ST. JOHN'S, March 25, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - March 26, 2013 is Check Registration Day, and the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) is encouraging investors to take the time to complete a simple task - check the registration of any firm or individual selling securities or offering investment advice to you, your friends or family.
The CSA has provided investors with a tool, the National Registration Search, that is quick and easy to use.
"Registration is designed to help protect investors because Canadian securities regulators will only register firms and individuals that meet specific qualifications and standards," said Bill Rice, Chair of the CSA and Chair and CEO of the Alberta Securities Commission. "It's important for investors to know that they can find some protection by doing a little bit of research into the registration status of those offering them an investment."
Research from the CSA 2012 Investor Index found that 60 per cent of respondents with a financial adviser had never completed any form of background check. With almost 30 per cent of Canadians believing they have been approached with an investment fraud at some point in their lives and with 4.6 per cent believing they have been a victim of investment fraud, Canadians need to carefully choose who they hand over their money to.
The CSA is encouraging investors nationwide to participate in Check Registration Day, March 26, 2013. Here's how:
- Go to www.aretheyregistered.ca to ensure your investment individuals or firms are registered in your jurisdiction.
- Or, call your local securities regulator to verify registration.
If you discover the person or company you are dealing with is not registered, is offering you something they don't seem permitted to offer, or if you need help understanding the results within the National Registration Search tool, please contact your local securities regulator.
The CSA, the council of securities regulators of Canada's provinces and territories, coordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian capital markets. Their mandate is to protect investors from unfair or fraudulent practices through regulation of the securities industry. Part of this protection is educating investors about the risks and responsibilities of investing.
For more information:
| Mark Dickey Alberta Securities Commission 403-297-4481 |
Carolyn Shaw-Rimmington Ontario Securities Commission 416-593-2361 |
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| Sylvain Théberge Autorité des marchés financiers 514-940-2176 |
Richard Gilhooley British Columbia Securities Commission 604-899-6713 |
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| Ainsley Cunningham Manitoba Securities Commission 204-945-4733 |
Wendy Connors-Beckett New Brunswick Securities Commission 506-643-7745 |
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| Tanya Wiltshire Nova Scotia Securities Commission 902-424-8586 |
Glenys Wood Financial and Consumer Affairs Authority of Saskatchewan 306-787-9397 |
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| Janice Callbeck The Office of the Superintendent Securities, P.E.I. 902-368-6288 |
Craig Whalen Office of the Superintendent of Securities Government of Newfoundland and Labrador 709-729-5661 |
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| Rhonda Horte Office of the Yukon Superintendent of Securities 867-667-5466 |
Louis Arki Nunavut Securities Office 867-975-6587 |
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| Donn MacDougall Northwest Territories Securities Office 867-920-8984 |
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SOURCE: Autorité des marchés financiers
Mark Dickey
Alberta Securities Commission
403-297-4481
Carolyn Shaw-Rimmington
Ontario Securities Commission
416-593-2361
Sylvain Théberge
Autorité des marchés financiers
514-940-2176
Richard Gilhooley
British Columbia Securities Commission
604-899-6713
Ainsley Cunningham
Manitoba Securities Commission
204-945-4733
Wendy Connors-Beckett
New Brunswick Securities Commission
506-643-7745
Tanya Wiltshire
Nova Scotia Securities Commission
902-424-8586
Glenys Wood
Financial and Consumer Affairs
Authority of Saskatchewan
306-787-9397
Janice Callbeck
The Office of the Superintendent
Securities, P.E.I.
902-368-6288
Craig Whalen
Office of the Superintendent of Securities
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-5661
Rhonda Horte
Office of the Yukon Superintendent
of Securities
867-667-5466
Louis Arki
Nunavut Securities Office
867-975-6587
Donn MacDougall
Northwest Territories Securities
Office
867-920-8984
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