Turns out, Kimberley isn’t just a great spot for lunch — it’s also the birthplace of the RRSP.

I discovered this over a grilled cheese with my toddler after paddling the Beaver River: local politician Walter Harris, once Canada’s Finance Minister, helped bring the Registered Retirement Savings Plan into existence in 1957 (Walter Edward Harris – Parliament of Canada biography). Hard to imagine a place as quiet as Kimberley shaping something so central to Canadian retirement. But, all that quiet must have left room for deep thought.

When RRSPs were first introduced in 1957, investment options were limited to cash, government and corporate bonds, and certain annuities (Government of Canada: Registered Retirement Savings Plan). RRSPs have come a long way since then, evolving with new features, investment options and flexibility to keep up with faster times. Today, RRSPs can be built around your unique goals and benefit from tools that did not exist in Walter Harris’s day. Whether your goal is an adventurous retirement, supporting family, or leaving a legacy, your RRSP strategy can be as personal as your story.

But for all that innovation, longevity remains the big challenge—making smart planning more important than ever. A 65-year-old couple in average health has a 90% chance one of them lives to 85, and a 75% chance of reaching 90 (Society of Actuaries Longevity Illustrator). Here in The Blue Mountains, where 90-year-olds are still hiking and skiing, planning for a long, active life isn’t just wise—it’s essential.

Walter Harris gave us the RRSP—let’s make sure yours is ready for every chapter ahead. Let’s chat about building a retirement plan as resilient and rewarding as life here in The Blue Mountains.

Fraser Willson, CFP®, CIM® | Senior Wealth Advisor | CIBC Wood Gundy | Collingwood | Fraser.Willson@cibc.com | (647) 588-4344 | www.WillsonInvestments.com

CIBC Private Wealth consists of services provided by CIBC and certain of its subsidiaries, including CIBC Wood Gundy, a division of CIBC World Markets Inc. Fraser Willson is an Investment Advisor with CIBC Wood Gundy in Collingwood. The views of Fraser Willson do not necessarily reflect those of CIBC World Markets Inc. If you are currently a CIBC Wood Gundy client, please contact your Investment Advisor. This information, including any opinion, is based on various sources believed to be reliable, but its accuracy cannot be guaranteed and is subject to change.