Everyone is thinking it:

“What will the second Trump presidency mean?”

It does not matter if you are pro-Trump or negative about Trump, the questions remain about how his presidency will impact so many aspects of our lives here in Canada. What will it mean for business?  For investing? For job security, property prices, the Canadian dollar…the list goes on.

To answer these questions, I think about a home built in Canada.  A home in Canada is built for the climate:  sometimes cold, sometimes hot…it has to be ready for whatever weather comes. Here at Ardill Group, our way of building is to ensure our clients have a robust portfolio that (as our brand foundation says) aims to provide respectable returns regardless of market outcomes.

Here are three ways you can put a solid foundation in place:

1
Keep some powder dry.  If you are investing in or intend to travel in the United States, or are buying from US suppliers for your business, make sure you have an adequate supply of both Canadian and US currencies on hand.  There are more headwinds for the Canadian dollar ahead.  Having a currency mix that includes adequate greenbacks will not disappoint you in this economic climate.

2
Spread around your risk by spreading around your portfolio.  You may like Canadian banks, for example, and with good reason.  But if you are concentrated too heavily in Canadian banks or other Canadian equities, you compromise your ability to de-risk our domestic economic and currency challenges.

To mention just one benefit of owning a balanced portfolio that includes sufficient US (and international) holdings, consider that as our dollar drops, a US stock that you own in Canadian dollars actually goes up in value (because the US dollar is now worth more compared to the Loonie).

As another example of the virtues of diversification, note that just because the Canadian economy might go into recession, it does not necessarily mean there will be a global recession.  Thus, US and international stock prices may be relatively more attractive than Canadian holdings.

3
Take a deep breath.  Could a Trump presidency cause Canada short-term pain?  Yes.  Tariffs and a recession are possible.  But long-term, we are going to be fine. Our economy is resilient.  We will figure out how to adapt, backed up by exports that the United States is in great need of, including oil and gas, precious metals, uranium, machinery and equipment, agricultural products, lumber, and much more.

I will add a fourth:  call us, anytime you want to discuss. Our door is always open.

Ian Ardill, B.A., M.T.S.
Wealth Advisor
CEO, Ardill Group

Direct: 1 905 769 2004
Office: 1 905 907 7000
ian@ardillgroup.com

The post Three Things You Should Do Regarding Trump first appeared on Ardill Group.

By Ian Ardill

Looking for an exotic investment opportunity?

Then this isn’t for you.

Avenue Living REIT* has a simple investing thesis:  Investing in the everyday.

It’s not exotic.  Instead, it’s workforce housing, it’s farmland space.  And it works!

They manage more than $6.5-billion in total assets. Their core product, multifamily rental real estate, makes up $4-billion of that – and that’s the investment opportunity we focus on in this new episode of Money Match!

I speak with Gabriel Millard, Managing Partner, Equity Capital Markets, Avenue Living.  We’ve been working with Avenue Living since 2018, admire their growth since then, and greatly value our relationship with them.

Check out the interview – and let me know if you would like to discuss further.

Ian Ardill, B.A., M.T.S.
Wealth Advisor
CEO, Ardill Group

Direct: 1 905 769 2004
Office: 1 905 907 7000
ian@ardillgroup.com

*See fact sheet: “Avenue Living Real Estate Core Trust – Fund Fact Sheet – December 2024 – Class D.”

The post This is not exotic first appeared on Ardill Group.

By Ian Ardill

“Ardill Group just led us in the proper direction.  Russ does ortho and that’s what he should be doing, not worrying about where to invest money. That’s Ian’s job, and he does that very well.”

That’s what Carol Farquhar was kind enough to say about us.  She and her husband Russ (retired orthodontist and owner of several practices) are long-time clients.  They are a lovely couple, married for 35 years, with four children and six grandchildren.

We are thrilled that they did this video for us.  Give it a watch and learn about their unique journey, and how we helped them (we “held their hand,” as Carol puts it) as they entered retirement.

