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Independent fee-based advice · GTA

Reduce taxes.
Build wealth.
Retire on your terms.

Financial strategies for business owners and high-income professionals who are tired of paying more tax than necessary.

Book a 15-minute fit call → See pricing & fees
Mike Sukhram, Financial Advisor
Experience25+ years
DesignationsMBA, FMA, PFP, CIM, CEA
Managed portfolio
~1% advisory fee 1.00% under $5M · 0.80% at $5M+ $250K household minimum
Financial plan
$2,999 one-time HST included · Underlying fund MERs apply separately
ApproachIndependent, fee-based
Independent dealer Fee-based, not commission-based You work with Mike directly Based in the GTA
The challenge

You're doing well. Your strategy might not be.

Most financial plans look good on paper. Few actually optimize outcomes.

01

Paying more tax than necessary

Without a proactive tax strategy, you're leaving significant money on the table every year. Tax drag quietly erodes returns.

02

Investments aren't structured properly

Your portfolio might be growing, but is it structured for tax efficiency, income generation, and downside protection?

03

No clear plan for income

You've saved well. But do you know how to convert your wealth into reliable, tax-efficient retirement income for 30+ years?

Our approach

We focus on what actually moves the needle.

Tax efficiency

Corporate and personal tax-efficiency strategies so you keep more of what you earn. We coordinate with your accountant and tax professional to ensure nothing falls through the cracks.

Portfolio structure

Research-informed investment strategies tailored to your risk tolerance, goals, and tax situation. Built for resilience, not chasing returns.

Retirement income strategy

A clear, sustainable plan to turn your assets into reliable income. RRSP, TFSA, corporate accounts, and pension, all sequenced to help improve tax efficiency.

Watch

Reduce taxes. Build wealth. Retire on your terms.

See how we help clients build and protect their wealth in under 3 minutes.

This video is for illustrative purposes only. Not tax, legal, or investment advice. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Mutual funds are not guaranteed and their values change frequently.

Not sure where you stand financially?

Get a free second opinion on your portfolio and tax strategy.

Book a free review →
The process

How it works

A clear process that puts you in control.

1

Review

We analyze your current structure, investments, and tax situation.

2

Identify gaps

We show exactly where you're losing money to taxes or inefficiency.

3

Build strategy

A clear, actionable plan aligned with your goals and timeline.

4

Implement

You stay in control. We execute if and when you choose.

Who we serve

Tailored to your situation.

Business owners

Turn corporate wealth into personal income.

  • Optimize corporate vs. personal withdrawals
  • Reduce passive income tax drag
  • Extract corporate wealth efficiently
  • Build a succession and exit strategy
Professionals & executives

Make your income work harder.

  • Improve after-tax investing outcomes
  • Structure income for long-term growth
  • Build a reliable retirement income plan
  • Protect your family with insurance strategies
Retirees & near-retirees

Turn your savings into reliable income.

  • Tax-efficient withdrawal sequencing
  • RRSP, TFSA, and pension coordination
  • Income that lasts 30+ years
  • Estate and legacy planning
Client stories

Don't take our word for it.

"Mike soon became a valued member of my health team, handling my future financial well-being and allowing me to put a lot of my anxieties to rest. Before long, he became my mother's financial advisor as well. He is now my parents' advisor, and he has helped my sisters out by providing important information when they were planning their financial futures. His expertise is far-reaching and ever-growing. I truly trust and rely on him."
J
Jeanette
Brampton, ON
"We were with another financial company for the better part of 16 years. After some issues and loss of trust, we were advised to speak with Mike. He made us feel more secure and has surpassed our expectations. He has guided us well during and post the 2008 financial crisis. Mike truly takes the time to really know his clients, which gives us every confidence that not just our financial goals are well understood, but also our comfort level."
AS
AS & PS
Brampton, ON
"When Mike became an independent advisor, I just had to move my investment portfolio along with him. He goes above and beyond my expectations. He is very knowledgeable and has extremely good insight into investing. He spends a lot of time comparing results and options, just to make sure that is what I want. He responds very quickly to my inquiries and needs."
AL
Alex L.
Etobicoke, ON

Testimonials are from current clients who were not compensated. These testimonials may not be representative of the experience of other clients and are not indicative of future performance or success. Each client's experience is unique.

Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Mutual funds are not guaranteed and their values change frequently. Please read the prospectus before investing.

Common questions

Before you reach out.

What happens on the call? +
It's a 15-minute fit call. We'll ask about your current situation, your goals, and what's on your mind financially. Think of it as mutual due diligence - you're deciding if we're a fit for you, and we're doing the same.
How do you charge? +
For managed portfolios, an advisory fee of approximately 1% of assets (1.00% below $5M, 0.80% at $5M and above). This covers ongoing portfolio management, financial planning, tax coordination, and regular reviews. A financial plan is included at $250K+ in household assets. For planning only (no investment management), a one-time fee of $2,999 (HST included). Underlying fund management expense ratios (MERs) apply separately to all investments.
Where is my money actually held? +
Your investment funds are held in-trust at Canadian Western Bank in nominee accounts registered and supervised by Carte Wealth Management Inc. Your assets are never held in my personal name, and you can verify your holdings independently at any time through the custodian.
Do I need a minimum to work with you? +
For managed portfolios, we typically work with households that have $250,000 or more in total investable assets. For standalone financial plans ($2,999), there's no asset minimum.
I already have an advisor. Why should I switch? +
Many of our best client relationships started as a second opinion. If your current advisor isn't proactively managing your taxes, communicating regularly, or building a clear retirement income strategy, it's worth a conversation.
What areas do you serve? +
While our office is in Mississauga, we serve clients across the Greater Toronto Area and throughout Canada. We meet in person or virtually, whatever works best for you.

Not sure if we're the right fit?

Book a 15-minute fit call. It's a brief conversation to see if we're a good match - no presentation, no pressure to decide.

Book a 15-minute fit call →
Services

Comprehensive wealth management.

Financial planning, investments, insurance, and estate planning are four parts of one plan. A decision in any one of them changes the other three, so we build and review them together, around your numbers.

Service 01

Financial Planning

A financial plan is more than a retirement projection. Your plan is built from your actual numbers: your income, corporate and personal tax position, business structure, family goals, and risk tolerance, not a template with your name on it.

We use AI-assisted planning software to model the scenarios that matter to you: retire at 60 or 65, salary or dividends, sell the business or keep it, draw from the RRSP or the corporation first. What used to take weeks of spreadsheet work now takes days, which means your plan can be stress-tested against more possibilities and updated whenever your life changes. The modelling is done by software; the judgment is Mike's, and every recommendation is reviewed by him before it reaches you.

The plan is the hub. Your portfolio, your insurance, and your estate structure are each designed to carry out part of it, and when one of them changes, the plan is updated and the other two are checked against it. We work alongside your accountant and legal advisors so nothing is decided in isolation. The result is a plan that actually works, not a binder that sits on a shelf.

For incorporated clients, the plan often calls for structures that go beyond a portfolio: an Individual Pension Plan or Retirement Compensation Arrangement for an owner who has run out of RRSP room, a family trust, a corporate reorganization or estate freeze, a shareholders' agreement, a business valuation ahead of a sale, or a Private Health Services Plan. We arrange these through a specialist partner firm that works with your accountant and lawyer, and we stay responsible for how each piece fits the plan.

