How to Start Investing With $100 in Canada

The Myth of the High Minimum

A decade ago, investing in Canada typically required $500-$2,500 minimums for mutual funds, high brokerage fees, and a bank branch visit. That barrier is essentially gone in 2025.

You can buy one unit of a globally diversified ETF on the TSX for $25-$100, via a commission-free account, in under 15 minutes.

The Best Way to Invest $100 in Canada

Option 1: Buy an all-in-one ETF through Questrade or Wealthsimple

1. Open a Questrade TFSA account (free, takes 10-15 minutes)
2. Deposit $100
3. Buy 1-3 units of VEQT, XEQT, or similar all-in-one ETF

On Questrade, buying ETFs is completely free (no purchase commission). Selling has a $4.95-$9.95 fee, but you won't be selling for decades.

All-in-one ETF options for small investors:

ETF	Price/unit	MER	Description
XEQT	~$35-$40	0.20%	iShares all-equity global ETF
VEQT	~$40-$45	0.24%	Vanguard all-equity global ETF
VBAL	~$35-$40	0.25%	Vanguard balanced (60/40)
ZGRO	~$25-$30	0.20%	BMO all-equity ETF

With $100 you can buy 2-3 units of XEQT or VEQT. That represents fractional ownership of thousands of companies across Canada, the US, and internationally. It is real, legitimate investing.

Option 2: Wealthsimple Trade (Commission-free)

Wealthsimple Trade offers zero-commission trading on both Canadian and US stocks/ETFs. The interface is extremely user-friendly — designed for beginner investors. Accounts can include a TFSA, making interest and gains completely tax-free.

Minimum: $1. Fund by Interac e-Transfer within 30 minutes.

Option 3: Wealthsimple Invest (Robo-Advisor)

Wealthsimple Invest manages a diversified portfolio for you automatically. You answer risk questions and they invest in ETFs:

• Minimum: $1
• Fee: 0.40-0.50%/year on assets under management

Higher than buying ETFs directly, but extremely simple for those who prefer a hands-off approach. Good for building the habit before moving to self-directed.

Option 4: Tangerine Investment Funds

Tangerine's index portfolios require no brokerage account setup. Minimum $25. Automatic rebalancing. MER is ~1.07% — higher than DIY ETF investing but very accessible for beginners who bank with Tangerine.

Put It in a TFSA First

Whichever platform and ETF you choose, hold the investment inside a TFSA. This means:

• All investment gains are completely tax-free
• Dividends and distributions are tax-free
• Withdrawals are tax-free and penalty-free
• No need to report the investment on your tax return

Using a TFSA for your first investment maximizes every dollar of growth. The 2025 TFSA limit is $7,000. If you have never opened a TFSA and were 18+ in Canada before 2025, you have up to $95,000 in contribution room.

The Math That Motivates

Monthly Investment	Annual Return	After 30 Years
$100	7%	$121,997
$200	7%	$243,994
$500	7%	$609,985

These figures assume all growth is tax-free inside a TFSA. These are modest contributions, life-changing outcomes.

Why Starting Now Matters

Consider two Canadians:

• Sam invests $100/month from age 25 to 65 at 7% → $263,000
• Alex waits until 35 and invests $200/month from 35 to 65 → $243,000

Sam invested $48,000 total. Alex invested $72,000 total. Sam ends up with $20,000 more — by starting 10 years earlier at half the monthly amount.

Time is the most powerful variable in building wealth. $100 today is worth vastly more than $100 in ten years — not because of inflation, but because of compounding.

Your First 3 Steps

1. Open a Questrade TFSA or Wealthsimple Trade TFSA — both free, both online
2. Deposit $100 via Interac e-Transfer
3. Buy XEQT or VEQT and set up a monthly automatic contribution — even $50-$100

The hardest part is making the first trade. After that, it becomes routine. And routine is where wealth is built.