Forex and CFD Trading in Québec: AMF Rules, Brokers and French Service

Québec does many things its own way, and derivatives regulation is one of them. If you live in Québec and want to trade forex or CFDs, here's what's different.

The Derivatives Act and the AMF

Most provinces regulate OTC derivatives through their securities acts and national/multilateral instruments. Québec has a standalone Derivatives Act (Loi sur les instruments dérivés), administered by the Autorité des marchés financiers (AMF). The AMF is also the province's securities regulator, insurance regulator and — through its register — the place to check whether a firm is authorized to deal with Quebecers.

For you, the practical result is that a forex or CFD dealer needs to satisfy AMF requirements as well as be a CIRO member. Most large Canadian dealers do; a few have chosen not to serve Québec.

Registered brokers that accept Quebecers

At our last check, Plus500CA and Fortrade Canada did not serve Québec residents. Offshore brokers are not authorized by the AMF, whatever their websites say.

French-language service

Language matters when you're dealing with complaints, margin calls or tax documents. Firms with strong French-language service include Interactive Brokers Canada (headquartered in Montréal), National Bank Direct Brokerage, Desjardins Online Brokerage (Disnat) and Questrade. Ask other dealers whether account documents, the platform and support are available in French before you sign up.

Crypto in Québec

Crypto trading platforms authorized by the CSA — Kraken, Coinbase, Bitbuy, Shakepay (based in Montréal) and others — serve Québec. Check the CSA list of authorized platforms and see buying crypto safely.

Practical checklist for Quebecers

1. Check both registers. Confirm the firm on CIRO's dealer list and in the AMF's register, and that its registration covers Québec in the CSA National Registration Search.
2. Ask about language. Can you get the account agreement, statements, platform and support in French? The Charter of the French Language affects how firms communicate with Québec consumers, and reputable dealers are used to these requests.
3. Understand the tax overlay. Québec residents file a separate provincial return with Revenu Québec; trading gains are reported there as well as federally, with the same capital-vs-income principles.
4. Know where to complain. For a dealer dispute, go to the firm, then OBSI. The AMF also administers the Fonds d'indemnisation des services financiers for certain fraud cases involving firms it regulates — ask the AMF whether it could apply to your situation.
5. Beware of "Québec-friendly" offshore ads. Social media ads in French promising high leverage and bonuses are no different from their English equivalents: the firm isn't authorized to serve you.

Time zone and market hours

Québec follows Eastern Time, so the London–New York overlap is 8 a.m. to noon and Canadian data releases arrive at 8:30 a.m. — convenient for pre-work trading. See the market hours clock.

Complaints and scams

Complain to the dealer first. If unresolved, go to OBSI (for CIRO members) and report misconduct to the AMF or CIRO. For suspected fraud, contact the AMF and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. See our Québec page for regulator contacts.