Canada Needs a Financial Plan

According to a July 23 publication by the Fraser Institute, we are getting poorer here in Canada and the prospects for economic growth are looking grim.  This should be of concern to every Canadian concerned about their “real income” – that’s their purchasing power – and by extension - their ability to fund consumption now and for important family milestones in the future:  retirements, education and homeownership.  It’s grim, but there are practical suggestions for a turn around plan. Here’s a synopsis of the report.   

Knowledge Bureau is pleased to announce that Advisor’s Edge and Investment Executive will be joining us at DAC Acuity 2020 once again as the exclusive media sponsor for the conference. This year’s event takes place in Niagara Falls, October 28-30.

If you appreciate the information in this special edition of KBR, you definitely don’t want to miss taking the New Emergency Pandemic Response Benefits Course, available as part of a new national online event being held on May 13. Featured as pre-work for the Virtual CE Summit, it’s the perfect way to become certified in providing counsel on the COVID-19 emergency provisions and other financial matters related to the pandemic.  Your sound advice will impact critical tax and financial planning in the months and years to come.

On April 16, 2020 the federal government announced that the payroll threshold for businesses qualifying for the Canada Emergency Benefit Account (CEBA) has been reduced from $50,000 to $20,000 and increased at the upper end  from $1 million to $1.5 million. Additional commercial rent relief measures to help SMEs will be introduced soon. Here are the details you need to know:

Most Canadians who applied for the CERB for the first period of March 15-April 11 should have received their payments of $2,000 by now. However, the process has now changed from the initial guidelines released by the government for those who want to continue to access these benefits. Here’s what you need to know:

The eligibility criteria for the CERB has been criticized for its failure to help those that have jobs but are under-employed and under-earning during the pandemic. This was addressed on April 15, when the federal government introduced new eligibility criteria for those earning less than $1,000 per month. It’s been a gap since zero income for at least two consecutive weeks has been a requirement to receive the CERB so far.

Recently unemployed or are earning zero income due to COVID-19 and need to apply for the CERB for the first time? The application process has changed slightly since it first opened. So, beware: how you apply may not be the same as what you heard your friends, family, or colleagues did earlier this month.