  • Retirement income projections and drawdown strategy, modelled year by year to age 90
  • Tax-efficient withdrawal sequencing (RRSP, TFSA, corporate)
  • Corporate vs. personal compensation, with the tax cost of each option side by side
  • Cash flow planning and debt management
  • Individual Pension Plans, RCAs, and family trusts, modelled against the alternatives before you commit
  • Scenario comparisons you can read in a page, not a 60-page binder
01

Who it's for

Business owners approaching retirement, professionals with complex income structures, and anyone who wants a clear, actionable plan instead of a generic projection.

What you receive

A written plan with your base case and the alternatives we modelled, a one-page summary of the decisions and why, and a review each year, or sooner when something changes.

02

Our approach

Research-informed, diversified, and built for resilience rather than for chasing returns. The portfolio takes its instructions from your financial plan, not the other way around.

Who it's for

Households with $250,000 or more to invest across personal and corporate accounts, who want the tax side managed as carefully as the investments.

Service 02

Investment Management

For a business owner or a high-income professional, the question is rarely which fund to buy. It is where each dollar should sit. Money inside a corporation, an RRSP, a TFSA, and a non-registered account is taxed four different ways, and the same portfolio can produce very different after-tax results depending on which account holds what. Passive income in a corporation can even cut into the small business deduction. We decide the asset location before we decide the asset mix.

The portfolio is then built to do a job set by your financial plan: fund a retirement income starting in a specific year, hold a reserve for a tax bill, or grow an estate. It is reviewed alongside the plan, the insurance, and the estate structure, because a change in one, such as an estate freeze or a new policy owned by the corporation, changes what the portfolio needs to do.

As an independent, fee-based advisor with Carte Wealth Management, we select from the full Canadian fund landscape, ETFs, mutual funds, and segregated funds, and are paid by you, not by the fund companies. We do not chase last quarter's winner.

  • Asset location across corporate, RRSP, TFSA, and non-registered accounts to reduce lifetime tax
  • Diversified portfolios built from ETFs, mutual funds, and segregated funds, matched to your risk tolerance and timeline
  • Retirement income drawdown sequenced with your plan: which account pays you first, and in what order
  • Regular monitoring and rebalancing, with a review whenever your plan, insurance, or estate structure changes
  • Approximately 1% advisory fee; underlying fund MERs apply separately
Built for your situation

Two kinds of investor, two different problems.

The same fund can be the right holding in one account and the wrong one in another. Here is how we think about the two situations we see most.

Incorporated business owners

Your corporation is often your largest investment account, and it is taxed unlike any other. Investment income inside the company is taxed at roughly 50% in Ontario until dividends are paid out, and the refund the corporation earns when it does pay them only works if the dividends are planned.

The passive income problem

Once a corporation and its associated companies earn more than $50,000 of passive investment income in a year, the small business deduction starts to shrink, by $5 for every $1 over the line, and disappears entirely at $150,000. An operating company that would otherwise pay the small business rate on its first $500,000 of active income can lose that rate because of how its retained earnings are invested. We measure where you stand against that threshold every year and design the portfolio to manage it: favouring capital growth over interest, timing realized gains, using the capital dividend account, and, where it fits, moving surplus into an Individual Pension Plan or a permanent insurance policy, both of which sit outside the passive income test.

Managed like a pension

Retained earnings that will one day pay your retirement income should be run the way a pension fund runs its assets: against a known set of future withdrawals, with a risk level set by when the money is needed rather than by what the market did last quarter. For owners who have used up RRSP room, an Individual Pension Plan formalizes that, with larger deductible contributions than an RRSP allows and the corporation funding any shortfall.

Coordinated with the estate

Because corporate shares face a deemed disposition at death and a second tax when the company is wound up, the corporate portfolio is built with the exit in mind: what the capital dividend account will hold, whether an estate freeze has moved future growth to the next generation, and how insurance proceeds will fund the final tax bill without a forced sale of investments.

High-income professionals with non-registered portfolios

Once the RRSP and TFSA are full, every additional dollar is invested in a taxable account at the top marginal rate. For a professional earning well into six figures, the tax drag on a non-registered portfolio can be the single largest cost of investing, larger than any fee.

Asset location, not just allocation

Interest income is taxed at the full rate, Canadian dividends and capital gains at roughly half, and the TFSA at zero. So the bonds and GICs belong in the RRSP, the highest growth holdings in the TFSA, and the non-registered account carries the investments that produce capital gains and eligible dividends. The portfolio looks the same in total; the tax bill does not. We also use tax-loss harvesting, corporate class and return-of-capital structures where appropriate, and we defer realizing gains until a lower-income year when the plan allows it.

Coordinated across all three accounts

The RRSP, the TFSA, and the taxable account are managed as one portfolio with one risk level. Contributions, withdrawals, and rebalancing are directed to whichever account produces the best after-tax result, and the retirement drawdown order is set by the plan: which account pays you first in each year, and what that does to OAS clawback and your marginal rate.

Estate planning built in

A non-registered portfolio passes through your will and through probate; an RRSP or TFSA with a named beneficiary does not. The RRSP rolls to a spouse tax-free but is fully taxable as income when the second spouse dies, while the taxable account is deemed sold at death with only the gain taxed, and the spousal rollover can defer that too. We design the drawdown and the beneficiary designations together so the estate pays the least tax and the least probate, and so appreciated securities can be donated rather than sold if giving is part of your plan.

Tax rates and thresholds cited are approximate, apply to Ontario residents, and change with legislation. Strategies depend on your circumstances. Projections are estimates, not guarantees.

Watch

How Your Money Is Managed

A quick look at how we build, monitor, and adjust your portfolio.

This video is for illustrative purposes only. Characters and scenarios are fictional. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Mutual funds are not guaranteed and their values change frequently.

Service 03

Insurance Planning

If you own a business or earn a high income, insurance does two jobs. The first is protection: replacing your income if you cannot work, and keeping your family and your company solvent if you die. The second is tax planning: permanent insurance, especially when owned by your corporation, is one of the few ways to move retained earnings to your heirs without the dividend tax on the way out.

We size the coverage from your actual numbers, the income you would need to replace, the tax your estate would owe, the buy-out your partners would have to fund, and compare the cost against doing nothing. Then we place it through Carte Risk Management Inc. with access to the major Canadian carriers, not a single company's shelf. Because the coverage is sized from the same plan that drives your portfolio and your estate strategy, it is reviewed when they are, and adjusted as the mortgage shrinks, the business grows, or the estate tax estimate changes. You will not be sold coverage you do not need.

Many of the business owners we meet have no health and dental coverage at all, because they left a group plan when they left their employer. We set up health and dental plans for owners, their families, and their staff through Manulife, and for incorporated clients we add a Private Health Services Plan, so eligible medical, dental, and vision costs are paid by the corporation as a deductible expense and received by you tax-free.

  • Term life to cover the mortgage and the years your family depends on your income
  • Disability and critical illness coverage that actually matches a professional's income, not a group plan cap
  • Corporately owned permanent insurance that pays out through the capital dividend account
  • Buy-sell funding and key person coverage for business partners
  • Health and dental plans for owners without group benefits
  • Private Health Services Plans that make medical costs deductible to the corporation
  • Segregated funds that bypass probate and offer creditor protection
03

Who it's for

Incorporated professionals and business owners whose income, estate tax, or partnership would leave a gap if something happened to them, and retirees who want insurance working as an estate tool rather than an expense.

Coverage explained

04

Getting started

Estate planning doesn't have to be complicated. It starts with the same plan and the same numbers as your investments and insurance, so the estate strategy, the portfolio drawdown, and the coverage all point the same way. We coordinate with your lawyer and accountant to put the structures in place.

