Morrison Financial has been in Toronto since 1987. They’ve funded over half a billion in loans and closed more than 650 transactions. Their specialty is real estate financing that actually fits the project, whether it’s multi-family builds, single-family homes, land servicing, or giving condos a nice term loan so they can get on with life.

If you’re not borrowing, you can still get in on the action through their mortgage income funds. They’ve got a Senior Mortgage Fund aiming for 6% to 7% returns and a Junior Mortgage Fund targeting 8% to 9%. They even co-invest alongside private and institutional investors.

Morrison Financial also deals in Mortgage Investment Corporations (MICs) and Mortgage Mutual Fund Trusts (MFTs). Think of them as ways to invest without putting all your eggs in one very expensive property. MICs are corporations with shareholders, MFTs are trusts with unitholders, and both spread your money across a portfolio of mortgage loans.

Morrison Financial has been around for over three decades. People who’ve worked with them often use words like “professional,” “responsive,” and “safe work environment.” Reviews say they’re quick to reply. Willing to adapt. And don’t force you into one of those “one-size-fits-all” financing boxes that never actually fit.

Their mortgage investment corporation (MIC) allows investors get to earn a return from real estate In Canada, MIC yields tend to hover between 6% and 12%. Morrison Financial’s successful track record suggests they’ll deliver consistent returns with your money.

Purpose Investments popped up in Toronto in 2012 with the idea of helping Canadians make sense of investing. They went from managing their first billion to over $23 billion in just over a decade. They’ve built a collection of products for all kinds of goals: ETFs (including the first physically settled Bitcoin and Ether ones), mutual funds, closed-end products, principal-protected notes, and alternative strategies.

The founder and CEO is Som Seif, who steers the ship with modern thinking, a focus on inclusion, and the charisma of someone who could make a financial chart sound interesting. The team works closely and shares ideas. They thrive on each other's passion for investing, which might be the company's secret weapon.

Purpose Investments specializes in ETFs and funds. They keep their risk management neat and tidy. Apparently, they do it well enough to get regular applause from finance reporters. Work there and you might find yourself in what people call a “fast-paced, dynamic environment.” On the plus side, you’ll learn a lot and collaborate with smart people. Staff praise the teamwork, discipline, and the general “we get stuff done” attitude.

Of course, not every review reads positively. Some past employees mention that leadership could stand to be a little warmer, and at least one went full whistle-tea-spill about office politics and the feeling that promotions sometimes depended less on merit and more on who you made small talk with.

Fisher Investments has been around since 1979. Founder Ken Fisher built it on a belief in capitalism and efficient markets. Over the years, they’ve grown into a global operation with more than $332 billion under management and about 185,000 clients.

They split their work into different groups. Private client services for individuals, institutional services for the big players. The firm keeps its service, advice, and portfolio management separate. At the heart of it all is the Investment Policy Committee, a team with more than 150 years of combined experience. Their approach is top-down and macro-driven. They look at the big global picture first, then decide where the money goes, instead of chasing trends.

Fisher Investments looks after hundreds of billions. They have over 175,000 clients worldwide. Their shelves are stacked with awards from people who like giving trophies to finance companies. Clients often say they get solid results and professional service, but it’s not exactly bargain-bin investing. The fees are chunky, and instead of designing something just for you, they tend to slot people into ready-made portfolios. It works for some. For others, it feels like ordering “chef’s choice” and getting the same plate as the next ten tables.

Inside the company, things can be high-pressure. Reports talk about employees feeling pushed by sales targets and heavy expectations. Then there’s the founder’s history of saying things in public that made headlines for all the wrong reasons, which did cost them some big clients.

4Front Capital Partners is a boutique investment bank in Toronto. They work with knowledge-based companies run by entrepreneurs. Their secret weapon is experience. CEO John Travaglini has a global M&A track record. Managing Director Mark Kennedy knows his way around corporate finance, sector research, and raising green-tech capital. Then there’s Mike Kraemer and Danil Shapoval, CFA, whose backgrounds add the kind of depth that keeps client projects on steady ground.

Most of their work comes from word-of-mouth. They build relationships, tailor strategy, and avoid unnecessary fuss. If you want a team that focuses on your company’s financial journey, 4Front might be your investment firm.

4Front Capital Partners is a Toronto boutique investment bank that specializes in carefully chosen deals They work with knowledge-based industries, which means clients who are into brains over brawn. They like entrepreneurs who tick the boxes for integrity, experience, and not being a nightmare to work with.

Their track record in capital raising is selective: about five deals in the last two years, averaging $40 million each, which adds up to roughly $200 million. 4Front keeps a quiet presence, leaning on referrals and tight-knit relationships rather than trying to dominate the headlines.

Lankin Investments is a privately held Ontario real estate asset manager that has spent over 15 years buying, running, and improving multi-residential properties across southwestern Ontario. They now manage more than $2 billion in assets, 6,100 multi-family units, and have 2,500 more on the way.

Their whole philosophy is to create homes people actually want to live in, while still giving investors something to smile about. Their Real Estate Growth LP offers a portfolio of well-placed multi-family properties targeting 10–12% annual returns with 6–8% quarterly cash distributions. It works with RRSPs and TFSAs, so you can feel clever while your investment pays you back.

If you want something bigger and bolder, there’s the Apartment REIT, which focuses on newly built or fully stabilized multi-family properties in Canada’s best rental markets. That one targets 14–20% annualized returns and 8% monthly distributions.

