Thoughtful tax planning is one way to save some cash.

“With a little preparation, Canadians can keep more of their hard-earned money in their pockets this tax season. By adopting a few key strategies, you can take advantage of opportunities to significantly save at a time when every little bit counts,” said Christine Van Cauwenberghe, head of financial planning at IG Wealth Management.

Below are four strategies to help you save money this tax season.

Know your personal tax information

It’s important to know what options are available based on your past tax filings. Check the Notice of Assessment (NOA) sent to you last tax year by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) or access it through your My Account information on the CRA website. My Account can go even further, helping to ensure you’re not missing out on deductions or any carry forward information like any losses, and you can even arrange for direct deposit of any tax refund.

Make sure you have all your tax slips

The failure to include an income amount on your tax return can result in a penalty. The exact penalty is a complex calculation but note that you should ensure you have all your tax slips (T4, T4A, T4RSP, T5008, etc.) and that you include all of them on your tax return. Any missed slip could mean a financial penalty.

Don’t forget to organize your tax receipts

Ensure you have all your tax receipts related to any tax deduction or credit claim. Receipts for any childcare expenses, medical expenses, charitable donations or other claims can minimize the taxes you pay.

Meet with a financial advisor

From maximizing your tax credits and deductions to staying on top of important deadlines and dates during the year, a financial advisor can suggest the best options for your unique circumstances to help save you money at tax time.

Find more information on financial planning during tax season at ig.ca or speak with an advisor.

(Source : News Canada)

L’article Why it pays to plan for tax season est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Since the beginning of the current campaign, 9,603 volunteers have helped Nez rouge to carry out 10,503 rides.

The Laval – Basses Laurentides region had 291 rides this weekend, registering 152 on Friday and 139 on Saturday.

The Quebec – Lévis region is the region that requested the most rides, with 502, including 295 on Friday. The region also had 118 rides on Thursday, for a total of 620 in three days.

Reminder

The service will be available until Saturday, Dec. 31, from 8 p.m. to 3 a.m.

It’s now been 27 years for the organization Opération Nez rouge Laval – Basses Laurentides, which exists since 1986.

Opération Nez rouge is a non-profit organization, whose goal is to educate the population to adopt better behaviors, i.e. to avoid driving while impaired.

L’article Nez rouge: Rides Increasing This Weekend est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

He mentioned that the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which mainly affects young children, had already peaked a few days ago, and that its circulation is decreasing. The effect of that slowdown should be reflected in pediatric care units in the coming weeks. On the other side, the influenza’s peak has still not arrived.

“It’s a virus in strong progression,” Boileau said. “All indicators of the flu season started much faster than usual. There’s high activity, and it’s on its way to even higher.”

He added that December is likely to be tough on that side, and he expects a peak by the end of 2022.

It’s a similar case for the COVID-19 situation, which is gaining momentum again in Quebec. That is largely due to the increased presence of the BQ.1 and BQ.1.1 variants, which have become the dominant strains in the province.

No Measure for Now

Despite the difficult month that awaits Quebecers, Boileau confirmed he will not issue new recommendations for health measures.

He still invites all citizens to get a dose of vaccine against the various viruses, including the influenza, which was made available free of charge to the entire population a little over a week ago.

That’s particularly recommended for people aged 60 and over, pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses, and parents of children under six months.

Among the other possible actions, Boileau noted the fact of staying at home when flu symptoms are appearing, wearing a mask in busy environments, and limiting the exposure of young children by reducing outings and visits.

As for the mask in schools, he doesn’t believe it’s necessary to force everyone to wear it. However, he recommends it for all those wishing to do so, as well as students and staff members with symptoms, such as a sore throat or cough.

translated by Alec Brideau

L’article Influenza and COVID-19: Possible Peak in December est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

“With a third consecutive winter under the influence of La Niña, in the Pacific Ocean, and the presence of the polar vortex, Canadians can expect cold and active weather for the start of the winter season,” said by press release Chris Scott, MeteoMedia’s chief meteorologist.