See how we plan an estate →
Service 04

Estate Planning

Protecting your wealth for the next generation requires more than a will. We help you structure your assets, beneficiaries, and insurance to minimize taxes on transfer and ensure your wishes are carried out exactly as intended.

For business owners, estate planning also means succession planning to ensure your business can transition smoothly while maximizing value and minimizing tax exposure.

  • Beneficiary designation optimization
  • Tax-efficient wealth transfer strategies
  • Business succession planning
  • Wilful.co for wills and powers of attorney (referral arrangement)

Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Past performance is not indicative of future results. Mutual funds are not guaranteed and their values change frequently. Please read the prospectus before investing.

Ready to build a real strategy?

Book a free 15-minute call and find out how we can help with your specific situation.

Book a strategy call →
Plans & pricing

Simple, transparent pricing.

Choose the service level that fits your needs. All plans are administered through Carte Wealth Management Inc.

Most popular

Managed Portfolio

~1% of assets*

Advisory fee · Tiered pricing available

Fees may vary based on account size and services.

We manage your investments and financial plan, supported by a team of specialists across investments, insurance, and banking.

Your plan is monitored and kept on track with regular contact and updates to ensure you meet your goals.

  • Investment management (fee-based model)
  • Financial Plan included for $250k+ household assets
  • Quarterly and annual plan reviews
  • Insurance and estate coordination

*Tiered fee: 1.00% for assets below $5M · 0.80% for portfolios $5M+
Minimum starting asset level: $100K. Underlying fund MERs apply separately.

Book a strategy call →

Financial Plan

$2,999

One-time fee · HST included

A comprehensive financial plan that forecasts your financial life in detail, with recommendations to reduce taxes, improve income, and protect your estate.

  • Retirement income planning
  • Income tax reduction strategies
  • Estate planning strategies
  • Budgeting and cash flow analysis
  • Investment analysis
  • Insurance analysis
  • Multi-year forecasts to age 90

Ad-hoc progress reviews available ($500). Plans include HST. All plans administered through Carte Wealth Management Inc.

Start your plan →

Household refers to individuals who share the same address and include immediate family members such as spouses, parents, and children. It also includes immediate family members at separate addresses and extended family.

Not sure which plan is right?

Book a free 15-minute call and we'll help you figure out the best fit for your situation.

Book a 15-minute fit call →
About

Your finances deserve
a personal touch.

25+ years helping Canadians simplify complex financial decisions and build lasting wealth.

Mike Sukhram, Financial Advisor
Meet your advisor

Mike Sukhram

MBA, FMA®, PFP®, CIM®, CEA | Financial Advisor

Mike's career in finance began in Jamaica, where he served as Treasurer and Accountant for Nestlé Caribbean. That foundation in corporate finance gave him a deep understanding of how money works at every level. After migrating to Canada, he entered the advisory world at Edward Jones during the height of the tech bubble. When the crash came, he was on the front lines helping clients protect what they'd built. That trial by fire shaped his entire philosophy: plan for the worst, position for the best, and never lose sight of the long-term goal.

Over 25 years, Mike has built deep expertise across some of Canada's most respected institutions, including RBC and Manulife Securities, before choosing the independence of Carte Wealth Management Inc. His clients have followed him at every step - a testament to the trust and results he delivers. That independence means his advice isn't tied to any single bank or product shelf. It's built around what's right for you.

Today, Mike collaborates with a trusted network of tax specialists, portfolio managers, and insurance experts to deliver fully customized wealth strategies. Whether you're building wealth, transitioning to retirement, or protecting your estate, he brings the expertise and genuine care to guide you through it.

MBA FMA® PFP® CIM® CEA
From Mike

How I can help you.

The team

Small team. Big expertise.

You deal with people who know you by name, not by account number.

Mike Sukhram

Mike Sukhram

Financial Advisor
FMA®, PFP®, CIM®, CEA
Jorge Ramos

Jorge Ramos

Insurance Planning Consultant
CFP®, TEP, CLU
Our commitment

What you can expect.

Independent advice

Not tied to any bank. We recommend what's right for your situation, sourced from the entire market.

Proactive management

We monitor portfolios regularly and reach out before you need to. You'll never wonder what's happening with your money.

Personal relationship

You deal with Mike directly. Not a call centre, not a junior rep. Your advisor knows your story.

Want to see if we're the right fit?

No pressure. No pitch. Just a conversation about your goals.

Book a 15-minute call →
Free portfolio review

Get a second opinion on your financial plan.

Whether you have a Planswell report, a plan from another advisor, or no plan at all, we'll review your situation and help you understand where you stand and what to do next. Planswell is a third-party financial planning tool. We receive client referrals through a referral arrangement with Planswell.

Book a free review →
Step 01

Review what you have

If you have a Planswell report or a plan from another advisor, we'll walk through it with you and explain what it's telling you.

Step 02

Identify what's missing

Every plan has gaps. Tax strategy, income sequencing, insurance coordination, estate planning - we'll flag what hasn't been addressed yet.

Step 03

Know your options

You'll leave with a clear understanding of your situation. Whether you work with us or not, the review is yours to keep.

A planning tool vs. an ongoing plan

A report is a starting point, not the finish line.

A Planswell report answers "am I on track?" - a useful first question. Here's what a complete plan adds on top.

A planning report
  • ✓ Projects your retirement trajectory
  • ✓ Identifies whether you're on track
  • ✓ Gives you a clear number to aim for
  • ✓ A strong foundation for a conversation
An ongoing plan adds
  • ✓ Tax-efficient withdrawal sequencing
  • ✓ Corporate + personal income coordination
  • ✓ Insurance and estate integration
  • ✓ Ongoing updates as your situation changes
Next steps

How the free review works

1

Book your call

Schedule a free 15-minute call. You'll receive a confirmation and a reminder. No forms to fill out beforehand.

2

Walk through your situation

If you have a report or existing plan, we'll review it together. If not, we'll talk through your goals.

3

Get clarity

Leave with a clear understanding of where you stand and what your options are, whether you work with us or not.

Book your free review →

Don't let a report sit in your inbox.

Find out what your retirement projection is missing. 25+ years of experience. No obligation.

Book a free review →
For existing clients

Forms & Updates

Client forms, the service agreement, and regulatory updates.

Your portfolio

Portfolio & App Access

Log in to MyPortfolio

View your holdings, account balances, and performance reports.

→

MyPortfolio Instructions & App

Step-by-step guide to navigating the platform, plus the mobile app.

Forms & updates

Client Forms

New Client Profile

Complete your new account application and client profile.

→

Client Update Questionnaire

Update your personal information, address, or banking details.

→

Investor Profile Questionnaire

Review or update your risk tolerance and investment objectives.

→
Getting started

Service Engagement

Service Level Agreement

Review service options, pricing, and our commitment to you. Start your engagement with Carte Wealth Management.

→
Regulatory

Regulatory Updates

Trusted Estate Practitioner (TEP) Update

Required disclosure for estate planning designations.

→

Politically Exposed Person (PEP) Update

Required compliance update for PEP status.

→
Stay connected

Latest Updates

Market insights, planning tips, and practice news - straight from Mike.

Follow Mike on LinkedIn

Weekly posts on retirement planning, market commentary, and financial literacy.

→

Need something else? Call us at (647) 800-4820

Questions about your portfolio?

We're here to help. Book a quick check-in or reach out anytime.

