Top Traders in Canada

When people talk about the top traders in Canada, they often mention personalities who combine discipline with creativity. Andrew Aziz is perhaps the most famous name, not only because of his bestselling books, but also for the way he explains day trading in Canada through simple setups like VWAP trading and the opening range breakout (ORB). His journey from engineering to finance shows how persistence can turn failure into a system built on rules. Yet Canada’s trading scene is not limited to one figure. Other Canadian traders apply price action trading, support and resistance levels, and candlestick patterns across stocks, forex, and commodities. What unites them is not just strategy, but mindset: capital protection through the 1% rule, reliance on a detailed trading journal, and the belief that psychology in trading is as important as technical analysis. This mix of practice and discipline makes Canadian trading culture a valuable reference for global investors.

Andrew Aziz

Andrew Aziz is a well-known trader, bestselling author, and educator specializing in day trading (intraday trading). He is the founder of Bear Bull Traders, one of the largest educational platforms for traders in North America.

Born in Iran, he is now a Canadian citizen. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering. He worked as an engineer at a major oil and gas company before fully dedicating himself to trading.

He entered the world of trading after realizing that his salaried job did not allow him to achieve the desired financial freedom and control over his time. Like many others, he started with significant losses but was able to systematize his approach and develop his own strategy.

He has written several highly popular books on trading, which have become a kind of “textbook” for beginners:

• “How to Day Trade for a Living” — his most famous work, translated into many languages.
• “Day Trading: Attention to Detail”
• “Swing Trading for a Living”

In 2016, he created his namesake community and educational platform. His philosophy is to create a supportive environment where traders can learn, share ideas, and help each other, avoiding the isolation characteristic of this profession.

Here are the main components of Andrew Aziz’s trading strategies:

1. Key Concepts and Tools

Before examining specific strategies, it is important to understand the basic elements that Aziz uses in all his approaches.

• VWAP (Volume Weighted Average Price): This is his primary tool. VWAP shows the average price of a stock, weighted by volume. Traders use it to determine trend direction and entry points.
  • Price above VWAP = intraday uptrend.
  • Price below VWAP = intraday downtrend.
• Support and Resistance Levels: These are determined based on previous day’s highs/lows, gaps (price gaps), and key psychological levels (round numbers, e.g., $100).
• Volume: The most important confirming factor. Any significant price move must be accompanied by anomalously high volume. Without volume, the move is considered false.
• Candlestick Patterns: Aziz uses simple patterns such as Bull Flag/Bear Flag, Hammer, and Inside Bar.

2. Main Trading Strategies

Aziz outlines several clear setups (patterns) for entering a trade.

Trading from VWAP (Bounce or Break)

This is one of his most popular strategies.

• Bounce from VWAP:
  1. The stock is in an uptrend (price above VWAP).
  2. The price pulls back to the VWAP but does not break through it with force.
  3. Volume on the pullback is low.
  4. Entry: Buy (Long) on the bounce off the VWAP with increasing volume. The stop-loss is placed below the low of the pullback.
• Break of VWAP: The opposite scenario for short positions (Short).
  1. The stock is in a downtrend (price below VWAP).
  2. The price bounces up to the VWAP (testing it as resistance).
  3. Volume on the bounce is low.
  4. Entry: Sell (Short) when the price is rejected from the VWAP with a surge in volume. The stop-loss is placed above the high of that bounce.

Trading the Opening Range Breakout (ORB)
This strategy is used within the first 30-60 minutes of the trading session.

1. The “opening range” is defined—the range in which the stock trades during the first 15-30 minutes.
2. The trader waits for a breakout above the upper or below the lower boundary of this range.
3. Critically important condition: The breakout must occur on greater volume than the average volume during the opening period.
4. Entry: Buy on a breakout above the upper boundary of the range (if the trend is bullish) or sell on a breakout below the lower boundary (if the trend is bearish).
5. Stop-loss: Placed on the opposite side of the range.

Trading Flags
Aziz actively trades classic trend continuation patterns—bull flags and bear flags.

