Can I use a power of attorney to manage someone's bank accounts in Ontario?

Yes. A power of attorney for property in Ontario authorizes your attorney to manage the grantor's bank accounts, including depositing and withdrawing funds, paying bills, and in some cases opening or closing accounts.

In practice, however, banks have their own internal policies about how they accept and verify powers of attorney. Some financial institutions require the document to be in a specific form or may ask for a certified copy rather than the original. Others may require you to complete their own forms or have staff review the document before granting access. This means that even with a valid power of attorney, there can be a process at the bank before the attorney is recognized.

To prepare for this, it helps to bring the original power of attorney document and any required identification to the bank well in advance — ideally before the document is needed urgently. Some people choose to do this while the grantor still has full capacity, so the grantor can be present to confirm the arrangement.

Attorneys should also be mindful that they must use the accounts only for the grantor's benefit and keep records of all transactions. Mixing the grantor's funds with the attorney's own money is not permitted. A lawyer can help you understand your rights if a bank is refusing to honour a valid power of attorney.