Book a check-in →
Get started

Let's talk about
your goals.

Book a free 15-minute strategy call. No commitment, no sales pitch. Just a conversation about where you are and where you want to be.

15

Minutes

Quick, focused conversation. We respect your time.

$0

Zero obligation

No pitch, no pressure. Just honest guidance.

→

Clear next steps

Leave with clarity on where you stand and what to do.

Watch a quick message from Mike about what to expect on your call.

Common questions

Before you book.

What happens on the call? +
It's a 15-minute fit call. We'll ask about your current situation, your goals, and what's on your mind financially. Think of it as mutual due diligence - you're deciding if we're a fit for you, and we're doing the same.
How do you charge? +
For managed portfolios, an advisory fee of approximately 1% of assets (1.00% below $5M, 0.80% at $5M and above). This covers ongoing portfolio management, financial planning, tax coordination, and regular reviews. A financial plan is included at $250K+ in household assets. For planning only (no investment management), a one-time fee of $2,999 (HST included). Underlying fund management expense ratios (MERs) apply separately to all investments.
Where is my money actually held? +
I'm an independent advisor registered with Carte Wealth Management Inc. (CWMI) for mutual funds and ETFs, and Carte Risk Management Inc. (CRMI) for insurance products. Your investment funds are held in-trust at Canadian Western Bank in nominee accounts registered and supervised by CWMI, with B2B Bank Dealer services as an intermediary account structure. Your insurance funds and policies are held directly with the insurance carrier and supervised by CRMI. Your assets are never held in my personal name, which means the security of your holdings doesn't depend on any individual advisor, and you can verify your holdings independently at any time through the custodian.
What happens if something happens to you? +
Because your accounts are held at Carte Wealth Management Inc. - not personally with me - your assets remain secure regardless of what happens to any individual advisor. For business continuity, CWMI will ensure clients are assigned to another advisor should I ever be unable to carry out my duties due to illness or death. You would also always retain the option to move your accounts to another advisor of your choosing.
What's your investment philosophy? +
Diversified, long-term allocations built around your goals - not market timing, not chasing hot funds, not trying to pick winners. We use a mix of ETFs, mutual funds, and segregated funds selected based on independent research and matched to your risk tolerance, tax situation, and time horizon. Portfolios are reviewed regularly and rebalanced as circumstances change.
Are you a fiduciary? +
As a licensed financial advisor registered with Carte Wealth Management Inc., I'm held to "know your client" and suitability standards under Canadian securities regulation, meaning recommendations must be appropriate for your specific situation. The term "fiduciary" has a narrower legal meaning in Canada than in the U.S. and applies in specific circumstances. In practice, my fee-based model aligns my interests with yours: I'm paid by you to give you advice, not by fund companies to sell products.
Do I need a minimum to work with you? +
For managed portfolios, we typically work with households that have $250,000 or more in total investable assets. For standalone financial plans ($2,999), there's no asset minimum.
I already have an advisor. Why should I switch? +
Many of our best client relationships started as a second opinion. If your current advisor isn't proactively managing your taxes, communicating regularly, or building a clear retirement income strategy, it's worth a conversation.
What areas do you serve? +
While our office is in Mississauga, we serve clients across the Greater Toronto Area and throughout Canada. We meet in person or virtually, whatever works best for you.

Prefer to talk by phone?

Call us directly at (647) 800-4820 or book online, whatever's easiest.

Book your call →
Legal

Disclosures

Please reach us at mike.sukhram@cartewm.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

Disclaimers

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses all may be associated with mutual fund investments.

Please read the prospectus and/or fund facts before investing. Mutual funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

Subject to any applicable death and maturity guarantee, any part of the premium or other amount that is allocated to a segregated fund is invested at the risk of the contract holder and may increase or decrease in value according to fluctuations in the market value of the assets in the segregated fund.

A nominee account is one in which an investment is held in trust for an individual by a corporation or entity other than the individual.

A segregated fund policy held within a self-directed plan is one example of investing in a nominee account. A segregated fund held in a nominee account may not offer creditor protection. Please read your Information Folder carefully and seek professional advice before investing.

Commissions, trailing commissions, management fees and expenses may be associated with your insurance contract.

* Mutual funds provided through Carte Wealth Management Inc.
** Insurance products and services provided through Carte Risk Management Inc.
** Banking products & services offered through referral arrangement.

Business Activity Disclosure

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Client Relationship Form

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Client Complaint Handling Procedures

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Client Complaint Information Form

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Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments (OBSI)

If you are not satisfied with the resolution of a complaint, you may contact the Ombudsman for Banking Services and Investments (OBSI). OBSI is an independent and impartial service for resolving disputes between participating firms and their clients.

Visit OBSI →

Toll-free: 1-888-451-4519 | Email: ombudsman@obsi.ca

Legal

Privacy Protection Notice

Carte Wealth Management Inc. has always been committed to protecting the privacy of clients' personal information.

We are pleased to provide you with our Privacy Protection Notice. It describes how we collect, hold, use and when needed, disclose your personal information. We are providing this notice in accordance with the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (Canada) and similar provincial privacy legislation. If you have any questions please contact us using the information provided at the end of this notice.

Client Record and Personal Information

The personal information collected about you for the purposes identified in this Privacy Protection Notice is held in a record called the "client record". The personal information in your client record may include your name, address and telephone number, social insurance number, birth date, driver's license, passport number, income, net worth, account holdings and the name, address and social insurance number of your spouse and beneficiary. Depending on the investment or service you request, additional personal information may be held in your client record. For example, if you have established a pre-authorized payment plan, your financial institution account number is recorded.

Providing Your Information to Carte Wealth Management Inc.

When you completed an application form or otherwise opened an account with Carte Wealth Management Inc., you or your Carte Wealth Management Inc. representative provided us with personal information including, where applicable, personal information concerning your spouse and beneficiary. You may have also provided us with information when you gave instructions to your representative about investments you had made or wished to make. Carte Wealth Management Inc. collects this personal information, holds it in your client record, uses it and when needed, discloses it for the purposes identified in this Privacy Protection Notice.

Collecting, Holding, Using and Disclosing Information

Carte Wealth Management Inc. may collect, hold and use the information in your client record. It may also collect personal information from, and disclose personal information to, third parties for the following purposes:

  • Identifying you and ensuring the accuracy of the information contained in your client record.
  • Establishing and administering your account, determining, maintaining, recording and storing account holdings and transaction information in your client record.
  • Providing you and your representative with investment account statements and other information.
  • Understanding your investment needs and eligibility for products and services and recommending particular products and services to meet your needs.
  • Protecting you, your representative and Carte Wealth Management Inc. against error and fraud.
  • Meeting the legal and regulatory requirements of various statutes including provincial securities legislation and federal money laundering regulations.
  • Verifying information previously given by you with any other organization when necessary.

Your personal information will not be shared with sales representatives of any other company without your consent.

Using Your Social Insurance Number

Carte Wealth Management Inc. is required by law to use your Social Insurance Number to facilitate required tax reporting to the Canada Revenue Agency. It may also provide the number to third parties engaged to provide income tax reports.

Employees and Representatives Who Have Access

Carte Wealth Management Inc. employees and Representatives may have access to your client record provided they have a specific need to know in connection with the purposes identified in this Privacy Protection Notice. Access is permitted only to the extent necessary for such purposes.

Location of Your Client Record

Your client records, in electronic or paper format, are kept at the offices of Carte Wealth Management Inc. and of your representative. Paper records forming part of your client record may also be kept in secure off-site storage. Your client record may be transferred to other locations for disaster recovery purposes.

