Market Intelligence

British Columbia's new Mortgage Services Act represents the most significant overhaul of mortgage regulation in decades, introducing four distinct categories of regulated mortgage services, a modernized licensing framework, and substantially enhanced enforcement powers. Financial institutions, mortgage lenders, brokerages, and servicers must now navigate a broader regulatory scope that may capture entities previously operating outside BC's mortgage regulatory perimeter.

When a bank accepts funds to repay a customer's unauthorized overdraft without conducting proper due diligence, despite knowing of suspicious conduct and fraud history, can it be held liable to the true owners of those funds? This Ontario Superior Court decision explores the boundaries of constructive knowledge and the duty of inquiry in banking relationships. The case establishes critical precedents for financial institutions regarding customer due diligence when red flags suggest potential fraud.

Canada's Department of Finance has published proposed regulations that would expand the non-financial activities federally regulated financial institutions may pursue, enabling greater flexibility to develop technology capabilities and invest in fintech businesses. The framework introduces revenue and capital limits while removing ministerial approval requirements, fundamentally reshaping how Canadian banks, insurers, and other financial institutions can compete in an increasingly digital marketplace.

Financing a pharmacy transaction involves complex decisions about loan structure, security arrangements, and regulatory compliance that extend far beyond simple interest rates.

Canada's proposed Stablecoin Regulations mark a pivotal step in establishing federal oversight of digital currency issuers, introducing comprehensive requirements for registration, reserve management, and consumer protection. How will these new rules reshape the landscape for domestic and foreign stablecoin issuers operating in Canadian markets? What compliance challenges await crypto-asset platforms and payment service providers as the regulatory framework expands to encompass stablecoin transactions?

On October 15, 2026, the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) published in final form amendments to National Instrument 52-112 Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure (NI 52-112) and changes to related instruments and policies (collectively, the Amendments). The Amendments are designed to keep financial measures that have historically been subject to NI 52-112 within its scope once International Financial Reporting Standard 18 Presentation and Disclosure in Financial Statements (IFRS 18) takes effect for annual reporting periods beginning on or after January 1, 2027. The Amendments are expected to come into force on December 29, 2026.