Jim MacDonald

Bring pensions into public policy debate

(September 17, 2004) The search for solutions to problems plaguing Canada’s pension system was the focus of the 2004 conference of the Association of Canadian Pension Management (ACPM) this week in Vancouver. A number of speakers said establishing pensions as a public policy issue could play an influential role in the search for answers. With […]

By Jim MacDonald |September 17, 2004

4 min read

Industry

Canadian institutional money managers predict reversal of fortune for equities in 2003

GDP growth of 3.0% in Canada and 2.5% globally Interest rates will remain stable at 3.0% for the first six months of the year, but the Bank of Canada is expected to raise rates by a total of 50 basis points by the end of the year. The median forecast for the Canadian dollar was […]

By Jim MacDonald |January 8, 2003

3 min read

Industry

Studies of advisor excellence in January’s

Advisor of the Year profile: Lance Howard puts life into the plan (January 7, 2003) The advisor honour roll for 2002 rings in the New Year in the January edition of Advisor’s Edge magazine. The winning case studies from last year’s recipients of the Advisor of the Year Awards are summarized in this month’s magazine. […]

By Jim MacDonald |January 7, 2003

2 min read

Industry

Ain’t no mountain high enough for advisors climbing Kilimanjaro for charity

(January 3, 2003) It’s not the altitude, it’s the attitude. Several financial advisors from Canada will put their best feet forward — over and over again — to scale one of the world’s great mountains, and also to help grant the wishes of seriously ill children. Twenty-two financial advisors with the Investment Planning Counsel of […]

By Jim MacDonald |January 3, 2003

2 min read

Industry

2002 in review: MFDA begins heavy lifting of compliance and enforcement

(December 31, 2002) After years of preparation, the Mutual Fund Dealers Association got down to the business of regulating dealers in 2002. This was the year the MFDA rolled up its sleeves to commence compliance operations, fielding complaints and enforcing the rules. The MFDA currently has 187 members, and is processing the applications of another […]

By Jim MacDonald |December 31, 2002

3 min read

Industry

2002 in review: Advisors help Canadians make it through the markets

(December 30, 2002) This was a year to go back to the basics as a financial advisor in Canada. Every New Year begins with fresh optimism, a warm glow of confidence. The bearish year of 2001 was rough on investors and advisors, but this year began with a commitment to resilience and patience. Remember? It […]

By Jim MacDonald |December 30, 2002

4 min read

Industry

2002 in review: Advisors help Canadians make it through the markets

By Jim MacDonald |December 30, 2002

4 min read

Industry

Advisors compare and contrast RESPs on Talvest Town Hall

(December 20, 2002) School is out for the holidays but education was on the minds of several financial advisors in Advisor.ca’s online forum this week. The specific topic of class discussion in the Talvest Town Hall was Registered Education Savings Plans. Advisors penned responses to a C.D. Howe Institute report that argued RESPs do little […]

By Jim MacDonald |December 20, 2002

2 min read

Industry

Reform RRSP/RPP system to halt erosion, says C.D. Howe Institute

At a minimum, RRSP contribution limits should be raised to $17,500 for 2003, with full indexing in the future. The current limit is $13,500, or 18% of an individual’s income, whichever is less. Pension accruals under defined benefit RPPs should be substantially increased, in line with the increases in RRSP limits. The annual percentage limit […]

By Jim MacDonald |December 19, 2002

3 min read