Though the pandemic may now feel like a distant memory, it did bring about some positive changes. One notable outcome was that many clients began to take a closer look at their estate planning .In doing so, some discovered that they were concerned beneficiaries might...

A Primer on Structured Notes With the return of equity market volatility and the high concentration among a handful of mega-cap names, alongside volatile bond markets as central banks have raised and lowered interest rates, there has been significant interest in...

Mortgage Debt & the Great Renewal It has been termed ‘the great renewal’: A significant number of Canadian mortgages are coming up for renewal. By one account, around 2.2 million mortgages, or 45 percent of all outstanding mortgages, are set to face higher...

Year-End Planning & An Increased Inclusion Rate With the (proposed*) increase to the capital gains inclusion rate in 2024, there have been various questions from investors about tax planning. Here are two that relate to year-end planning. 1. What is the Capital...

Join us in this Smokin' Bulls episode as Lori Hartery from Desjardins Financial Insurance discusses the Executive Health Plan—a powerful strategy designed to protect corporations while offering significant tax savings for business owners. Whether you’re a small or...

Access to Alternative Investments In the current environment of higher valuations, slower growth and increased volatility, there’s been renewed attention to alternative investments. Alternatives are often given focus during more challenging times since their...

Politics and money are never far apart. Election years frequently bring about questions surrounding changes to public policies, potential regulatory shifts and the ensuing effects on the markets and economy. This year’s U.S. election has been no exception, with...

Even the Good Years Have Down Times While many aspects of investing in the equity markets may seem unpredictable, one constant remains: volatility. Just how common are market fluctuations? Even in years when the S&P/TSX Composite Index has performed well, we...

Half Full or Half Empty? How do you view the glass — half full or half empty? This question aptly captures the dual nature of sentiment today. On one hand, our standard of living is among the highest in history, fuelled by technological advances, improved quality of...

“It’s good to learn from your mistakes. It’s better to learn from other people’s mistakes.” — Warren Buffett While we can learn much about successful investing by studying the best investors, there may be valuable lessons learned by examining our mistakes. The CFA...

“Chances are you will be the happiest you have beensince you were a teenager.” According to an article in the popular press, this is what many of us can anticipate in retirement.1 If you’re retired, perhaps you concur. If retirement is still on the horizon, the...

FHSA or HBP: Reasons to Prioritize the FHSA As a result of the federal budget increasing the withdrawal amount for the Home Buyer’s Plan (HBP), some clients have asked which plan is better for younger family members: the First-Home Savings Account (FHSA) or the HBP,...

“The best way to teach your kids about taxes is by eating 30 percent of their ice cream.” — Bill Murray, Comedian While repeated in jest, this witty remark highlights an important truth: teaching children about financial responsibilities early on can have lasting...

Does the Dow Matter? What’s in an Index The Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA or Dow) is one of the most widely watched stock market indices and the second oldest in the world. Created in 1896 by Charles Dow, then-editor of the Wall Street Journal, it originally...

Three Perspectives on Our Higher Cost of Living With higher inflation, the increasing cost of living has been top of mind for many Canadians. While there has been good news on the inflation front given continuing signs of easing, here are three perspectives on our...

Many of us remember the classic Star Trek mantra ‘live long and prosper,’ which may be worth reflection as we enter the leisurely summer months. The keys to a longer and more prosperous life are often rooted in fundamentals that include both health and wealth. Better...

When the Dow Jones Industrial Average (Dow) crossed a new high of 40,000 in May, it achieved a milestone that appeared implausible given recent popular sentiment. Just two years earlier, central banks were still on the path of aggressively hiking rates to curb...

Welcome to the summer — and the return of cottage and cabin season! While many of us are eager for some rest and relaxation, cottage and cabin owners may face new concerns due to increases to the capital gains inclusion rate. Looking ahead to when the property is...

To Defer or Not to Defer: Realizing Capital Gains The proposed* increases to the capital gains inclusion rate have prompted some investors to ask the tax-planning question: To defer, or not to defer? Tax deferral is commonly viewed as a way for investors to create...