How to Invest $1 Million in Canada [2025] | 5 Strategies

Summary: In this guide, we break down strategies on how to invest $1 million in Canada, from entering the stock market to investing in exchange traded funds (ETFs) and mutual funds.

Establishing a plan

Before diving into the world of investments, it’s crucial to emphasize the importance of developing a solid financial plan. To do so, it’s key to consider the following factors:

• Financial priorities: Before allocating your $1 million towards investments, you should address any pressing financial obligations. So, consider paying off high-interest debts, establishing an emergency fund, and ensuring you have adequate insurance coverage before moving further;

• Investment goals: Investment goals are unique to each individual. Although all of us strive to make a profit, the way we do so differs. Understanding whether you seek long-term growth, regular income, or a combination of both will help clarify your objectives and enable you to make informed decisions;

• Risk tolerance: Investing $1 million involves a significant level of risk. Therefore, it’s crucial to assess your risk tolerance and consider the possibility of incurring losses. The thing is, higher-risk investments offer the potential for greater returns, but they also come with a higher likelihood of volatility;

• Investment devotion: Your availability and dedication to monitoring investments should shape your strategy. Namely, passive investing suits those with limited time or expertise, allowing a hands-off approach while your investments grow. On the flip side, active investing demands more time and effort as you actively manage your portfolio, making strategic decisions based on market analysis.

Where to invest $1 million in Canada

Once you determine what kind of investor you are, you can delve into different investing options. And with a million dollars in Canada, they are plenty. Still, we’ll only stick to what we consider the top five. So, let’s list them all, and we’ll explain each in more detail.

1. Stock market;
2. Real estate (or REITs);
3. Bonds;
4. Exchange-traded funds (ETFs);
5. Mutual funds.

Stock market

Investment type: Long-term growth

Risk level: Varies

Recommended broker: Interactive Brokers

Investing in the stock market involves buying shares of publicly traded companies. For instance, you can invest in well-known Canadian companies like Lululemon (LULU), WestJet, Dollarama (DOL), Enbridge Inc. (ENB), or Shopify (SHOP).

When you invest in stocks, you become a partial owner of the company, and your returns depend on the company’s performance. You should, thus, research to understand the company’s fundamentals, such as its financial health, growth prospects, and industry trends.

However, the stock market can be volatile, meaning that its prices can fluctuate. It’s, therefore, advisable to invest in a mix of different companies to help spread the risk and increase your chances of earning positive returns over the long term.

Pros and cons of investing $1 million in the Canadian stock market

Real estate (or REITs)

Investment type: Long-term growth, diversification

Risk level: Varies

Recommended broker for REITs: Interactive Brokers

Real estate investment involves buying properties or investing in real estate-related assets. You can consider investing in residential properties, such as houses or apartments, or commercial properties, like office buildings or shopping centers. Another option is to invest in real estate investment trusts (REITs) through Interactive Brokers, which are companies that own and manage income-generating properties.

Investing in real estate offers the potential for both rental income and property value appreciation over time. However, it’s essential to consider factors like location, market demand, property management, and associated costs. You may choose to manage the properties yourself or hire a property management company to handle day-to-day tasks.

Either way, real estate can provide a stable source of income and potential long-term wealth accumulation. Still, it’s important to carefully assess the risks and conduct thorough due diligence before making any investment decisions.

Pros and cons of investing $1 million in real estate in Canada

Bonds

Investment type: Long-term growth, diversification

Risk level: Varies

Recommended broker: Interactive Brokers

Bonds are debt securities issued by governments or corporations to raise capital. When you invest in bonds, you are essentially lending money to the issuer in exchange for regular interest payments and the return of the principal amount at maturity.

For example, you can invest in Canadian government bonds or corporate bonds.

• Government bonds are generally considered safer as they are backed by the government’s creditworthiness;
• Corporate bonds carry a slightly higher level of risk, as their returns depend on the issuing company’s ability to meet its financial obligations.

