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CUSMA Renewal Deadline Passes: What It Means for Your Wallet

  July 8, 2026 July 1 came and went without a full renewal of the Canada-United States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA). Instead of locking in another 16-year term, the United States chose not to extend the deal in its current form, which means the trade pact now shifts into an annual review process for the next decade. Here's what that actually means for your money. What just happened All three countries had until July 1 to say whether they wanted to renew CUSMA. Because Washington opted against a full renewal, the agreement now gets reviewed annually rather than being locked in for over a decade. Canada's Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc confirmed the three countries agreed to keep talking, with Canada specifically pushing to address sectoral tariffs on steel, aluminum, autos, and lumber. Any of the three countries can still walk away entirely with six months' notice. The good news: most trade stays tariff-free For now, the status quo holds. The bulk of Canadian exports to the U.S....
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Year-End Tax Planning Tips for Canadian Investors

 

                                                          

As the end of the year approaches, it's a good time to review your investment portfolio and see if there are any tax-saving strategies you can implement. Here are some ideas to consider:

- Realize capital losses to offset capital gains. If you have realized capital gains in 2023, you can sell some of your losing investments to generate capital losses that can reduce or eliminate your taxable capital gains. You can also carry back capital losses up to three years or carry them forward indefinitely to offset future capital gains.

- Contribute to your RRSP or TFSA. If you have contribution room in your registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) or tax-free savings account (TFSA), you can make a contribution before the end of the year to boost your savings and reduce your taxes. RRSP contributions are deductible from your income, while TFSA contributions are not taxable and grow tax-free.

- Donate securities to charity. If you have appreciated securities in your portfolio, such as stocks, bonds or mutual funds, you can donate them directly to a registered charity and receive a tax receipt for their fair market value. This way, you can avoid paying capital gains tax on the appreciation and claim a charitable donation credit.

- Swap assets with your spouse. If you and your spouse have different marginal tax rates, you can swap assets that generate income, such as interest, dividends or rent, to lower your overall tax bill. For example, if you are in a higher tax bracket than your spouse, you can transfer some of your income-producing assets to them in exchange for assets that generate capital gains, which are taxed at a lower rate.

- Review your asset allocation and rebalance your portfolio. The end of the year is also a good opportunity to review your asset allocation and make sure it still matches your risk tolerance and investment goals. If some of your assets have performed better or worse than others, you may need to rebalance your portfolio by selling some of the overperforming assets and buying more of the underperforming ones. This can help you maintain a diversified portfolio and reduce your risk exposure.

These are just some of the tax planning ideas that Canadian investors should consider before the year-end. For more personalized advice, consult with a qualified tax professional who can help you optimize your investment strategy and minimize your tax liability.

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