BCSC funds FAIR Canada research on DIY investors

FAIR Canada is getting some research funding from the British Columbia Securities Commission (BCSC).

The investor advocacy group has received $100,000 from the BCSC to finance its regulatory policy research, focusing on DIY investors.

The funding comes from money collected by the regulator in penalties imposed for misconduct.

“As part of our investor protection mandate, we are pleased to provide financial support to an organization that speaks for retail investors,” said Brenda Leong, chairwoman and CEO of the BCSC, in a release.

“We expect this initiative will produce strong research and data that will shed more light on investor attitudes and behaviours, which could help inform our policy-making,” she said.

“We are grateful for the financial support provided by the BCSC, as it will strengthen FAIR Canada’s ability to better represent the concerns of retail investors,” said Jean-Paul Bureaud, executive director of FAIR Canada.

“This research plays a crucial role in our advocacy to assist decision-makers in implementing balanced policy responses that improve investor outcomes,” he said. “Financial support from the BCSC and our long-term donors is vital in fulfilling FAIR’s mission.”

FAIR, which is now a registered charity, was originally established with funding from industry self-regulatory organizations, and has received financing over the years from provincial regulators too. In 2020 the Ontario Securities Commission allocated $3.75 million to the group, paid out over five years, from its enforcement collections.

James Langton

James is a senior reporter for Advisor.ca and its sister publication, Investment Executive. He has been reporting on regulation, securities law, industry news and more since 1994.