Tax-efficient dividend income + MORE Feb 1st

When Vancouver slammed the door on foreign buyers last year there was a great deal of concern that they would simply shift their attention east to another overheated market: Toronto. But a new study suggests Ottawa’s new tougher mortgage rules will have a bigger impact on the Toronto market.
New research by Ipsos Public Affairs found that while some foreign buyers did migrate across the country, fears that it was helping fuel the sizeable price gains in the city are largely unfounded.
.cbR{box-sizing:border-box;display:block;width:100%;margin:1em 0;border:1px solid #bbb;padding:.5em}@media (min-width:480px){.cbR{width:250px;margin:0 0 1em 1em;float:right}}Canadian real estate market outlook 2017 – MoneySense
No surge of foreign buyers
Presenting their findings today at the Toronto Real Estate Board Market Year in Review and Outlook 2017, the research firm says based on its survey of 3,500 realtors operating in the GTA there has been no surge in foreign interest in Toronto. Only 10% of realtors in Toronto received calls from foreign buyers who were previously looking at Vancouver, since that city imposed its strict rules to curb foreign investment…

Q: If I am holding stocks that pay a dividend in a taxable account, would it be better to enrol them into a DRIP program if possible or just collect the dividend?
What is more tax-efficient?
—Nathan
A: When you earn investment income in a non-registered account – outside an RRSP or TFSA – there are tax implications. The tax implications can vary, Nathan, but I’ll try to explain the various rules.
When you own stocks in a taxable account, the tax payable on the dividends will depend upon the type of dividends earned.

Penalty for holding dividend stocks in a TFSA? »

A U.S. or other foreign dividend is taxed at your marginal tax rate, just like your other income, added to your other sources of income and taxed accordingly.
A Canadian dividend receives special tax treatment, due to something called the Dividend Tax Credit (DTC). The federal and provincial governments incentivize Canadians to invest in Canadian stocks by charging a preferential low tax rate on Canadian dividends…

Freshii is counting on growing consumer appetite for healthy food to power an ambitious growth plan that would see the restaurant chain more than triple the number of franchised locations within three years.
The Toronto-based eatery, which specializes in customizable salads, wraps, bowls and smoothies, is aiming to have as many as 840 locations worldwide by the end of 2019. It had 244 restaurants throughout North America, South America and Europe as of Sept. 25.
CEO Matthew Corrin said his company is poised to capitalize as more people embrace the trend towards improving health and wellness, which can include everything from lunching on quinoa bowls to wearing ethical yoga gear.
“Look, I can have a burger with the best of them, but there is a time and place for a splurge,” said the 35-year-old Tuesday following the company’s debut on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
“The reality is that you need to be _ more often than not, more days than not, more meals than not _ you need to be picking better-for-you ingredients, healthier foods to keep you energized and not put you in a food coma…

As Freshii IPO nets $125-million, founder plots future

Analysis shows climate change will have uneven effect on returns, and could be positive in certain scenarios