The Integrated Market Enforcement Teams (IMETs) help detect, charge and prosecute those using capital markets to harm the economic interests of Canadians.

Team composition

The IMET investigative pool may consist of RCMP investigators, Department of Justice Canada legal advisors, securities regulators, representatives of other federal enforcement agencies, law enforcement agencies of local jurisdiction and forensic accountants.

Type of offences investigated

IMETs investigate serious Criminal Code capital markets offences of regional or national significance that threaten investor confidence or economic stability.

What investors can do

Education is key when investing in capital markets. Be knowledgeable about your investments and research the company or investor you deal with. For more information please visit the External link, opens in a new windowBC Securities Commission website.

If employees suspect fraudulent activity

Every corporate employee is responsible for reporting dishonest or fraudulent acts he or she believes are being committed or will soon be committed. The RCMP encourages employees to come forward if they have any information about corporate misdeeds.

The manner in which a crime is initially detected often depends on the perpetrator’s relation to the company. Crimes committed by internal perpetrators are most frequently uncovered through tip-offs or the audit process.

For more information on preventative measures please visit: www.rcmp-grc.gc.ca/imet-eipmf/index-eng.htm

External perpetrators are most often detected from external methods, such as complaints to Reporting Economic Crime Inline (RECOL, effective preventative measures and good corporate security. For more information on RECOL, please visit External link, opens in a new windowwww.recol.ca.

Quick Facts

• There are 9 IMETs in Canada, 3 in Toronto and 2 each in Montreal, Vancouver and Calgary.
• IMET investigations may be international - RCMP liaison officers permanently located in foreign jurisdictions provide assistance.
• Team members are specialists in markets-related investigations and are trained in the latest techniques and legal development in securities fraud.

Legislation on Whistleblowers

The law helps protect you. Section 423 of the Criminal Code states that it is an indictable offence to intimidate anyone or their relatives with violence or threats of violence, or to deprive them of their property or tools, to persistently watch the place where that person resides, works or carries on business.

Public servants and employees of crown corporations, who disclose wrongdoing in the federal public sector, receive additional protection under the Public Servants Disclosure Protection Act, November, 2005.

Report to the Commissioner: Achieving Results in Fighting Capital Markets Crime

Senior expert advisor, Mr. Nick Le Pan (former Federal Superintendent of Financial Institutions), was appointed to advise the RCMP and federal partner departments, and to help develop and guide the implementation of a plan to improve the effectiveness of the IMETs. Read Nick Le Pan's report on the IMET Program.

Contact Information

The public is encouraged to suggest cases for investigation through the RCMP or any of the "portal agencies" located throughout the country. You can do this by contacting your local RCMP IMET (or any other police agency of jurisdiction), or by reporting suspected investment frauds using the External link, opens in a new windowwww.recol.ca (Reporting economic crime online) website.

Vancouver IMETs – 604-331-1200  (This number is staffed during normal working hours)