Financial Product Reviews
Condos have unique insurance considerations that aren't always taken into account by a more generalized home insurance policy. TD Condo Insurance has taken these unique qualities and created an insurance product that combines the best of its home insurance features with the specific needs of condominium living. It's specially designed to cover what the condo corporation's building insurance doesn't – things like personal liability, loss assessment, and more. And it covers this gap very, very well.
- Several opportunities for discounts
- Highly customizable protection
- Flexible claims option
- Highly rated mobile app
- Customer service concerns
- Canadian citizen
- Age of majority
- Family coverage for things like nursing homes
- Eco-efficient rebuild coverage
- Ability to increase coverage for high-value items
A TD line of credit is a borrowing tool that gives you easy access like a credit card, but often with a much lower interest rate. Because it's a revolving credit product, you'll be given up to a $50,000 credit limit which you can spend, pay off, and spend again. This convenience makes it a popular choice for debt consolidation, plus you can decide how much you can pay off each month, as long as you meet the minimum.
- Borrow between $5,000 to $50,000
- Easy to access funds (including an access card)
- No registration fee
- Both fixed rate and variable rate options available
- Easy to apply
- Might not get the best interest rates around
- Using your TD access card might involve fees
- Connecting to your debit card may make it too easy to access
- Canadian citizen
- Employed
- Age of majority
- Fixed and variable rates available
- Multiple access options
The Toronto Star digital edition features news and views from across Canada, but primarily has a strong focus on the GTA and Ontario. While many stories aren't specifically about news relevant to Ontarians, the paper is of limited value for most Canadians.
- Quality journalism on a daily basis
- Wide variety of topics covered
- News for Canadians across the country
- Loads of other fun features
- Strong Ontario/GTA focus
- Regular digital subscription price is very high
- Digital access only
- Unique Toronto-centric coverage
- Podcasts, games, and other subscriber perks
As you can guess from the name, the National Post is one of Canada's few newspapers that has a national rather than a regional or local focus. With a strong eye to news, politics, and business – and a lighter touch on topics like food and lifestyle – the National Post might not be of great interest for many Canadians.
- Quality Canadian journalism
- Unlimited online access
- Strong focus on news and business (almost to a fault)
- Fees skyrocket if you add a print subscription
- Website is awkward and difficult to navigate
- Digital access only
- Online access to the New York Times Crossword
With a long and storied history, the Globe and Mail is one of Canada's most widely read newspapers. Reaching over 6 million readers every week, the G&M covers stories and news of interest to people across all of Canada, where most other newspapers are much more focused on local or regional news. And, as a venerable Canadian institution, you know it's news you can trust.
- Pay only $0.49 a week for the first 24 weeks
- Unlimited access across all devices
- Exclusive member benefits
- Access to investing tools
- Newsletters so you never miss a thing
- Audio versions of articles
- Discount on New York Times subscriptions
- The regular subscription price is a bit steep
- Doesn't publish on Sunday
- Digital access only
- Subscription charged weekly
- Subscriber-exclusive experiences, tools, and guides
- Globe Investor Tools
- Globe2Go available at 5am ET
The Scotiabank Getting There Savings Program For Youth is a hybrid between a chequing account and a savings account, similar to other bank accounts for kids. With no monthly fee, unlimited debit transactions, a (mostly) decent interest rate, and the ability to earn Scene+ points, this account has many benefits.
- Earn Scene+ rewards on purchases
- Earn interest on your balance
- Unlimited debit transactions
- No monthly fee
- Middling interest rate
- Mandatory account swap after graduation
- Under age 19
- Ages 12 and under must be accompanied by a parent/guardian
- ID required for age verification
- Earn Scene+ points on debit purcahses
- Earn up to 0.1% interest
The RBC Day To Day Savings account account is a free savings product from one of Canada's largest and most well-established banking institutions. It's about as basic of a savings account as you'll find, but if that's what you're looking for, this product is a solid choice.
- No monthly fee
- Free transfers to other RBC accounts
- Access to RBC’s MyAdvisor service
- Very low interest rates
- No free Interac e-Transfers
- No promotional incentives
- At least the age of majority in your province
- Opening a sole account in your own name
- Living in Canada
- Free access to MyAdvisor finance tracking service
The RBC VIP Banking is an excellent choice for a premium bank account as it offers enough perks and benefits. These benefits – like free overdraft protection, a discounted safety deposit box, unlimited ATM withdrawals, etc. – pay for themselves if you use them often and correctly.
- New Apple Watch as a welcome bonus
- Unlimited free transactions and e-Transfers
- Earn RBC Avion points
- Additional account fee waiver
- Credit card annual fee waiver
- Save on fuel and earn Petro-Points
- Plenty of discounts and freebies
- Value Program fee discounts
- Very high monthly fee
- Can't completely waive the monthly fee
- Overdraft interest still applies
- At least the age of majority in your province
- Opening a sole account in your own name
- Living in Canada
- Earn at least 1 Avion point per $10 spent with your debit card
- No monthly overdraft protection fee
- Free personalized cheques
- RBC Direct Investing maintenance fees waived
- Save 3 cents/L on fuel at Petro-Canada and earn 20% more Petro-Points
The RBC Advantage Chequing Account is a basic yet solid chequing account with unlimited Interac e-Transfers and debit transactions within Canada, plus the opportunity to earn rewards. The $12.95 monthly fee is very reasonable, with rebates available for students, seniors, and more.
- Unlimited debit transactions in Canada
- Unlimited Interac e-Transfers
- Instant savings on fuel at Petro-Canada
- Earn RBC Avion points on your debit transactions
- Earn more Rexall Be Well rewards
- Right Account Guarantee
- Harder to waive your monthly balance
- $5 overdraft protection fee
- Age of majority
- Canadian citizen
- Earn RBC Avion points on your debit purchases
- Save on fuel at Petro-Canada locations
- Earn extra Be Well points at Rexall
- 1 free NSF each year
The RBC Signature No Limit Banking Account is a mid-level chequing account, offering unlimited transactions and an array of other helpful features and services. With big bank security and the ability to earn valuable Avion points, this product should be a contender for any Canadian looking for value and flexibility.
- Free Apple Watch as a welcome bonus
- Unlimited debit transactions and Interac e-Transfers
- No overdraft protection fee
- Free book of cheques
- Rebate for select RBC credit cards
- Save on fuel at Petro-Canada
- Earn Avion points with your debit card
- Monthly fee refund if you're not satisfied
- High monthly fee
- Complicated Value Rebate Program
- High fees for unaffiliated ATMs
- At least the age of majority in your province
- Opening a sole account in your own name
- Living in Canada
- Earn Avion points
- Up to $48 rebate on annual fee of select RBC credit cards
- Multi-product and seniors' rebates available
- Save on fuel at Petro-Canada











