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Author: Marilyn Powell
Financial Analyst
Marilyn Powell

Canadian Stock Trading

Those of you who live in Canada are among the best-protected stock traders in the world, thanks to the Canadian government and its rigid regulation of all things financial. To achieve full licensing, Canadian stockbrokers first have to comply with a substantial list of requirements and thereafter comply fully with the demands of regulation under a very strict two-tier system.

For those reasons alone, it makes sense for stock traders to stick to homegrown brokers and you are not confined to trading with the assets on the Canadian stock market. If you want to add worldwide assets to your portfolio, many global brokers can help you out and providing they have a physical presence in Canada, you still have the same level of regulatory protection.

There are many stockbrokers to choose from in Canada, so many in fact that trying to find the right one is a lengthy process. At this point, we can certainly help, our panel of experts has already done a lot of the hard work for you, meaning you can skip straight to our broker review pages to compile your shortlist.

Top Rated Stocks Sites

#1 - Pocket Option: Best Overall

Pocket Option Logo
9.8
Superb
Bonus Up-to $2000 Assets 130+
Min. Trade $1 *Payout % 92.76%
Over 130+ assets to trade now
Instant access to social trading
Single account option, for everyone
Tournament with prize of $50,000
IFMRRC is not an official regulator
Limited account funding methods
Deposit Methods
Bitcoin Klarna PayPal Skrill
122 visited this site today
Pocket Option Review

Editors Summary

Pocket Option offers many excellent features to new and existing traders. When you check-out the various account types, you will see that they work with traders of any level – newbie, beginner, experienced, master etc. This site is so easy to use, and while CySEC does not license them, they have good feedback online and tick all of the boxes of a trusted broker. We love the ease of use and no-frills approach which is replicated with a great user experience.

#2 - IQcent: Best Free Demo

IQcent Logo
9.3
Excellent
Bonus Up-to $1600 Assets 150+
Min. Trade $1 *Payout % 91.48%
Over 150+ assets to trade now
Account options for every trader
Trading available 7 days a week
Super-fast 1 day withdrawals
Demo account has less features
UK-based, but licensed offshore
Deposit Methods
Bitcoin Klarna MasterCard Neteller
94 visited this site today

Editors Summary

It is clear to see that IQcent mean business and that their all-around offering to traders is making them a serious competitor in the digital options market place. From their easy to use trading platform to the fact that they offer such good withdrawal terms, you can't help but feel that this broker is going to capture the market, quickly. With a base in London, reputable licensing, an acceptance of US customers they tick all the boxes when it comes what traders want.

#3 - Raceoption: Best Mobile App

Raceoption Logo
9.1
Very Good
Bonus Up-to $1000 Assets 140+
Min. Trade $1 *Payout % 89.72%
Over 140+ assets to trade now
Bespoke platform for PC and mobile
Low min deposit of $0.10 per trade
Great support in multiple languages
Platform not suited to pro traders
No free demo account option
Deposit Methods
PayPal PaySafeCard MasterCard Skrill
43 visited this site today
Raceoption Review

Editors Summary

Raceoption, while a relatively new broker, tick all of the boxes when it comes to trading. They are competitive and offer all of the things that you would expect. Benefits include an excellent mobile trading platform, welcome and deposit bonuses and a good support system. There are phone numbers available in many languages, alternatively, you can send a message with your details, and someone will get back to you.

Risk Warning / Ad Disclosure

Risk Warning: The products offered by the companies listed on this website carry a high level of risk and can result in the loss of all your funds. You should never risk money that you cannot afford to lose.

Ad Disclosure: Some of the links that you will find on this website are advertisements for which we do receive financial gain for referring new customers.

Stocks Sites in Canada

Canada

Provided you select a stockbroker that is licensed in Canada, you can relax as far as its legitimacy goes and concentrate on the matters that are more relevant to you, here are a few ideas to get you started:

Mobile Trading

Canada has an excellent Internet infrastructure, with availability in all but the most remote areas. This has encouraged many more people to become involved in stock trading, simply because it no longer means being confined to an office. In response, stockbrokers are investing more heavily into the development of optimised websites and dedicated apps for mobile devices.

Deals And Incentives

Canadian stockbrokers are not permitted to advertise or market themselves by offering incentives to potential clients, so you will find that there is a much more subtle approach. As you research a few brokers, you will see that any deals are aimed towards retaining loyal clients, lower commissions for regular trades, for example. Other incentives we have seen include privileged account facilities or free analytics software.

Diverse Asset Types

There are a total of six stock exchanges in Canada, the main one being located in Toronto, so homegrown stockbrokers tend to encourage trading in their direction. If you are looking to invest in stocks on the exchanges in other parts of the world, then a global stockbroker with a presence in Canada will offer more diversity.

Good Customer Support

There is no substitute for a great customer support team, one which is readily available if you have an issue that requires immediate guidance. But more than that, we like to see stockbrokers who offer even further support to clients, such as trader education and relevant newsfeeds.

Broker Fees And Tax

Todays Top Traders
Trader Broker Asset Profit

No matter how your stockbroker arranges his fee structure, you will have brokerage costs to take into account. For example, if you opt for a 0% commission account, you will still have to pay administration and transaction fees to your broker, which are billed monthly or quarterly. In addition, any profit you make from stock trading forms a part of your annual income and is subject to Income Tax.

