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.   

At year-end, planning to make investments in non-registered accounts should be peppered with tax-efficiency, especially when it comes to buying mutual funds. Here’s a primer on what you need to know if you are interested in maximizing tax, retirement and estate planning goals.

November is Financial Literacy Month, and it’s an important opportunity for advisors to help improve their clients’ financial knowledge and address some of the unique financial planning needs of specific demographics, including women. Specifically, what guidance and education do trends show Canadians need when it comes to financial literacy?

Year-end tax planning is about minimizing taxes for 2019 and setting clients up to save more tax-efficiently in 2020 and beyond. There are several big things to talk about if your client is an employee looking to save some tax dollars, and are potentially a new homeowner as well.

Last chance to register for year-end tax planning workshops, The Fall CE Summits. We’ll touch on the financial implications of this month’s election and its impact on year-end tax planning together with the important go-forward planning opportunity for corporate owner-managers and retirees.

Canadians who receive German pensions may have seen some new items on the yearly letter from Neubrandenburg.  Siegfried Merten, MFA™, has provided us with clarification on this letter and what pensioners need to do to remain in compliance. Advisors can be of great assistance here.

Meezan Shariff is a student at Knowledge Bureau currently working toward her DFA – Bookkeeping Services Specialist™. Recently, we had a chance to ask her a few questions about how she felt about the courses she’s completed, what they did for her, and her overall experience. Friendly and upbeat, she was more than happy to give us a few minutes of her time.