The holiday season is upon us, bringing an end to a tumultuous year. 2022 saw inflation reach levels not seen for 40 years, followed by substantial interest rate hikes. From March to December, the Bank of Canada raised its policy rate by a whopping 4.0%, causing some stress for Canadian homeowners, particularly those with variable-rate mortgages. If you have a variable-rate mortgage, these rate hikes may have you thinking about converting (or “locking in”) to a fixed rate, if your lender allows you to do so. Of course, this then commits you to a new mortgage term with your current lender. Let’s look at the potential upsides and downsides of making the switch.

Headlines are everywhere; Inflation and the requisite rise in interest rates to calm it. Russian aggression in Ukraine. Covid pandemic fallout and the threat of a recession which is very likely.

The impact of rising interest rates is being felt by many Canadians and has resulted in higher costs for all of us in many ways. With the United States Federal Reserve having raised interest rates by another 0.75% in September, The Bank of Canada will be following suit with a rate increase in the near future to protect the dollar from sell-offs in favour of US currency.

I am excited to provide this written submission to our Fall Prittie Perspective Edition. You will hear more from me in the future as the Senior Manager of Client Services & Practice Management for the Prittie Private Wealth Team.

Family businesses, high net worth individuals and professionals require distinctive succession and estate planning and this is in greater demand than ever before. However, it is not getting done! Furthermore, in the past 10 years, corporate income splitting and non-active business income restrictions have been imposed resulting in more taxes. Personal tax rates have increased from 46.41% to 53.53% and dividend tax rates have also increased from 31.34% to 47.74%.

With interest rates continuing to rise, and housing markets beginning to cool, if you’re considering a home purchase anytime soon, it’s a good idea to revisit some mortgage fundamentals to ensure you’re in the driver’s seat when it’s time to put in an offer. Pre-approvals, home appraisals and financing conditions are three key components to a successful home purchase. So how do they all fit together?

Our primary goal is to ensure Electronic Funds Transfers (EFTs) and Wire orders are initiated, executed, and approved in a secure manner while meeting the needs of our clients. We want to ensure that you receive your fund requests when you need it; for example, buying a new car or any other purchase.

Please be reminded of the following process to ensure no delays are encountered for funding requests.

Different people will choose a different answer from the above two choices. Personally, I believe we are long overdue for some Economic Reality. Why is that?

A common misconception amongst investors is that investments in bonds cannot decline.

Family businesses are the backbone of our economy, and their future success is critical. Over the years, many successful family business owners have told us that they have not completed a proper succession and estate plan. 

Our primary goal is to ensure Electronic Funds Transfers (EFTs) and Wire orders are initiated, executed, and approved in a secure manner while meeting the needs of our clients.

After a very comforting run up in values post covid March 2020, it’s been a tough start to the year that has left the American S&P 500 stock index (“S&P 500”) now in official bear market territory. Our home-based Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) has followed a similar path for the…