Required: money lender permit (OPC).
A business that lends money to consumers must hold a money lender's permit from the Office de la protection du consommateur. Banks, credit unions (caisses) and mortgage loans, among others, are exempt.
Why it matters: The OPC can refuse, suspend or cancel this permit, for example after certain convictions. If the lender lacks the required permit, you can ask to have the contract cancelled, or only the credit charges, with a refund of any already paid.
Businesses currently holding this licence in the official lists: 213.
Official sources: Consumer Protection Act, s. 321 · Consumer Protection Act, s. 322 · Consumer Protection Act, s. 329 · Regulation respecting the application of the Consumer Protection Act, s. 18 · Regulation respecting the application of the Consumer Protection Act, s. 93 · OPC — Ai-je besoin d'un permis? - Prêteurs d'argent · OPC — Un contrat de prêt d'argent, c'est quoi? · Consumer Protection Act, s. 115.1 · Consumer Protection Act, s. 115.2 · Regulation respecting the application of the Consumer Protection Act, s. 61.0.3
Banks, caisses (for example Desjardins), trust and savings companies and insurers don't need this OPC licence, and neither does a loan secured by a mortgage on real estate. These institutions are overseen by other authorities, including the Autorité des marchés financiers.
Official sources: Regulation under the Consumer Protection Act, s. 18
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.