Investors


Help with disputes involving misconduct


You have the right to expect that the people and companies who deal with your investments will obey the rules and treat you fairly.

You may have a complaint if your financial dealer or adviser:

  • recommends that you buy or sell a security that is unsuitable for you, based on your age, financial situation, investment objectives and investment experience
  • is not registered to sell the investments they are recommending
  • buys or sells securities for you, or takes money out of your account, without first getting your permission. This does not apply if you have a discretionary account, which allows your adviser to make trades at their discretion without getting your permission.
  • switches you from one mutual fund to another when there is no legitimate investment reason to do so
  • does not take reasonable care to see that your order is executed at the best possible price, given the market conditions at the time
You may have a complaint if a public company or an insider:

  • publishes inaccurate, incomplete or misleading disclosure or files their disclosure documents late
  • buys or sells securities when they have material information that has not been generally disclosed to the public
  • discloses material information to a select group, rather than to the general public

Help with disputes involving misconduct

The following organizations may be able to help if you believe someone has broken the rules.

You can contact the OSC at any time if you have questions or need information.

Organization What you need to know How to contact
Ontario Securities Commission (OSC)
  • Investigates breaches of Ontario securities law and conduct against the public interest
  • Investigates complaints against public companies
  • Investigates complaints against dealers and advisers that are not members of IIROC or the MFDA
  • Can impose sanctions, including reprimands, fines, suspensions or bars from the securities industry
Contact Us
Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC)
  • Investigates complaints against member firms and registered employees
  • Investigates trading-related issues involving companies listed on Canadian stock exchanges 
  • Can impose sanctions in the form of reprimands, fines, suspensions and expulsion
Tel: (416) 364-6133
1-877-442-4322
Website: www.iiroc.ca
Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada (MFDA)
  • Investigates complaints against member firms and registered employees
  • Can impose sanctions in the form of reprimands, fines, suspensions and expulsion
Tel: (416) 361-6332
1-888-466-6332
Website: www.mfda.ca
Financial Services Commission of Ontario (FSCO)
  • Investigates complaints against co-operatives, credit unions, caisses populaires, insurance, loan and trust companies, mortgage brokers and pension plans
Tel: (416) 250-7250
1-800-668-0128
Website:www.fsco.gov.on.ca
Police
  • Investigate criminal offences such as fraud and theft
Contact your local police station