CIRO to Hold a Disciplinary Hearing for Joseph Debus

Toronto (Ontario), January 9, 2024 – A hearing has been scheduled before a hearing panel of the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) under the Investment Dealer and Partially Consolidated Rules in a matter of Joseph Debus.

The hearing is open to the public, unless the panel orders otherwise. The decision of the hearing panel will be made available at www.ciro.ca.

Initial Appearance Date: March 4, 2024 at 10:00 am (Eastern)

Location: Toronto, Ontario (via videoconference)

Members of the public who would like to obtain further particulars should fill out this questionnaire.

The hearing concerns allegations that Joseph Debus:

1. failed to identify and address a material conflict of interest between himself and his clients;
2. violated the terms of his strict supervision by not bringing transactions to his Dealer Member for approval; and
3. facilitated off-book transactions without the knowledge or approval of his Dealer Member.

The Notice of Hearing and Statement of Allegations, which set out the allegations, are available at:

Debus, Joseph – Notice of Hearing and Statement of Allegations

The alleged violations occurred while Joseph Debus was a Registered Representative at Echelon Wealth Partners Inc. Joseph Debus is not currently employed in the industry.

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All information about disciplinary proceedings relating to current and former member firms and individual registrants under the Investment Dealer and Partially Consolidated Rules (for investment dealers), the Mutual Fund Dealer Rules (for mutual fund dealers) and the Universal Market Integrity Rules (UMIR) is available on CIRO's website.

Background information regarding the qualifications and disciplinary history, if any, of advisors currently employed by CIRO-regulated investment firms is available free of charge through the AdvisorReport service. Information on how to make dealer, advisor or marketplace-related complaints is available by calling 1-877-442-4322.

CIRO investigates possible misconduct by its member firms and individual registrants. It can bring disciplinary proceedings which may result in sanctions including fines, suspensions, permanent bars, expulsion from membership, or termination of rights and privileges for individuals and firms.

The Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) is the national self-regulatory organization that oversees all investment dealers, mutual fund dealers and trading activity on Canada’s debt and equity marketplaces. CIRO is committed to the protection of investors, providing efficient and consistent regulation, and building Canadians’ trust in financial regulation and the people managing their investments. For more information, visit www.ciro.ca.

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