New Mega Deduction a Good Start, But More Tax Reforms Are Needed

The Federal government has unveiled a Productivity Mega Deduction, which will provide immediate expensing under Capital Cost Allowance (CCA) provisions for a broad range of depreciable property, importantly on a permanent basis, for acquisitions on or after September 15, 2026. Check out the noteworthy exclusions are listed below. This tax reform is a good start, but much more needs to be done, especially for small business owners and average taxpayers to make Canada truly competitive across our tax base.

Finance Minister Eric Girard tabled his 7th budget on March 25th. This is the most detailed, comprehensive and far-reaching budget we’ve seen from any of the provinces thus far. This budget focuses heavily on spending, producing a record deficit. It also reflects the Quebec government’s preoccupation with U.S. tariffs. The word “tariff” is mentioned no fewer than 161 times in this document.

We might be distracted by the political, tax and economic shocks dominating the daily news.  But from an investment point of view, advisors may be missing something important. The very definition of “wealth maximization” as we have commonly known it, is not resonating there is a reason why:  “business as usual” has eroded value and requires a shake up to build the economy we need in the future.  The answer, for some, is “impact investing”, and there has never been a better time to consider this.

Where are the Happy Landings in this new Era of Risk and Reward?  That will be the focus of the 2025 Acuity Conference for Distinguished Advisors November 23-26 in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico.   It may in fact, be the most important conference you attend this year.  Canada’s only multi-disciplinary gathering, appropriately in Mexico, will bring thought leaders together to ponder our New Era of Risk and Reward.

The news can be jarring for your clients. In these volatile times, tax accounting and financial advisors do important work, together. A special shout-out goes out today to our highly educated, skilled and experienced certificate and designation holders working hard to help their clients make sense of events that trigger financial decision-making, especially to the RWMs™.  Here’s why. 

Canadians are now into a federal election campaign and tax reductions of all kinds are on the agenda. Prime Minister Mark Carney has already reduced one of the greatest obstacles for the Liberal Party to gain re-election: the consumer carbon taxes as of April 1, 2025. Technically it is being reduced to zero, as without an act of Parliament he cannot eliminate the tax. However, the regulations behind the tax are under the purview of the Finance Minister, and on closer look, we can get a real glimpse of what’s to come should the Liberals win the election.

Manitoba’s budget, delivered on March 20th by Finance Minister Adrien Sala, features a lot of red ink and the re-emergence of a stealth, hidden tax: bracket creep is back! Check out the details on this budget below and don’t forget look for the Knowledge Bureau Special Summary Report on the other provinces who have brought down budgets this quarter including: Quebec, Saskatchewan, Yukon and New Brunswick.