The British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC) is the regulatory agency responsible for overseeing the securities industry in British Columbia, Canada. The BCSC enforces securities law, regulates markets, informs the public, and receives complaints or whistleblower tips.
What the BCSC does
- Enforces securities law: The BCSC enforces the Securities Act, the Take-over, Bids and Acquisitions Act, and the Mortgage Brokers Act. This includes investigating potential violations of securities law, taking enforcement action against those who violate the law, and providing guidance on securities law compliance.
- Regulates markets: The BCSC regulates the BC Stock Exchange, the Canadian Securities Exchange, and the TSX Venture Exchange. This includes setting rules for trading on these exchanges, monitoring trading activity, and investigating potential market misconduct.
- Informs the public: The BCSC provides investors with information about the securities industry, including how to invest safely and how to avoid fraud. The BCSC also publishes educational materials and investor alerts.
- Receives complaints or whistleblower tips: The BCSC receives complaints from investors about potential violations of securities law. The BCSC also receives whistleblower tips from people who are aware of potential misconduct.
Recent news
The BCSC recently adopted a business conduct rule for derivatives dealers and advisers. This rule requires dealers and advisers to act in the best interests of their clients and to avoid conflicts of interest.
The BCSC also warned investors about fraudulent social media “investment groups”. These groups often promise high returns on investments, but they are often scams.
