Required: high-cost credit permit (OPC).
A business that enters into high-cost credit contracts must hold a permit from the Office de la protection du consommateur (OPC). Banks, credit unions (caisses) and a few others are exempt.
Why it matters: The OPC can suspend or cancel this permit. With some exceptions, the business must give you a written assessment of your ability to repay before you sign, and you have 10 days to cancel at no cost.
Businesses currently holding this licence in the official lists: 162.
Official sources: Consumer Protection Act, s. 321 · Regulation respecting the application of the Consumer Protection Act, s. 93 · Regulation respecting the application of the Consumer Protection Act, s. 18 · Regulation respecting the application of the Consumer Protection Act, s. 61.0.3 · Consumer Protection Act, s. 103.4 · Consumer Protection Act, s. 73 · Consumer Protection Act, s. 329 · Consumer Protection Act, s. 322 · Loi protégeant les consommateurs contre les pratiques commerciales abusives... · OPC, Explications des mesures entrant en vigueur le 1er août 2019 · OPC, Ai-je besoin d'un permis? · OPC, Demander un permis
Banks, caisses, trust and savings companies and insurers don't need this OPC licence. A car dealer or any other seller offering high-cost credit does.
If it is a loan of money, the business also needs a money lender permit.
Official sources: Regulation under the Consumer Protection Act, s. 18 · Consumer Protection Act, s. 321
The Office de la protection du consommateur (OPC) received 459 consumer complaints about this type of business from October 2025 to September 2026.
Same months three years earlier: 240 (+91%).
Complaints about loans of money, from all kinds of lenders.
These figures are not about any particular business: OPC data does not name businesses. Complaints are unverified allegations, not findings.