Housing Has Become a Financial Stress
Increased interest rates and higher house prices are causing financial stress, writes Peter Watson. The attraction to homeownership remains strong; however, the financial risks are growing. The Bank of Canada predicted that homeowners renewing their mortgage in the next few years will see an increase of 20 to 40 per cent in monthly payments. This […]
Will Canada Adopt a Digital Dollar?
The Bank of Canada is studying the use of a digital dollar, writes Peter Watson. The world is changing. In the past people purchased goods and services with cash and sometimes by cheque. Often writing a cheque was followed by putting it in a stamped envelope and dropping it in the mailbox with the hope […]
Are You at Risk if Your Bank Fails?
Investors are encouraged to manage their investments to be insured with the Canadian Deposit Insurance Corporation, writes Peter Watson. The banks that have failed in the US and Europe recently likely had customers that thought their bank would never go out of business. The reality is this can happen, not likely, but can happen. The […]
Artificial Intelligence Will Eliminate Jobs
Artificial intelligence could cost us our jobs, writes Peter Watson. The question for many is when will artificial intelligence take our job. The world is changing at a pace that none of us could have imagined even months ago. There is risk to us all. This change will affect our ability to earn an income. […]
Working from Home Continues as a Hot Topic
The working from home debate is again a hot topic of discussion, writes Peter Watson. One of the major issues in negotiations of striking public sector workers was the ability to work from home. Working remotely has many advantages for both workers, employers, and our country. Workers can save commuting costs including gas, and perhaps […]
When Will Canada Increase Retirement Age?
Canada will have to make tough decisions that will affect when individuals retire, writes Peter Watson. This could affect everything from Canada Pension Plan, Old Age Security, Registered Retirement Income Fund, and the current age some younger workers are able to retire with pension benefits. We had a recent example of how a population reacts […]
Defence is Important in Hockey and Investing
If you want to win, you have to be good on defence, writes Peter Watson. As the Toronto Maple Leafs head into the Stanley Cup playoffs, we understand they have the firepower to score goals. Keeping the puck out of their net will be the key to victory. Like hockey and the glamour of scoring […]
Federal Budget Outlines Financial and Political Priorities
Federal government outlines priorities in the 2023 budget, writes Peter Watson. This budget is a fiscal and political balancing act between conflicting priorities. There are many worthy causes that require funding, but after pandemic induced spending over the last few years the government must control spending. The liberals have a minority government, so they needed […]
Canada’s Financial “Tug of War”
The Bank of Canada and Canadian Parliament have conflicting strategies to manage our economy, writes Peter Watson. There is a financial tug-of-war that occurs when managing the Canadian economy. Covid invaded North America and economic activity in many areas came to a screeching halt or at least slowed down. We were at a financial breaking […]
Investing for the Long Term Can Bring Success
Two important ingredients to successful investing are patience and taking a long-term perspective, writes Peter Watson. One of the most important attributes to successful investing can be found in what you don’t do. Unfortunately, this flies in the face of how humans are programmed. We are taught from a young age to be proactive. When […]