Financial sector policy
The Department of Finance Canada develops and evaluates policies affecting federal financial institutions (banks, trust and loan companies, insurance companies and credit unions) and all of their respective clients, as well as payment service providers, clearing and settlement systems, and federally regulated pension plans. For example, it:
- Develops the regulations that govern the institutions so that they remain safe and sound and are responsive to consumers' needs.
- Develops policies, legislation, and regulations related to consumer protection, payments, consumer-driven banking, and digital assets
- Analyzes the financial sector in Canada and abroad.
- Helps ensure that Canada has an effective regime to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism.
- Manages the debt and international reserves of the Government of Canada, in collaboration with the Bank of Canada, and provides policy advice on activity in the domestic capital markets.
Anti‑money laundering and anti‑terrorist financing regime
Canada's strategy, risk assessments, and performance reports for preventing money laundering and terrorist financing.
Assessment of Money Laundering and Terrorist Financing Risks in Canada
Overview of national risks related to money laundering and terrorist financing
Canada's Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Regime Strategy 2023-2026
Canada's Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing (AML/ATF) Regime Strategy
Canada's Anti-Money Laundering and Anti-Terrorist Financing Regime: Report on Performance Measurement Framework (released March 2023)
Results and performance indicators for Canada's AML/ATF Regime
Letter from the Minister of Finance and Intergovernmental Affairs to the Director and Chief Executive Officer of FINTRAC
Direction for the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) to prioritize combatting illicit financing that enables the fentanyl trade
Letter from the Minister of Finance and National Revenue to the Director and Chief Executive Officer of FINTRAC
Direction for FINTRAC to prioritize combatting illicit financing that enables extortion
G7 Financial Crime Call to Action Update
Progress update on G7 commitments to combat financial crime
Advisory groups and consultations
Consumer protection, payments, consumer-driven banking, and digital assets
Canada's policies and frameworks to protect consumers, regulate payment systems, enable secure financial data sharing, and oversee digital asset activities.
Low-cost account guidelines
Guidelines supporting access to low-cost banking services
Consumer-driven banking
Overview of Canada's Consumer-Driven Banking Framework, the Act, and related draft regulations
National Security Review Process under the Retail Payment Activities Act
Overview of the national security review framework for retail payment service providers
Code of Conduct for the Payment Card Industry in Canada
Code of conduct to increase cost transparency and merchant choice for payment card acceptance
Canadian Code of Practice for Consumer Debit Card Services
Code of practice to help to protect consumers in their use of debit card services in Canada
Designated Securities and Derivatives Clearing Houses
List of designated clearing houses under Part II of the Payment Clearing and Settlement Act
Canada's Stablecoin Framework
How fiat-backed stablecoins are regulated in Canada
Advisory groups and consultations
Financing the Government of Canada
Information on the Government of Canada's sovereign debt program, including securities issuance, debt management, and investor information.
Government of Canada Securities
Information on treasury bills and marketable bonds issued by the Government of Canada
Sustainable finance
Policies for sustainable markets, green bonds, and climate disclosures.
Sustainable finance
Policies and measures supporting sustainable and climate-aligned financial markets
Canada's Green Bond Program
Overview of Canada's green bond framework and issuances
Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures
(2024) Canada's approach to climate-related financial risk disclosure standards
Government financial markets activities
Canada's activities in financial markets to fund operations and manage financial risks.
Government of Canada Lending Rates
Current lending rates applicable to Government of Canada programs
Government of Canada Cash Management
How the Government of Canada manages its cash balances and short-term liquidity
Risk management and reserves
Canada's approach to managing financial risks and maintaining reserves to support economic stability.
Official International Reserves
Reports on management and holdings of Canada's reserves.
Report on the Management of Canada's Official International Reserves
Report on the objectives, governance, and performance of Canada's international reserves
Official International Reserves
Monthly update on Canada's international reserve holdings
Treasury and funds frameworks
Policies for federal debt, reserves, risk, and Crown corporation oversight.
Statement of Investment Policy
(August 2018) Investment policy for foreign exchange reserves
Funds Management Governance Framework
(July 2016) Framework outlining governance for federal funds management
Capital and Dividend Policy Framework for Financial Crown Corporations
(December 2017) Framework governing capital management and dividend policies of financial Crown corporations
Memorandum of Understanding on Treasury Risk Management between the Bank of Canada and the Department of Finance
(2013) Agreement between the Bank of Canada and Finance Canada on treasury risk management roles
Guidance for Crown Corporations
(2024) Updated guidance for governance and financial oversight of Crown corporations
Government of Canada Treasury Risk Management Framework
(2008) Framework governing treasury risk management practices
Financial Risk Management Guidelines For Crown Corporations
(2009) Guidelines for managing financial risks within Crown corporations
Treasury Evaluation Program
Canada's framework for assessing the performance and effectiveness of treasury-related activities.
Treasury Evaluation Program Framework
Overview of the Treasury Evaluation Program
Legislation and standards
Canada's laws, regulations, and guidelines governing federal financial activities.
- Financial Administration Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. F-11)
- Bank Act (S.C. 1991, c. 46)
- Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (S.C. 2000, c. 17)
- Payment Clearing and Settlement Act (S.C. 1996, c. 6, Sch.)
- Protection of Residential Mortgage or Hypothecary Insurance Act (S.C. 2011, c. 15, s. 20)
- National Housing Act (R.S.C., 1985, c. N-11)
- Currency Act
- Canadian Payments Act
- Bills of Exchange Act
- Retail Payment Activities Act
- Pension Benefits Standards Act, 1985 (R.S.C., 1985, c. 32 (2nd Supp.))
- Pooled Registered Pension Plans Act (S.C. 2012, c 16)
- Agreement to Strengthen Beneficial Ownership Transparency
- Letter from the Deputy Prime Minister to the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the IFRS Foundation
- Understanding on the Establishment of the Canada-Mexico-United States Financial Regulatory Forum
Partners
The Department of Finance Canada works with these organizations to support a stable financial system.