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.   

Are you a small-business owner thinking about hiring a highly qualified bookkeeper? Or perhaps you are thinking about expanding your own skills and credentials to handle your own financial matters better in house? Getting your business affairs and tax information in order is very important as CRA is clamping down with increased audit activities these days. 

Guest columnist Dr. Michael Graham, two-time guest lecturer at Knowledge Bureau’s Distinguished Advisor Conference, muses about the economic and political volatility of the day and what Canadian investors can expect as March gathers steam, post-federal budget.  Early registration for this year’s outstanding 15th Anniversary DAC is March 15 – RSVP now.

You don’t have to be Irish to experience some luck this St. Patrick’s Day. Take advantage of our “Luck of the Irish” Special, available now until March 31st 2018.

DAC is Canada’s pre-eminent educational event for the top wealth advisors in the tax and financial services. As an industry and as individuals lucky enough to live in Canada, it’s a great time to work “above our privilege” - that is, to set higher goals, improve services and to give back more in mentorship and engagement to a new client base with vastly different demands of their tax and financial advisors.

Are you a high-income earner—perhaps an executive, or seasonal construction or oil rig worker—who may  suffer a loss of employment?  For the 2017 tax year, the base amount for EI repayment is $64,125.  The amount is indexed year over year and if you get caught with income over this, you’ll likely be unpleasantly surprised when you file your 2017 return .  Here’s why:

Two new measures were introduced in the February 27, 2018 budget that curtail the advantages of investing inside a private corporation, starting in 2019. All was met with a collective sigh of relief, considering the flawed fall proposals. However, there is still a twist - no grandfathering provisions for private corporations under two new proposals: