Money laundering and civil forfeiture

Actions taken by the B.C. government

Civil forfeiture is a process to bring legal proceedings against assets linked to organized crime, money laundering and other unlawful activity.

 

On this page

• Introduced unexplained wealth orders
• Partnership with the Government of Canada
• Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC)

​Introduced unexplained wealth orders

Unexplained wealth orders (UWOs) are a type of court order that requires a person suspected of participating in unlawful activity to explain how they acquired or maintained their assets. UWOs help address common money laundering techniques, such as hiding assets with family members or associates.

To issue a UWO, the Director of Civil Forfeiture applies to the court and must satisfy the following criteria:

• Reason to believe the person, close relative or associate is involved in unlawful activity
• Reason to believe the person holds property above $75,000 in value
• Serious questions to be tried as to whether the person:
  • Lacked sufficient legitimate income to acquire or maintain the specified assets; or
  • Used money from their unlawful activity to acquire or maintain the specified asset; or
  • Used the property for unlawful purposes

If the court grants the unexplained wealth order, the respondent must provide evidence about their acquisition and maintenance of the property.

Learn about the UWOs that B.C. has issued:

• Minister's statement on filing of unexplained wealth order (September 9, 2024)
• Minister's statement on unexplained wealth order related to luxury goods (March 27, 2024)
• Minister's statement on filing the next unexplained wealth order (December 14, 2023)
• Minister's statement on filing the first unexplained wealth order (November 30, 2023)

Partnership with the Government of Canada

The B.C. government is working with the Government of Canada and other provincial and territorial forfeiture programs to enhance the capacity of the forfeiture offices. Learn more about the Civil Forfeiture Office.

As of April 1, 2025, a regulatory amendment to the federal Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act allows the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) to share suspicious financial activity reports with provincial and territorial civil forfeiture offices.

Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC)

The Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC) facilitates the detection, prevention and deterrence of money laundering and the financing of terrorist activities, while ensuring the protection of personal information under its control. 

Learn more about the Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada.