Thanks Thomas,
I read this thread this morning, and have been pondering it today. I don't think anything has really changed either. CRA has always allowed non-arm length mortgages in your RRSP, with 2 stipulations:
1. It has to be an insured mortgage
2. It has to be at 'commercial interest rates' meaning no lending to yourself at 0%, nor at 30%.
I had never really looked into it for investing purposes due to the fees involved, but I knew this capability existed on your own owner occupied house (but again, fees make it unreasonable).
I've really stayed away from lending to myself through my RRSP given the very low rates currently as well. I don't know exactly what range CRA would consider commercial rates right now, but I assume it would be similar to what I could get a nice standard 5 year mortgage from a bank for (3-ish percent). I know there's always a debate about the volatility of the market, etc, etc, etc, but when I can get 4 or 5% for a dividend yield from a blue-chip company, why would I lend at 3% with no capital appreciation potential (yes, I know, much less risk of downside though).
I do have to admit, I have done some looking into RRSP mortgages lately, but more the higher rate second mortgages where I could get say 10% (and no CMHC required)