General public
When you call on the services of a professional, you have the right to expect top-notch service. Members of the CSF are required to uphold their professional obligations at all times, including putting your interests above all other considerations. In addition, they must undergo professional development to keep their knowledge up to date.
FAQ
The CSF oversees its members to ensure they act with competence, integrity and in the best interests of their clients. It imposes strict ethical rules on them and requires them to undergo professional development to keep their knowledge up to date.
The CSF oversees professionals working in the following fields:
- Mutual fund representatives
- Financial security advisors (or personal insurance representatives)
- Financial planners
- Group insurance and annuity advisors
- Scholarship plan representatives
For a description of each of these roles, click here.
Professionals authorized to practice in the disciplines overseen by the Chambre are automatically members of the CSF. Their contact details are listed in the register of the Autorité des marchés financiers, which is available online. This register allows you to check whether an individual or company is authorized to do business in the financial products and services sector. To access the register, click here.
The CSF cannot recommend the services of any of its members. However, you can ask for references from people you know or contact financial firms and institutions. Once you have selected an advisor, we strongly recommend that you verify their registration with the AMF, as mentioned above. You can also view their disciplinary history, if applicable.
A competent advisor takes the time to fully understand your personal and financial situation in order to recommend the products and strategies that are right for you. They clearly explain the options available, their advantages and disadvantages, and make sure you fully understand their advice.
If you have doubts about their recommendations or guidance, begin by asking them questions and explaining your concerns. If their answers do not reassure you, then you can contact their firm or broker.
Also, if you think they may have failed in their responsibilities, you can report them to the syndic of the CSF. This process is explained on the page Your recourses.
In addition to the Register of firms and individuals authorized to practice, maintained by the Autorité des marchés financiers, you can view the decisions rendered by the Disciplinary Committee of the CSF on the (in French). You can look up an advisor’s name and find any sanctions imposed, if applicable, along with details of the offences.
Can’t find the information you’re looking for? You can also write to the secretariat of the Disciplinary Committee at comitediscipline@chambresf.com.
If you believe an advisor has breached the ethical rules of their profession, it is important to report this to the syndic of the CSF. The syndic looks into each report to determine whether or not an inquiry is needed. They can then close the file, take preventive measures, or, if an inquiry shows that an offence was committed, file a complaint with the Disciplinary Committee of the Chambre. To ensure that everyone involved is protected, all proceedings are confidential.
The CSF can only look into current or former members, as long as they were registered at the time of the alleged misconduct. We oversee individuals who have a licence to practice, not financial institutions. As a result, a report or request for inquiry should focus on a certified professional, not the company they work for.
A breach of ethics may include, for example:
- Recommending financial products that are inappropriate for your situation
- Not acting in your best interests
- Putting themselves in a conflict of interest
Before filing a complaint with the syndic, verify that the professional in question is or was a member of the Chambre at the time of the incident by contacting the information centre of the CSF.
*Please note: Unsatisfactory returns on investments do not necessarily constitute a breach of ethics, as investments always involve a certain level of risk.
Any current or former member of the CSF, if they were a member at the time of the alleged offence.
Yes. A member of the syndic’s office may contact you for further information. Once the inquiry is completed, you will be informed of the syndic’s decision.
If you file a disciplinary complaint, it will be presented to the Disciplinary Committee of the CSF. Hearings of the Disciplinary Committee are public, as are the decisions it renders. This helps ensure the transparency of the disciplinary process and maintain public confidence in the profession.
Learn more
Financial services professionals who are members of the CSF must follow the rules and principles set out in specific laws and regulations governing ethical conduct. In the event of a breach, the CSF will take the disciplinary measures necessary to protect the public. Anyone who suspects a financial services advisor of a violation or professional misconduct may contact the syndic of the Chambre. This applies even if the advisor in question is not your own or if the incident occurred a long time ago. It is important to note that the CSF intervenes only in cases of violations committed by its current or former members.
Financial services advisors overseen by the Chambre de la sécurité financière look out for your financial well-being. Learn why their professional obligations are your best protection and follow our advice to choose the best professional for you and get the most from your meetings.
The Chambre de la sécurité financière (the “CSF”) places great importance on the protection of personal information it holds within the scope of its activities. Moreover, the CSF is subject to the Act respecting access to documents held by public bodies and the protection of personal information, which imposes upon it the obligation to ensure the confidentiality of the personal information it holds and take the necessary safeguards to do so. Consequently, the CSF has adopted very stringent security and control measures to ensure the protection of this information.
