10 Second Headlines

Alberta Bitumen Alberta announced that it will commit $1 billion to partial upgrading investments in the province, including $800 million in loan guarantees and $200 million in direct grants. Partial upgrading requires little or… Read More

BC Property Taxes The new annual property tax (the ‘speculator tax’) taking effect fall 2018, appears to be targeting Albertans and absentee home owners who do not pay income tax in B.C., as Whistler,… Read More

Winter rail challenges Increased demand from agriculture and the oil industry, combined with harsh winter conditions, created a rail car shortage, and the worst backlog in grain shipments since 2013. With Alberta pipelines at… Read More

Beautiful BC (except when you die) (Source: Duncan Craig LLP) For estate planning purposes Alberta and B.C. are surprisingly different, for example: A $2 million property would have a probate fee of $525 in… Read More

Canadian tax changes for 2017 The prescribed rate by CRA for loans to spouses is currently at 1%. The rate is expected to increase with the next adjustment on April 1, 2018. Tuition is… Read More

Amazon’s 2nd North American Head Quarters Amazon announced their short list of 20 cities for HQ2, including Toronto. Advantages of Toronto: Toronto has a more open tone on immigration than the U.S. Universal health… Read More

U.S. – Oil & Environment For the first time in 60 years, the U.S. is a net natural gas exporter on an annual basis, averaging 0.4 billion cubic feet per day. U.S. oil output… Read More

Canada The Order of Canada, Canada’s 2nd highest honor, was awarded to three Edmontonians: Eric Schloss, Paul W. Armstrong, and Janine Brodie. Eric Schloss is a dermatologist and pathologist. He has been involved in… Read More

Wishing everyone a Happy Holiday Season! 10 Second Headlines will return on January 5, 2018 Canada Carolyn Graham, CFO of CWB Financial Group was one of Top 100 Canada’s Most Powerful Women Award winners… Read More

Canada Tax proceeds from marijuana sales will be split 25/75, with provinces getting the latter. Manitoba may add its own tax on top to pay for enforcement and other costs. British Columbia is proceeding… Read More