The Investment Dealers Association of Canada has published complaint handling data showing that the vast majority of its complaints are resolved within a year.

It reports that for the period from October 15, 2002 to Nov. 30, 2006: 78% of outstanding customer complaints are less than nine months old, and 92% of outstanding customer complaints are less than 12 months old.

As for complaints that have been resolved, for the same time period, 85% of customer complaints were resolved within six months or less; and, 95% of customer complaints were resolved in less than 12 months or less.

A complaint is considered unresolved if it is still under review by the firm, in some form of dispute resolution (arbitration, litigation) or awaiting customer response. It is considered resolved if it has been received and reviewed by the firm and the firm has communicated their decision about the complaint to the client.