We will be holding seminars in 2011 for anyone who has either recently, or is about to experience Job Interruption.  We will guide you through the many issues surrounding this topic to help you gain a better understanding of your opitions in regards to Severance packages, Pensions, Group RRSP's, loss of benefits and group insurance plans to name a few.  Getting the correct information during times like this is critical in moving forward with your life.  Let us help you make informed decisions. 

Dates: Wednesday, January 27th @ 5:30pm

           Wednesday, March 5th @ 5:30pm

           Tuesday May 18th @ 5:30pm

All seminars will be held at our office in the upstairs boardroom.  Please RSVP with Geoff Rae at 519-631-4088

The Harmonized Sales Tax (HST)

Effective July 1, 2010, you will see a harmonized sales tax (HST) in Ontario.  The 13% HST combines the 5%GST and the 8% PST into one tax to be collected by the federal government.  Click below for a list of common items to see how this tax may affect you and your family.

The Loonie - Not so crazy now!

Back in 2002, the loonie was trading at 62 cents U.S. We all sobbed when we had to exchange money to go on a trip outside of Canada. Some of us just stayed home because of the huge disparity in exchanging our Canadian dollars into U.S. dollars. As for buying U.S. dollar investments like stocks back then, well let's just try not to think about it. Fast- forward 8 years into the future and today our loonie doesn't look so crazy anymore. With a 61% rise in our currency, we now have the luxury of traveling or buying a second home abroad. U.S. dollar investments are now starting to make sense. I always look back at history as it often reveals a lot about the future. Historically, anytime the Canadian dollar hit parity with the U.S. dollar, it didn't last very long. You may say yes but this time it's different. Canada is so strong globally and the world is demanding a lot of what we produce. Yes, this is true, however betting against history will likely prove us wrong eventually. Now is a great time to open a USD account or consider purchasing USD investments while our currency is strong. If you are a snowbird or plan on becoming one someday, this will help protect your future purchasing power if the CDN dollar weakens. It also increases the value of any USD investments you accumulate now. If you would like to open a USD account or would like more information, please contact me and I would be happy to assist you.

Registered Disability Savings Plan (RDSP)

I thought it was important to introduce the newly created �Registered Disability Savings Plan�, brought forth by the Canadian Government this year. Canadians with disabilities now have an investment vehicle designed to provide future financial support. There are enormous benefits but also challenges to understanding the complexities of an RDSP. Click below for more information.

The Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA)

In the 2008 budget, the Government of Canada introduced a brand new personal savings vehicle, the Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA), to help you save for different purposes throughout your lifetime.

This new account is the most important personal savings vehicle for Canadians since the introduction of the RRSP in 1957.  The RRSP is primarily intended for retirement; the TFSA is like an RRSP for everything else in your life.

Effective January 2, 2009, you can contribute to a TFSA which can hold any combination of eligible investment vehicles, such as cash, savings accounts, guaranteed investment certificates, mutual funds, stocks and bonds, the growth of which will be tax-sheltered. Click below for more information.