“Unlike recent years, winter is off to a strong start in Quebec,” added André Monette, head of meteorology at MeteoMedia, in that same press release. “Several regions already have a good snow covering, and it will continue to grow. Due to the active corridor present in the Saint-Laurent valley, several storms are expected. The abundance of snow is expected in Quebec this winter, which is excellent news for enjoying outdoor activities.”

Quebec and Ontario

Winter conditions arrived quickly this year, compared to recent winters, where there was sometimes no snow on Christmas Day.

“The polar vortex will be more in the centre of the country, keeping the coldest anomalies far from the two provinces,” the press release specified. “Some incursions of arctic air are still to be expected. With a mild anomaly present on the American east coast, Quebec and eastern Ontario will find themselves in the axis of an active corridor.”

Elsewhere in Canada

The Prairies will be entitled to below normal temperatures with the repeated presence of the polar vortex. For the Atlantic provinces, they will be favoured by a pronounced mildness, thanks to the abnormally mild temperatures of the Atlantic Ocean.

In the Rockies, more storms and snow are expected. Therefore, that will help the sector’s outdoor activities. (A.B.)

L’article A Tough Winter to Come est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

“Quebecers agree that Legault’s government must focus on the real problems of the province’s health system,” said CDVQ spokesperson Valérie Gallant. “The irony is that if provincial regulators accepted vaping as a tool, there would be public health benefits. We visited cities and towns in Ontario and Quebec to educate, empower and engage. The results are unanimous: let’s save our flavours.”

In a new survey by the CDVQ and Rights4Vapers, when asked to prioritize 10 different issues affecting the province’s healthcare system, one in three Quebec residents (33 per cent) ranked access to health services as their highest priority, compared to one per cent who ranked nicotine use by minors as their highest priority. One in three (34 per cent) ranked underage nicotine use as the lowest priority.

“Flavours are essential for adult smokers,” Gallant said. “It’s dissociating vaping from smoking. We want everyone to understand that flavours are fundamental to making vaping an effective tobacco harm reduction tool.”

Despite constant threats of flavour bans, nicotine restrictions and tax increases, as well as a persistent misinformation campaign, Canadian adults who are smoking aren’t getting discouraged in their fight to keep vaping products available, accessible and affordable from coast to coast.

“Our survey revealed that Quebecers consider vaping to be a significantly less harmful alternative to smoking,” said Maria Papaioannoy, spokesperson for Rights4Vapers, one of Canada’s vaping rights organizations. “The problem’s that we have governments, and other publicly funded organizations, that continue to put obstacles in the way, and spread inaccurate information about the harm reduction capacity of vaping.”

Opinions and attitudes of Quebecers toward vaping are supported by recent academic and scientific studies, which show that vaping is a less harmful alternative than smoking.

Public health authorities around the world have made it clear that vaping can be an effective tool in helping smokers quit. However, that’s if the right regulatory and societal frameworks are in place.

translated by Alec Brideau

L’article A Survey in Favour of Vaping est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

Several internet users on the territory claimed to have felt the tremor. It’s also the case for Montreal residents, as well as those on the north and south shore.

According to the first results of the Institute of Geological Studies of the United States, this earthquake would have reached a magnitude of 3 on the Richter scale. Earthquakes Canada later rated it at a magnitude of 3.7.

“There are no reports of damage, and none would be expected,” we can read on the Government of Canada’s website.

The epicentre of the earthquake was about five kilometers from Bois-des-Filion. It was also 10 kilometers deep.

The last earthquake felt in Quebec was on Aug. 11. It took place 26 kilometers from Hauterive, and had reached a magnitude of 3.5, according to data recorded by the Government of Canada.

Nationwide, the last earthquake was on Nov. 11. It took place 133 kilometers from Fort St. John, in British Columbia, reaching 4.7 on the Richter scale.

translated by Alec Brideau

L’article Earthquake Felt in Laval est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

On Dec. 1, Anglade’s seven years of political involvement will be over when she will also step down as an MP.

On December 1, Ms. Anglade’s seven years of political involvement will be over, when she’ll also step down as deputy.

During the press briefing, the now former liberal leader said to have started a personal reflection following the disappointing results of the last elections.

