Complaints and Inquiries Statistics

January 2023 – September 30, 2025

Prior to February 2024, CIRO’s Complaints and Inquiries Department (C&I) handled matters relating to investment dealers, trading on Canadian marketplaces and general matters. Beginning in February 2024, C&I began fielding all complaints and inquiries from public investors relating to mutual fund dealers as well. As a result, the statistics prior to February 2024 do not include complaints or inquiries relating to mutual fund dealers.

Total complaints and inquiries received

Most of the complaints 1 and inquiries 2  (contacts) CIRO receives relate to either the dealers we regulate, the markets we regulate, or other matters falling within CIRO’s jurisdiction  3 (other). In recent years, we have received an ever-increasing number of contacts that fall outside of CIRO’s jurisdiction. Many of these contacts are related to scams or frauds perpetrated against investors by non-registrants. In these cases, people are redirected to the appropriate regulator, firm or resource.

  • 1Complaints: a (typically) written expression of dissatisfaction
  • 2Inquiries: questions, comments or verbal expressions of dissatisfaction
  • 3

    CIRO only has jurisdiction over those individuals and firms that are registered with CIRO, and Canadian debt and equity markets. See Looking up an Investment Advisor or Firm and Equity Markets We Regulate. General contacts we receive (not related to dealers or markets we regulate) about CIRO are included under “CIRO-related”. Any complaints or inquiries not falling within these categories are included under “other”.

Grand Total Of All Contacts and Complaints and Inquiries - Refer to the tables below for complete data.

    Grand Total of all Contacts

    YearEvent TypeTotal
    2023Complaint860
    2023Inquiry2348
    2024Complaint1186
    2024Inquiry2933
    2025Complaint1006
    2025Inquiry2931
    Total11264

    Complaints and Inquiries 2023

    Case TypeTotal
    Member1261
    Other904
    Market691
    CIRO Related352

    Complaints and Inquiries 2024

    Case TypeTotal
    Member1671
    Other1279
    Market599
    CIRO Related570

    Complaints and Inquiries 2025 Q2

    Case TypeTotal
    Member1273
    Other1244
    Market383
    CIRO Related1037

     

    Complaints and inquiries regarding CIRO-regulated firms

    Member Complaints and Inquiries - Refer to the table below for complete data.

      Member Complaints and Inquiries

      DateEvent TypeTotal
      2023 JanComplaint41
      2023 JanInquiry81
      2023 FebComplaint41
      2023 FebInquiry68
      2023 MarComplaint30
      2023 MarInquiry92
      2023 AprComplaint48
      2023 AprInquiry81
      2023 MayComplaint36
      2023 MayInquiry68
      2023 JunComplaint28
      2023 JunInquiry70
      2023 JulComplaint27
      2023 JulInquiry66
      2023 AugComplaint29
      2023 AugInquiry80
      2023 SepComplaint34
      2023 SepInquiry53
      2023 OctComplaint18
      2023 OctInquiry57
      2023 NovComplaint31
      2023 NovInquiry57
      2023 DecComplaint47
      2023 DecInquiry78
      2024 JanComplaint49
      2024 JanInquiry80
      2024 FebComplaint58
      2024 FebInquiry75
      2024 MarComplaint67
      2024 MarInquiry95
      2024 AprComplaint37
      2024 AprInquiry107
      2024 MayComplaint42
      2024 MayInquiry93
      2024 JunComplaint47
      2024 JunInquiry87
      2024 JulComplaint50
      2024 JulInquiry71
      2024 AugComplaint61
      2024 AugInquiry92
      2024 SepComplaint42
      2024 SepInquiry73
      2024 OctComplaint44
      2024 OctInquiry96
      2024 NovComplaint51
      2024 NovInquiry112
      2024 DecComplaint65
      2024 DecInquiry77
      2025 JanComplaint87
      2025 JanInquiry111
      2025 FebComplaint62
      2025 FebInquiry110
      2025 MarComplaint79
      2025 MarInquiry80
      2025 AprComplaint68
      2025 AprInquiry72
      2025 MayComplaint78
      2025 MayInquiry76
      2025 JunComplaint55
      2025 JunInquiry60
      2025 JulComplaint72
      2025 JulInquiry54
      2025 AugComplaint50
      2025 AugInquiry39
      2025 SepComplaint67
      2025 SepInquiry53
      Total4205

      Regulatory vs. non-regulatory complaints and inquiries

      Investors contact CIRO for both regulatory and non-regulatory matters. Regulatory matters are those subject to CIRO rules or securities law. For example, allegations of unsuitable investments or unauthorized trading. Non-regulatory matters are issues such as poor customer service and general inquiries about dealer policies and procedures. Since non-regulatory matters do not fall under CIRO's mandate, the investor is directed to address these complaints directly with the firm involved.

      Regulatory vs. Non-Regulatory Inquiries and Complaints (member) - Refer to the tables below for complete data.