Lankin Investments is a big name in Ontario’s real estate game, managing over $2 billion in assets and enough apartments to house a small town. If you’re a Canadian investor looking for passive income, Lankin will happily put your money to work.

Their growth strategy is… enthusiastic. They’ve scooped up entire complexes, and they’re still shopping. Between stabilized assets and billion-dollar development plans, they’re building an empire. Unfortunately, CityNews has covered protests against above-guideline rent increases, with residents accusing the company of jacking up prices.

Manitou Investment Management has been running out of Toronto since 1999, looking after money for both institutions and high-net-worth clients. They run segregated accounts and pooled funds. Basically, they can keep things personalized or pool resources for efficiency, depending on what works best.

Their portfolios lean toward high-quality, durable companies. Expect names like Berkshire Hathaway, Alphabet, Microsoft, IDEXX, and Amazon. It is a strategy built on steady business models rather than jumping on whatever’s trending this week. In other words, they focus on investments that are built to last for years to come.

Manitou Investment Management is a boutique asset manager that keeps its client list small on purpose. They work mostly with families and individuals who share their values. Their investment style uses something called an “absolute return hurdle” strategy, which basically means they set a performance bar and aim to clear it. They’ve also been a signatory to the UN Principles for Responsible Investment since 2020.

Their portfolio reads like a who’s who of market heavyweights. Berkshire Hathaway, Alphabet, Microsoft, IDEXX Laboratories, Amazon. They’ve even trimmed their Amazon stake recently, proving they’re not afraid to make adjustments when needed.

AGF Management Limited has been around since 1957. Based in Toronto, they now manage over C$55 billion in assets and serve more than 815,000 investors. They run three main business lines: AGF Investments, AGF Capital Partners, and AGF Private Wealth. All of them follow the same guiding principles. They like to think before they invest, share what they know, and own the successful results.

Their investment style blends old-school fundamentals with data-driven quantitative research. They cover equities, fixed income, alternatives, and multi-asset solutions. Basically, they do a bit of everything. In 2024, AGF bought a majority stake in Kensington Capital Partners, adding $2.6 billion in private equity across venture, growth, and mid-market strategies. It expanded their reach in private markets.

AGF Investments prides itself on being careful with risk. They’ve got a few F-series funds and ETFs that Morningstar Canada calls “best in class.” That said, some critics point out the fees are high. A few funds haven’t managed to beat the cheaper, passive options you can get without much effort. In other words, you might pay a bit more here, and the results won’t always match your expectations.

On the governance side, AGF looks polished. They’ve got a credit rating from Fitch that says they’re financially solid and generally sensible. They’re stable, they’re prudent, and they’re unlikely to do anything outrageous with your investments. Inside the company, employee opinions range from “great place to collaborate and learn” to “promotion prospects could use a boost.” The perks get a thumbs-up, but some reviews hint at cultural stiffness.

PFSL Investments Canada has been helping middle-income families figure out their money since 1986, starting in Mississauga and now reaching across the country. They are the Canadian branch of Primerica Inc. With more than 10,000 licensed reps, they offer a free Financial Needs Analysis to help you see where you are financially, where you want to be, and how to get there with your investments.

They keep things straightforward: term life insurance, mutual and segregated funds, and referrals for mortgages, auto and home insurance, pre-paid legal services, or identity protection. It’s all designed to give families a solid foundation for investments. Right now, they manage over $24 billion in client assets, have issued more than $15.9 billion in life insurance coverage, and paid out $2.4 billion in benefits to Canadian families.

PFSL Investments Canada sells term life insurance, mutual funds, and debt solutions, mostly to middle-income families. They do it through a multi-level marketing setup, which means their agents are also in the business of recruiting more agents. They’re publicly traded, heavily regulated, and have been BBB-accredited since 1980, so they’ve got the paperwork to prove they’re legitimate. An A+ rating from AM Best suggests they’re financially solid.

On the client side, the reviews are mixed. Some people like the education their advisor gives them and the way PFSL ties different services together. Others look at the term life pricing, see it’s higher than many competitors, and quietly walk away. There are also complaints about limited flexibility, like not being able to convert to a permanent policy.

Edward Jones has been around since 1922. Their Canadian headquarters is in Mississauga, but their real presence is in neighbourhood offices across the country. Instead of cramming everyone into a big-city branch, they stick to a “one-broker-per-office” model. They are a privately held limited partnership owned by their associates, which means they answer to the people who work there, not outside shareholders. The focus is on long-term client relationships.

In Canada, their services cover stocks, bonds, mutual funds, GICs, guided portfolios, insurance, and annuities. They also offer RRSPs, TFSAs, RESPs, and other account types. Plus, they offer online tools so clients can stay on top of their plans without needing assistance.

Edward Jones Canada is all about personal advice. They’ve got local offices in small towns and big cities, and they’ll happily help you with investments, insurance, and even mortgages. For clients who want a friendly advisor to talk to about their money, it’s a comfortable setup. The catch is the price tag. Their service model can be expensive. You’ve got transaction fees, strategy fees, fund mark-ups… by the time it’s all added up, it can be a lot.

On the employee side, the vibes are much warmer. The culture scores high for work-life balance, values, and diversity. Advisors enjoy autonomy, mentoring, and the kind of small-office atmosphere that lets them run things their way. They’ve been recognized by Great Place to Work, and JD Power keeps ranking them at the top for advisor satisfaction.