Harmer Wealth Management I Financial Planning I Insurance I Mortgages

05/13/2026

We spend decades building wealth so we can enjoy the life we've worked for. But none of it matters if our health can't keep up.

Healthcare in Canada is world-class — but it's reactive. You wait until something goes wrong.

What if you didn't have to?

Through our insurance and benefits offerings, Harmer Wealth has partnered with leading private medical providers to give our clients access to a different kind of care. The proactive kind. The kind that looks for what's coming before it arrives.

Who is this for?
🍁 Retirees losing their employer health benefits and wondering "what now?"
🍁 Pre-retirees who want a private layer of care built into their plan
🍁 Business owners and professionals without group coverage
🍁 Families who want faster answers, deeper screening, and continuity of care
🍁 Anyone who values their health the way they value their portfolio

What's included:
🍁 Comprehensive annual health assessments — dozens of screenings and 100+ biomarkers reviewed in a single day, with same-day results and a personalized action plan
🍁 Early detection focus — catching the things that matter (cancer, heart disease, diabetes) before symptoms arrive
🍁 Specialist visits + advanced diagnostics like MRI, CT, and PET scans
🍁 Expert second opinions from internationally renowned physicians — no deductible
🍁 Concierge-style navigation through every appointment and referral
🍁 Worldwide provider choice — apply up to age 75, renewable beyond
🍁 A preferred client rate negotiated exclusively for Harmer Wealth clients

This isn't about replacing OHIP. It's about adding a proactive layer to it — so your health plan finally matches the rest of your financial plan.

Because a strong portfolio means nothing without the health to enjoy it.

Send us a DM with "ACCESS," call 1.800.723.2138, or visit harmerwealth.com to book a complimentary 15-minute conversation. We'll walk you through the program and unlock your preferred Harmer Wealth client pricing.

✉️ [email protected]

05/07/2026

Most incorporated business owners in Canada are sitting on a number their accountant rarely talks about — and it could pay them tax-free. 👇

It's called the Capital Dividend Account (CDA) — and no, it's not a loophole. It's written right into the Income Tax Act.

Here's the part that surprises people:

Not all dollars inside your corporation are taxed the same on the way out to you.

Some can flow to shareholders 100% tax-free — when the structure is right.

So what is the CDA?

Think of it as a notional "tax-free bucket" the CRA lets your private corporation track. It doesn't sit in a bank account. It lives on paper. But when there's a positive balance, your corporation can declare a capital dividend — and that money lands in the shareholder's hands without a single dollar of personal tax.

What can build up CDA balance?

→ The non-taxable half of capital gains
→ Life insurance proceeds (above the policy's ACB) on a corporately-owned policy
→ Capital dividends received from another corporation

Why this matters for business owners:

Most owners default to salary or taxable dividends and stop there. But if your corporation has ever:

• sold an investment at a gain
• sold real estate held inside the corp
• held a corporately-owned life insurance policy
• sold goodwill on the sale of a business

…there may be a CDA balance quietly sitting there — waiting to be used.

Miss it, and those dollars eventually leave the corporation as fully taxable dividends. Use it strategically, and the same dollars come out tax-free.

This is one of the most overlooked tools in Canadian corporate tax planning — and one of the easiest to get wrong if it's filed incorrectly.

If you own an incorporated business, an investment holdco, or a professional corporation, this is worth a 15-minute conversation. We'll tell you what's actually in your CDA — and what it could be worth to your family.

📩 [email protected]
📞 1.800.723.2138
🌐 harmerwealth.com

This post is for educational purposes only and is not tax or legal advice. Speak with a qualified advisor before acting.

05/06/2026

There’s a big difference between getting advice here and there, and having a real plan that grows with you over time.

This testimonial means a great deal to our team because it speaks to exactly what we aim to do every day: help clients connect the dots across their financial life so they can move forward with clarity and confidence.

From student debt, to investing, to buying a first home, to planning for retirement and building long-term wealth — financial decisions rarely happen in isolation. The goal has always been to look at the full picture and help each piece work together.

