Investors Group today announced plans to launch Canada’s largest tax advantaged fund structure featuring, for the first time, tax deferred switching between 46 mutual funds offered by as many as nine of North America’s leading investment advisors.

The funds include offerings of Investors Group’s own Masterseries Funds advised by I.G. Investment Management as well as funds offered by AGF Funds Inc., Goldman Sachs Asset Management, Fidelity Investments, Janus International, Mackenzie Financial Corp., Sceptre Investment Counsel, Beutel Goodman and Franklin Templeton Investments.

“Investors Group Corporate Class Inc. provides the ultimate flexibility for clients who want to rebalance their non-registered, equity portfolios across geographies, global market sectors, and now even investment management brands — without immediate tax consequences,” said John Wiltshire, Investors Group senior vice president of marketing, financial services.

Eight of the corporate class funds are new offerings that will be advised by I.G. Investment Management and Mackenzie. The remaining 38 funds are based on similar Investors Group unit trust funds.

Among the eight new funds are four new global sector funds: Investors Global Health Care Class; Investors Global Infrastructure Class; Investors Global Natural Resources Class; and Investors Global Consumer Companies Class.

Existing global sector funds that will also be part of the new structure are: Investors Global Science & Technology Class; and Investors Global Financial Services Class .

The global sector funds let investors diversify their portfolios among industries such as financial services, health care and natural resources.

For clients looking for more stability, the Corporate Class structure will also feature a Managed Yield Class. It will operate similarly to a traditional money market fund but will offer the ability to generate capital gains instead of interest income for improved tax efficiency.

“The benefits of investing in Investors Group Corporate Class are three-fold: top management, true diversification and tax deferral,” said Wiltshire. “Strategic alliances with the best fund managers, a broad selection, and a comprehensive approach to financial planning make our series of tax-efficient funds one-of-a-kind in the market.”

A preliminary prospectus for Investors Group Corporate Class has been filed with the securities regulatory authorities in each province and territory. Corporate Class Funds are expected to be available for sale to clients by early fall, pending regulatory approval.