CRA states that all self-directed RRSPs and TFSAs are resident in Canada

CRA considers that because the trust company trustee of a TFSA, RRSP, RRIF, RESP or RDSP is required under the Act “to maintain and exercise key decision-making powers and responsibilities over the trust” (e.g., ensuring compliance with ITA requirements including monitoring for non-qualified investments and ensuring that all transactions occurred at fair market value), it follows that such trusts will have their central management and control in Canada, so that they “will always be considered resident in Canada.” Thus, the non-resident holder of a self-directed TFSA was unsuccessful in her arguments that the trust was resident outside Canada based on her making the investment decisions.

CRA’s interpretation could be argued to be consistent with Discovery Trust, where the work performed by Royal Trust, as the Alberta trustee, was somewhat routine.

Neal Armstrong. Summary of 22 March 2018 Internal T.I. 2018-0738201I7 under s. 2(1).