Canadians still in the dark about investment fees despite major changes in disclosures + MORE Jan 19th

OTTAWA _ Business associations are warning that substantial tax changes in the U.S. could end up inflicting more damage on the Canadian economy than would the possible termination of the North American Free Trade Agreement.
While NAFTA’s uncertain future remains a top concern for two of the country’s biggest business lobby groups, they say much of their attention these days is also focused on the negatives of the recent U.S. decision to slash corporate taxes to levels comparable to those in Canada.
The warning follows on the heels of the Bank of Canada’s first public estimate on the impact of the U.S. tax changes on the economy north of the border.
This week, the bank predicted NAFTA uncertainty and the tax reforms would encourage firms to divert more of their planned investments from Canada to the U.S., trimming half a percentage point off its Canadian investment projection by the end of next year.
Ministers from Canada, the U.S. and Mexico will gather next week in Montreal for the latest round of NAFTA talks…

Despite the introduction of a new report meant to increase fee transparency, surveys show few Canadians feel they grasp the true cost of financial advice

MARKHAM, Ont. _ GM Canada president Steve Carlisle says it’s important to update NAFTA to reflect changing technology since the original trade deal was signed.
Carlisle says the automaker is cautiously optimistic about the trade talks as he prepared for the official opening of its new 700-employee software development centre north of Toronto.
He says General Motors moved quickly to open a new software centre in Markham, Ont., because it needs to develop more advanced safety features and other technology for GM vehicles.
He said the automaker has been engaged with all levels of government on both sides of the border and its suggestions have been well-received.
Carlisle says GM Canada has been able to push ahead with its growth plans despite the unresolved NAFTA talks, which began last year.
But he says other companies have stalled their investment decisions because of the uncertainty and the sooner there’s an agreement, the better.
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TORONTO _ Falling oil prices and a possible U.S. government shutdown didn’t seem to phase North American markets, as the Toronto stock index and Wall Street capped off the week on a positive note.
The S&P/TSX composite index was up 68.99 points to 16,353.46, with the industrials and financials sectors offsetting energy losses.
In New York, the Dow Jones industrial average was up 53.91 points to 26,071.72. The S&P 500 index was up 12.27 points to 2,810.30 and the Nasdaq composite index was up 40.33 points to 7,336.38.
The Canadian dollar closed at an average trading value of 80.26 cents US, down 0.09 of a U.S. cent.
In commodities, the March crude contract fell 58 cents to US$63.31 per barrel and the February natural gas contract was unchanged at US$3.19 per mmBTU.
The February gold contract was up US$5.90 to US$1,333.10 an ounce and the March copper contract was down one cent to US$3.19 a pound.
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