Red Ink on the Prairies

A day after Quebec’s Finance Minister Eric Girard brought down a Budget featuring a $6.3 Billion deficit, Saskatchewan’s Finance Minister Jim Reiter tabled his government’s budget on March 19. Next up was Finance Minister Adrian Salas, who tabled the Manitoba Budget on March 24. The common thread: there’s lots of red ink on the Prairies. But that’s where the budget documents differ between Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Here’s the latest tax news and why it matters to the advice you give your clients.

As families navigate one of the largest intergenerational wealth transfers in history, demand is growing for coordinated, values-based financial leadership. In response, experienced tax and financial professionals are increasingly turning to the Real Wealth Manager™ (RWM™) program, an advanced professional pathway focused on intergenerational wealth stewardship.

As regulatory complexity, digital transformation, and client expectations continue to rise, many tax, accounting, and financial professionals are rethinking how they build sustainable, future-ready careers. Generalist knowledge is no longer enough. Increasingly, credibility is tied to demonstrated specialization. One pathway is the Distinguished Master Advisor™ (DMA) designation offered by Knowledge Bureau, which has a special offer this Valentine’s Day week to help you love your new career moves!

February 27, 2026 is the last date to comment on a raft of draft legislation released at the end of January covering provisions from the November 4, 2025 Federal budget,  the Fall 2024 Economic Statement, amendments from Budget 2021 regarding Hybrid Mismatching Arrangements, technical changes to two investment tax credits, dating back to 2022 and 2023, as well as corporate changes regarding the Global Minimum Tax.  The key measures to note appear below:

Did you know the CRA conducts approximately 350,000 audits and reviews on an annual basis? This means there’s about a one in ten chance that your clients will be audited or reviewed by CRA, in any given year.  Now, CRA- initiated reviews will be enhanced by AI profiling.  It’s critical for you to insist on pertinent tax information so you can help clients avoid audit and tax evasion charges in particular.  It’s very expensive, as a few recently prosecuted taxpayers just found out:

Driven by the massive intergenerational wealth transfer occurring across North America, today’s tax and financial services clients are asking for more than product recommendations or tax preparation. They want clarity, confidence, and leadership. This shift is redefining the advisor’s role:  professionals who move beyond transaction-based services to deliver a coordinated, tax-efficient, and values-based approach to managing wealth over a lifetime - and across generations – are the advisors of the future.  How to recognize this professional?  The RWM™ credential is behind their name.

Save the Date: CE Savvy Business Builder Summit, March 25, 2026 | Virtual | 8:15 AM – 1:30 PM CT. Are you growing your practice?  Perhaps you are helping your clients grow their businesses better?  Small business owners face relentless pressure - from rising costs and labour challenges to tax complexity, succession uncertainty, digital disruption and for some, quite simply the basics: how to lead, how to sell, and how to make decisions based on their financial statements. If this resonates, read on about a unique business education program geared at small to medium sized business owners and a new live virtual summit.