Thank you so much, Russ and Carol!

Ian Ardill, B.A., M.T.S.
Wealth Advisor
CEO, Ardill Group

Direct: 1 905 769 2004
Office: 1 905 907 7000
ian@ardillgroup.com

Disclaimer:  This testimonial is from an existing client in their words and was provided at our request, and may not reflect the experience of all clients. Recorded June 27, 2024.

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It’s contribution time!  Reach out for support in making contributions.

The deadline for making your 2024 RRSP contribution is March 3rd.  The limit for 2025 is 18% of the “earned income” reported on your tax return in the previous year, up to a maximum of $32,490.  For 2024, the limit was $31,560.

The contribution limit for TFSAs in 2025 is $7,000, same as in 2024.  Your total contribution room, if you have not contributed since inception of the TFSA in 2009, is $102,000, all of which grows tax-free.

Ian Ardill, B.A., M.T.S.
Wealth Advisor
CEO, Ardill Group

Direct: 1 905 769 2004
Office: 1 905 907 7000
ian@ardillgroup.com

The post It’s time: RRSPs and TFSAs first appeared on Ardill Group.

I have a confession to make: I can’t delete people from my phone contacts, even if they’ve passed away. It feels like losing them all over again. But those names also serve as a powerful reminder – a reminder to make sure my own affairs are in order. And a big part of that is life insurance. Let me tell you about two families I knew, and how life insurance played a very different role in each of their stories.

The Prepared Family

In the first family, the father tragically passed away in an accident, leaving behind a capable spouse and two children. Thankfully, they had laid a solid financial foundation, with a key component being a whole life insurance policy. This wasn’t just any policy but one specifically tailored to their needs.

When the father passed, the life insurance provided a tax-free cash injection into the estate. This gave the surviving family time and flexibility. They could take their time selling the family business at a higher price instead of being forced to sell in a panic. Their lifestyle wasn’t disrupted, and their financial challenges were minimal. They could focus on grieving without the added burden of financial stress. The life insurance gave them options and power—two things every family needs during tough times.

The Unprepared Family

Contrast this with another family I know.  They chose not to engage with life insurance as a financial tool. When the husband – a friend of mine – passed away, the estate faced significant challenges. While there were assets, liquidity was an issue. Freeing up cash took time, and decisions were made under emotional stress. The result? A shrinking estate, compounded by legal and accounting complications, along with pressure from the CRA.

This scenario was completely avoidable with proper planning. Why put your loved ones through unnecessary hardship when a life insurance policy could provide the cushion they need?

Why Life Insurance?

Life insurance isn’t always a popular topic. Opinions range from “it’s a rip-off” to “it’s the most valuable estate planning tool.” The truth? It can be complex, but it’s one of the most important decisions you’ll make. With over 50 design options available, each policy should be customized to fit your unique situation. A skilled advisor can help create a plan that offers flexibility and security for the rest of your life.

Most national accounting firms endorse life insurance as an important planning tool. This widespread support highlights its value in building and preserving wealth across generations.

Here’s a quick comparison to highlight the benefits of a whole life policy versus simply investing the money:

The Bigger Picture

As we age, many of us feel like we’re fighting an uphill battle against taxes and fees. It’s true: without careful planning, our wealth can be chipped away, leaving less for future generations. But there’s a solution. Wealthy families like the Rothschilds have long used life insurance to secure their legacy. By purchasing large policies on family members, they ensure wealth continues to grow and support their descendants.

Life insurance is a beautiful thing when used wisely. It provides security, flexibility, and peace of mind—not just for you, but for your loved ones. If you haven’t already explored its potential, now is the time.

Thanks for reading.  I’d love to hear your thoughts or answer any questions you might have.

Sincerely,

John Ardill
Founder and Mentor
Ardill Group

Direct: 1 416 400 5882
Office: 1 905 907 7000
john@ardillgroup.com

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