Welcome to the Alberta Securities Commission Enforcement Complaints system, a place where you can securely file a complaint or view any previously saved complaints. If you have serious concerns about how your investments or securities have been handled, a company you have invested in, or you believe a company or individual has breached securities law, you’ve come to the right place.
Getting your money back
If you have a dispute about a registered person or firm that may have acted inappropriately (for example, by recommending investments that are unsuitable for you based on the information you gave them) and you have lost money that you wish to get back, you can submit a complaint to the Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments (OBSI). OBSI is a free and independent service for resolving banking and investment disputes between participating firms and their clients and can recommend compensation of up to $350,000. For information on how to make a complaint to OBSI, see the process to get your money back.
If you feel you have a suitable complaint
Complete a complaint in order for us to accurately assess the situation.
File a ComplaintNot sure if the type of complaint you have is something that the ASC can help you with? Find out:
Banks in Canada regulations is not within the ASC jurisdiction. Organizations that may help:
Consumer fraud (e.g. buying fake brands, products on Kijiji, etc.) is not within the ASC jurisdiction. Organizations that may help:
CRA Scams is not within the ASC jurisdiction. Organizations that may help:
Most investment/financial advisors (registered representatives, dealing representatives) is not within the ASC jurisdiction. Organizations that may help:
This looks like something we can look into
File a ComplaintInsurance products is not within the ASC jurisdiction. Organizations that may help:
Most investment/financial advisors (registered representatives, dealing representatives) is not within the ASC jurisdiction. Organizations that may help:
This looks like something we can look into
File a ComplaintLottery issues is not within the ASC jurisdiction. Organizations that may help:
This looks like something we can look into
File a ComplaintThis looks like something we can look into
File a ComplaintThis looks like something we can look into
File a ComplaintThis looks like something we can look into
File a ComplaintThis looks like something we can look into
File a ComplaintTrading issues is not within the ASC jurisdiction. Organizations that may help:
The ASC reviews and assesses complaints made against people or companies involved in the capital markets in Alberta. If the actions of these individuals or companies suggest possible breaches of Alberta securities laws, further investigation may be warranted. Documents will be reviewed, investors and others may be interviewed, and evidence will be gathered and analyzed to determine whether one or more breaches have occurred. A formal hearing may then be initiated, where a tribunal will rule whether breaches took place and, if so, whether to impose administrative sanctions to protect the public and enforce compliance with regulatory requirements. The ASC can also prosecute individuals or companies in the Provincial Court of Alberta.
Generally, complaints may take several weeks to several months to investigate. Complex complaints may take longer to resolve. Many complaints do not lead to enforcement action by the ASC, for jurisdictional or other reasons. If enforcement action has been taken against an individual or a company, this information is a matter of public record and is available on the Enforcement Orders or Proceedings pages on the ASC website. However, unless and until such public proceedings occur, our confidentiality rules mean that we do not reveal the status of investigations, even to complainants.
As with other regulatory or enforcement agencies, the Alberta Securities Commission must release information to the fullest extent possible, while ensuring the process of investigations and conduct of the proceedings are not prejudiced.
Under the Securities Act, the Commission cannot comment publicly as to the existence, status, or nature of an investigation being conducted. This is intended to protect the integrity of the investigation, ensure the complaint process is not used to affect the market and be just to those who are the subject of investigations.
If enforcement action has been taken against an individual or a company, this information is a matter of public record and available from the Enforcement Orders database or on the Proceedings page.
We must be able to contact complainants for more information, so we strongly urge complainants to provide contact information. Further, the identity of complainants is kept confidential to the extent permitted by law. While we do not prohibit anonymous complaints, it is rare that we can take effective follow-up action on complaints that are submitted anonymously.
Due to the limitation period set out in the Securities Act, the ASC can only take proceedings respecting breaches that occurred within the preceding six years. If you have a complaint, you should forward it to the ASC as soon as possible.
Whistleblower Program
We are committed to providing whistleblowers with an opportunity to provide information in a safe and secure environment. Visit the Office of the Whistleblower for more information and to submit a whistleblower tip.
Need Assistance?
Phone or email us to speak to a representative at 403-355-3888 or complaints@asc.ca.