Red Ink on the Prairies

A day after Quebec’s Finance Minister Eric Girard brought down a Budget featuring a $6.3 Billion deficit, Saskatchewan’s Finance Minister Jim Reiter tabled his government’s budget on March 19. Next up was Finance Minister Adrian Salas, who tabled the Manitoba Budget on March 24. The common thread: there’s lots of red ink on the Prairies. But that’s where the budget documents differ between Manitoba and Saskatchewan. Here’s the latest tax news and why it matters to the advice you give your clients.

The penalties have been huge on the over 21,000 files CRA has audited from April 2015 to March 2017: over 885 penalties totalling $17 Million were applied on close to $330 Million in unreported income, mostly in the Toronto and Vancouver markets.

As we approach July 1 and the Canada 150 celebrations, most Canadians who were due to receive a tax refund for the 2016 tax year would have received the funds by now. Be sure to suggest to your clients that they give themselves a big Canada Day gift by using those funds to top up their TFSA.

In the months leading up to Canada’s sesquicentennial celebrations, Canadians have been encouraged to get out and explore our great country. And DAC 2017 presents the perfect opportunity for you to head west this November!

“Just because you’re good at what you do doesn’t mean that people are going to want to be on a team with you.” – Marnie McBean

This past spring, we were excited to receive some of the best reviews we’ve ever had for our series of Distinguished Advisor Workshops (DAW). As a result of your great feedback and suggestions, we’re shaking up the Distinguished Advisor Workshops to bring you the new CE Summits! Tell us what you think of our new colours and themes!

There has never been a better time to register for your summertime learning and add to your skillset!  But you’ll need to hurry and register by the Friday, June 30, at noon deadline to avoid the tuition increase on July 1.