We’re incredibly grateful for the trust placed in our team over so many important life stages, and for words like these. It’s an honour to be part of that journey.

Thank you for the trust, the kind words, and the opportunity to help build something meaningful.

04/29/2026

I spent the day in Ottawa at Canada Life’s Advisor Roadshow with a great group of investment leaders, portfolio managers, and minds in our industry.

As expected, the major conversations were around AI, gold, Iran, inflation, and interest rates.

Fair enough. Those are the topics most investors are hearing about right now.

AI continues to be one of the more exciting pieces of our future. We are seeing potential applications in biotechnology, new molecule discovery, manufacturing automation, energy grid management, investment modelling, financial planning, and countless other areas.

But the more I learn about AI, the more I come back to the same view I have had for a while.

AI is not replacing the human side of advice. If anything, I believe it gives professionals in many industries more ability to focus on what actually matters.

In finance, health care, planning, and business, that still comes down to the personal relationship. The human connection. Understanding someone’s full picture. Their family, their business, their concerns, their goals, and sometimes simply being able to reassure them when the headlines feel overwhelming.

That part cannot be automated.

On the market side, there is no shortage of noise right now.

Geopolitical tension continues to create volatility. Some days it feels like peace and resolution are a long way off. But my view is that the world’s largest economies still have a strong incentive to find stability. Even the U.S. needs resolution to protect its own economy from burning too hot in the wrong places. Concessions continue to be made, and while nothing is guaranteed, I do believe this can be resolved to the best of everyone’s ability in the near future.

Inflation is the other major concern.

It feels like we just came out of a very hot inflationary period, with central banks around the world raising interest rates to cool things down. We felt that everywhere: mortgages, real estate, business lending, hiring, fuel, groceries, and day-to-day household cash flow.

Now, with oil prices moving higher due to Middle Eastern conflict, it is natural that people are talking about inflation and rates again.

But I think it is important to separate the inflation we saw after COVID from the inflation pressure we are seeing today. COVID created a much stickier inflation problem. Supply chains, labour, stimulus, demand, housing, and consumer behaviour all collided at once.

What we are seeing now has the potential to normalize if conflict settles and energy pressures ease. Not overnight, but over time.

For what it’s worth, central banks are not going to turn around and start hiking rates aggressively without giving the data time to play out.

Gold and precious metals were also a major topic.

I do believe commodities, gold, and hard assets have a place in most portfolios to some degree or another. They can play an important role as a hedge, especially during periods of inflation, uncertainty, or geopolitical stress.

That said, my long-term thesis still leans toward owning strong underlying businesses.

Businesses that provide a real product or service. Businesses with revenue, margins, cash flow, leadership, and the ability to grow value over time.

As a business owner myself, I understand how companies build value, and how that value can ultimately translate into greater value for owners and shareholders.

Gold has had an incredible run. Commodities may continue to matter if deglobalization remains a long-term theme. But for most long-term investors, I still believe the proof is in the pudding when it comes to quality businesses and consistent growth over time.

Not investment advice, just a reflection after a full day of great conversation.

A Bowmanville financial planner reflects on AI, inflation, gold, geopolitical risk and interest rates after Canada Life’s Advisor Roadshow in Ottawa.

04/05/2026

When it comes to healthcare, more Canadians are not just thinking about coverage. They are thinking about access, timing, and options.

That is why we introduced proactive healthcare solutions for our clients and their families.

Depending on the plan, this may include:• second opinions from leading doctors worldwide• access to top international specialists and centres of excellence like Mayo Clinic• comprehensive annual health assessments for those who want to take a proactive approach to their health

For many people, this is not only about themselves. It is about their spouse, their children, and their aging parents.

Better healthcare decisions often start with better access to information, experts, and options.

Advanced and proactive healthcare for you and your loved ones is closer than you think.

Interested in what this could look like for you? Send us a DM, email [email protected], or type PROACTIVE in the comments.

