CRA Shut Down: Communicate Proactively Before Long Weekend

Did you know that Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) will be undergoing a digital migration on the September long weekend, starting Friday August 29 at 8:00 p.m. and ending Tuesday at 6:00 am September 2, with the proviso that this possibly could last til September 3? What could go wrong? Plenty.

The Canadian economy has deteriorated in the last six months, according to a press release from the Office of the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO), and growth is expected to be slower than anticipated over the next few years. A weaker economy translates into larger deficits over the medium term than the PBO forecast in April, states the report, which was released November 10.

Those who earn more live longer, the longevity gap between men and women is closing and living close to your kids in retirement may turn out, well, differently than you may think. All of these factors and more will change how you think about retirement planning, according to Dr. Michael Finke, a keynote speaker at the Distinguished Advisors Conference (DAC) in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, last week. But his biggest “aha” moments came from research on the financial literacy of seniors.

Joe Roberts, also known as “The Skid Row CEO,” held the audience at Distinguished Advisor Conference (DAC) rapt with his moving personal story of addiction and recovery. Revealing the power of having difficult conversations with clients, Joe showed how trusted advisors can take their work to another level, especially in making financial plans for those who are vulnerable due to addiction.

Differentiate yourself as an MFA-Succession and Estate Planning Specialist in your community.  The first certificate course in the program, provides students with a solid understanding of the fundamentals of succession planning and how to become a more valuable resource to your clients in assisting them with their business succession planning needs.

Evelyn Jacks, president of Knowledge Bureau, welcomed close to 200 attendees at the 2015 Distinguished Advisor Conference (DAC) on a high note. Her opening session at the 12th annual conference in beautiful Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, was packed with information and opportunities for advisors to seize, particularly in light of the new Liberal government in Ottawa and the significant tax reforms their rise to power will usher in.

One of Canada’s foremost journalists and commentators on public policy shared his insights with attendees on the first day of the 2015 Distinguished Advisor Conference (DAC) in a thought-provoking session in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. Jeffrey Simpson, national affairs columnist for The Globe and Mail, spoke in detail about the age of dis-intermediation and what that means for advisors.