[GeorgeF]

I would suggest you start with vanguard.com mutual funds. If you want to invest a bit more time you can get a brokerage account and buy ETFs. The problem is that it is very unlikey that with $5,000 any time you spend thinking will increase your results enough to make up for the time you will spend on active investing.

Scottrade evidently allows you to trade Canadian securities. If they allow you to hold you money in Canadian $ it might offer a diversificatiion possibility.