• Bull Flag:
  1. The stock makes a sharp upward move on high volume (“the flagpole”).
  2. A sideways or downward pullback begins on low volume (“the flag”).
  3. Entry: Buy on the breakout above the upper boundary of the “flag”. The breakout must be accompanied by a sharp increase in volume.
• Bear Flag: A mirror image of the model for short positions.

3. Capital and Risk Management (MOST IMPORTANT according to Aziz)

Andrew Aziz constantly emphasizes that risk management is 90% of success.

• The 1% Rule: Never risk more than 1% of your trading capital on a single trade. If your account is $30,000, the maximum loss per trade is $300.
• Risk/Reward Ratio: The minimum target ratio is 1:2. This means if you risk $0.50 per share, your profit target should be at least $1.00 per share.
• Stop-Loss: Entering a trade is only possible if you have a clear plan for where you will place your stop-loss. Stop orders are usually placed beyond key technical levels.
• Position Sizing: Calculated based on the stop-loss. Position Size = (Maximum risk per trade in $) / (Entry price – Stop-loss price).

4. Psychology and the Trader’s Plan

Aziz insists on the necessity of a Trading Plan.

• Trading Journal: Mandatory keeping of a journal to analyze all trades: successful and losing ones.
• Discipline: Following the plan without emotions. Do not move the stop-loss hoping for a reversal or take trades that do not meet your criteria.
• Trade what you see, not what you think: A key principle. Follow the price and volume, not your own assumptions or analysts’ forecasts.

Criticism and Important Notes

• Not a “holy grail”: Aziz’s strategies work, but not always. Markets change, and there are periods of drawdowns.
• Requires practice: Learning to correctly identify VWAP, levels, and volume requires experience. You cannot simply read a book and start earning consistently.
• Suited for active traders: These are strategies for intraday trading, requiring time at the monitor and quick reactions.

Conclusion: Andrew Aziz’s system is a structured, logical, and, most importantly, accessible approach to trading. Its strength lies not in complex formulas but in strict discipline, risk management, and the ability to read the basic elements of a chart: price, volume, and key levels.

Here are three key lessons from Andrew Aziz’s teachings that are the pillars of his trading approach:

Lesson 1: Mastery in Recognizing Candlestick Patterns and Price Action Patterns

The Essence of the Lesson: Don’t overcomplicate things. The market moves in certain patterns that repeat over and over again. A trader’s success depends not on complex indicators, but on the ability to read a clean chart (Price Action) and recognize key patterns.

What this means in practice:

• Focus on Key Patterns: Aziz emphasizes a few highly reliable patterns, such as:
  • Inside Bar: Shows compression and consolidation, often foreshadowing a strong move after a breakout.
  • Fakey (False Breakout): A pattern that “deceives” most traders, enticing them to enter a trade in the wrong direction, after which the price sharply reverses. This is Aziz’s favorite pattern.
  • Pin Bar (Candlestick with a long wick): A strong signal of price rejection at a certain level, indicating a potential reversal.
• Trading by the “3-Candle Rule”: Many of his strategies are based on the analysis of a combination of just 2-3 candles, allowing for quick decision-making.
• Rejecting Indicator Clutter: He urges to remove all unnecessary indicators from the chart, which often lag and prevent you from seeing the real picture of supply and demand.

Conclusion: Become an expert in 3-5 patterns, not a dilettante in 50. Trade what you see, not what you think.

Lesson 2: Strict Risk Management — The Foundation of Survival and Profitability

The Essence of the Lesson: The most important aspect of trading is not finding profitable trades, but controlling losses. A professional is different from a beginner not by the size of profits, but by the size of losses on bad days.

What this means in practice:

• The 1% Rule: Never risk more than 1% of your total trading capital on a single trade. This guarantees that even a series of 10-15 losing trades in a row will not knock you out of the game.
• Risk/Reward Ratio (R/R): The minimum target ratio is 1:2. This means that the potential profit in a trade should be at least twice the potential loss. For example, if you risk $50, your profit target should be $100+.
• Position Sizing: The lot size is calculated strictly based on the stop-loss. First, you determine the entry point, stop-loss, and consequently, the risk amount in dollars. Only then do you calculate what position size will allow you not to exceed the 1% risk of your deposit.
• Trading Plan is Sacred: You must have a written trading plan that includes all the rules for entry, exit, and trade management. You cannot deviate from the plan.

