Background
On July 10, 2019 amendments to the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA) and its enacted regulations were released in the Canada Gazette. The amendments require entities that conduct MSB activities from outside of Canada, directed towards Canadians, to be considered Foreign Money Services Businesses (FMSBs) and therefore comply with Canadian AML obligations. Foreign MSBs must register with the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) and become compliant by June 1, 2020. Check out our blog post to see what your full requirements are.
What Is A Money Services Business?
You are considered an MSB in Canada if your business offers any of the following services:
- Foreign exchange dealing;
- Remitting or transmitting funds;
- Issuing or redeeming money orders, traveller’s cheques and other negotiable instruments; or
- Dealing in virtual currencies.
What Is A Foreign Money Services Business?
You are considered an FMSB if all of the following criteria applies to your business:
- The person or entity is engaged in the business of providing at least one money services business (MSB) service;
- The person or entity does not have a place of business in Canada;
- The person or entity directs its MSB services at persons or entities in Canada; and
- They provide these services to clients in Canada.
For further clarity, you must direct services at persons or entities located in Canada. FINTRAC clarifies that directing services means that the services offered takes into consideration a Canadian audience. For example, if marketing or advertising materials are used with the intent to promote services and to acquire business from persons or entities in Canada. Where a business advertises online, but may not specifically exclude Canadian IP addresses, this fact on its own would not constitute directing services at persons or entities in Canada.
A business would be seen as directing services at persons or entities in Canada if at least one of the following applies:
- The business’s marketing or advertising is directed at persons or entities located in Canada;
- The business operates a “.ca” domain name; or
- The business is listed in a Canadian business directory.
Note that additional criteria may be considered when determining whether you are directing services at persons or entities in Canada. Examples of the additional criteria that may be considered is outlined in FINTRAC’s FMSB Annex 1.
We’re Here To Help
If you are, or think you may be, a foreign MSB and have any questions related to your compliance obligations in Canada, please get in touch!