Wealth Watch

August 2026

 

S&P/TSX COMP	S&P 500	NASDAQ	MSCI EUROPE	NIKKEI 225	RUSSELL 2000
2.39%	2.41%	3.6%	0.62%	3.88%	0.72%

Source: Monthly index performance to August 31, 2026 per yahoo!finance

 

 

Tariffs Set to Rise

 

Talks aimed at preventing another round of U.S. tariffs on Canadian goods broke down late on Friday, August 21. The proposed measures would impose a 50% tariff on roughly 5% of Canada’s exports, after both sides failed to reach agreement on how to avoid the new duties and ease existing tariffs and trade-related frictions. First threatened a month ago on the grounds that Canada was treating U.S. goods less favourably than other imports, many of the disputed Canadian measures were in fact retaliatory responses to U.S. sectoral tariffs imposed in 2025, which Canada maintains violated the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA); CIBC Economics offers its perspective below.

Canada - U.S. Trade Talks Break Down

 

Spotting Financial Fraud

 

Client conversations continue to highlight the growing frequency of fraud attempts by email, text, and phone. A new TD-commissioned survey suggests the threat is increasing, with nearly one-quarter of respondents saying they or a family member fell victim to a financial scam in the past year, despite 89% expressing confidence in their ability to detect fraud. As scammers use AI to make messages and calls more convincing, and losses climbed to $704 million in 2025, the results point to the importance of stronger awareness, safer online habits, and independently verifying suspicious requests.

Spotting Financial Fraud

 

 

Strategic Charitable Giving for Lasting Impact

 

Over the years, our team has helped many clients make their charitable giving more effective and tax-efficient. Charitable giving offers a range of benefits, from the personal satisfaction of supporting communities and helping those in need to valuable tax credits that can reduce taxes during your lifetime and potentially lessen the tax burden on your estate. Whatever your goals, supporting a charity is a deeply personal decision that can create meaningful impact for both the organization you choose and your broader financial plan; this report provides a brief overview of the tax advantages of charitable giving, the different types of charitable gifts, and planned giving options to consider as part of your philanthropic strategy.

 

Charitable Giving

 

 

Smart Tools For Better Gardening

 

Record rainfall has helped produce especially lush lawns and gardens this summer. Whether you have a natural green thumb or are just getting started with gardening, a little guidance can go a long way in navigating its many nuances. The attached article highlights seven apps that can help even the most novice gardeners grow with greater confidence.

 

7 Best Gardening Apps