Right to Access and Rectify Personal Information

Except in limited circumstances prescribed by the Protection of Personal Information and Electronic Documents Act (Canada) and similar provincial privacy protection acts, you are entitled to access, through a written request, the personal information contained in your client record. You may verify this personal information and request that any inaccurate information be corrected. If your concerns have not been resolved to your satisfaction, you can contact Head Office, 425-6755 Mississauga Road, Mississauga, Ontario, L5N 7Y2. You may also send an email to info@cartewm.com.

Changes to Your Personal Information

Please inform Carte Wealth Management Inc. promptly of any change in the personal information that you have previously provided.

Website Analytics

This website uses Google Analytics and Microsoft Clarity to understand how visitors use the site so we can improve it. These tools collect anonymized, aggregated usage data such as pages viewed, approximate location, device and browser type, referral source, and on-site actions, and Microsoft Clarity may record aggregated session interactions such as clicks and scrolling. They do not collect the personal or financial information you provide to us as a client, and they are used only for website measurement. You can opt out of Google Analytics by installing Google's browser opt-out add-on, and most browsers let you block or delete cookies.

Contact Information

Carte Wealth Management Inc. Head Office
Telephone: (905) 891-7171
Toll-Free: 1-866-84-CARTE (22783)
Fax: (905) 238-8197
Email: info@cartewm.com

Information on the Personal Information Protection and Electronic Documents Act (Canada) may be found on the Privacy Commissioner of Canada website: priv.gc.ca

Legal

Conflict of Interest

Our unwavering dedication to maintaining the utmost ethical norms in delivering financial services.

At the core of Carte Wealth Management Inc. lies a fundamental value: "Clients are our foremost priority." This value is the bedrock of our achievements as an investment dealer and resonates across our nationwide team of employees and advisors who unite under a shared purpose.

A central objective is our unwavering dedication to maintaining the utmost ethical norms in delivering financial services and offering investment guidance. We firmly believe that the most effective approach to solidify this dedication is by transparently sharing significant details about potential conflicts of interest that may arise in our interactions with our clients.

Defining Conflict of Interest

There is a possibility that a conflict of interest may arise in connection with the business that CWMI conducts for you. Securities laws of Canada require investment dealers and other advisers to take reasonable steps to identify, disclose and address existing and potential material conflicts that might reasonably arise between you and your Advisor.

CWMI has adopted policies and procedures to assist in identifying, addressing, and minimizing any conflict of interest that CWMI, or its employees or CWMI Advisors may face when working on your behalf.

Every CWMI employee and CWMI Advisor is subject to a code of conduct, which includes policies to address many common types of conflict-of-interest situations. Advisors are required to obtain preapproval related to any outside business activity to ensure that such activities do not create potential conflict of interest or interfere with their ability to service clients.

Avoidance

Avoiding conflicts that are prohibited by law as well as conflicts that cannot effectively be addressed.

Control

Managing acceptable conflicts through means such as physically separating different business functions and limiting the internal exchange of information.

Disclosure

Providing you with information about conflicts so you can assess independently their significance when evaluating our recommendations.

Important Concepts

Related Issuer: A related issuer is a person or company that is related in any way to CWMI, such as when the person or company issuing securities is an influential security holder of CWMI, when CWMI is an influential security holder of the person or company issuing securities, or when CWMI and the person or company issuing securities are a related issuer of the same third person or company.

Connected Issuer: A connected issuer means an issuer or selling security holder distributing securities where the issuer or selling security holder has a relationship with CWMI that may lead a reasonable prospective purchaser to question independence for the purpose of distribution.

Required Disclosure: When CWMI acts as your dealer or advises you with respect to securities issued by CWMI, or by a related issuer, or in the course of distribution by a Connected Issuer, CWMI must disclose the nature and extent of its relationship with the issuer of the securities.

Possible Conflicts and How They Are Managed

ConflictHow It's Addressed
Products and Services
We earn compensation by selling products and services to you.		We will inform you of fees, commissions and other compensation in advance so that you know what you will be paying.
Product Compensation Levels
Different products have differing levels of compensation.		Our compensation is disclosed to you and we offer pricing alternatives intended to reduce the conflicts associated with commission-based pricing.
Internal Incentive Programs
We would like you to use more of our services.		We have policies prohibiting recommendations solely for the purpose of generating revenue without any benefit to you.
Fee and Commission Based Accounts
Our compensation may involve commissions based on sales volume.		We offer fee-based accounts and no-load mutual funds with pricing structures designed to reduce commission incentives.
Referral Arrangements
We may receive referral fees from business partners.		Where we use referral arrangements, we disclose and manage them according to regulatory standards.
Issuer Compensation
We may receive trailer fees on mutual funds from issuers.		We will disclose the situations and type of third-party compensation we may receive. Securities regulations require issuers to provide specific disclosure in offering documents.
Proprietary Trading
We engage in trading securities for our own account.		We maintain information barriers between corporate trading and retail advisory. Client trades are given priority in accordance with industry regulations.
Permitted Personal Investments
Your advisor may make personal investments in product companies.		Such investments must be declared and approved before they are made, and will be disclosed to you in writing.
Third Party Advisor Compensation
Advisors may accept compensation from other firms.		These relationships are subject to regulatory requirements intended to minimize potential conflicts. We have adopted internal policies on privacy and confidentiality of information.
Gifts and Entertainment
Advisors may receive offers of gifts or entertainment.		We have a strict internal policy regarding giving, accepting, and soliciting of gifts and entertainment. All employees must abide by our Code of Business Conduct and Ethics.
Trade Alongside Clients
Advisors may trade the same securities recommended to clients.		We enforce trading restrictions, pre-approve personal trades, and strictly prohibit front-running. Your interests are prioritized above all.
Supervisory Compensation
Supervisory staff may receive performance-based compensation.		We ensure transparent oversight, provide ethics training, and implement rigorous risk mitigation to uphold our commitment to your financial success.

More Information

For further inquiries about this disclosure document, feel free to contact an Investment Advisor or reach out to compliance@cartewm.com.

Canadian Securities Administrators: securities-administrators.ca
CIRO Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization: ciro.ca

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New Client Profile

Complete your new account application and client profile.

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Client Update Questionnaire

Update your personal information, address, or banking details.

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Investor Profile Questionnaire

Review or update your risk tolerance and investment objectives.

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Trusted Estate Practitioner (TEP) Update

Required disclosure for estate planning designations.

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Politically Exposed Person (PEP) Update

Required compliance update for PEP status.

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Service Level Agreement

This agreement confirms the mutual understanding between Main Street Advisor Group Inc. and you, based on the service level chosen. All plans and services are administered through Carte Wealth Management Inc.

Service Options

Managed Portfolio

~1% of assets*
  • Investment Management
  • Financial Plan (for $250k+ managed assets)
  • Quarterly and annual reviews

*1.00% below $5M · 0.80% at $5M+ · $250K household minimum

Financial Plan

$2,999
  • Retirement & tax planning
  • Estate planning strategies
  • Budgeting & cash flow
  • Multi-year forecasts to age 90

HST included · Underlying fund MERs apply separately

Our Commitment to You

Confidentiality: We maintain the confidentiality of all your personal and financial information. Your information will not be disclosed to third parties without your written consent except as required by law.

Independence: We are committed to providing unbiased and objective advice and strive to eliminate or reduce any conflict of interest that may affect our relationship.

