Recently, we mailed out a copy of our 2024 recap, offering a quick summary and/or, a more detailed overview, for anyone wishing to read a thorough analysis.

 

 

“2024 was a year of strong market returns, driven largely by A.I.-related tech stocks and momentum investing. While equity markets saw impressive gains, underlying risks such as high valuations, persistently high bond yields, and fiscal concerns began to emerge. As we move into 2025, market dynamics are shifting—earnings growth will need to justify current stock prices, interest rate uncertainty remains, and geopolitical factors are beginning to introduce new volatility.”

This newsletter highlights key takeaways from 2024 and outlines our strategic positioning for the year ahead.

 

If you haven’t had a chance to read it, here is the link:

Newsletter – 2024 Recap

 

 

My Independence Secured | My Wealth Secured

(Feature of the Month)

 

   

Take a deep breath.

 

The last few weeks has been very difficult, especially for proud Canadians. 

 

The constant news headlines emanating from our southern neighbour has created tremendous anxiety for many of you as we face situations we never dreamed would happen in our lifetime. In most circumstances we will often say that we have been here before, but in this case, you would have to have been born decades ago. 

 

What we do know is that we have had several substantial corrections over the past 25 years - 1987, the Dot-Com Bubble, the Housing Crisis, and many other less impactful corrections along away. It is in these corrections that you recognize the value of proper portfolio construction and having a plan to fall back on that gives you comfort that you are ok.

 

While it is impossible to predict the future, especially now, we wanted to send this message to let you know that your portfolio is well prepared for whatever might happen, and the past five years of returns has put most of you ahead of plan, so you have a buffer to absorb any potential hiccup.

 

T.A.G. Reading (...and Listening!)

 

 

In this groundbreaking book, renowned global economist David McWilliams unlocks the mysteries and the awesome power of money: what it is, how it works, and why it matters.

 

The story of money is the story of our desires, our genius, and our downfalls. Money is power—and power beguiles. Nothing we’ve invented as a species has defined our own evolution so thoroughly and changed the direction of our planet’s history so dramatically. Money has shaped the very essence of what it means to be human. We can’t hope to understand ourselves without it. And yet despite money’s primacy, most of us don’t truly understand it. As economist David McWilliams states, money is everything. “Money defines the relationship between worker and employer, buyer and seller, merchant and producer. But not only that: it also defines the bond between the governed and the governor, the state and the citizen. Money unlocks pleasure, puts a price on desire, art and creativity. It motivates us to strive, achieve, invent and take risks. Money also brings out humanity’s darker side, invoking greed, envy, hatred, violence and, of course, colonialism.” Money isn’t just paper or coins or virtual currency.

 

Money is humanity.

 

T.A.G. Admin

 

 

**Income Tax Alert – Please read to the end**

 

By now, you would have started to receive your 2024 income tax slips and/or summaries related to your CIBC Wood Gundy accounts.  Hang tight!  This is a general reminder to everyone that you must have ALL of your necessary tax slips before filing your 2024 income tax return.  Please be patient and ensure you have all your slips. Please note that some slips are not sent out until late March.  If you file too early, you may run the risk of needing to re-file with Revenue Canada and paying the associated penalties.  

 

If you still have pending slips by the first week of April, give us a call and we can follow-up on your own personal situation together.

 

The first piece of information you receive will be the CIBC Wood Gundy Tax Package. If you received dividend and/or interest income you will subsequently start to receive T5 slip(s).  If you held any real estate or income trusts in your portfolio, you will receive T3 slip(s). Please ensure all of these, along with any other tax-related slips issued by CIBC Wood Gundy are given to your accountant.

 

FROM CRA: If your investment income is less than $50, you will not receive a T5 slip. This income must still be reported. Please refer to your monthly statements.

 

FEES: If you have a fee-based account, your non-registered fees can be deducted. This fee summary can be found on your Year-end Account report which was included at the back of your December statements. For those who do not receive paper copies, this can be found online.

 

NEW: Realized Gains and Losses T.A.G. Report

 

In the past, we have mailed out summaries of your Realized Gains and Losses. These reports are now available in your annual tax package – T5008. If you still require a copy of the T.A.G report for purchase dates and/or f/x, please let Mara Draper or Maddie Tanzola know and they’ll forward you a copy. 

 

If you, or your accountant, would like more information on your own personal tax information, do not hesitate to call our office at 416 594-7948.