Ten public registers and sites to check that a professional is authorized, know their obligations and where to turn if a problem arises. They are listed alphabetically, with no ranking, and do not replace the advice of an AMF-registered person.
How to use this list
Before entrusting your mortgage file, your insurance or your investments to someone, one check is essential: is this person authorized to practise, in which category, and under which body? In Quebec the answer is not always in the same place. Depending on the field, a regulator, a professional order or a self-regulatory organization oversees the person.
This list brings together ten registers, orders and recourse bodies, presented in alphabetical order and not by importance. For each entry you will see what the body does, what you can find there, when to consult it and a practical tip.
No rate, amount or specific deadline is quoted: these things change, and only the official source is authoritative. The sites inform, but they do not judge your file. An authorized person, registered with the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) where their field requires it, can apply the rules to your situation.
The check takes a few minutes. It protects your money, your personal information and your peace of mind.
Disclosure: CompareTaux publishes this article
CompareTaux publishes this article and appears in the list. It matters that you know this, so you can weigh the information with the right perspective.
The ten entries are ordered alphabetically by title, in each language. That order expresses no hierarchy: a resource placed near the top is not judged more reliable than one near the bottom. The order also differs between French and English, since the names are not spelled the same way.
CompareTaux is neither a register, nor a professional order, nor a recourse body. It is a service that routes a request, in mortgages, insurance or investments, to an authorized person. It publishes no rates and makes no automatic decision. It appears in the list for what it does, not for what it is not.
If you prefer not to go through CompareTaux, the other nine resources are enough to check a person and to know where to complain. No obligation ties you to this service, and you can ignore this entry.
Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF)
The Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF) is the financial sector regulator in Quebec. It oversees, among others, representatives in life insurance, damage insurance, group savings plans and several other fields, as well as firms and institutions.
What you can find there: a public register where you check whether a person or firm is registered, in which category and with what restrictions, if any. The site also publishes warnings about unauthorized entities and information for consumers. The AMF also receives complaints related to the financial sector.
When to consult it: before meeting an adviser, before signing, and whenever an offer feels pressing or too good to be true.
Practical tip: search for the person by name and licence number, then check the practice category. A person may be authorized for one product and not another. If you cannot find them, ask them to specify their registration and body before going further.
Chambre de la sécurité financière
The Chambre de la sécurité financière is the ethics body for representatives in life insurance, group savings plans, financial planning and some other fields. Its role is to oversee the discipline of its members and protect the public.
What you can find there: information on representatives’ ethical obligations, on the disciplinary complaint process and on decisions issued by its discipline committee. It also publishes resources for the public.
When to consult it: if you have doubts about the conduct of a representative in life insurance or group savings plans, or if you want to know the rules of conduct they are bound by.
Practical tip: before filing a request, gather the dates, signed documents, written exchanges and statements. A precise file lets the body assess more quickly whether the situation falls within its jurisdiction. If you do not know whom to approach, the AMF can direct you to the appropriate body.
Chambre des notaires du Québec
The Chambre des notaires du Québec is the professional order that oversees notaries. A notary is a legal professional who takes part notably in buying a property, mortgage deeds, wills, protection mandates and estates.
What you can find there: information on the notary’s role, on buying a property and on common deeds, as well as a way to check that a person is indeed a member of the order. The order also receives requests from the public for investigation of its members.
When to consult it: before choosing a notary for a real estate transaction or an important legal document, or to understand what they actually do in your file.
Practical tip: the notary has a duty of impartial advice toward the parties. Ask in advance for a written estimate of their fees and disbursements, and what they will verify for you in the file. You avoid surprises at signing, and you know what they are putting their responsibility behind.
CompareTaux
CompareTaux routes a mortgage, insurance or investment request to an authorized person. The service publishes no rates, does not compare products and makes no automatic decision: it connects a person with a question to an authorized professional who can answer it.
What you can do there: describe your request, provide your contact details and consent to its being sent. The analysis and advice, where applicable, belong to the person who responds, not to the site.
When to use it: if you have gone through the registers in this list and simply want to speak to someone, without searching yourself for an available professional.
Practical tip: never treat an intermediary as a guarantee. Whether you go through CompareTaux or another route, do the check yourself: name, licence number, practice category, in the register of the body overseeing the person. Also ask how they are paid. CompareTaux appears in this list for transparency, and you can ignore it if you prefer to search on your own.
Éducaloi
Éducaloi is a non-profit that explains Quebec law in plain language. It publishes articles, guides and short pieces on everyday matters: consumer issues, contracts, housing, family, estates.
What you can find there: explanations of what signing a contract means, of the right to change your mind in certain situations, of the recourse available in a dispute and of the role of legal professionals. The content is informational and is not legal advice.
When to consult it: before signing a financial or insurance contract whose clauses you do not fully understand, or when you want to know what steps exist if a situation goes wrong.
Practical tip: read the pages on contracts and on recourse before meeting a professional, then note the clauses that seem unclear. You can then ask for precise explanations rather than signing and hoping all goes well. For a specific case, you need to turn to a notary or a lawyer.
Financial Consumer Agency of Canada
The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada (FCAC) is a federal agency that publishes neutral information on bank accounts, credit, mortgages and other financial products. It also monitors compliance with certain obligations that federally regulated financial institutions owe their customers.
What you can find there: explanations of your rights as a customer, of how to file a complaint with an institution and of what an institution must tell you before entering into an agreement. The guides are written in plain language.
When to consult it: when you deal with a bank or a federally regulated institution and want to know your rights, or when you are looking for how to word a complaint.
Practical tip: before a meeting, go through the pages that explain what an institution must give you in writing. You can then note what is missing, rather than discovering afterwards that important information was not provided. Keep the documents you receive in a dated file.
