Risk, Compliance & Financial Integrity in Canada

Essentials guide · Source-checked research98% of statements checked against a source48 checked against an official source1 checked against a secondary sourceChecked 2026-10-19Not yet professionally reviewed

• Most CBCA corporations must keep a register of individuals with significant control (generally those holding 25 percent or more of votes or of shares by fair market value, or with control in fact) and, since 22 January 2024, must file that information with Corporations Canada annually and within 15 days of a change.

  Federal corporations. Reporting issuers, listed public corporations, Crown corporations and their wholly-owned subsidiaries are excluded. Provinces have their own transparency registers.Corporations Canada (ISED) · checked 2026-10-19

• Federal guidance on reporting suspicious or large financial transactions is published by FINTRAC under the anti-money laundering regime.

  Federal (Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act). Which businesses must report, and the thresholds, were not confirmed on a FINTRAC page.Government of Canada · checked 2026-10-19

• Goods and technologies listed in Canada's Export Control List need an export permit from Global Affairs Canada, and permits are also required for certain other controlled goods (such as logs and softwood lumber to the United States) for all destinations except where noted.

  Federal export controls administered by Global Affairs Canada.Global Affairs Canada · checked 2026-10-19

• Canada imposes sanctions under the United Nations Act, the Special Economic Measures Act and the Justice for Victims of Corrupt Foreign Officials Act, and the RCMP and CBSA enforce them.

  Federal.Global Affairs Canada · checked 2026-10-19

• An organisation subject to PIPEDA must report to the Privacy Commissioner any breach of security safeguards involving personal information under its control where it is reasonable to believe the breach creates a real risk of significant harm, and must notify affected individuals as soon as feasible.

  Federal (PIPEDA and the Breach of Security Safeguards Regulations). Real risk of significant harm depends on sensitivity and probability of misuse.Office of the Privacy Commissioner of Canada · checked 2026-10-19

• Bribing a foreign public official to obtain or retain an advantage in the course of business is an indictable offence under the Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act, punishable by up to 14 years' imprisonment.

  Federal. Applies to individuals and organisations.Department of Justice Canada (Justice Laws) · checked 2026-10-19

• Falsifying, concealing or keeping off-book records for the purpose of bribing a foreign public official or hiding a bribe is a separate offence carrying up to 14 years' imprisonment.

  Federal (CFPOA s. 4).Department of Justice Canada (Justice Laws) · checked 2026-10-19

• Conduct outside Canada that would be a CFPOA offence is treated as committed in Canada if done by a Canadian citizen, a permanent resident present in Canada afterwards, or a corporation or other entity organised under Canadian federal or provincial law.

  Federal (CFPOA s. 5).Department of Justice Canada (Justice Laws) · checked 2026-10-19

Read the full guide: Banking, payments and capital flows · Customs, trade and product rules · Anti-bribery, compliance and supply-chain duties