Why

“The demographic, cultural, socio-economic and ecological issues are too important for the official opposition to tear itself apart,” Anglade told the media. “The QLP must operate a renewal of its political offer, but also of its way of doing politics. We don’t have the luxury of being undermined by internal intrigues that Quebecois have no use for. »

In the last provincial elections, the QLP won the worst universal suffrage in its history, with 14.37 per cent of the vote, being overtaken by Québec Solidaire (QS) and the Parti Québécois (PQ).

A few weeks ago, Anglade expelled deputy Marie-Claude Nichols, elected within the party since 2014, in the wake of the unveiling of her shadow cabinet. That reaction, which several analysts are describing as extreme, is one of the potential reasons behind Anglade’s decision.

Political Life

Anglade made her political debut in 2012, as president of the Coalition avenir Québec (CAQ).

In 2015, she joined the QLP, and was elected as deputy for Saint-Henri–Sainte-Anne on Nov. 9 of the same year.

In January 2016, she was given the functions of Minister of Economy, Science and Innovation, and Minister responsible for the Digital Strategy under Philippe Couillard’s government.

She thus became the first person of Haitian origin to hold a ministerial position in Canada.

On May 11, 2020, Anglade became the first woman to head the QLP, the dominating party of Quebec’s political sphere for 150 years.

translated by Alec Brideau

L’article Dominique Anglade Leaves Politics est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

The Honorable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, presented Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan 2023–2025, which outlines immigration as a strategy aimed at helping companies find workers, and to attract qualified people in key sectors.

Last year, Canada welcomed more than 405,000 newcomers – the most ever in a single year. The Government continues that ambition, by setting itself 465,000 permanent residents in 2023, 485,000 in 2024, and 500,000 in 2025. The plan places greater emphasis on the settlement of newcomers in different regions of the country, including small towns and rural communities.

“Last year, we welcomed the largest number of newcomers in a single year in our history,” said Fraser. “This year’s plan will help businesses find the workers they need, set Canada on a path that supports our long-term success, and enable us to deliver on our key commitments to vulnerable people fleeing violence, war and persecution.”

That plan builds on ongoing work to strengthen the immigration system, and bring the benefits of immigration to communities across the country. That includes supporting the vitality of Francophone communities outside of Quebec. (J.L-B\IJL)

translated by Alec Brideau

L’article An Immigration Plan to Help Grow the Economy est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

More than 1,200 operations were performed during those six days. That resulted in the issuance of 3,500 tickets, of which nearly 500 were issued to pedestrians and cyclists.

Unfortunately, 30 collisions involving pedestrians, and 16 involving cyclists took place during this period.

The interventions carried out by officers aimed, particularly, to raise the awareness of road users, in order to help secure the transport networks. The presence of the patrollers was particularly visible in school zones.

This national operation was organized as part of a partnership between the Association des directeurs de police du Québec, the Sûreté du Québec (SQ), Quebec’s police and the SAAQ. (C.P./IJL)

translated by Alec Brideau

L’article 46 Vehicle Collisions in 6 Days est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.

The closure, scheduled for December 30, can be explained by persistent labour shortage problems.

Claude Brière, Vice President Sales and Development of the business, says Whyte’s has difficulty with the labour shortage since more than two years.

“For the past few years, we’ve been working extremely hard, deploying many resources, some of which are solely dedicated to hiring,” Brière said. “However, we’re unable to fill our vacancies.”

After some time, the business came to the decision to close the factory.

Over the next weeks, the company will move its production and equipment to other factory in Quebec (Saint-Louis de Richelieu), and Ontario (Wallaceburg). However, the company’s headquarters will remain in Quebec, being relocated to the Sainte-Thérèse distribution centre.

The factory has approximately 75 employees. Although the news probably didn’t surprise the majority, Brière specifies that employees were met individually, being offered a transfer to the Saint-Louis de Richelieu factory. He thinks around fifteen of them could accept the transfer.

Brière adds that Whyte’s is sad for its employees.

“We are a family business, and very close to our employees,” he concluded. “Making such decisions, it’s obvious that we find it very sad for them. We’ll wish our employees the best of luck for the future, and will do everything in our power to help them.”

L’article Whyte’s: A Difficult Decision est apparu en premier sur Courrier Laval news.