Canada

CRTC Telecom Order 2026-42: Costs Award for PIAC Participation

The Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) issued Telecom Order 2026-42, granting a costs award to the Public Interest Advocacy Centre (PIAC) for its participation in a proceeding concerning notification and reporting requirements for telecommunications service outages. PIAC sought costs for representing consumer interests.

CSA Publishes 2025 Systemic Risk Committee Annual Report

The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) has published its 2025 Systemic Risk Committee Annual Report, analyzing financial market trends, emerging risks, and potential vulnerabilities in Canadian capital markets. The report highlights the rise of AI and stablecoins as key areas of focus for potential financial stability impacts.

OSC, AMF, CIRO Approve Financial Services Platform Test

The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC), Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF), and Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) have approved Project Samara, a financial services platform test in Canada. This experimental project evaluates a distributed ledger technology platform for bond transactions, involving major financial institutions and the Bank of Canada.

Canadian Securities Regulators Disrupt Over 7,500 Fraudulent Investment Websites

Canadian securities regulators announced the disruption of over 7,586 fraudulent investment and crypto scam websites between June 2025 and February 2026. This initiative, part of Fraud Prevention Month, highlights ongoing efforts to protect investors from online fraud.

OSC Investor Warnings: Unregistered Companies

The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) has issued investor warnings for eight unregistered companies operating in Ontario. These companies are not authorized to deal or advise in securities, posing a potential risk to investors.

Canadian Securities Regulators Strengthen Benchmark Assurance Report Requirements

Canadian securities regulators have adopted final amendments to Multilateral Instrument 25-102, strengthening assurance report requirements for designated benchmarks. These changes clarify the scope, timing, and level of assurance for reports submitted by independent public accountants, aiming to enhance governance and controls over benchmarks. The amendments are set to come into force on May 5, 2026.

FINTRAC Supervisory Framework Guidance

The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) has released its supervisory framework. This guidance outlines the principles, risk framework, and pillars of supervision FINTRAC uses to ensure businesses comply with the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act.

FINTRAC Notices and Advisories for Reporting Entities

The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) has issued numerous notices and advisories to reporting entities. These updates cover a range of obligations, including guidance on bribery and corruption, politically exposed persons, ministerial directives, and beneficial ownership reporting.

FINTRAC Policy Interpretations for Proceeds of Crime Act

FINTRAC has updated its policy interpretations database concerning the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act. Notably, certain policy positions regarding payment processing and merchant servicing activities have been retracted as of April 27, 2022, with affected entities now subject to money services business requirements.

FINTRAC Interpretation Notices on Proceeds of Crime Law

The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) has issued interpretation notices to clarify provisions of the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act. These notices provide technical interpretations and plain language explanations for regulated entities, including accountants.