Entries by LS Smith & Associates

Manitoba Budget 2026

Manitoba’s 2026 budget proposes removing the provincial sales tax on additional food and beverages at grocery stores, increasing tax credits for renters and homeowners, and investing billions in healthcare and infrastructure. Here is what the changes mean for your household and your business — and when they take effect.

2025 Federal Budget Highlights

The 2025 Federal Budget focuses on stability and long-term growth, with no new broad tax increases. Key updates include GST relief for first-time home buyers, new credits for caregivers, and expanded incentives for clean-tech and manufacturing investment. The budget also clarifies how the 21-year rule applies to trusts and delays the new bare-trust reporting requirements to 2026. Overall, the plan aims to balance fiscal discipline with practical support for Canadians and small businesses.

Estate Planning for Blended Families

Blended families – where two people get married but have children from previous relationships – are becoming more common. On top of the day-to-day challenges of blending a family, new spouses also have to figure out how to plan their estates, so everyone is properly taken care of.

We cover all of the following a blended family must consider while estate planning:
• Sharing the Family Home
• Make the Most of a Registered Retirement Savings Plan
• How to Share Non-Registered Investments and Other Assets
• Why It’s Important to Select a Good Trustee
• The Advantages of Life Insurance for Blended Family Planning