ETF Investing Canada 2026: Best ETFs, Accounts and How to Start
Updated April 2026 · 11 min read
ETF Investing in Canada: The Simplest Path to Wealth
Canadian investors have access to world-class ETFs at rock-bottom costs. A single all-in-one ETF like XEQT gives you exposure to thousands of stocks across Canada, the US, and international markets for just 0.20 percent per year. On CAD 100,000 invested, that is CAD 200 in annual fees versus CAD 2,000 or more for a typical mutual fund. Use our investment calculator to project your ETF portfolio growth.
The One-ETF Portfolio
For most Canadians, a single all-in-one ETF is the optimal strategy. XEQT for aggressive investors (100 percent stocks), VGRO for growth (80/20), VBAL for balanced (60/40). Buy monthly through your TFSA or RRSP. No rebalancing needed, no stock picking, no market timing. This approach has beaten 90 percent of professional fund managers over the past decade.
Use commission-free platforms like Wealthsimple for Canadian-listed ETFs. Set up automatic contributions to dollar-cost average into the market. Plan your long-term strategy with our compound interest calculator and retirement calculator. Track savings with our savings calculator.
Try These Free Calculators
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best all-in-one ETF in Canada?
XEQT (iShares, 0.20 percent MER) for 100 percent equity exposure. VGRO (Vanguard, 0.24 percent MER) for 80/20 equity/bonds. VBAL (Vanguard, 0.24 percent MER) for 60/40. These give you global diversification in a single fund with automatic rebalancing.
Should I hold ETFs in TFSA or RRSP?
US-listed or US-heavy ETFs are best in RRSP (avoids 15 percent US withholding tax on dividends). Canadian and international ETFs are best in TFSA. If you have only one account, TFSA is more flexible for most people.
How do I buy ETFs in Canada?
Open a brokerage account (Wealthsimple, Questrade, or your bank). Transfer money in. Search for the ETF by ticker symbol (e.g., XEQT). Place a market or limit order. Most brokers now offer commission-free ETF purchases.
What MER should I look for?
Under 0.25 percent for all-in-one ETFs. Under 0.10 percent for single-index ETFs. The cheapest Canadian-listed ETFs charge 0.04 to 0.06 percent (A200, XIC). Every 0.10 percent in MER costs approximately CAD 1,000 per CAD 100,000 per year.
How often should I rebalance my ETF portfolio?
If using an all-in-one ETF like XEQT or VGRO, rebalancing is automatic — the fund does it for you. If building your own portfolio, rebalance annually or when any asset drifts more than 5 percent from target. All-in-one ETFs eliminate this work entirely.