When it legalized recreational cannabis in October 2018, Canada became the first G7 country to do so nationwide. The change was framed as a public-health and public-safety reform rather than a commercial one. Five years on, the legalisation of cannabis has reshaped law enforcement, consumer behaviour, public health policy, and a multibillion-dollar industry. But has it functioned as it should? The answer is complex. While Canada got some of the basic elements right, deep-seated structural and policy flaws continue to impede full success of legalization. What Canada Got Right 1. Replacing an Unregulated Market with a Safer Legal One One…
Author: Sady Baker
As we wrap up 2025, the Canadian banking sector is undergoing one of its most significant structural changes in decades. The traditional “Big Five” dominance is being challenged not by a new bank, but by a new philosophy: consumer-driven banking, often referred to internationally as open banking. Canada’s consumer-driven banking framework is designed to shift control over financial data from institutions to individuals, enabling secure data sharing with fintech apps and other third-party service providers. The intention is to boost competition, innovation, and choice for Canadians. What Is the Consumer-Driven Banking Framework? At its core, the Consumer-Driven Banking Framework (commonly…
Among all the jurisdictions in the world, Canada continues to stand tall as one of the most stable and well-regulated for Bitcoin and digital assets. The Canadian landscape reflects adherence to traditional financial standards and strong consumer protection against the speculative uncertainty of previous years. Whether one is a private investor or entrepreneur, it is therefore important to understand the current legal and fiscal realities of Bitcoin in Canada with regard to compliance and financial planning. Is Bitcoin Legal in Canada? They are legal in Canada, yes, but they are not considered legal tender. Therefore, Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are…
For a while, the Canadian stock market was not front and center in discussions of mainstream finance. The increase in interest rates, inflationary tensions, and international uncertainty had some Canadians holding back on investing in the stock market and preferring more short-term approaches to saving, such as cash or GICs. However, that caution is giving way to renewed interest. The S&P/TSX Composite Index, Canada’s primary equity benchmark, has shown resilience and continues to be an integral part of long-term investing conversations, not just domestically but as a complement to broader portfolios. An Index That Reflects Canada’s Economic Structure The S&P/TSX…
Casinos in Canada were not so long ago an experience itself. You made plans to go to the casino, drove there, and indulged in an environment of lights, sounds, and excitement. Today, it happens in the palm of your hand. Online gambling in Canada has quietly, but dramatically, evolved in the last several years, especially in provinces like Ontario, where it has carved out a successful niche in the regulated environment. “It’s not just about access, though,” the executive continued. A Market That’s Rapidly Growing Ontario’s regulated online gambling market, launched in April 2022, has posted remarkable growth. In its…