The Ontario Securities Commission’s Investor Advisory Panel (IAP) released its 2024 Annual Report, summarising its submissions, consultations and meetings and setting out areas where it wants investor protection to remain central as the retail investing environment evolves. The report highlights risks facing a growing number of do-it-yourself investors and calls for timely, accessible and reliable information, including plain-language risk disclosure before investment decisions are made. It also flags ongoing retail interest in crypto assets, rising demand for retail access to alternative assets, and concerns about lower transparency and investor protection in private markets. Among its recommendations, the IAP urged the OSC to consider initiatives to provide non-tailored advice in the order-execution-only (OEO) channel, run a targeted review of “finfluencers” and harmful digital engagement practices, improve product and service disclosure and address improper sales practices and misleading titles, establish binding authority for the Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments through a timely and accessible framework, and ensure the OSC has adequate tools and resources, including potential legislative amendments, to support enforcement.

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