        Regulatory vs. Non-Regulatory Inquiries (Member)

        YearTotalRegulatory or Non
        20231424Non-Regulatory
        2023491Regulatory
        20241982Non-Regulatory
        2024601Regulatory
        20252134Non-Regulatory
        2025541Regulatory
        Total7173

        Regulatory vs. Non-Regulatory Complaints (Member)

        YearTotalRegulatory or Non
        2023403Non-Regulatory
        2023199Regulatory
        2024709Non-Regulatory
        2024228Regulatory
        2025583Non-Regulatory
        2025296Regulatory
        Total2418

        Most frequent inquiries about CIRO-regulated firms

        Visit our Office of the Investor webpage for more information on a variety of helpful topics.

        Top 5 Member Inquiries - Refer to the table below for complete data.

        *Note: each inquiry may involve more than one topic, thus appearing under multiple categories.

          Top 5 Member Inquiries

          AllegationTotalYear
          Dealer Policies and Procedures1352023
          Dealer Policies and Procedures1872024
          Dealer Policies and Procedures962025
          General inquiry about RR/firm682023
          General inquiry about RR/firm1022024
          General inquiry about RR/firm442025
          Info. on filing a complaint2182023
          Info. on filing a complaint2202024
          Info. on filing a complaint1672025
          Service Issues1052023
          Service Issues1772024
          Service Issues1272025
          Transfer of Accounts572023
          Transfer of Accounts652024
          Transfer of Accounts582025
          Total Inquiries1655

          Most frequent complaints about CIRO-regulated firms

          Of these complaints, only unsuitable investments and account transfers are generally considered to be regulatory matters, with the remainder generally falling outside of CIRO jurisdiction. Matters that aren’t subject to CIRO rules must be addressed directly by the client to the firm in question.

          CIRO-regulated firms must notify CIRO of all non-service-related complaints they receive and handle all complaints they receive according to prescribed standards contained within CIRO rules.

          Learn more about how CIRO-regulated firms handle client complaints.

          Top 5 Member Complaints - Refer to the table below for complete data.

          *Note: each complaint may involve more than one allegation, thus appearing under multiple categories

            Top 5 Member Complaints

            AllegationTotalYear
            Dealer Policies and Procedures562023
            Dealer Policies and Procedures1212024
            Dealer Policies and Procedures1052025
            Service Issues1002023
            Service Issues2012024
            Service Issues1442025
            Trading disputes, errors and delays332023
            Trading disputes, errors and delays352024
            Trading disputes, errors and delays522025
            Transfer of Accounts352023
            Transfer of Accounts682024
            Transfer of Accounts962025
            Unsuitable Investments632023
            Unsuitable Investments522024
            Unsuitable Investments542025
            Total Complaints1102

            Market-related complaints and inquiries

            Market-Related Complaints and Inquiries - Refer to the table below for complete data.

              Market-Related Complaints and Inquiries

              DateEventTypeTotal
              2023 JanComplaint34
              2023 JanInquiry34
              2023 FebComplaint28
              2023 FebInquiry35
              2023 MarComplaint31
              2023 MarInquiry45
              2023 AprComplaint20
              2023 AprInquiry35
              2023 MayComplaint16
              2023 MayInquiry48
              2023 JunComplaint22
              2023 JunInquiry47
              2023 JulComplaint14
              2023 JulInquiry37
              2023 AugComplaint21
              2023 AugInquiry24
              2023 SepComplaint13
              2023 SepInquiry30
              2023 OctComplaint17
              2023 OctInquiry38
              2023 NovComplaint22
              2023 NovInquiry29
              2023 DecComplaint20
              2023 DecInquiry31
              2024 JanComplaint16
              2024 JanInquiry37
              2024 FebComplaint28
              2024 FebInquiry25
              2024 MarComplaint29
              2024 MarInquiry30
              2024 AprComplaint21
              2024 AprInquiry35
              2024 MayComplaint27
              2024 MayInquiry30
              2024 JunComplaint16
              2024 JunInquiry27
              2024 JulComplaint21
              2024 JulInquiry30
              2024 AugComplaint16
              2024 AugInquiry30
              2024 SepComplaint25
              2024 SepInquiry28
              2024 OctComplaint17
              2024 OctInquiry36
              2024 NovComplaint18
              2024 NovInquiry21
              2024 DecComplaint15
              2024 DecInquiry21
              2025 JanComplaint11
              2025 JanInquiry53
              2025 FebComplaint19
              2025 FebInquiry26
              2025 MarComplaint15
              2025 MarInquiry25
              2025 AprComplaint11
              2025 AprInquiry25
              2025 MayComplaint16
              2025 MayInquiry26
              2025 JunComplaint14
              2025 JunInquiry27
              2025 JulComplaint20
              2025 JulInquiry31
              2025 AugComplaint8
              2025 AugInquiry18
              2025 SepComplaint13
              2025 SepInquiry25
              Total1673

              UMIR vs. non-UMIR complaints and inquiries

              Investors contact CIRO regarding both matters that are subject to the Universal Market Integrity Rules (UMIR) and those that are not. Under Recognition Orders issued by the  Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) and by agreement with the marketplaces, CIRO monitors all equity and debt market activity on all Canadian marketplaces, including stock exchanges and alternative trading systems, to detect manipulative trading practices and other breaches of the marketplace trading rules. 