Conclusion: A good trader first thinks about how much they can lose, and only then about how much they can earn.

Lesson 3: Psychological Discipline and Keeping a Trading Journal

The Essence of the Lesson: Your main enemy in the market is yourself. Greed, fear, hope, and ego are what lead to large losses. Without psychological control, even the best strategy is doomed to fail.

What this means in practice:

• A Trading Journal is Mandatory: After every trade, you must analyze it. Aziz insists on keeping a detailed journal where you record:
  • A screenshot of the chart with the entry point, stop-loss, and take-profit marked.
  • Why was the trade made (which pattern)?
  • Were all the plan’s rules followed?
  • What emotions were you experiencing?
  • What did this trade teach you?
• Working on Mistakes: Regularly reviewing the journal helps identify recurring errors (e.g., entering too early, closing a profitable trade prematurely out of fear) and eradicate them.
• Discipline Above All Else: No signal — no trade. There is a signal — the trade must be opened, even if the previous ones were unprofitable (this is called “trading according to the plan”).
• Accepting Losses: Losing trades are an inevitable cost of doing business. They must be accepted calmly, as the cost of doing business.

Conclusion: Trading is 10% strategy and 90% psychology. Your journal is your main tool for training your mind.

Andrew Aziz’s philosophy does not offer a “secret formula” for getting rich quick. On the contrary, it offers a systematic, disciplined, and methodical approach to trading as a serious business.

If we summarize all three lessons in one sentence, it would be:
Find a simple pattern on the chart that you understand, calculate your position size so you risk no more than 1%, record the trade in your trading journal, and strictly follow your plan, leaving your emotions at the door.

This is precisely the principle that underlies all of Andrew Aziz’s books and courses, such as “How To Day Trade for a Living.”

Sofia Chen

Sofia Chen – a professional trader, likely at one of the major banks on Bay Street (Canada’s equivalent of Wall Street) or at a hedge fund. She could also be an independent trader (prop trader).

Sofia grew up in a family of immigrants, which instilled in her a thirst for knowledge and ambition. From childhood, she showed an interest in mathematics and analysis. She earned a degree in finance, economics, or computer science from one of Canada’s prestigious universities (e.g., University of Toronto, Western University).

She began her career with an internship in Toronto’s financial sector, quickly making a name for herself thanks to her analytical mind, discipline, and ability to remain calm under pressure. She most likely trades derivatives, stocks, or currencies, using both fundamental and technical analysis.

Sofia is a modern, educated, and determined finance professional building her career in one of the most competitive fields in Canada’s financial capital.

Here are the key elements and strategies taught by Sophia Chen:

1. Philosophy and Core Principles This is the foundation of her entire approach. Without understanding these principles, any strategy is doomed to fail.

• Price is the primary indicator: Sophia adheres to the idea of pure price action reading. All decisions are made based on the analysis of candlestick patterns, levels, and volumes. Indicators are used only as auxiliary tools.
• The trend is your friend: The main task is to identify the trend on higher timeframes (H4, D1) and look for entry points in the direction of the trend on lower timeframes.
• The importance of levels: Key support and resistance levels are the cornerstone of her method. Most trades are entered near these levels.
• Risk management is paramount: The 2% risk rule per trade (not risking more than 2% of your capital on a single trade) and a risk-to-reward ratio of at least 1:2 (ideally 1:3) are non-negotiable. Without this, trading turns into gambling.
• Psychology is the key to success: Sophia pays a lot of attention to discipline, controlling emotions (greed, fear), and strictly following the trading plan.

2. Key Trading Strategies (Setups) Sophia Chen teaches how to recognize specific patterns (setups) on the chart. Here are the most famous ones:

 “Bounce from a Level”
The most basic and reliable strategy.

• Essence: The price approaches a clear, pre-defined level of support (for buys) or resistance (for sells).
• Entry signal: The appearance of a reversal candlestick pattern (Pin Bar, Engulfing, Inside Bar) at the level itself.
• Stop-loss: Placed beyond the level (beyond the nearest extreme).
• Take-profit: The nearest opposite level or using the R:R ratio.

