If you are like most Canadians, saving for retirement is a
fairly straightforward affair. Perhaps you entrusted a financial
advisor to invest your RRSP funds in a mix of stocks, mutual funds
and GICs. However, with the rise in popularity of self-directed
RRSP accounts, and an ever expanding range of investments products
to choose from, many investors looking to maximize their returns
might be dipping their toes in less conventional investments.
Variety is good for investors. Having a diverse portfolio can
help an investor reduce risk and potentially improve returns. There
are, of course, restrictions on what investments you can purchase
in your RRSP. As specified under the tax rules and regulations,
investments in your RRSP must be "qualified investments."
The rules dealing with whether an investment qualifies as such can
be quite complex and technical.1 Unfortunately, there is
no definitive list setting out each and every qualified investment;
rather, the CRA sets
