A thorough analysis of today’s financial news—delivered weekly to your inbox or via social media. As part of Knowledge Bureau’s interactive network, the Report covers current issues on the tax and financial services landscape and provides a wide range of professional benefits, including access to peer-to-peer blogs, opinion polls, online lessons, and vital industry information from Canada’s only multi-disciplinary financial educator.
Mark your calendar for 17 big tax and benefit milestones in April! Prescribed interest rates from the Bank of Canada remain the same this quarter, but new rates for OAS are in effect. Check out the details below:
Two provincial budgets were released on either side of the Easter Weekend: Ontario’s on March 26 and Manitoba’s on April 2, and their approaches were entirely different: one reflecting few taxes changes (but a promise of tax reform!); the other a plethora of broad-reaching new ones that will raise taxes and increase complexity. Here’s what you need to know:
As Canadians scramble to meet their April 30 tax filing obligations, the federal government plans to release its next budget on April 16. Expect more red ink as debt services costs skyrocket. According to a new study by the Fraser Institute, the government debt burden for families across Canada has been growing significantly, it’s making us poorer. The numbers tell the story, below, and underscore the need for a fiscal focus on our future prosperity.
The health indicators for small business in Canada show weaknesses that should be of concern to all Finance Ministers who face their own challenges in offsetting growing deficits and debt service costs with economic growth. From new bankruptcy statistics (see below) to CFIB’s Business Barometer for March, the business outlook, at least in the short term is somber. In addition, 77% of advisors who answered Knowledge Bureau Report’s March poll, believe the recent CEBA deadline will push more into bankruptcy.
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