1.Shares or Units of Mutual Funds

Mutual fund shares or units represent ownership in a pool of investments that is managed by a professional money manager. Ownership will be in the form of Shares if the mutual fund is organized as a corporation or Units if the fund is organized as a trust (the most common form). Holders have the right to vote.

2.Shares or Units of Closed-End Investment Funds

Closed-end funds are similar to mutual funds, except that they do not issue or redeem shares or units on an ongoing basis. Closed-end funds issue a finite number of shares or units and often list them on a stock exchange so they can be traded among investors.

3.Units of Segregated Funds

Segregated funds are a special form of insurance contract with benefits based on the performance of a professionally managed pool of assets owned by an insurance company but ‘segregated' from its other assets. Unlike most mutual funds, segregated funds offer a limited guarantee protecting at least part (typically 75-100%) of the original investment.

4.Shares of Labour-Sponsored Investment Funds

These are common shares of investment funds sponsored by labour organizations under federal and provincial legislation that establishes certain investment criteria and provides some tax incentives for investors.