A Canadian Certificate of Trust, also referred to as an Affidavit of Trust or Certification of Trust, is a legal document executed by the Trustee of a trust that certifies key information about the trust to third parties without revealing the entire trust agreement. The certificate confirms the existence of the trust, the identity of the Settlor and Trustee, the Trustee’s authority and powers, the types of property held by the trust, and whether the trust is revocable or irrevocable. It is used primarily when the Trustee needs to conduct transactions with banks, financial institutions, real estate registries, investment firms, and other third parties who require proof of the Trustee’s authority.

In Canada, trust law is governed by a combination of provincial Trustee Acts, common law principles, and the federal Income Tax Act (R.S.C. 1985, c. 1, 5th Supp.). The Ontario Trustee Act (R.S.O. 1990, c. T.23) and the BC Trustee Act (RSBC 1996, c. 464) provide the statutory framework for trustee powers, duties, and liabilities in their respective provinces. In Quebec, trusts are governed by articles 1260-1370 of the Civil Code of Quebec, which establishes three categories of trusts: personal trusts, private trusts, and social trusts. While there is no specific Canadian statute governing Certificates of Trust, they are widely used and accepted in practice as an alternative to disclosing the full trust document.

Since the 2023 tax year, all Canadian express trusts (with limited exceptions for qualified disability trusts, registered plans, and certain other excluded trusts) must file a T3 Trust Income Tax and Information Return annually, even if the trust has no income or activity, due to beneficial ownership reporting requirements enacted under Bill C-32. The trust must obtain a CRA trust account number, which is typically referenced in the Certificate of Trust. This enhanced reporting regime makes the Certificate of Trust an increasingly important document for trust administration in Canada.

A Certificate of Trust is needed whenever a Trustee must prove their authority to act on behalf of the trust to a third party. This arises most commonly when opening or managing bank accounts in the trust’s name, as Canadian financial institutions require documentation confirming that the trust exists and that the named Trustee has authority to operate the accounts. Similarly, when buying, selling, mortgaging, or leasing real property held in trust, provincial land registry offices (e.g., the Ontario Land Titles system or the BC Land Title and Survey Authority) typically require a Certificate of Trust or equivalent documentation.

A Certificate of Trust is also necessary when transferring securities, mutual funds, or other investment accounts into or out of the trust, when applying for a CRA trust account number or filing T3 returns, and when dealing with insurance companies regarding trust-owned policies. The certificate protects the privacy of beneficiaries by allowing the Trustee to establish their authority without disclosing the distribution provisions, beneficiary names, or other sensitive terms of the trust agreement.

Additionally, a Certificate of Trust should be prepared whenever a new Trustee is appointed (whether by succession or replacement), when the trust has been amended and third parties need confirmation that the Trustee’s authority has not changed, or when the trust acquires new types of assets that require registration or third-party interaction. The certificate should be updated and re-executed whenever there is a material change to the trust that affects the information contained in the certificate.

A comprehensive Canadian Certificate of Trust must include several essential elements. First, the full name of the trust and the date it was established, matching the original trust agreement exactly. Second, the type of trust (revocable inter vivos, irrevocable inter vivos, testamentary, alter ego, joint partner, etc.) and the governing province, as different provinces have different Trustee Acts with different statutory powers. Third, the trust’s CRA identification number (trust account number for T3 filing), which is required for tax compliance and is increasingly requested by financial institutions.

Fourth, the full names and addresses of the Settlor, the current Trustee, and any Successor Trustee. Fifth, a description of the types of property and assets held by the trust (real property, financial accounts, securities, business interests, personal property, digital assets). Sixth, a certification of the Trustee’s powers, specifying whether the Trustee has full authority to sell, convey, mortgage, lease, and exchange trust assets, or whether the Trustee’s powers are limited. This is critical for third parties who need to confirm the Trustee can complete a specific transaction.

Seventh, the revocability status of the trust. Eighth, a confirmation that the trust has not been terminated, revoked, or amended in any way that would affect the representations in the certificate (or, if amended, details of the amendments). Ninth, a declaration by the Trustee that the certificate is true and correct. Optionally, the certificate may include a sworn affidavit section before a Commissioner for Oaths or Notary Public, which is strongly recommended for transactions involving real property or financial institutions. The certificate should be dated and signed by the Trustee, and copies retained for the trust’s records.