Autorité des Marchés Financiers – Canada

The Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) is the regulatory body overseeing Québec’s diverse financial sector. Established in 2004, the AMF plays a crucial role in safeguarding consumers, ensuring fair markets, and promoting financial education within the province.

Consumer Protection and Market Integrity:

The AMF prioritizes consumer protection by setting and enforcing rules to prevent fraud and unfair practices in the financial industry. It also oversees the proper functioning of Québec’s financial markets, ensuring transparency, efficiency, and fair competition.

Financial Education and Regulatory Oversight:

The AMF is committed to empowering consumers through financial education, offering a range of resources to help individuals make informed decisions. Its regulatory scope extends across various sectors, including:

• Insurance
• Securities
• Derivatives
• Deposit institutions
• Financial product distribution

Powers and Tools for Enforcement:

To fulfill its mandate, the AMF wields a variety of powers, including rule-making, supervision of financial institutions, investigations into potential violations, and enforcement actions like fines and license revocations. It also offers public resources like the REPAC register for verifying authorized providers and a complaint-handling process.

Collaboration in the Canadian Financial Landscape:

While focused on Québec, the AMF collaborates with other Canadian regulatory authorities and international organizations to foster a coordinated approach to financial regulation. It is a member of the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA), ensuring cooperation among provincial and territorial regulators.

The AMF’s comprehensive approach, encompassing consumer protection, market oversight, and financial education, contributes significantly to the stability and integrity of Québec’s financial sector.