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.   

It’s your last chance to participate in Knowledge Bureau’s trivia contest,

Darren Ryan, an insurance and financial services professional in St. John’s, NL, shares his thoughts about attending last year’s Distinguished Advisor Conference

CRA is proposing changes to its Voluntary Disclosure Program (VDP). In response, Knowledge Bureau submitted the following comments for government review in advance of the August 8, 2017, consultation deadline: 

Renting out the basement, or even just a room, in one’s home has long been a great way to tap into an additional stream of income to improve cash flow, enhance savings or reduce debt.

If your clients own assets abroad, they must submit Form T1135 Foreign Income Verification Statement to CRA to disclose whether they had “specified foreign assets” held during the year, if the total cost at any time exceeded $100,000 Canadian. 

New provincial rules were finalized earlier this month governing the use of Pooled Retirement Pension Plans in Manitoba.