Toronto AML forum returns in June as penalties and scrutiny rise

By AI, Created 8:40 PM UTC, May 19, 2026, /AGP/ – Canada’s anti-money laundering and financial crime community will gather in Toronto June 10–11, 2026, as regulators step up enforcement and FINTRAC faces a global review. The Canadian Institute event will focus on compliance, sanctions risk, artificial intelligence, and new liability concerns tied to recent legislation.

Why it matters: - Canada’s AML regime is under heavier pressure as FINTRAC issues record penalties and broadens enforcement under the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act. - Financial institutions, fintechs, leasing companies, and money service businesses are facing more scrutiny from regulators and international standard-setters. - The forum is built to give compliance teams practical guidance on how to respond.

What happened: - The Canadian Institute is holding the 25th Annual Canadian Forum on Anti-Money Laundering and Financial Crime in Toronto on June 10–11, 2026. - The event will take place at the One King West Hotel and will also offer a livestream option. - Regulators, law enforcement officials, financial institutions, and compliance professionals are expected to attend. - Canada’s finance sector is also undergoing a Financial Action Task Force mutual evaluation in Paris at the same time. - FINTRAC representatives will be attending the FATF review while the Toronto forum is underway.

The details: - The agenda includes FINTRAC enforcement trends and administrative monetary penalties. - Sessions will cover Canada’s FATF evaluation and global AML expectations. - The program will address how to operationalize Bill C2 and Bill C12 without creating new liability. - Other topics include trade-based money laundering, sanctions evasion risks, artificial intelligence in AML and financial crime detection, consumer protection, fraud, and financial abuse. - The Enforcers Speak session will give attendees direct insight into examination priorities, enforcement trends, and compliance expectations. - Scheduled speakers include John Ommanney of OSFI, Frank Lofranco of the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada, Salvator Cusimano of Transparency International Canada, Tim McSorley of the International Civil Liberties Monitoring Group, Joseph Iuso of the Canadian Money Service Business Association, and Samantha Gale of the Canadian Association of Private Lenders. - Pre-conference workshops on June 9 will focus on building and stress-testing AML compliance programs and preparing for FINTRAC examinations. - The forum is aimed at compliance officers, CAMLOs, risk and governance professionals, legal and regulatory counsel, financial crime investigators and analysts, and professionals from banks, MSBs, fintechs, and payment providers. - The conference will feature 20+ sessions, 30+ expert speakers, 6+ hours of networking, a dedicated reception, and CPD credit opportunities. - Attendees who register by May 29, 2026, can save 10% using code D10-413-EINPRESS26. - Registration and the full agenda are available here.

Between the lines: - The timing points to a compliance sector under unusually intense pressure, with domestic enforcement and global review happening at once. - The inclusion of AI, sanctions evasion, and consumer abuse suggests AML teams are being pushed beyond traditional transaction monitoring into broader financial crime risk management. - The forum’s focus on practical workshops signals that firms are looking for implementation guidance, not just policy discussion.

What’s next: - Attendees will use the June 9 workshops and June 10–11 sessions to prepare for examinations, compare controls, and benchmark against regulatory expectations. - The FATF review and continued FINTRAC enforcement will likely shape compliance priorities across Canada after the forum ends. - The early-registration discount ends May 29, 2026.