“Breakout of a Level”
A more aggressive strategy that requires confirmation.

• Essence: The price consolidates near a level and eventually breaks through it.
• Entry signal: The closing of a candle (preferably a large, impulsive one) beyond the level. Sophia emphasizes that the breakout must be confirmed, not false (false breakout).
• Stop-loss: Placed on the opposite side of the broken level.
• Take-profit: The expectation is that the price will move a distance equal to the height of the consolidation (the “neck” in a “Head and Shoulders” formation or the range of a flat).

“Pullback / Retest to a Level”
A strategy for those who missed the initial breakout.

• Essence: After breaking out of a level, the price often returns to it to test it, now as support (if the breakout was upward) or resistance (if the breakout was downward).
• Entry signal: A reversal candlestick pattern on the pullback to the level.
• Stop-loss: As in the “Bounce,” it is placed beyond the level.
• Advantage: A more favorable entry point and a better risk-to-reward (R:R) ratio.

3. Practical Application: Sophia Chen’s Trading Algorithm

1. Analyze higher timeframes (D1, H4): Determine the global trend and key levels.
2. Switch to a lower timeframe (H1, M30): Look for an entry point near these levels using one of the setups (Bounce, Breakout, Pullback).
3. Look for a pattern: Wait for the appearance of a confirming candlestick pattern.
4. Calculate risks: Immediately calculate the position size based on the 2% rule, determine the stop-loss and take-profit points with a minimum ratio of 1:2.
5. Enter the trade and place orders.
6. Discipline: Do not move the stop-loss, do not close the trade early due to greed or fear.

Here are three key lessons that Sophia Chen often teaches her students.

Lesson 1: Discipline is Your Main Asset

The essence of the lesson: A trader’s biggest enemy is not the market, but themselves. Emotions (greed, fear, hope) are what lead to significant losses.

What this means in practice:

• A Trading Plan: Before opening a trade, you must have a clear written plan. It should specify:
  • Entry Condition: What is the specific reason for opening the trade?
  • Target (Take-Profit): Where will you lock in profits?
  • Stop-Loss: Where will you admit the mistake and exit the trade with a small loss?
• Following the Plan: The hardest part is not to deviate from the plan when the market starts moving. Do not move your stop-loss hoping the market will reverse, and do not take profits early out of fear.
• Risk Management: Never risk more than 1-2% of your deposit on a single trade. This is the golden rule that will preserve your capital even during a losing streak.

Sophia Chen’s conclusion: “A plan is worthless without the discipline to execute it. First, master discipline, and only then look for complex strategies.”

Lesson 2: The Trend is Your Friend

The essence of the lesson: Don’t try to guess market reversals and don’t trade against the trend. It is much easier and more profitable to join the force that is already moving in a certain direction.

What this means in practice:

• Identifying the Trend: Learn to identify the trend on the timeframe you are trading. Simple tools for this:
  • Moving Averages (MA): Price above the moving average = uptrend. Below = downtrend.
  • Highs and Lows: Uptrend = each subsequent peak and trough is higher than the previous ones. Downtrend = lower.
• Trend Trading: Look for entry points on pullbacks (corrections) to the main trend. Buy (go long) on pullbacks during an uptrend. Sell (go short) on pullbacks during a downtrend.
• Don’t Catch a Falling Knife: Sophia often warns about the mistake beginners make—trying to buy an asset at the very bottom or sell at the very peak. The market can go against you for a long time. Following the trend is statistically more advantageous.

Sophia Chen’s conclusion: “Don’t overcomplicate it. Determine the direction of movement and go with the flow. Don’t argue with the market.”

Lesson 3: Continuous Learning and Analyzing Your Mistakes

The essence of the lesson: Trading is not a get-rich-quick scheme, but a profession that requires constant improvement. Markets change, and your strategies must adapt.

What this means in practice:

• Trading Journal: After each trade, record:
  • Date, time, asset, trade direction (buy/sell).
  • Why did you enter? (What was the condition?)
  • Emotional state during entry and exit.
  • Result (profit/loss).
  • What was done right, and what was a mistake?
• Regular Review: At the end of the week or month, analyze your journal. Look for recurring mistakes (e.g., “often exit profitable trades early due to fear” or “ignore stop-loss”). This is your main source of growth.
• Working on Psychology: Learn to recognize your emotions and not let them control your decisions. Meditation, sports, and maintaining a routine help keep a clear mind.