Life, Disability, and Health License Number: 19174841 (Chad Harmer)

03/23/2026

There is really no way around it: what is happening overseas right now is incredibly unnerving. That is true on a human level first, and on a financial level second. I do not think anyone should pretend otherwise.

From an investment perspective though, this is exactly where perspective matters most. BlackRock’s work looking at 68 geopolitical risk events since 1962 found that the average market response to unexpected shocks has historically been relatively modest and short-lived. J.P. Morgan’s work on 36 major geopolitical events found that markets typically underperform in the first three months after an event, but six-month and twelve-month returns were identical to periods without a notable geopolitical event. RBC Wealth Management’s review of 20 major post-World War II military conflicts found the S&P 500 fell about 6% on average from initial shock to trough, and in 19 of the 20 events, it got back to even in roughly 28 days.

And today is already a perfect example of how quickly things can change. On Monday morning, March 23, before the market open, futures tied to the S&P 500 and Dow were up about 1.3%, Nasdaq futures were up 1.2%, and oil dropped sharply after reports of progress in Iran-related talks and a pause in further strikes.

This is why fear-based selling is so dangerous. The headlines get loud, prices move quickly, and people start to feel like they need to do something. But the underlying companies inside diversified portfolios are still producing revenue, earnings, dividends and cash flow. Bonds are still paying interest. The market may reprice fear quickly, but fundamentals do not disappear overnight.

I started my career in 2008, when the S&P 500 ultimately fell 57% from peak to trough during the financial crisis. I watched people sell, lock in losses, and regret it. I also watched people stay disciplined and come out dramatically further ahead over time. History is not a guarantee, but it is a guide, and it has been teaching the same lesson for a very long time.

On the mortgage side, I completely understand why inflation is still a touchy subject, especially for anyone in a variable-rate mortgage after the last several years. The Bank of Canada said on March 18 that the war in the Middle East has increased volatility in energy prices and financial markets, and that higher gasoline prices will push up total inflation in the coming months. Even so, it held the policy rate at 2.25%. The Bank has also been clear that it cannot and should not react to every short-term blip, because rate changes take time to work through the economy.

So no, this does not feel good. But if your financial plan has not changed, your strategy probably should not either. This is a sit-tight moment, not a jump moment. Reacting to short-term fear with long-term money decisions is still fear, even when the headlines feel justified.

We are always here for you.
--Chad Harmer

03/14/2026

To our clients, friends, and community,

A lot of people are feeling a bit whiplashed right now.

Markets are reacting to global headlines. Oil is back in the conversation. Mortgage decisions matter a lot more again. Real estate is shifting in waves.

So what should you be doing right now?

Here’s my honest answer: this is not the time for panic. It is the time for review.

Not every headline deserves a portfolio trade.
Not every rate move deserves a mortgage overhaul.
Not every shift in real estate deserves a rushed decision.

But this is a very good time to review the full picture.

On the investment side, I am still constructive, but selective.

I continue to see real opportunity in clean nuclear energy and power infrastructure because AI and digital growth need reliable energy.

I still like commodities as part of the conversation because inflation has a habit of lingering longer than expected.

I still like health science and biotech because an aging population and improving medical innovation are not temporary stories.

And I remain very interested in AI and cybersecurity, especially where they improve productivity, strengthen operations, and solve real business problems.

On the mortgage side, I think many people should be taking a fresh look right now, especially if they are in a variable-rate mortgage or carrying other variable debt. Rising oil prices can create inflation pressure. At the same time, fixed mortgage rates have become competitive enough that the lock-in conversation deserves a review. Not as a blanket move. As a smart one.

On real estate, I believe this year will move in waves. Early spring still favours sellers in many pockets. Late April into early June could bring a stronger wave of listings, which may create more choice and more negotiating room for move-up buyers and investors.

The bigger point is this:

Investments, planning, mortgages, and real estate are not separate conversations. They are one conversation. Or at least they should be.

