Setareh Yaghini PFP, Financial Planner, Investment and Retirement planning

09/04/2026

5.5% — The average tariff rate on U.S. imports from Canada, up from ~3%, but still below the average U.S. tariff rate on imports from all countries.
0.4% —Share of Canadian GDP directly exposed to new tariffs. While more than 80% of exports will remain tariff-free under the rules outlined in the Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), the impact on the sectors that have been targeted will be significant.
Many of Canada’s primary agri-food exports, such as grains, oilseeds, major protein and livestock, and processed goods were excluded from the Section 338 list. However, several important sectors: Dairy, Honey, Sugars, Syrups, Horticulture, Botanicals, Essential Oils Alcoholic beverages are impacted.

Digging into what it means for agriculture and autos

03/10/2026

It’s no secret that markets don’t like uncertainty. It’s also no secret that markets have been facing a lot of it lately as a result of the pandemic, inflation fears and more recently, War in the Middle East.
While there’s no way to accurately predict how long uncertainties will persist or how markets will react in the future, it can be helpful to take a look back to gauge how markets have responded to major events in the past. With the help of RBC Global Asset Management (RBC GAM), here we’ll focus on equity market reactions to acts of war and terrorism.
In a recently released commentary, RBC GAM noted that acts of war rarely have large or lasting impacts on markets, though periods of heightened uncertainty are common. The following chart looks at how U.S. equity markets have reacted historically.

08/20/2025

Real estate vs. equities: Which builds more wealth?
Real estate has had an exceptional run over many decades, driven by low interest rates, limited supply and strong demand. But in today’s housing markets, with interest rates up compared to the last 15 years and affordability stretched, future gains may not match the past.
Equities, on the other hand, continue to be powered by earnings, innovation, and global momentum. Yes, market downturns are a normal part of the journey, but for long-term investors, the trend has consistently been upward.

05/09/2025

In the face of uncertainty stirred up by the talk of tariffs, it’s natural to feel uneasy about your finances. Here are some tips to help protect your money and weather change with confidence.