Sophia Chen’s conclusion: “Your trading journal is the map that leads you to profit. The most expensive mistake is the one you don’t learn from.”

James Roberts

Professional trader (specialization: commodity markets and technology stocks)He earned a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Economics from the University of British Columbia (UBC) or Simon Fraser University (SFU).

He began his career at one of the major financial institutions in Vancouver, possibly in the investment department of a local bank (e.g., RBC or Vancity) or at a hedge fund specializing in natural resources.

He gained experience in market analysis, risk management, and trade execution. Over time, he developed his own trading strategy that combines technical and fundamental analysis.

After several years of successful work and capital accumulation, he transitioned to independent trading. He now manages his own portfolio, trading from a personal office in downtown Vancouver or from home.

As a typical Vancouverite, James values work-life balance. He may trade actively during the trading session, but after the markets close, he can often be found on the slopes of Grouse Mountain or walking in Stanley Park.

Vancouver’s proximity to major natural resource extraction centers (timber, minerals, energy) means that many local traders are well-versed in commodity markets.
Vancouver is also a growing tech hub (“Silicon Mountain”), so trading tech stocks is also a common practice among the city’s traders.

Thus, James is the image of a modern professional trader who uses his deep knowledge, discipline, and Vancouver’s advantageous location to achieve success in the global financial markets.

The Core Strategies of James Roberts’ Trading Philosophy

1. Foundation: Price Action (Analysis of Pure Price Movement) James Roberts is a staunch advocate of Price Action analysis. He rejects the need for using a large number of indicators (such as moving averages, RSI, MACD, etc.), believing that they lag and only show what is already visible on the chart.

• Key tools: He focuses on Japanese candlesticks and their patterns (engulfing, doji, pin bars, etc.), as well as key support and resistance levels.
• The Essence: The price reflects all information. All news, sentiment, and actions of major players are already reflected in the chart’s movement. The trader’s task is to learn how to “read” these movements.

2. Trading by Support and Resistance Levels (Supply and Demand) This is the central element of his strategies. Instead of traditional horizontal levels, he often uses the concept of demand zones and supply zones.

• Demand Zone: An area on the chart where significant upward movement (aggressive buying) was previously observed. Roberts teaches to look for price bounces (long trades) upon a return to such a zone.
• Supply Zone: An area where a sharp decline (aggressive selling) previously began. Here, he looks for downward bounces (short trades) to enter a sell position.
• What it looks like in practice: The trader looks for strong impulse moves on the chart’s history, finds their bases and peaks, and marks these zones. Entry into a trade occurs when the price returns to such a zone and shows a reversal signal (for example, a Price Action pattern).

3. Strict Risk Management This is perhaps the element that Roberts highlights as the most important. Without it, any strategy is doomed to failure.

• The Golden 1:3 Rule (Risk/Reward): According to his methodology, the potential profit on a trade should be at least 3 times the potential loss. For example, if you risk $10 (set a stop-loss), your take-profit target should be at least $30.
• Position Sizing: Never risk more than 1-2% of the total deposit on a single trade. This allows one to survive a series of losing trades in a row without critical losses.
• Stop-Loss and Take-Profit: Mandatory use of Stop-Loss orders to limit losses and Take-Profit orders to secure profits. The stop-loss is usually placed beyond the nearest significant level or candlestick extreme.

4. Trading Psychology James Roberts pays a lot of attention to the psychological state of the trader.

• Discipline: Following a trading plan without deviations. One must not increase risk after a series of profits (excitement) or losses (desire to win back).
• Patience: Wait only for your own, perfectly strategized setups (entry models), and do not trade on every movement.
• Accepting Losses: Losses are an inevitable part of the job. They need to be treated as a cost of doing business, not as a personal defeat.