Right to terminate: Either party may terminate this engagement with written notice. You will be responsible for fees and expenses incurred up to the date of termination.

Governing Law: This engagement letter is governed by the laws of Ontario, Canada.

Review our Privacy Policy and Conflict of Interest disclosure for more details.

Ready to get started?

To sign the Service Level Agreement, please book your engagement call below.

Book engagement call →
Mike Sukhram

Mike Sukhram

Financial Advisor | Carte Wealth Management Inc.

Main Street Advisor Group | 1000-2680 Skymark Ave, Mississauga, ON L4W 5L6

Retirement Planning

It is never too early to start planning.

Whatever your dreams for retirement, having a strategy in advance will give you the tools to make them a reality.

Income Sources

Where will your retirement income come from?

Analyzing your various sources of income is the first step to being well-prepared for retirement. Government programs provide a foundation, but building additional savings is essential to maintain your lifestyle.

  • Old Age Security (OAS) and Canada Pension Plan (CPP)
  • Employer plans: defined-benefit, defined-contribution, group RRSP
  • Personal savings: RRSP, TFSA, non-registered investments
  • Corporate retained earnings and investment portfolios
70%

The retirement income target

Experts recommend your retirement income be close to 70% of your pre-retirement salary to maintain your standard of living. Government benefits alone typically replace only a fraction of that.

65

The age when all programs unlock

At 65, you qualify for full CPP benefits, OAS, and employer pensions without penalty. Early retirement means reduced benefits, while deferring to 70 increases them significantly.

Timing

The age you want to retire

The amount you need to save depends heavily on when you plan to retire. Retiring early means fewer years of saving and more years of spending. Every decision has trade-offs that need to be modelled.

If you decide to receive CPP before age 65, your benefit is permanently reduced. Conversely, deferring to age 70 increases your monthly payment. We help you model the optimal timing based on your specific situation.

  • Before 60: Possible with employer plans; benefits adjusted downward
  • 60 to 64: CPP available at reduced rate; bridge income may be needed
  • 65 and beyond: Full government benefits; option to defer to age 70
Compound Growth

Starting early is the key to success

You have everything to gain by starting to save as early as possible. Thanks to compound interest, saving consistently from the start of your career helps your money grow exponentially over time. Various factors play in your favour: the longer the time horizon, the more your savings snowball.

Whether you dream of travelling, buying a vacation property, or simply enjoying time with family, we help you build a plan that turns those goals into a realistic, funded strategy.

Book a 15-minute retirement call →

Ready to plan your retirement?

Book a free strategy call to discuss your goals, income sources, and timeline.

Book a strategy call →
Income Protection

Your most valuable asset is your ability to earn a living.

When you protect your income, you protect what matters most. Disability insurance ensures your family can maintain their lifestyle if illness or injury takes you out of the workforce.

The Statistics

What are the odds?

We all like to assume that nothing serious will ever happen to us. But things can happen to anyone, and the statistics tell the real story. If your disability lasts longer than 90 days, the average length will be far longer than you think.

  • A 35-year-old has a 50% chance of a disability lasting 90 days or longer
  • 1 in 4 Canadians will contract heart disease
  • You are more likely to become disabled than to die prematurely
50%

Probability at age 35

A 35-year-old has a 1 in 2 chance of experiencing a disability lasting 90 days or longer before reaching age 65. The financial consequences can be devastating without proper protection.

Financial Impact

How would you replace lost income?

When disability strikes, there is less money coming in and more going out. Your income drops while expenses grow: medical costs, home modifications, and ongoing daily obligations don't stop.

Savings

It takes years to build significant reserves. They could be depleted within months of a disability. Then what?

Group Coverage

Even with group benefits, many plans only replace about half of your net income. Would that be enough?

Spouse or Family

Could one income cover expenses previously covered by two? Consider the emotional and financial burden on your family.

Borrowing

Getting a loan isn't always easy or possible, especially without employment income. How and when could you repay?

CPP Disability Benefit

To qualify, you must sustain a severe and indefinite disability and be unable to work in any occupation. Many applicants never collect a cent.

Individual Disability Insurance

The sensible option that gives you control, peace of mind, and comprehensive protection you and your family deserve.

Protect your most valuable asset.

A free 15-minute call to walk through your income protection options. No obligation, no application.

Book a 15-minute coverage review →
Critical Illness Insurance

Insurance that pays out while you are alive.

If you are diagnosed with a covered critical illness, you receive a tax-free lump-sum payment. How you spend it is entirely up to you.

Coverage

Covered critical illnesses

Critical illness insurance provides a lump-sum benefit if you are diagnosed with one of the covered conditions. The benefit is tax-free and can be used for medical expenses, loss of income, home maintenance, or business continuity.

  • Cancer (life-threatening)
  • Heart attack
  • Stroke (cerebrovascular accident)
  • Coronary artery bypass surgery
  • Aortic surgery
18 - 65

Who it's for

Anyone aged 18 to 65 looking for financial protection against the possibility of a serious illness. Approval is based on a simple signed Health Declaration, with no medical questionnaire or family history required.

How it works

  • Simple signed Health Declaration
  • Return of Premium option available
  • Premiums guaranteed for the first five years
  • Payable until the anniversary following age 75
Benefits

Use the benefit however you choose

Unlike disability insurance which replaces income, critical illness insurance provides a lump-sum payment you can use for any purpose. Common uses include covering medical expenses not covered by provincial health plans, replacing lost income during recovery, maintaining your home and family obligations, and ensuring business continuity.

The financial flexibility of a lump-sum benefit means you can focus on recovery instead of worrying about money.

Protect yourself and your family.

A free 15-minute call to walk through critical illness coverage and what it would cost you. No obligation.

Book a 15-minute coverage review →
Life Insurance

Protection for the people who depend on you.

Life insurance ensures your family's financial security and can also serve as a powerful wealth-building tool.

Temporary

Term Insurance

Term insurance provides coverage for a set time period at a level premium. It is the most affordable way to obtain a large amount of life insurance protection during the years when your financial obligations are highest.

  • 10-Year Term: Lower premiums, renewable every 10 years
  • 20-Year Term: Balanced cost and coverage duration
  • Term to 100: Level premiums for life, no cash value

Best for

Families with a mortgage, young children, or significant financial obligations. Term insurance provides maximum protection at the lowest cost during the years when coverage is most critical.

Best for

Business owners needing corporate-owned insurance, retirees focused on estate preservation, and anyone seeking a tax-advantaged savings strategy alongside life insurance protection.

Permanent

Permanent Insurance

Permanent insurance builds cash values in the policy over time. There are two main types: Whole Life insurance offers guaranteed cash values and potential dividends, while Universal Life insurance offers variable cash values based on the investments within the policy.

You don't have to die to benefit from a permanent policy. Cash values can be accessed during your lifetime as a source of tax-free retirement income, collateral for loans, or emergency funds.

Find the right coverage for your situation.

A free 15-minute call to review how much coverage you need and which type fits. No obligation.

Book a 15-minute coverage review →
Whole Life Insurance

Permanent insurance that accumulates cash values.

A permanent life insurance solution for those looking to create an estate and accumulate cash values that can become a source of tax-free retirement income.

How It Works

Insurance that grows with you

Whole life is a permanent life insurance product that protects your family's financial security while building guaranteed cash values. Whether you're planning your life together, buying a property, starting a business, or planning retirement, whole life insurance provides lasting peace of mind.

