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Apr 2013Better options for giving to charity than through your will
For many Canadians, philanthropy is an important part of their legacy—myself included. Unfortunately, when planning how they will give to their preferred charities, many individuals and families do not realize that they can maximize their impact. And the failure to do so means that these well-meaning people are paying needless taxes and are minimizing the amount that they could be giving to the causes closest…
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Apr 2013Big 6 banks in Canada deemed “too big to fail”
Federal regulators have recent deemed Canada’s largest banks “too big to be allowed to fail for the country,” according to a recent article by The Canadian Press. The classification was given based on a framework from the Basel committee on banking oversight, which guides the assessment of Canada’s financial institutions, reported the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OFSI).
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Apr 2013Toronto Art Expo offers exciting finds
One of the most-loved art events in Toronto, the Toronto Art Expo offers guests the opportunity to explore a myriad of captivating works of art. The expo, which attracts art connoisseurs from across the globe, will feature works from over 200 Canadian and international artists and galleries. Several of this year’s “must-see” works include “A Touch of Glass & Stone, Metal & Wood: Sculpture North,”…
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Apr 2013Toronto Silent Film Festival brings silent films to life
The Toronto Silent Film Festival is more than the average trip to the movie theatre: it is a unique, thrilling artistic experience. Each year, the six-day festival shows some of the most outstanding silent films throughout history. At each of these screenings, the films are accompanied by live, improvised music performed by talented musicians. Following the sweeping success of the Oscar-winning silent film The Artist,…
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Mar 2013The Water Czar: R.C. Harris Works for Toronto, 1912-45
March is the last chance to visit this fun exhibit, The Water Czar: R.C. Harris Works for Toronto, 1912-45. The exhibit is open Tuesday-Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the City of Toronto Market Gallery. Admission to the event is free, but donations are suggested. The exhibit follows R. C. Harris’s “unmatched 33-year career as…
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Mar 2013Ratings Cut for Six Canadian Lenders
Moody’s Investors Service has cut the ratings of six Canadian lenders, “due to concerns about rising consumer debt and high housing prices,” according to Yahoo! Finance. Moody’s cut the “Aaa” rating of Toronto-Dominion Bank, which was not expected. Toronto-Dominion, Bank of Nova Scotia, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce, Bank of Montreal, National Bank of Canada, and Caisse Central Desjardins were all downgraded in Moody’s most…
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Mar 2013Toronto Photography Camp
Throughout the month of March, GTA Photography Classes offers Toronto’s Photography Camp 2013 for teens, from 9:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. This is a fun class, particularly for teens that might not have the opportunity to take an art class in school. Every day of camp, students get to shoot in new locations near the GTA studio. Students visit places like Harbourfront, Sugar Beach, Distillery…
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Mar 2013Your RRSP: Surprising truths
Registered Retirement Savings Plans (RRSPs) used to be simple because there were few variations. The days of simply contributing to an RRSP and watching your money grow are over. According to an article in MoneySense, “Things radically changed in 2009” when Tax-Free Savings Accounts (TFSAs) came to be. Some might see that TFSAs are more beneficial for them than the traditional RRSP.
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Feb 2013Many Canadians giving up on retirement savings
A shockingly low number of Canadians place retirement savings as a high priority on their financial planning to-do list, according to a recent article in the Financial Post. In 1957, the Canadian government created the RRSP to supplement the Canada Pension Plan and encourage citizens to save for retirement. However, few take advantage of the fact that they can contribute as much as 18% of…
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Feb 2013Palette of Pop Culture
The Palette of Pop Culture exhibit has been at the Legends Gallery of Fine Art Photography since October 2012, but February is the last month it will be on display! We know that sometimes you learn some event has passed and think, ‘Oh I really wanted to see that!’ Well, here’s your chance! There is no entry fee, and you can buy the photos on…