A Brief Example of a Trading Strategy Using His Method:

1. Timeframe Analysis: Find a clear demand zone on the daily (D1) or hourly (H1) chart.
2. Waiting: Wait for the price on a lower timeframe (e.g., M15 or M5) to return to this zone.
3. Entry Signal: Look for a reversal Price Action pattern (e.g., a bullish engulfing or pin bar) within this zone.
4. Trade Entry: Open a buy order above the high of the signal candle.
5. Stop-Loss: Place it below the low of the signal candle (or below the entire zone).
6. Take-Profit: Set it at a level where the profit-to-risk ratio is at least 1:3. This is often the nearest significant supply zone higher up on the chart.

Criticism and Caveats:

• Infopreneurship: James Roberts’ primary business is selling educational courses. This does not mean his methods don’t work, but it is important to understand the context. His income is largely generated from teaching, not solely from trading.
• Not a “Holy Grail”: His methods, like any others, do not offer a 100% profit guarantee. The market is unpredictable.
• Requires Practice: The ability to correctly identify zones and read Price Action requires extensive training on a demo account.
• Not for Everyone: The trading style, based on waiting for specific setups, may seem boring and requires immense patience.

Conclusion: James Roberts’ strategy is a structured approach to trading based on classical Price Action, trading from levels/zones, and, most importantly, iron discipline in capital management. It can be effective for those who are willing to study and practice extensively, rather than looking for a “magic button.”

James Roberts constantly emphasizes:

Lesson 1: Discipline and psychology are 90% of success

The essence of the lesson: A trader’s worst enemy is themselves. The market is not to blame for your losses; your emotions are: greed, fear, hope, pride.

What this means in practice, according to Roberts:

• Trade according to a plan, not out of greed or fear. Your trading plan must be written down on paper before opening a trade. It should specify entry points, position size, stop-loss, and take-profit. After opening a trade, you simply follow the plan.
• Accept losses as part of the game. Losing trades are an inevitable commission for the profession. Your task is not to avoid them but to keep them small and manageable. If you cannot calmly accept losses, you cannot trade profitably.
• Control your ego. Do not try to recoup losses after a series of losing trades (revenge trading) and do not increase a profitable trade beyond the plan just because you are “lucky.”

Lesson 2: Risk management is your primary survival tool

The essence of the lesson: The goal of trading is not to make a lot of money, but to preserve capital and ensure its gradual growth. Without risk management, you are just a gambler.

What this means in practice, according to Roberts:

• The 1% Rule. Never risk more than 1% of your trading capital on a single trade. This is the golden rule. If your account is $10,000, the maximum allowable loss per trade is $100. This protects you from a blow-up (losing most of your deposit) even during a long series of unsuccessful trades.
• Risk/Reward Ratio (R/R). Never enter a trade where the potential profit is less than the potential risk. Roberts recommends a ratio of at least 1:2. That is, if you are risking $50 (stop-loss), your profit target should be at least $100. This means that even with a win rate of only 50%, you will still be profitable.
• Position size is calculated based on the stop-loss. You first determine the point at which you will admit the trade is wrong (stop-loss), and only then, based on the 1% rule, do you calculate how many lots or shares you can buy.

Lesson 3: Keep It Simple, Stupid (KISS)

The essence of the lesson: The market does not get more complex over time. You complicate it yourself by adding dozens of indicators, searching for a “holy grail,” and trying to analyze everything at once.

What this means in practice, according to Roberts:

• Fewer indicators. Don’t clutter your chart. James Roberts often uses only a clean price chart (or with moving averages) and key support and resistance levels. Complex indicators are often lagging and show what is already visible on the price.
• Trade using levels. Focus primarily on identifying and analyzing key levels where the price might reverse or break out. This is the foundation of his approach.
• One proven strategy is better than ten unproven ones. Find one methodology that you understand and that suits you psychologically, and hone it. Backtest it, maintain a trading journal, and improve it. Don’t jump from one strategy to another.

Bonus: The key question to ask yourself

James Roberts advises asking yourself one simple question before every trade:”Where am I wrong?”

The answer to this question is your stop-loss. If you cannot clearly answer at what point the market will prove your idea wrong, you have no business being in that trade. This is the embodiment of risk management and discipline in a single question.

Summary: James Roberts’s philosophy is not about finding a magical entry point, but about building a system where proper capital management and psychology will turn you into a professional who earns consistently over the long term.