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Find any page or article on CheckFirst as well as news releases, investor alerts, enforcement hearings, decisions and orders from the Alberta Securities Commission website.

Investing basics blog

young investor sitting at home looking at her mobile investment app and hovering over the invest button on screen
  • Finances
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  • Investing basics

When you invest, do you know how it’s taxed?

Every spring, as Canadians file their taxes and returns, or when balances owing are issued, many people take a closer look at where their money is going. That’s when familiar questions pop up: Why do I owe tax on some investments and not others? Why does investment income show up differently from employment income? The short answer is: your income,…
magnifying glass on fraud
  • Investing basics
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  • Investor protections
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  • Types of investment scams

Top investment scams to watch for in Alberta in 2026: How AI-driven scams are shaping investment fraud

Each year brings with it new investing trends, platforms and opportunities. And with any exciting or top-of-mind trend or event comes an often-overlooked risk: Fraudsters. They are also paying close attention to the next big thing that can make their scams more attractive. As more Canadians, especially younger investors, rely on digital tools to guide their decisions, investment scams and…
young lady working on investment portfolio at home
  • Finances
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  • Investing basics

How Canadians are investing is changing: Here’s what you should know

As was discussed in the “Focus on Investors” panel at this year’s ASC Connect conference, the way Canadians invest and how they think about building long-term wealth is changing faster than ever. Younger investors are entering the market earlier and relying on digital tools to guide their decisions, while older Canadians are adjusting how they manage retirement income as life…
ponzi_scheme_case_alberta
  • Investing basics
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  • Investor protections
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  • Types of investment scams

Inside one of Alberta’s largest Ponzi schemes: How Black Box deceived investors and how to avoid similar scams

When news of an investment scam breaks, it’s sometimes easy to tell ourselves, “That could never happen to me.” Yet each year, many Albertans, both experienced and new to investing, are defrauded in seemingly real investment opportunities. In August 2025, the Alberta Securities Commission (ASC) issued a ruling against Craig Michael Thompson and his companies, Black Box Management Corp. and…
young man looking at stocks on phone and computer
  • Finances
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  • Investing basics

Investor education month: Lessons and insights from hybrid investors

October marks Investor Education Month, a national initiative that encourages Canadians to take time to strengthen their investing knowledge and make informed investing decisions. One approach that some Canadians are considering is hybrid investing. A hybrid investor works with an advisor and also manages part of their investments on their own. According to the Canadian Securities Administrators’ (CSA) recently published…
woman pointing at document in meeting
  • Finances
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  • Investor protections

Enhancing investor protection: What OBSI’s binding authority means for investors

Imagine you notice unexpected fee charges in your investment account or feel your financial advisor has given you advice that resulted in unexpected losses. You first raise your concerns with your advisor, then escalate to their manager, but your issue remains unresolved. Frustrated, you turn to the Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments (OBSI), Canada’s independent dispute-resolution service. After a…

When you invest, do you know how it’s taxed?
When you invest, do you know how it’s taxed?

ASC announcements
ASC announcements

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Meet us in the community

Find any page or article on CheckFirst as well as news releases, investor alerts, enforcement hearings, decisions and orders from the Alberta Securities Commission website.