Some insurance companies offer permanent participating (PAR) whole life insurance, designed for estate protection or wealth accumulation, with the potential for dividends. You have an opportunity to share in the company's participating profits.

Most popular with

  • Young families looking for affordable, permanent protection and long-term cash values
  • Small business owners who need life insurance and the ability to access cash values early
  • Retirees interested in estate preservation and leaving a legacy

Explore whole life insurance strategies.

High-income earners can save significant amounts of taxes and simultaneously increase their estate value.

Book a 15-minute coverage review →
Estate Planning

The largest tax bill of your life may be the one your estate pays.

For business owners and high-income professionals, death triggers a deemed sale of everything you own, from your RRIF to your corporation's shares, in a single tax year. A well-built estate plan reduces that bill, keeps the estate out of probate where it can, and can leave your family more than you have today.

The Process

Estate planning in three steps

Eventually, we all leave behind assets accumulated over a lifetime. We can't take them with us, but we can leave them to the people and causes we care about. Making an estate plan while you can means your wishes are honoured, not left to the courts. Every plan starts with your actual holdings, ownership, and beneficiary designations, so the numbers reflect your estate and not an average one.

  • Map your estate: a complete inventory of what you own, how it is held, who inherits it, and the tax owing at death
  • Put the right wills and powers of attorney in place, prepared through our specialist partner firm, including separate wills for corporate shares where that reduces probate
  • Model the options: insurance, trusts, freezes, and gifting, each with its tax result before you commit

Designation

Mike Sukhram holds the Certified Executor Advisor (CEA) designation and a Certificate in Estate Planning and Trust Strategy, providing specialized expertise in estate administration and trust planning.

These credentials ensure your estate plan is structured with the same rigour and attention to detail as your investment and tax strategies.

How your plan is built

Modelled on your numbers, not a template.

Your real figures

We start from your statements, corporate financials, existing wills and policies, and beneficiary designations. Nothing is estimated that can be measured.

Every option modelled

Using AI-assisted planning software, we project the final tax return, probate exposure, and what each heir receives under each strategy, then compare them side by side. Changing one assumption, such as the year of a business sale, updates the whole picture.

Reviewed and coordinated

Mike reviews every scenario and recommendation personally, as a Certified Executor Advisor, and works with your lawyer and accountant to put the chosen structure in place. The software informs the plan; it does not make the decisions.

Advanced Strategies

Four questions every estate plan should answer.

Most estates leak value in the same four places. We model each one for your situation and show you, in dollars, what each strategy changes for the people inheriting.

How much will the estate pay in tax?

At death, the CRA treats your RRSP or RRIF as fully withdrawn and every other asset as sold at fair market value, including your home, your rental properties, your non-registered portfolio, and the shares of your corporation. The final return is often the largest you will ever file.

We model that return before it happens. The spousal rollover defers it. The lifetime capital gains exemption on qualifying small business shares can remove a large part of it. An estate freeze locks in today's value so future growth is taxed in your children's hands, on their timeline. Donating appreciated securities, rather than cash, eliminates the gain on what is given. A family trust can hold the growth shares after a freeze so that value, and the exemption, can be spread across family members.

For private company shares there is a second, less known problem: without planning, the same value can be taxed twice, once as a capital gain on death and again as a dividend when the corporation is wound up. Post-mortem planning, arranged in advance with your accountant, prevents that.

How much will go to probate, and how long will it take?

Ontario's estate administration tax is roughly 1.5% of everything that passes through your will, and probate can tie up assets for a year or more. On a $3 million estate that is a $45,000 fee and a long wait for your family.

Much of it is avoidable. Registered accounts, TFSAs, and life insurance with named beneficiaries pass outside the estate. Segregated fund contracts do the same, and pay out in weeks rather than months, with the privacy that a probated will does not offer. For business owners, a separate will covering corporate shares keeps the company out of probate entirely.

Joint ownership is often suggested as a shortcut. It can work, but it can also expose assets to a child's creditors or divorce and create disputes between siblings. We walk through where it fits and where it does not.

Can the estate be larger than it is today?

Yes, and for most of our clients this is where the plan earns its keep. Permanent life insurance converts a stream of premiums into a tax-free lump sum at exactly the moment the estate needs liquidity, whether to pay the final tax bill, equalize between a child who takes over the business and one who does not, or simply leave more.

When the policy is owned by your corporation, the premiums are paid with corporate dollars that have been taxed at the small business rate, and the death benefit flows to your heirs through the capital dividend account, tax-free. For a business owner with retained earnings that would otherwise be taxed at the top rate on the way out, the difference can be substantial.

We model the policy against the alternative of leaving the money invested, so you can see the comparison on your own numbers before you decide.

How does the money get out of the corporation?

Retained earnings inside a holding company are the biggest planning opportunity most business owners have, and the one most often left to the last minute. Every dollar that comes out as a taxable dividend loses roughly 40 to 48 cents at the top Ontario rate. The order and the method matter.

The capital dividend account lets the tax-free half of capital gains, and insurance proceeds, be paid out with no personal tax. Refundable tax accounts recover corporate tax already paid when dividends are declared. Repaying the shareholder loan balance, salary versus dividend timing, and the order in which corporate and registered assets are drawn all change the lifetime tax bill.

For an owner who has used up RRSP room, an Individual Pension Plan or a Retirement Compensation Arrangement moves corporate dollars into a retirement vehicle with a deduction for the corporation, and a Private Health Services Plan does the same for medical costs. We arrange both through a specialist partner firm.

We build the drawdown sequence for your lifetime and for your estate together, because the right answer for one is often wrong for the other.

Strategies described here are general in nature and depend on your circumstances and current tax law. Projections are estimates, not guarantees. Every structure is implemented with your lawyer and accountant. Insurance products are offered through Carte Risk Management Inc.

Find out what your estate would pay today.

A 15-minute call to walk through your situation. If a full estate projection makes sense, we will tell you what it involves and what it costs. No obligation.

Book a strategy call →
Resources

Educational Videos

A library of short videos on investing, tax, insurance, and estate planning. Start with the featured explainers below.

*Mutual Funds and ETFs are provided through Carte Wealth Management Inc. **Insurance products offered through Carte Risk Management Inc. ***Banking services through referral arrangement.

Featured

Strategies for Business Owners & Professionals

Three short explainers on keeping more of what you earn, turning corporate wealth into income, and passing on your estate with certainty.

Reduce Taxes. Build Wealth. Retire on Your Terms.

The overview. The three places wealth quietly leaks, and the levers that close them.

Watch →

Turn Corporate Wealth Into Retirement Income

Salary, dividends, registered room, and the drawdown order that reduces lifetime tax.

Watch →

Keep More of Your Estate

The final tax bill, the estate freeze, the capital gains exemption, and funding it efficiently.

Watch →

For illustrative and educational purposes only. Not tax, legal, or investment advice.

Market Commentary

Market Updates

Handling this Market Volatility

March 11, 2025

Addressing investor concerns amid market uncertainty.

Watch on Vimeo →

Market Opportunity

November 4, 2022

Market opportunities unfolding for long-term investors.

Watch on Vimeo →

Past performance does not guarantee future results. The investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate.

Investment

Investment Strategies

Investment Portfolios

Six investment portfolios to help clients meet their income and growth needs.

Watch on Vimeo →

We are Asset Allocators

Our strategy is to reallocate holdings from positions of weakness to strength using fact-based indicators.

Watch on Vimeo →

Financial Planning

A financial plan provides a strategy to grow wealth, pay less tax, and generate retirement income.