If you have been wondering whether it is time to review your plan, your mortgage, your investment mix, or your next move in real estate, the answer is probably yes.

— Chad Harmer

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03/12/2026

Mortgage Rate Update: Should You Lock In or Stay Variable?

If you have a mortgage right now, especially a variable-rate mortgage, this is a good time to pause and take a fresh look at your options.

There is a lot happening in the background of the market, and while not every headline should trigger action, some shifts are worth paying attention to. Right now, two things stand out: rising oil prices and more competitive fixed mortgage rates.

Neither automatically means you should make a change. But they do mean it may be time to review your mortgage strategy and make sure your current structure still fits your goals.

Why oil prices matter to mortgage holders

Oil prices do not just affect what you pay at the pump. They can also influence inflation more broadly.

When oil prices rise, it can create added pressure across the economy, from transportation costs to goods and services. If that pressure becomes more persistent, inflation can remain stickier than many people would like. And when inflation stays elevated, interest rate expectations can shift with it.

That does not mean a major move is guaranteed. It simply means inflation remains something worth watching closely, because it still plays a big role in the broader rate environment.

For mortgage holders, that matters.

Fixed mortgage rates are now worth a serious look

For some time, we have said there are certain fixed-rate levels that are worth considering for a lock-in conversation. We are now seeing fixed rates move back into that range.

If you are in a variable-rate mortgage, this does not automatically mean you should lock in. But it may mean now is the right time to find out what your lender is offering and compare that to your current position.

Sometimes the best decision is to stay exactly where you are. Other times, locking into a fixed rate can provide stability, predictability, and peace of mind. The key is not guessing. The key is understanding your options clearly before the next move is made for you by the market.

Your mortgage is only part of the picture

This is also a smart time to look beyond your mortgage.

If you are carrying other variable debt, whether that is a line of credit, unsecured debt, or other borrowing tied to changing rates, it is worth reviewing what options may be available. In some cases, there may be an opportunity to refinance, restructure, or improve how that debt is organized overall.

That does not always mean taking action right away. But knowing what is possible gives you leverage, clarity, and better decision-making power.

And in this environment, clarity is worth a lot.

Every mortgage strategy should be personal

This is where a lot of people get tripped up. They hear that rates have changed and assume everyone should do the same thing.

That is almost never true.

A mortgage decision should depend on your full picture: your cash flow, your income stability, your tolerance for payment changes, your timeline in the home, and whether flexibility or certainty matters more to you right now.

For one person, locking in may make sense. For another, staying variable may still be the better fit. For someone else, the bigger opportunity may not be the mortgage at all, but a debt restructure that improves monthly cash flow.

Good advice is rarely one-size-fits-all. That is why reviewing your specific scenario matters more than reacting to a headline.

The bottom line

You do not need to panic, and you do not need to rush. But this is a very reasonable time to review your mortgage, understand what fixed options are available, and look at whether any other variable debt should be reworked.

The goal is not to force a move. The goal is to make sure your current setup still makes sense for where rates are today and where your life is headed next.

If you would like to review your mortgage or discuss your options, we would be happy to help. Contact us for a complimentary consultation or email us directly with any questions. We are always here to help bring clarity to your specific scenario.

02/24/2026

Ever wish you could access capital without having to sell investments at the worst possible time?

That’s the idea behind a “family bank” strategy — Canadian version: permanent life insurance that builds cash value over time, paired with proper ownership and beneficiary planning. In the right situation, that value may be accessed through policy loans or collateral lending to create flexibility for opportunities, investing, or business needs.

Important CRA/real-world notes:
• Loans have interest costs
• Interest deductibility depends on how funds are used
• If the policy is surrendered or collapses, taxes can apply
• At death, outstanding loans are typically repaid from the proceeds first

If you’d like us to confirm whether this fits your plan, book a brief, no-obligation consultation at HarmerWealth.com.

Educational only. Not tax or legal advice. Insurance is subject to underwriting and suitability.