No two stockbrokers are exactly alike in terms of chargeable fees, this is one thing that needs checking on a broker by broker basis. However, in very general terms, the amount you pay is directly related to the service you receive as a client. Using a full-service brokerage will set you back around 10% of your investment every year, whereas a discount broker will cost between 2% and 5%.

All tax liabilities fall under the jurisdiction of the CRA (Canadian Revenue Agency), which takes a particularly close interest in all forms of trading. This level of scrutiny is not just applied to brokers; all trading accounts are monitored individually for “content and intent”. Canada has exceptionally strict taxation laws and penalises misdemeanours heavily, so always ensure that you keep your accounts up-to-date and accurate.

Canadian Licencing

Canada has operated a ‘two-tier’ policy for many years resulting in one of the most stringent licensing and regulatory systems applied to brokers anywhere in the world. The first tier is implemented by IIROC (Investment Industry Regulatory Organisation of Canada), the second being the responsibility of the territories and provinces across the country.

A broker (or a senior representative of the business) intending to operate in Canada must achieve a post-graduate level of education in a suitable subject and show evidence of working in a financial environment for at least one year. Also, he must successfully pass a further examination directly related to his future role in the brokerage.

The fully-qualified broker then has to apply for a licence within the Canadian province or territory from which the business will operate. Licence applications are considered by the Securities Commission appropriate to the location, with the majority being issued from these authorities:

  • Quebec (Autorite des Marches Financiers)
  • BCSC (British Columbia Securities Commission)
  • OSC (Ontario Securities Commission)
  • ASC (Alberta Securities Commission)

Monitoring of a licensed broker, in accordance with Recognition Orders supplied by the issuing authority then reverts to IIROC. As you can see, this is a very complex system but does ensure that all Canadian stockbrokers are beyond trustworthy.

We know from experience that stockbrokers usually have bespoke software and that the quality and user experience can vary

How we Recommend Brokers

In a country like Canada, where incredibly strong regulations are already in place, we highly recommend stockbrokers who are either homegrown or have a land-based presence in Canada and must operate accordingly. Our panel of experts then painstakingly reviews each one, covering many aspects including financial stability and performance under regulation.

We also look very closely at each broker’s online offering, checking both its main website and any mobile apps for security, particularly in terms of encryption for sensitive data. Next on the list is the speed and functionality of the stockbroker’s trading platforms. We know from experience that stockbrokers usually have bespoke software and that the quality and user experience can vary considerably.

The assets a broker has available are another deciding factor for many stock traders, so our reviews will reflect that subject in detail. Lastly, we review customer support in the broader sense of fee transparency, straightforward T&Cs, trader education and the availability of experienced personnel capable of assisting you with any type of problem you might encounter.

Our Review Rating System (More Info)

10% 10% 10% 15% 15% 20% 20% Pie Core
  • Account Types
  • Banking & Payouts
  • Bonuses & Promotions
  • Mobile Trading
  • Trade Types
  • Special Features
  • Customer Support
Expert Reviews

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Is stock trading in Canada legal and safe?

Stock trading is legal and as Canada is one of the most highly-regulated countries in the world, it is as safe as you will find. You can check a stockbroker’s licence details, which by law must be displayed on their website.

Do I need to pay fees and taxes on my profits?

You will incur fees for the administration of your account and the transfer of funds to and from your trading account. You will also be liable to pay Income Tax on your profit, which is calculated on a sliding scale.

Can I test brokers before trading with real money?

This is not something that every stockbroker has on offer and where it is available, there are usually time constraints, or possibly a limited amount of assets on show.

Is it easy to make deposits and withdrawals?

For reasons of fraud prevention, stockbrokers usually only allow financial transactions by bank transfer. Your stockbroker will need to verify your preferred bank account before allowing you to trade.

Can I trade using my mobile or tablet device?

Canadian stockbrokers invest substantially in mobile technologies. All you need to do is ensure that your mobile device is secure and has an up-to-date operating system, you can then trade from anywhere with a robust Wi-Fi connection.

Top Rated Stocks Site

#1 - Pocket Option: Best Overall

Pocket Option Logo
9.8
Superb
Bonus Up-to $2000 Assets 130+
Min. Trade $1 *Payout % 92.76%
Over 130+ assets to trade now
Instant access to social trading
Single account option, for everyone
Tournament with prize of $50,000
IFMRRC is not an official regulator
Limited account funding methods
Deposit Methods
Visa AMEX PaySafeCard Neteller
149 visited this site today
Pocket Option Review
Risk Warning / Ad Disclosure

Risk Warning: The products offered by the companies listed on this website carry a high level of risk and can result in the loss of all your funds. You should never risk money that you cannot afford to lose.

Ad Disclosure: Some of the links that you will find on this website are advertisements for which we do receive financial gain for referring new customers.

Meet The Author
Marilyn Powell
Marilyn Powell
Financial Analyst

Marilyn won’t mind us saying she’s our resident geek. She spends most of her time recommending various investments to her clients based on their financial goals and how risky an investment strategy they are interested in undertaking.

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