Watch on Vimeo →
Insurance & Business

Insurance & Business Planning

Whole Life Tax Strategy

High-income earners can save significant taxes and increase their estate value with this strategy.

Watch on Vimeo →

Buy / Sell Agreements

Every business owner needs to make arrangements for their share of the business before illness or death.

Watch on Vimeo →

Group Benefits for Small Business

A cost-effective approach to group benefits with an Edge for small businesses.

Watch on Vimeo →

Talking Credit

Managing your credit score and understanding how credit works.

Watch on Vimeo →

T3 Trust Return - A Trustee's Guide

Understanding the T3 trust return filing requirements for trustees.

Watch on Vimeo →

How I Can Help You

My role is to provide strategies and my network of professionals to help you build and maintain your wealth.

Watch on Vimeo →
Tax Planning

Year-End Investor Tax Strategies

1. Make your trades before the deadline

Watch →

2. Trigger accrued losses before year-end

Watch →

3. Treat capital gains appropriately

Watch →

4. Transfer investments to a minor child

Watch →

5. Donate investments to charity

Watch →

6. Contribute to a TFSA

Watch →

7. Contribute to an RDSP

Watch →

Have questions about any of these topics?

Book a free strategy call to discuss your specific situation.

Book a strategy call →
Group Benefits

Group Plans for Small Business.

Health and dental benefits designed for small businesses. Stable, predictable renewals with fully customizable plans through Viver Benefits.

Key Features

Health & Dental Benefits

Attract and retain the right talent for your company with comprehensive group health and dental benefits. Our plans through Viver Benefits offer stability and predictability that small businesses need.

  • Rates guaranteed for 2 years at initial purchase
  • All renewal rates guaranteed for 2 years
  • Stable, predictable renewals
  • Fully customizable plan design

Coverage highlights

  • Single or family coverage up to age 75
  • Life insurance up to $150,000 without medical
  • Critical illness up to $75,000 without medical
  • Drug plan: $5,000 to $10,000 maximums (drug card included)
  • Dental: $1,000 to $2,000 annual (orthodontics available)
  • 19 therapist practitioners, up to $500 each per year
  • Travel: 90 days per trip, unlimited trips, $5M coverage
  • Vision care, eye exams, health spending account

Get a group benefits quote for your business.

Customizable plans with guaranteed rates and stable renewals.

Get a Quote →
First Home Savings Account

The FHSA: Save for your first home, tax-free.

A registered account that combines the best features of an RRSP and a TFSA, specifically designed to help Canadians save for their first home.

How It Works

Tax-deductible in, tax-free out

The First Home Savings Account (FHSA) gives first-time home buyers a tax deduction on contributions (like an RRSP) and tax-free withdrawals for a qualifying home purchase (like a TFSA). It is the most tax-efficient way to save for your first home in Canada.

  • Tax deduction on contributions (reduces your taxable income)
  • Tax-free investment growth inside the account
  • Tax-free withdrawals for a qualifying first home purchase
  • Unused funds can be transferred to your RRSP
$40K

Lifetime contribution limit

Contribute up to $8,000 per year with a $40,000 lifetime maximum. The account must be closed within 15 years of opening or by December 31 of the year you turn 71, whichever comes first.

Eligibility

Who qualifies?

  • Canadian resident
  • At least 18 years of age (or age of majority in your province)
  • First-time home buyer (have not owned a home in the current year or any of the preceding four calendar years)

Ready to start saving for your first home?

Book a call to open an FHSA and start building towards home ownership.

Book a strategy call →
Reference

Glossary

Common terms and definitions used in your investment accounts and statements.

NL/NSC - No Load / No Service Charge

No fee to buy or sell. These funds are held in fee-based accounts, with Fee-For-Service (FFS) based on household portfolio size. The fee is shown on your monthly statement.

FEL/SC - Front End Load / Sales Charge

There is a fee to buy of between 0% to 5% and no fee to sell. A 1.00% ongoing annual trailer fee is paid to the dealer firm. These funds are held in commission-based (regular) accounts where the fees are embedded in the fund's MER and reported at year-end.

LL - Low Load

No fees to buy, but there is a fee to sell within a specific timeframe (typically up to 3 years). A 0.50% annual trailer fee is paid to the dealer firm for the initial three years, then 1% thereafter. The mutual fund company pays the dealer firm 1% to 3% of the initial purchase price up front. Each year, 10% of fund units can be sold free of charge within the maturity schedule.

BEL/DSC - Back End Load / Deferred Sales Charge

No fees to buy, but there is a fee to sell within 7 years. A 0.50% annual trailer fee is paid to the dealer firm. The mutual fund company pays the dealer firm 5% on purchases. Fees decline each year to zero at maturity. Each year, 10% of fund units can be sold free of charge. This fund version is no longer available.

Series F - Fee-Based Fund

Fee-based mutual funds allowed only in fee-based accounts. These are NL/NSC funds. The fund's MER does not include the trailing commission found in the retail version. The trailer fee is replaced by the Fee-For-Service (FFS) fee, which is separately negotiated and shown on your monthly statement.

Series A / Series B - Advisor Series

The retail version of the fund, sold as either FEL/SC or BEL/DSC. Management Expenses and Trading Expenses, along with Trailing Fees, are bundled and charged to the fund before returns are reported.

MER - Management Expense Ratio

The fund's total expenses comprised of investment management fees, operating expenses, and taxes.

Switches

If a fund is sold to buy another fund within the same fund company in a commission-based account, it is termed a switch, and no fees are incurred on either FEL or BEL funds. Switches between BEL maintain the maturity schedule of the original purchase. The dealer firm and the advisor do not earn any commissions or fees on switches.

Fee-Based Account

Accounts that hold only F Series funds and/or Exchange Traded Funds, where the annual trailer fee is negotiated. The fee will vary based on the size of the account.

Commission-Based Accounts

Accounts holding either Series A/B funds and/or Exchange Traded Funds.

Client Held Account

A mutual fund account held directly at a Mutual Fund Company in only their funds.

Dealer Firm

Carte Wealth Management Inc. (CWMI) is responsible for the regulatory supervision of your advisor and the administration/reporting requirements of your accounts.

Nominee Accounts

A trustee account that facilitates holding financial instruments or products from various companies together, unlike separately in a Client Held Account. CWMI provides nominee accounts.

Intermediary

We use B2B Bank Financial for the administration of some nominee accounts where it is more expedient (e.g. transferring from another dealer using B2B Bank Financial or where certain investments such as ETFs cannot be transferred directly into CWMI nominee accounts).

MFD - Mutual Fund

A professionally managed pool of diversified assets. They are used primarily as an active strategy to outperform a reference index.

ETF - Exchange Traded Fund

A pool of assets replicating a reference index. Used primarily as a passive strategy to match a reference index. CWMI charges a $10 fee to buy or sell an ETF (this is not paid to your advisor). The advisor may charge a commission of up to 1% for buying or selling an ETF, as no trailer fees are earned on holding these funds.

Fund Facts

Regulatory documents describing the mutual fund or exchange-traded fund you own. Evidence that you received it is required, and it will be emailed before a transaction is made (if not already on file). A copy will be found in your MyPortfolio Client Centre.

How Your Advisor Is Paid

Fees or commissions are collected by the dealer and/or intermediary firm, which deducts a percentage for operating expenses. Your advisor earns approximately 80% of the gross fees/commissions earned on your account. Your advisor also pays the dealer for administration, regulatory, and insurance expenses.

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