I was commenting on the specific situation. When expenses are already covered, being too cautious with investments is likely a mistake. "Safe" options ensure you lose some money. Keeping 1 mil in cash loses 20K / year to inflation (if 2%). Saving accounts / GICs / bonds are better, but give you at most 2% / year gross or so, which after tax (say 40% marginal) and 2% inflation means you are still losing 0.8% or 8K / year.
Compare to a simple strategy of putting 1 mil into a low-commission Canadian stock market index fund. It will pay currently, per
TD Waterhouse research, 3.2% in dividends - that's 32K / year gross or 25K / year after tax.
Surely there is a risk. Is it better to lose 8K reliably or gain 25K with some risk?
It is by no means a universal solution. In real life, need to consider other income / expenses / assets / pension / age / gender / health at least. It may be right to buy a mix of some annuity, safer investments, and equities.