Bonds can provide a steady stream of income and act as a stabilizing element in your investment portfolio. It’s important to assess the credit rating of the issuer and consider the term of the bond, as longer-term bonds may offer higher interest rates but may be more susceptible to interest rate changes.

Pros and cons of investing $1 million in Canada

Exchange-traded funds (ETFs)

Investment type: Long-term growth

Risk level: Varies

Recommended broker: Interactive Brokers 

In essence, ETFs are investment funds that trade on stock exchanges, similar to individual stocks. They offer diversification by holding a portfolio of different assets, such as stocks, bonds, or commodities. For example, you can invest in ETFs that track broad market indexes like the S&P/TSX Composite Index, which represents the performance of a wide range of Canadian stocks.

Sector-specific ETFs allow you to invest in specific industries like technology, healthcare, or renewable energy. This option provides convenience, as ETFs can be easily bought and sold on the stock exchange. They offer exposure to a diversified portfolio without the need to individually purchase multiple stocks or bonds. Nevertheless, it’s key to review the ETF’s investment strategy, expense ratio, and historical performance before investing.

Pros and cons of investing $1 million in ETFs in Canada

Mutual funds

Investment type: Long-term growth

Risk level: Varies

Recommended broker: Interactive Brokers

Mutual funds pool money from multiple investors to invest in a diversified portfolio of stocks, bonds, or other securities. Professional fund managers manage them, and when you invest in a mutual fund, you purchase units or shares of the fund.

Mutual funds offer a range of investment options. For instance, you can choose funds focused on growth, income, or a mix of both. They can provide access to a variety of asset classes, including Canadian and international stocks, bonds, and other investment instruments.

Still, it’s important to consider factors such as the fund’s historical performance, fees, and the expertise of the fund manager. Regularly reviewing your mutual fund investments and adjusting them as needed can help ensure they align with your investment goals.

Pros and cons of investing $1 million in mutual funds in Canada

What to consider when investing $1 million in Canada

When you have a budget of $1 million, it’s essential to approach investing with careful consideration and a well-defined plan. Therefore, prioritizing debt repayment and building an emergency fund should be top priorities before diving into investments.

Set aside three to six months’ worth of living expenses in a liquid, easily accessible account. Also, consider paying off high-interest debts like credit card balances or personal loans to improve your financial position. Besides this, remember to:

• Diversify your portfolio: Diversification helps to balance potential losses with gains and protects your investment portfolio from significant market fluctuations. By diversifying, you increase the likelihood of earning consistent returns and safeguarding your overall investment;

• Conduct thorough research: Assess your risk tolerance, and regularly review and adjust your portfolio to align with your financial goals and changing market conditions. Seeking guidance for valuable insights tailored to your specific needs and circumstances when investing such a significant amount of money.

The bottom line

Investing $1 million in Canada, or anywhere else in the world for that matter, isn’t an easy task. It requires careful planning, diversification, and a good understanding of the investment options available.

By creating a solid financial plan, diversifying your portfolio, and exploring investment avenues such as stocks, bonds, real estate, ETFs, and mutual funds, you can avoid making common mistakes and maximize your chances of achieving your financial goals.

Nevertheless, be sure to do your research, consult with professionals if needed, and regularly review and adjust your investments based on market conditions and your potentially changing financial objectives.

FAQs about how to invest $1 million dollars in Canada

How to invest 1 million dollars in Canada?

To invest 1 million dollars in Canada, consider creating a diversified portfolio that may include a mix of stocks, bonds, real estate, etc., while aligning your investments with your financial goals and risk tolerance.

How to invest 1 million dollars in stocks?

To invest 1 million dollars in stocks, it’s advisable to conduct thorough research, diversify your portfolio across different companies and sectors, and even consider consulting with a financial advisor for personalized guidance.

Is it safe to invest 1 million dollars in Canada?

Investing 1 million dollars in Canada, or any other part of the world, carries inherent risks. Still, with Canada’s stable economy and diverse investment opportunities, you’ll come across a generally favorable environment for financial business.