Finance Canada Releases Draft Legislation January 29
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:Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB)
This fall, more students may be stressed by debt and one of the reasons why is the repayment of the CESB. In 2020, students could qualify for the Canada Emergency Student Benefit of $1,250 for a 4 week period for a maximum of 16 weeks. An extra $750 for a total of $2000 per month was available if the applicant had a disability or dependants. But now there is a cash flow problem for some students:
New 30 Year-Mortgage Amortizations: Planning Required, Financial Pros Say
Effective August 1, new 30-year mortgage amortizations are available for first-time home buyers purchasing newly built homes. For our August poll we asked tax and financial professionals if this is an option they’d recommend to their clients, and there was an interesting mix of votes, 66% said “no”, but 34% said they would – their comments provide great insight for homeowners who may be eligible for this program.
CE Savvy Summit: Advising Clients with Audit Defence in Mind
The system is just wrong! Think of the problems your clients are having with CRA and their TFSA audits. The TFSA contribution room on the MyAccount portal does not coincide with actual contributions, yet CRA is giving. Another issue is the lack of use, improper use and/or set up of health spending accounts which are so important to small business owners. How do you make sure that these plans are audit proof? Lastly, there are inheritance/crypto scams out there. . .are you talking to your clients about this? Find out more in this informative Society of Real Wealth Managers Round Table hosted by Doug Buss, CLU, CPCA, CFP, CEA, RWM™, FDFS™ at the September 18 Virtual CE Summit.
The Joy Factor - Unlock the Secrets to Thriving | Andreaa Vanacker
Dr. Andreaa Vanacker will share her remarkable story and experiences to help you consider the role of joy and purpose in financial decision-making. You’ll be exposed to a new perspective in encouraging those you influence, to assess their legacy and optimize their most important asset: time. Learn more, only at the Acuity Conference for Distinguished Advisors November 10-12 in Montreal. Register by the September 15 early-bird deadline!
Defusing the Family Business…Time Bomb
This is an annual favorite book, especially at year end tax planning time, by Jenifer Bartman and Evelyn Jacks from publisher Knowledge Bureau. It addresses a common family secret that plagues millions of Canadians from coast to coast: what to do with the family business at a time when boomers are contemplating retirement. Will the business sell for the millions owners hope for, blow up, or just wind down? Will family relationships survive it all?
Concerned About Capital Gains Taxes? Comment by Sept. 3!
Especially if you are working with a business owner thinking of transferring the interests in their small businesses to the next generation, consider commenting on the draft legislation released by the Federal Government on August 12. These clients require more information about new taxing initiatives; in particular, the changes to the Capital Gains Inclusion Rates (CGIR) and the related Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption (LCGE), the new Canadian Entrepreneurs’ Incentive (CEI) and Employee Ownership Trusts (EOTs). But the rules are very complex and the deadline for response to the draft rules is short: for the CGIR rules, it’s September 3. For the case of the CEI it’s September 11. Here’s what you need to know:
