Our Research Methodology
Last updated: May 2026
How We Research Referral Programs
Every referral program featured on CanadaReferral goes through the following verification process before we publish:
- Primary source verification: We navigate to the financial institution's official referral page and document the current offer, terms, and eligibility requirements.
- Terms review: We read the full terms and conditions for each referral program, not just the headline bonus amount.
- Cross-reference: Where possible, we confirm offer details against official press releases, in-app screens, or direct contact with the institution.
- Date stamping: We record the exact date of verification and display this prominently on all offer pages.
Content Update Schedule
Our standard review schedule:
- Referral code pages: Verified at minimum monthly
- Bonus history pages: Updated when offers change
- Educational guides: Reviewed quarterly
- Tax and regulatory content: Reviewed annually or when regulations change
What We Verify
- Current referral code validity
- Bonus amounts (for both referrer and referee)
- Minimum deposit requirements
- Eligible account types
- Eligibility restrictions (new users only, Canadian residents, etc.)
- Bonus payment timeline
- Offer expiry dates (when applicable)
What We Cannot Guarantee
Financial institutions can change their referral programs without notice. While we update our content as soon as we become aware of changes, there may be a lag between an offer changing and our content reflecting that change. This is why we always recommend verifying the current offer directly on the institution's website before signing up.
Editorial Independence
Our research methodology is maintained independently of our commercial relationships. Revenue from referral commissions does not influence our verification standards, our reporting of offer terms, or our decision to feature or exclude a program.
Sources
Primary sources we use for Wealthsimple referral information:
- Wealthsimple official referral page
- Wealthsimple in-app referral section
- Wealthsimple terms of service
- Wealthsimple support documentation