Investing Basics

There are many ways to invest. Your choices will depend on your goals, your timeline and your willingness and ability to accept risk. It’s important to know some basics.

Investing puts your money to work to achieve your financial goals. One way is to earn interest on a sum of money you invest. Another way is to make a return by purchasing an investment at a certain price with the goal of selling it later at a higher price. An investment advisor can guide you in choosing the type of investment that best meets your financial goals.

Types of Investments and Types of Accounts


Fees and Charges

The Canadian Securities Administrators published a short video on the fees you may encounter when working with a registered advisor.

Typical financial scams

Professional fraudsters go where the money is – that often means investors like you. Learning to recognize the signs and some typical scams can help protect you and your money.

Understanding Financial Certifications

When choosing an advisor, educational achievements and professional experience are important. But financial certificates do not necessarily mean advisors are registered with a regulator. Learn more about financial certifications and what they mean.

Investor protection through CIPF

The Canadian Investor Protection Fund (CIPF) provides protection to investors if a CIRO-regulated firm becomes insolvent or ceases operations due to bankruptcy.

CIPF is funded by CIRO-regulated firms and their membership is mandatory.

For more information on CIPF, visit CIPF’s website.

Investor Protection Clinics

The Investor Protection Clinics at Osgoode Hall Law School and University of Toronto Faculty of Law provide free legal advice to investors across Canada who cannot afford a lawyer and who believe their investments were mishandled.

For more information, visit the Investor Protection Clinics at:

The Osgoode Hall Law School Investor Protection Clinic released a video series for more information on the following topics: