The Change As announced in Budget 2024, the Government of Canada introduced significant reforms to mortgage regulations to help more Canadians, particularly younger generations, achieve homeownership. Effective August 1st, the federal government allowed 30-year mortgage amortizations for first-time homebuyers purchasing new builds. Starting December 15th, the rules will expand to all first-time buyers and all…

With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month and November highlighting men’s cancer and health issues through Movember, it’s essential to stay informed about cancer trends and take proactive steps for our health and financial health as well.   An alarming new study from the American Cancer Society (ACS) shows that Millennials and Generation X are…

Inflation and interest rates were prominent in the headlines this week.  On Tuesday, Statistics Canada reported that Canada’s inflation rate reached the central bank’s 2% target in August, down from 2.7% in July.  This makes it the slowest rate of increase since 2001.  The following day, the Federal Reserve announced a 0.50 percentage point cut…

The recent announcement of President Biden withdrawing from the US Presidential race and Kamala Harris securing the Democratic nominee has dominated headlines recently.  This has left many wondering about its implications for the markets, as investors weigh the potential economic policies of newly elected officials.   Below, I’ve included some interesting charts that illustrate the…

Bank of Canada: Last week the Bank of Canada lowered its key interest rate again, bringing it to 4.50%.  This is the second time in a row they’ve done this, cutting it by 0.25% each time.  The main reason for this change is that the Bank is now more focused on boosting economic growth rather…

As part of the recent 2024 Federal Budget (Budget 2024), the federal government proposed an increase to the capital gains inclusion rate.  This means that when a capital gain is realized, more of your gains could potentially be added to your taxable income. I look after my clients’ wealth holistically, so to help understand and…

Groceries, clothes and energy bills.  These are just some of the many day-to-day items affected by inflation.  But inflation also affects your retirement, and while pre-retirees are saving for a lot of things, saving for retirement remains their priority. The current environment may be challenging, but Canadians understand what it takes to improve their financial…

Shockwaves rippled through the markets over the past week due to the collapse pf Silicon Valley Bank (SVB).  This situation remains fluid but, I wanted to provide some insight on the Silicon Valley Bank problem. First and most importantly of all, only your Mackenzie US Small-Mid Cap Growth Fund has exposure to Signature Bank but its…

With the cost of living what it is now and all the recent market uncertainty, if you’re like most Canadians, chances are you could use some help when it comes to saving for your retirement.  If you’re looking to lower your income tax bill, build your retirement nest egg, or even save to buy your…

Whispers of recession can be heard as the markets bring volatility and the end of the year brings the psychological unknown of what lies ahead.  Headline and Core inflation came in lower than expected in both Canada last week, and also in the U.S. this week.  This is a sign that inflation is cooling, or…