Sharing our thinking

CMG regularly updates our thinking on research, trends, and stories about business families and how best to support them.

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The “long tail” on the Capital Gains increase and its impact on business families

Much has been discussed on the impact of the recent increase to the capital gains inclusion rate, from 50% to 66.6%, effective June 25, 2024. The federal government shared that it designed the increase to extract more tax revenue from ultra-high-net-worth Canadians to pay for its various spending priorities...

Bridging the leading generation to the next:
Overcoming trust barriers for effective communication

We explore bridging the gap between generations in business families, outlining five key steps to ease intergenerational tensions and ensure success...

Why it’s never too early for business families to plan ahead

The tax wake-up call: after the shocking death of their younger brother, Jim Reid and his family are faced with a challenging tax liability issue...

What if you could test drive your estate plan to ensure it really works?

Imagine this scenario. All of the estate documents are prepared. You've got the right people in place to fulfill the key executor and trustee roles. Covered all the bases. Or at least it seems that way. What could possibly go wrong?...

Spousal security, autonomy and independence

For successful business families, the issue of “spousal security” is rarely about money and net worth – and almost always about autonomy and control…

Covering estate taxes with charitable tax credits

As one of Canada’s largest auto parts wholesalers, finding mutual wins had been Nilam Patel operating style with customers for years. But he wanted a different win-win this time. This one involved planning his charitable legacy, while at the same time covering the tax burden on his estate...

Building business capital and access to liquidity when you need it most

Permanent life insurance is more than an estate tax solution for Canada’s business families. It also builds business capital and can be a source of liquidity – in all market conditions, including a global pandemic like the one we’re experiencing...

The power of the 2% solution

A fresh approach for business families to fund their inevitable tax liabilities in a more affordable way…

The liquidity challenge

A case study on how life insurance can play a cost-effective role in estate planning for even the wealthiest of business families – in almost all situations…

Diffusing a ticking time bomb

How an emerging issue – “the liquidity challenge” – is catching many families off guard, and what they can do about it…

How insurance solved Bill Johnson's dilemma

With no obvious family successor to run the business, and none of his children interested, Bill was confused on what to do next. Then came a surprise solution…