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Best Low-Cost ETFs for Canadian Investors in 2026 — Complete Guide

  Published: April 2026 | Reading time: 12 min | Category: Investing, Personal Finance, RRSP, TFSA If you want to build long-term wealth in Canada without paying a financial advisor 1–2% of your portfolio every year, low-cost ETFs are the answer. A single well-chosen ETF can give you instant exposure to hundreds or thousands of companies worldwide — for as little as 0.20% in annual fees. This guide covers the best ETFs available to Canadian investors in 2026 — for your TFSA, RRSP, and non-registered accounts — with clear explanations of what each one holds, what it costs, and who it's best for. Why Low-Cost ETFs Beat Most Other Investments for Canadians Before getting into specific funds, here's why this matters so much. The fee problem with mutual funds The average Canadian mutual fund charges a Management Expense Ratio (MER) of 2–2.5% per year. That might sound small, but on a $200,000 portfolio it's $4,000–$5,000 leaving your account every single year — regar...

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Boxing Day Sales See Smaller Crowds Despite GST Break

 

Retailers across the country experienced smaller crowds and cautious spending on Boxing Day this year, despite the federal government's GST holiday. While the tax break, which makes a variety of items GST-free for two months, did attract some shoppers, many consumers remained hesitant due to ongoing cost of living concerns.

Shoppers at Fairview Mall in Toronto, like Nakul Singal, took advantage of the deals but expressed that the tax break alone wasn't enough to offset the high costs of living**. Singal mentioned, "It's good to shop around during this time, but we're still struggling with expenses, especially housing.

Retail Council of Canada's Matt Poirier noted that businesses faced challenges implementing the tax break on short notice, and some older payment systems struggled to adapt.  An RBC Economics report also indicated that retail spending slowed in November, with holiday spending slightly below 2023 levels over the Black Friday weekend.

Despite these challenges, some retailers, like GameStop in north Toronto, saw an influx of customers eager to benefit from the tax holiday. Assistant store manager Joey Comia-Orellano said, "We've been getting shoppers before Boxing Day, and we expect it to get busier as consumers look to save with Boxing Day deals combined with the tax break."

Overall, while the GST break provided some relief, it wasn't enough to fully counteract the economic pressures faced by many Canadians.




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