What Is FINTRAC?
Canada’s financial intelligence agency is the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre (FINTRAC).
It operates independently from law enforcement agencies but has the authority to share financial intelligence with authorized agencies.
FINTRAC reports to the Minister of Finance, who is accountable to Parliament.
Financial Watchdog for Canada
Established in 2000, FINTRAC operates under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act (PCMLTFA) and its associated regulations.
Its primary mission is to identify and investigate instances of money laundering and disclose financial intelligence related to suspected terrorist financing to law enforcement authorities.
Safeguarding Canada’s Financial Integrity
As part of Canada’s anti-money laundering and anti-terrorist financing (AML/ATF) regime, FINTRAC collaborates with various partners, with the Department of Finance leading the efforts.
Entities’ Responsibilities to Report Transactions
Under the regulatory framework, entities subject to regulation must provide FINTRAC with information on various transactions and activities.
This includes reporting suspicious transactions, suspected terrorist property, large cash transactions, incoming or outgoing international electronic funds transfers (EFTs) exceeding 10,000 Canadian dollars within 24 hours, and reporting of cross-border currency movements.