Latest news in Special Reports

Advisors must embrace changing technology

Advisors must embrace changing technology

George Hartman explains how technology will transform every part of a financial advisor’s business, and urges advisors to upgrade technical knowledge now to ensure continuing…

Breaking down Ottawa’s proposed tax changes

Breaking down Ottawa’s proposed tax changes

Kevin Wark discusses how Ottawa’s proposed changes to the taxation of private corporations would affect income sprinkling, dividends and capital gains

  • By: Kevin Wark
  • October 9, 2017 November 9, 2019
  • 18:00

Shareholder activism on the upswing: report

Shareholders are increasingly pushing back on excessive executive compensation

Tackling longevity risk

Insurance products such as annuities can provide valuable peace of mind for retirees, but there are drawbacks to consider

  • By: Jade Hemeon
  • September 27, 2017 November 9, 2019
  • 11:59

An alternative approach to minimizing risk

Advisors can use a growing array of alternative investment strategies to help clients reduce volatility in their portfolios

  • By: Jade Hemeon
  • September 26, 2017 November 9, 2019
  • 17:20
Fear of financial loss limits investors’ opportunities: study

Fear of financial loss limits investors’ opportunities: study

Investors are open to alternative investments and want greater exposure to ESG, but need the right advice on strategies

  • By: Leah Golob
  • September 26, 2017 November 9, 2019
  • 16:15

Smoothing out returns in volatile times

With low interest rates and high equities valuations posing risks for investors, advisors can help clients find ways of adding some predictability to their portfolios

  • By: Jade Hemeon
  • September 25, 2017 November 9, 2019
  • 17:00
Tax penalties and how to apply for relief

Tax penalties and how to apply for relief

From TFSA overcontributions to repeated late-filing, Adrienne Woodyard outlines common tax penalties and explains how to apply for penalty relief (Part 4 of 4)

Advisors boost client confidence

Retirement-focused clients who have an advisor are more optimistic about reaching their financial goals

Staying clear of tax mistakes and penalties

Staying clear of tax mistakes and penalties

Adrienne Woodyard discusses how to avoid the most common tax filing errors and penalties (Part 3 of 4)

Don’t let tax documentation go wrong

Don’t let tax documentation go wrong

From documents to deadlines, from fires to floods, Adrienne Woodyard discusses how to keep tax documentation up to CRA standards (Part 2 of 4)

CRA audits: Risks, pitfalls and tips

CRA audits: Risks, pitfalls and tips

Adrienne Woodyard explains what puts businesses and individuals at risk of CRA audits, and explains dos and don’ts of managing the audit process (Part 1…

The case for helping younger Canadians

Advisors could reap significant rewards from helping young Canadians build up their financial knowledge

Financial literacy boosts loyalty

Canadians with low levels of financial literacy are less comfortable speaking with their financial advisors

Capacity and clients: Understanding the Ontario Substitute Decisions Act

Capacity and clients: Understanding the Ontario Substitute Decisions Act

Matthew Urback discusses the difficult choices facing advisors who suspect their clients are losing the ability to make informed decisions (Part 4 of 4)

Estate disputes: Protect your practice from litigation

Estate disputes: Protect your practice from litigation

Matthew Urback explains why advisors can get caught up in acrimonious estate disputes and provides tips on avoiding litigation (Part 3 of 4)

Changing the face of financial advice

Through their innovation hubs, financial services institutions are exploring ways of integrating AI and other technology into wealth management

A glimpse behind the walls of an innovation lab

Collaboration with employees in traditional banking and insurance channels is crucial to the work done in the financial services sector’s innovation hubs

How innovation hubs are revolutionizing Bay Street

With growing interest in fintech, financial services institutions are launching innovation labs inspired by the unorthodox corporate settings of Silicon Valley

The top two reasons wills are challenged

The top two reasons wills are challenged

Matthew Urback explains the two most common reasons clients' wills are contested, leading to a potentially lengthy and costly legal process (Part 2 of 4)

Insurance products are popular in Quebec

Survey suggests that Quebec residents tend to be more risk-averse than other Canadians

Elder abuse: Protect your clients and your practice

Elder abuse: Protect your clients and your practice

Matthew Urback flags key points in the estates process where advisors can act to protect both their clients and their practice from the impacts of…

Advocis takes stand against new Saskatchewan tax on life insurance

Advocis takes stand against new Saskatchewan tax on life insurance

There are concerns that clients won’t be able to afford life insurance or that other jurisdictions may follow suit

Insurers experiencing big drop in sales this year

Insurers experiencing big drop in sales this year

New tax rules, combined with sustained low interest rates and new capital requirements, are creating significant challenges for insurance carriers

Provincial insurance regulators look to improve oversight of advisors and MGAs

The ICBC, AMF and ICS are considering key changes to supervisory and oversight rules, CE requirements, use of titles and licensing