Illegal operation of private automated teller machines - AMF takes action against 13 businesses

Money-Services Businesses

Montréal – The Autorité des marchés financiers (the “AMF”) has filed penal proceedings in the judicial districts of Terrebonne, Gatineau and Montréal against 13 businesses for operating private automated teller machines (ATMs) without holding the required licences.

“The AMF devotes a great deal of effort to remind private ATM operators of their obligation to hold a licence and to display it on the ATMs they operate,” said Jean-François Fortin, Executive Director, AMF Enforcement. “Those who don’t comply with these requirements are liable to fines under the Money-Services Businesses Act.”

The businesses involved in the proceedings operate under the following names:

  • Bar de l’Île
  • Bar Les Plaisirs de Grenville
  • Bar O’Mulligans
  • Bar Windsor de Buckingham inc.
  • Brasserie du Parc
  • Cabaret Moulin Rouge
  • Gym Max Lachute
  • Hôtel Deschenes
  • Jardin de Lin Ching inc.
  • Resto-Bar Au Rendez-vous
  • Restaurant Labelle
  • Salon Bar le Verseau
  • Taverne P’tit Canot

Each business faces one count of operating a money-services business without a licence issued by the AMF and a minimum fine of $15,000.

The AMF benefited from the collaboration of Revenu Québec as part of the investigations that led to these proceedings. In 2016, the AMF reached an agreement with the agency to ensure that relevant information to identify potential ATM operators would be transmitted to the AMF following the agency’s visits in connection with its own activities.

In August 2016, the AMF took action by filing penal proceedings against 10 businesses for the illegal operation of ATMs.

The Autorité des marchés financiers (the “AMF”) is the regulatory and oversight body for Québec's financial sector.

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