Launch of the Mortgage Services Knowledge Base and Introduction of New Regulatory Instruments

In September, BCFSA emailed you about the launch of a new online resource: the Mortgage Services Knowledge Base.  

The Knowledge Base is now available on BCFSA’s website to provide access to key information and resources—referred to as regulatory instruments—to support the mortgage services industry in meeting the new requirements under the MSA. The Knowledge Base also supports consumers’ understanding of these requirements and what they can expect from licensed mortgage service providers.

Since September, we’ve posted regulatory instruments related to education requirements, form and content of licensing applications, and information about licensing under the MSA. Additional regulatory instruments will be added at regular intervals leading up to October 13, 2026, when the MSA comes into effect.

What are regulatory instruments? 

BCFSA uses regulatory instruments, such as regulatory statements and guidelines, to support industry in understanding and complying with regulatory requirements under the MSA. These instruments are publicly available through BCFSA’s website.

Keep reading for an overview of the regulatory instruments used by BCFSA:

• Regulatory Statements: provides details on how mortgage services licensees must comply with legislative requirements. They are used by BCFSA to provide further details/direction related to an established legislative or regulatory requirement (e.g., form and content of a submission to BCFSA, including applications and reports).  
• Regulatory Information: provides clear, concise, easy-to-read explanations of the requirements for mortgage services licensees under the MSA, the Mortgage Services Regulation (“Regulation”), Mortgage Services Rules (“Rules”), and other applicable legislation. This information is intended for use by mortgage services licensees to support their understanding of the requirements they must meet in the delivery of mortgage services.  
• Regulatory Guidelines: provides a practical application of the regulatory information and best practice guidance. These may also be a useful information source for the public when looking for information about standards of conduct for mortgage services licensees.  
• Advisories: provides information about emerging issues and regulatory matters that are material to the business activities of mortgage services licensees.  

For more information about regulatory instruments, visit: Regulatory Instruments | BCFSA. 

If you have questions about the MSA, including implementation timelines or new requirements, you can send them to BCFSA’s enquiries team at msa@bcfsa.ca