money that is legal tender in Canada, and deposits of such money.

Foreign currencies are qualified investments, subject to certain limitations.  See Money and deposits of money in the CRA document IT320R3 - Qualified Investments.  Prior to March 31, 2006, foreign currency cash balances were not allowed under the bylaws and regulations of the Investment Dealers Association (IDA) of Canada.  See the IDA bulletin #3522 regarding the amendments which now allow foreign currency cash balances in RRSPs.

Although foreign currencies are qualified investments, as of January 14, 2008, there is only one brokerage, Questrade, which provides the option of holding foreign currencies in an RRSP or RRIF.  This is apparently due to the restrictions of the software being used.  However, the brokerages make money every time foreign currencies are converted to Canadian funds, so there is not much incentive to provide this service.  Perhaps the only incentive is the fact that it would make their brokerage much more attractive to RRSP holders.  To reduce the cost of foreign currency transactions in registered accounts, see our article on washing trades.

Canadian federal, provincial and municipal government bonds or similar obligations

bonds and similar obligations of corporations, the shares of which are listed on a prescribed stock exchange

certain annuities, if purchased from a licensed annuities provider

shares listed on a designated (formerly prescribed) stock exchange in Canada or other countries.

Note that most Canadian and US stock exchanges are included here, but Over-the-Counter Facilities such as NASDAQ OTC Bulletin Board facility, and the Canadian OTC Automated Trading System are not included in the list of designated stock exchanges.  The regular NASDAQ system is included in the designated stock exchanges.  See the Department of Finance document Process for Designating Stock Exchanges, which includes a list of designated stock exchanges as of July 2, 2008.

guaranteed investment certificates (GICs)

exchange-traded funds, i.e., funds which have the purpose of holding the securities included in a stock exchange index, in the same portions as the securities are reflected in the index, or of replicating the investment performance of a stock exchange index.  Examples of exchange-traded funds are SPDRs (Standard & Poor 500 Depository Receipts), Diamonds (Dow Jones Industrial Average units), and MSCI funds (Morgan Stanley Capital Investment Index).

under certain conditions, shares of small business corporations

under certain conditions, shares of venture capital corporations

a mortgage in respect of real property situated in Canada

an interest in a trust such as a mutual fund trust, a unit trust resident in Canada, certain foreign stock exchange trusts, and certain small business investment trusts, as long as they are registered investments

annuity contracts

warrants and rights that give the owner the right to acquire property that is a qualified investment

call options - may be written (sold) as long as the underlying shares are held in the RRSP (covered call option).  Call options also may be purchased inside an RRSP.

put options - may be purchased in an RRSP as long as the underlying security is a qualified investment. 

royalty units listed on a prescribed Canadian stock exchange, if its value is derived solely from Canadian resource properties

limited partnership units listed on a prescribed Canadian stock exchange

investment-grade gold and silver bullion, coins, bars, and certificates on such investments.  These must be acquired either from the producer of the investment or from a regulated financial institution.  This change is effective for investments made on or after February 23, 2005.