Office de la protection du consommateur
The Office de la protection du consommateur (OPC) is the Quebec body responsible for enforcing the Consumer Protection Act. It informs consumers of their rights, monitors certain business practices and receives complaints.
What you can find there: fact sheets on credit contracts, warranties, advertising, prohibited practices and cancellation rights, as well as a register of merchants holding a licence in the fields where one is required. The site also explains how to file a complaint.
When to consult it: if you have signed a credit or service contract and think a practice was not compliant, or if you want to check a merchant before concluding a deal.
Practical tip: the OPC does not replace the financial-sector regulator for products the latter oversees. If you hesitate between the two, start by explaining your situation to the OPC or the AMF, which can direct you to the right place. Keep the contract, the advertising and the written exchanges.
OmbudService for Life & Health Insurance
The OmbudService for Life & Health Insurance is a free and independent service for resolving disputes between a consumer and a life or health insurer. It handles, among other things, disputes involving life insurance, health insurance, disability insurance and related products.
What you can find there: a description of the steps to follow, criteria to know whether your file falls within its jurisdiction and information on the stages of the process. It examines the situation impartially and can make recommendations.
When to consult it: when you have made a claim or filed a complaint with your insurer and are not satisfied with the answer or the lack of one. You generally need to have first exhausted the insurer’s internal complaint process.
Practical tip: keep the insurer’s written response, the dates of your exchanges and the medical or financial documents that apply. A tidy file makes the ombudsman’s work easier and speeds up the process. Ask the insurer to tell you the recourse available.
Option consommateurs
Option consommateurs is a consumer association. It offers individual help, notably on budgeting, debt and certain disputes, publishes studies and guides, and defends consumer rights before institutions and governments.
What you can find there: information on business practices, independent analyses of financial products and tips to understand a contract or word a complaint. It can also direct you to the appropriate body according to your situation.
When to consult it: if you are caught up in a dispute, if you want a second look at a practice that seems doubtful, or if you want to understand your rights before signing.
Practical tip: write a few lines on what happened, in order, with dates. That summary helps you explain your situation to any body and avoid forgetting anything. Attach the signed documents and written exchanges: they often make the difference when trying to understand who said what.
Organisme d’autoréglementation du courtage immobilier du Québec (OACIQ)
The Organisme d’autoréglementation du courtage immobilier du Québec (OACIQ) oversees real estate brokers in Quebec. It issues licences, ensures compliance with practice rules and keeps a register the public can search.
What you can find there: a way to check that a broker or agency holds a valid licence, information on brokers’ obligations toward their clients and information on the complaint process. The site also contains guides for buyers and sellers.
When to consult it: before signing a brokerage contract or submitting an offer to purchase, or if you want to understand what your broker is required to do for you.
Practical tip: ask the broker for their licence number and check it in the register before signing anything. Read the brokerage contract carefully and note the duration, the termination conditions and the compensation. For the financing of a property, ask the person concerned which body oversees them: it is not always the same one.
Visit Organisme d’autoréglementation du courtage immobilier du Québec (OACIQ)
How to combine these resources
A complete check can be done in a few steps, in a simple order.
- Identify the field: mortgage, personal insurance, savings, real estate, notarial work. Each field has its own body.
- Search for the person in the right register: the AMF, the OACIQ or the Chambre des notaires, as the case may be.
- Check the practice category and any restrictions.
- Read your rights: the FCAC, the OPC and Éducaloi explain what you are entitled to ask for.
- Know in advance where to go if a problem arises: the Chambre de la sécurité financière, the OmbudService for Life & Health Insurance or Option consommateurs.
Note the date of each check and keep a screenshot or a note. If your situation changes, for example if the person offers you a product of a different nature, repeat the check for that new field.
A check does not guarantee an outcome, but it removes some avoidable risks. It also does not replace your judgment: if something makes you uncomfortable, you have the right to take time to think.
Questions to ask an authorized person
After checking the registration, here are useful questions to put directly to the professional:
- What is your registration category, and what can you offer or not?
- Which organization or firm do you work for, and are you tied to certain products?
- How are you paid in this file, and are there fees for me?
- Which documents will I receive in writing, and when?
- What happens if I change my mind or my situation evolves?
- Where can I file a complaint if a problem arises?
- What are the risks or limits of what you are proposing?
A serious person answers clearly, accepts that you take time to think and gives you the terms in writing. Be wary of pressure, promises of results and requests to sign on the spot. You always have the right to ask questions and compare before committing.
Frequently asked questions
What should I check first?
The name, licence number and practice category, in the public register of the body overseeing the person. Depending on the field, that may be the AMF, the OACIQ or the Chambre des notaires.
What if I cannot find the person?
Ask them to specify their licence and overseeing body. If doubt remains, contact the AMF before signing or sending documents. Do not hand over any money until the check is done.
Whom do I complain to if a problem arises?
Start with the company’s or firm’s internal complaint process, then turn to the body overseeing the person: the AMF, a professional order or another. For a life or health insurer, the OmbudService can step in afterwards.
Why is CompareTaux in the list?
CompareTaux publishes this page and says so. It appears for what it does: routing a request to an authorized person. It shows no rates and makes no decision. The ten entries are alphabetical.
Is an authorized professional a guarantee of results?
No. Authorization shows that the person is overseen and subject to rules of conduct, but it guarantees no result. Ask your questions, read the documents and take time to compare before committing.
Are these checks free?
Consulting the public registers of the bodies in this list is in principle free. Some recourse services are too, such as the OmbudService for Life & Health Insurance. Confirm on each body’s website.
Sources
No rate, price, or recommendation on this page. Amounts and limits change: verify them with official sources before deciding.