Draft Legislation Released July 23, 2026

While Canadians were enjoying the height of summer 2026, Finance Canada released draft legislation for a number of previously announced tax measures including new rules for the disabled, apprentices in the trades, those with automobile benefits, farmers on the prairies and business owners buying assets or remitting GST/HST. A consultation has been issued on the proposed new rules, which must be emailed to the department by September 4.  There are some important changes, some summarized below, which will also be covered in the September 23 CE Summit.

The latest numbers from Statistics Canada report a decrease in the number of regular Employment Insurance (EI) beneficiaries, supporting the overall strength of the Canadian economy, reported yesterday by the Finance Minister.

The federal government has recently back-tracked on their plan to limit access to the capital gains deduction available to shareholders in a family business corporation, and that’s a very good thing, as the proposals would have cost family businesses a lot of money.

The world has changed dramatically over the last couple of decades—and that requires that tax and financial advisors adapt their strategies for pre-retirees. Recognizing the current economic and societal changes drivers, it appears that  debt management, and debt reduction strategies at various life stages, require more attention. This will be a key planning theme at Knowledge Bureau’s upcoming CE Summits.

The legalization of Marijuana is coming  in time for Canada’s next birthday party, reflecting new government priorities, and unique societal trends.  This indeed will impact the work tax and financial advisors do. Your clients may or may not want to talk to you about this.  Yet, insurance and financial advisors need to understand the financial implications of this major change in Canada.  This year’s Distinguished Advisor Conference will help prepare for the issues you need to discuss in a world filled with disruption — including the legalization of marijuana.

As Shakespeare said in Twelfth Night, “Some are born great, some achieve greatness, and others have greatness thrust upon them.” In establishing your new value proposition and leadership challenges in a growing business climate, which of these applies to your great potential?

The Finance Department backtracked on a few of their controversial tax reforms for private corporations this week, adding a tax cut of $2.9 Billion over the next five years to douse the flames of discontent. However, family businesses will continue to face tax risk and uncertainty due to a “reasonableness” test – albeit a simplified one – that will limit income sprinkling to contributors of labor, risk or capital in the business.