On that specific point, it's interesting that in 2008 I could have invested in a plethora of banks on the stock exchange through my RRSP, but I couldn't after 2008. In 2011-12, I could no longer really do a self-directed RRSP into my own mortgage without jumping through humongous hurdles and qualifications.
I hear what you're saying in terms of risk aversion policies. At the same time, it looks like these policies are actually in place to protect the business that the banks have rather than to protect the consumer or to protect start-up businesses that come down the road and want to take advantage of said instruments in the financing.