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 and Manulife are pleased to announce that Lindsay Sawyer Fay of E. Sawyer Financial in Winnipeg, Manitoba and Darren Ryan, a financial advisor with Ryco Financial in St. John’s, Newfoundland have been selected as the 2016 winners of The DAC Young Advisors Award.

More market volatility is certain in the aftermath of Brexit and in anticipation of the outcome of the US election.   If you really want to help people reach their financial goals, and avoid “bad behavior” because of volatility in the markets, you need to have a broader and more powerful set of tools.

As a result of recent corporate tax rate changes and adjustments to the taxation of dividends, one of the key issues faced by the owner/manager of a private business is how to best manage his or her compensation to maximize the amount of after-tax income available to the family.

"Do your little bit of good where you are; it’s those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world." Desmond Tutu

For those who become unemployed, Employment Insurance (EI) benefits may be available and they are taxable. In addition, if you are a high-income earner in the year you receive the benefit, these benefits may also be subject to repayment.

Recently, federal and provincial finance ministers met to discuss enhancements to the Canada Pension Plan. Here’s what’s going to change and when.