Yes, you can be a planner without a CFP certification in every province except Quebec. Anyone can call themselves a financial planner, even if they have no certification at all, making it extra important to ask for certifications before paying anyone for advice. Of course, many financial planners learn the ropes on the job, so a lack of certification doesn’t mean they’re not trustworthy. But it’s worth having a word-of-mouth recommendation from a good friend before trusting a planner who isn’t certified.