The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) has entered into a new funding agreement with the Canadian Foundation for the Advancement of Investor Rights (FAIR Canada) to bolster its advocacy for investors and financial consumers across Canada.
The agreement allocates $11 million to FAIR Canada over the next six years, providing the organization with up to $2 million annually to continue its work.
Jean-Paul Bureaud, executive director of FAIR Canada, welcomed the OSC’s support, describing it as a “vote of confidence” in the organization’s mission to protect and advance investor rights. “FAIR is an informed and balanced consumer voice at the table of decision-makers to ensure that Canadian retail investors are protected, and their issues are heard,” Bureaud said in a statement.
The funding aims to address the challenges faced by Canadian investors, including rapid market changes, technological advancements, and complex regulatory landscapes. Bureaud emphasized the importance of a strong, independent advocate to navigate these challenges and pledged to use the funds effectively. "The funds will allow us to forge ahead and continue to execute our strategic plan,” Bureaud said.
The funding will be provided from sanction and settlement funds held by the OSC. It will be paid in two installments, the first of which will be given to FAIR immediately, with a second installment provided in 2027. FAIR can only draw a maximum of $2 million per year under the agreement. This funding will be used to support FAIR’s day-to-day operations.
FAIR Canada was established in 2008 during the global financial crisis. The organization’s activities include policy submissions to governments and regulators, research initiatives, public outreach, and proactively identifying emerging issues affecting investors.
With the OSC’s financial support, FAIR Canada plans to strengthen its advocacy efforts, further its research into investor concerns, and expand its role in shaping regulatory policies that prioritize fairness and protection for individual investors.