Phone finances
iStockphoto/Sitthiphong

Along with a range of new and ongoing initiatives, efforts to expand access to advice feature prominently among the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization’s (CIRO) priorities for the year ahead.

The industry self-regulatory organization published its agenda for its 2026 fiscal year (ending March 31, 2026) that highlighted a number of ongoing initiatives — such as finalizing enhanced cost reporting rules and publishing new guidance on complying with the client-focused reforms.

Additionally, the SRO highlighted a focus on enhancing access to regulated advice in various ways, including updating guidance to clarify that discount brokers can provide certain kinds of generic advice (such as tools and alerts) to do-it-yourself investors. It also includes potentially standardizing account disclosures as a way of reducing administrative costs and facilitating access to online advice for advisory and managed accounts.

“A critical area of focus for CIRO is enabling greater access to advice that can meet the changing needs of investors today and in the future,” it said in a bulletin outlining its priorities for fiscal 2026.

In the emerging crypto space, CIRO said that will be reviewing the custody and asset segregation requirements for crypto firms and carrying out an operational resilience exercise with crypto firms.

Additionally, the SRO said that it will be continuing to work on the ongoing integration of the former fund dealer and investment dealer regulators; consolidating the dealer rulebooks; addressing the long-standing disparity between the dealers when it comes to the use of personal corporations; and, launching a program to identify opportunities to enhance efficiency.

“We are now one year into our three-year strategic plan and we developed our priorities for the coming year to make sure we remain on track to deliver the targeted outcomes set out in our plan,” said Alexandra Williams, senior vice-president, member regulation and corporate strategy, at CIRO, in a release.

“While there is mounting pressure on all firms in our industry, and for Canadians more broadly, CIRO remains ready to respond and pivot,” Williams added. “We are nimble enough to respond to the issues of the day, and we know that there are opportunities to create greater efficiency and a stronger system in how we tackle any challenges that arise.”