan and manage your money, invest for the future and protect your money from fraud.

Warnings & Alerts

Upcoming events