The British Columbia Securities Commission has chosen One Twenty Three West as its new ad agency, to support its efforts to make British Columbians informed and safer investors.

The new agency follows a formal review process by the independent government agency, which describes itself as “guardians of the province’s investment marketplace.” One Twenty Three West starts work on the business this month, with a three-year contract.

One Twenty Three West co-founder and ECD Bryan Collins said the BCSC’s mission to protect investors is personally important to him, so much so that he’d suggested the agency make it a priority even before winning the assignment. There have been too many people in a “vulnerable position” who lose their savings to investors scams and criminals, he said.

“It breaks my heart. Especially those who have worked their whole lives and deserve comfort and security in their retirement,” he told The Message. “I hope we can make a difference to prevent anyone from losing their hard-earned savings from bad actors.”

Working with Wasserman, recent communications campaigns from BCSC include one explaining to British Columbians that investing doesn’t have to be scary, and BCSC is there to help them; and another reminding people that if an investment opportunity seems too good to be true, it probably is.

“We are excited to team up with One Twenty Three West to continue our work empowering British Columbians with the knowledge, tools and confidence they need to make informed investment decisions and protect themselves from investment fraud,” said Pamela McDonald, the BCSC’s director of communications and education, in a release.