See a summary of the actions the Province of B.C. has taken to address the recommendations outlined in the Cullen Commission.
Anti-money laundering
Money laundering is a serious crime that harms the economy, communities, and people in B.C. by undermining law-abiding businesses, supporting organized crime, breaking down trust in financial organizations and creating many other social costs, including increasing gang violence and contributing to the toxic drug crisis.
Money laundering is the process of covering up the source of money generated through illegal activities such as drug trafficking, sales of illicit tobacco, human trafficking, fraud, or tax evasion. Money laundering “cleans” money so that it cannot be traced back to the illegal activity it came from.
See below for information about how the Province is working with the federal government, law enforcement, regulators and other organizations to address money laundering in B.C.
Featured topics
Money laundering reports
Read the reports and learn about the public inquiry that help us understand the extent and ways that money is laundered in B.C.
Lawyers, notaries and accountants
Find resources about combatting money laundering for lawyers, notaries and accountants.
Services and information topics
Anti-Money Laundering Secretariat
B.C.'s Anti-money Laundering Secretariat leads the provincial response to money laundering. It was established in 2018 and is part of the Ministry of Finance.
Reports
Read the reports and learn about the public inquiry commissioned by the Province of B.C.
Quick glance at government's actions
The Cullen Commission Final Report (PDF, 16MB) outlined recommendations for the Province to address money laundering in B.C.
See below a summary of the actions the Province of B.C. has taken to implement these recommendations.
Corporate ownership transparency
Money launderers use business organizations and other legal entities, such as corporations, to hide their illegal activities and their identities. Corporations can own property, have bank accounts, and make transactions, and so historically have been vulnerable to being used as a tool to hold or move money anonymously.
Real estate
Money laundering can occur through real estate transactions that involve the purchase, construction, financing, sale or rental of one or more properties.
Gambling
Casinos and other gambling facilities can present opportunities for money laundering in B.C.
Financial sector
The Province of B.C. is working to stop money laundering by addressing vulnerabilities in the financial sector.
Public safety
Upholding public safety requires strategic, connected and measurable efforts to detect, prevent and prosecute money laundering activities.
Civil forfeiture
Civil forfeiture is a process to bring legal proceedings against assets such as cash, cars, homes and other luxury goods linked to gangs, organized crime, money laundering and other unlawful activity.
Lawyers, notaries and accountants
Certain professions, such as lawyers, notaries and accountants may be more likely to come into contact with money launderers due to the nature of their work.
Contact information
General inquires
AMLSecretariat@gov.bc.ca
AMLSecretariat@gov.bc.ca