              Our goal is to ensure trading complies with UMIR and other CIRO rules. Matters that are not subject to UMIR (or other CIRO rules), such as cease-trade orders, listed company activity and disclosures, fall outside of CIRO’s jurisdiction. Since non-UMIR matters do not fall under CIRO's mandate, the investor should address these matters directly with the principal regulator for the issuer (see SEDAR+) or the exchange.

              UMIR vs. Non-UMIR Inquiries and Complaints - Refer to the tables below for complete data.

                UMIR vs. non-UMIR Inquiries

                YearTotalUMIR
                2023359Non UMIR
                202348UMIR
                2024302Non UMIR
                202422UMIR
                2025229Non UMIR
                202519UMIR
                Total979

                UMIR vs. non-UMIR Complaints

                YearTotalUMIR
                2023114Non UMIR
                2023140UMIR
                2024113Non UMIR
                2024135UMIR
                202557Non UMIR
                202569UMIR
                Total628

                Most frequent market-related inquiries

                By far, our most frequent market-related inquiries are about trading halts, even though we are not able to provide information about specific halts beyond that contained in the halt notice that is published on our website and through various news services. We also hear often from the public about listed company issues and cease-trade orders (CTOs), which do not fall under CIRO’s jurisdiction.

                CIRO’s market-related jurisdiction encompasses monitoring trading on Canadian marketplaces for compliance with the Universal Market Integrity Rules (UMIR). CIRO does not have jurisdiction over public companies or their directors, officers or employees.

                See more about UMIR here.

                Top 5 Market-Related Inquiries - Refer to the table below for complete data.

                *Note: each inquiry may involve more than one topic, thus appearing under multiple categories. CTO = Cease Trade Order

                  Top 5 Market-Related Inquiries

                  AllegationTotalYear
                  CTO372023
                  CTO342024
                  CTO162025
                  General232023
                  General332024
                  Halt inquiry1682023
                  Halt inquiry1012024
                  Halt inquiry1272025
                  Listed company issues732023
                  Listed company issues592024
                  Listed company issues392025
                  Other152023
                  Other92024
                  Other252025
                  Total Inquiries709

                  Most frequent market-related complaints

                  The largest number of the complaints about market activity are allegations of market manipulation.

                  CIRO rules prohibit orders or trades that create a false or misleading appearance of trading activity (or interest in trading) or create an artificial bid, ask or sale price. This activity is considered manipulative and CIRO’s surveillance staff use specialized systems to continuously monitor trading in real-time across multiple marketplaces to detect and pursue instances of suspicious or prohibited trading activity. While some complaints are well-founded, most often, a more fulsome review by CIRO staff who have access to more information about the trades in question and the parties involved, alleviates our concerns. When concerns remain, we forward the complaint information to our Trading Review & Analysis (TR&A) department.

                  Learn how CIRO monitors and analyzes market activity.

                  Top 5 Market Related Complaints - Refer to the table below for complete data.

                  *Note: each complaint may involve more than one topic, thus appearing under multiple categories.

                    Top 5 Market-Related Complaints

                    AllegationTotalYear
                    Disclosure312023
                    Disclosure172024
                    Disclosure132025
                    Insider trading262023
                    Insider trading252024
                    Insider trading42025
                    Listed company issues322023
                    Listed company issues522024
                    Listed company issues242025
                    Manipulation1082023
                    Manipulation1002024
                    Manipulation382025
                    Short Selling492023
                    Short Selling362024
                    Short Selling122025
                    Total Complaints452

                    Geographic location

                    Most inquiries and complaints come from Ontario, British Columbia, Quebec, and Alberta.

                    Geographic Location - Refer to the table below for complete data.

                      Location of Investors Who Contact CIRO

                      LocationTotal
                      Ontario953
                      British Columbia343
                      Alberta298
                      Québec278
                      Saskatchewan77
                      Manitoba58
                      Nova Scotia25
                      New Brunswick22
                      Newfoundland and Labrador6
                      Yukon1
                      Nunavut1
                      Prince Edward Island1

                      Age and gender

                      Since the pandemic, in cases where age and gender were disclosed, we have seen an increase in contacts from investors under 60 years old, which may correspond to the increase we have seen in DIY (do-it-yourself) investing.

                      We generally hear from males more often than females.

                      Who Contacts CIRO? Age of Investors that Contact CIRO - Refer to the table below for complete data.

                        Who Contacts CIRO

                        GenderTotalPercentage
                        Female32231%
                        Male73771%
                        Total1033100%

                        Note: Some cases have more than one party so percentages don't equal 100%

                        Age of Investors that Contact CIRO

                        AgePercentage
                        20-295%
                        30-3917%
                        40-4917%
                        50-5922%
                        60-6921%
                        70-7912%
                        80-895%
                        90-992%
                        Total100%

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