The Importance of Provincial Budgets: Elbows Up and No Bracket Creep!

Some of the right things are happening in Nova Scotia, from the perspective of improving standards of living in that province.  And that’s important news because according to the Fraser Institute, Canadians have suffered the worst five-year decline in their standard of living over the 2020-to-2024 period since the Great Depression.  It notes, our Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per person decreased by 2.0% (0.4% annually) ; this despite aggregate GDP growth of 1.5% over the period.  Further, all ten provinces are experiencing stagnation, which is unique in our history.  So what’s the good news in Nova Scotia, at this critical juncture?

On June 22, 2017, Budget Implementation Act, 2017, No 1 received Royal Assent and is now law. 

The penalties have been huge on the over 21,000 files CRA has audited from April 2015 to March 2017: over 885 penalties totalling $17 Million were applied on close to $330 Million in unreported income, mostly in the Toronto and Vancouver markets.

As we approach July 1 and the Canada 150 celebrations, most Canadians who were due to receive a tax refund for the 2016 tax year would have received the funds by now. Be sure to suggest to your clients that they give themselves a big Canada Day gift by using those funds to top up their TFSA.

In the months leading up to Canada’s sesquicentennial celebrations, Canadians have been encouraged to get out and explore our great country. And DAC 2017 presents the perfect opportunity for you to head west this November!

“Just because you’re good at what you do doesn’t mean that people are going to want to be on a team with you.” – Marnie McBean

This past spring, we were excited to receive some of the best reviews we’ve ever had for our series of Distinguished Advisor Workshops (DAW). As a result of your great feedback and suggestions, we’re shaking up the Distinguished Advisor Workshops to bring you the new CE Summits! Tell us what you think of our new colours and themes!