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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 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…
man smiling while checking his investments on laptop
  • Finances
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  • Investing basics

New to Canada? Here’s what you need to know before you start investing

Starting a new life in Canada brings new opportunities, including the chance to grow your money through investing. However, with a different financial system, unfamiliar products, and advice coming from all directions, it can be hard to know where to start. If you’re new to Canada, here’s what you need to know to make informed investment decisions and protect your…
Finfluencer man recording a video while pointing at a chart
  • Finances
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  • Investing basics
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  • investor protections

Investing in the age of apps and finfluencers: How to stay safe when finance is trending

Not long ago, learning the basics of investing felt like picking up a new language — one largely reserved for those with financial advisor. It was a world filled with jargon, confusing acronyms, and complex charts that seemed like they belonged in a boardroom. Not anymore. Social media and investing apps have changed the landscape. Financial information is now more…

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

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ASC announcements

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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.