Immediate Expensing Rules: Good Tax Policy?

Over the course of the last two federal budgets (April 16, 2024 and November 4, 2025), the rules for claiming Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) have been uncertain. The proposal to extend immediate expensing rules for certain acquired assets were paused for over a year and then re-introduced in a series of four complex measures which together with new rules for Scientific Research and Experimental Development have become known as the “Productivity Super-Deduction”.  A backdrop appears below. The key question: will this complexity be effective as an economic stimulator?   

At this year’s Distinguished Advisors Conference (DAC), one of Canada’s most respected tax experts, Tim Cestnick, Managing Director of Advanced Wealth Planning at Scotiabank, offered insights into the six types of capital inherent in family wealth, and into using trusts to preserve as much financial capital as possible in a transfer of wealth.

Eric Klein of Farber Financial Group got everyone’s attention at the Distinguished Advisor’s Conference (DAC) 2015, with his counter-intuitive (and often entertaining) presentation on “Unsuccession Planning.”

With 2015 almost behind us, the time is now to start planning your educational calendar for 2016.

Canada possesses priceless resources, not just in its natural resources but also in new human resources—gems that are waiting to be uncovered. They are highly educated immigrant women, ready to contribute to the economy in a significant way.

The Canadian economy has deteriorated in the last six months, according to a press release from the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO), and growth is expected to be slower than anticipated over the next few years. A weaker economy translates into larger deficits over the medium term than the PBO forecast in April, states the report, which was released November 10.

Those who earn more live longer, the longevity gap between men and women is closing and living close to your kids in retirement may turn out, well, differently than you may think. All of these factors and more will change how you think about retirement planning, according to Dr. Michael Finke, a keynote speaker at the Distinguished Advisors Conference (DAC) in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, last week. But his biggest “aha” moments came from research on the financial literacy of seniors.