Operations

Brokers apprehensive about Aviva’s direction under new CEO: CU poll

Canadian brokers are playing a game of “wait and see” as they prepare for the arrival of Colm Holmes, Aviva Canada’s new president and CEO, a Canadian Underwriter poll suggests. Aviva Canada announced this month that Greg Somerville is stepping back from his role as president and CEO to become a non-executive director of Aviva […]

By David Gambrill | January 29, 2018

3 min read

Broker loses licence for preferred vendor kickback scheme

A B.C. broker has had his licence cancelled for five years after the provincial broker regulator found that he had participated in a kickback scheme involving a potential preferred vendor for the brokerage. Bhupinder Singh Atwal, assistant vice president at the unidentified brokerage, worked primarily in the new-home warranty division of the brokerage, but was […]

By David Gambrill | January 11, 2018

3 min read

Tax advice to small business: Double down on dividends

Brokers who co-own their businesses with family members should consider paying their children and spouses extra dividends before popping the champagne cork this New Year’s Eve. The federal government plans to expand the tax on split income (TOSI), which currently applies to business owners’ minor children, effective Jan. 1. Finance Minister Bill Morneau released Wednesday […]

By Canadian Underwriter | December 13, 2017

3 min read

Quebec, Airbnb reach agreement to collect lodging tax in the province

MONTREAL – Airbnb and the province of Quebec have announced what is being called a first tourist tax agreement on short-term rentals in Canada. Quebec Tourism Minister Julie Boulet and officials with the Canadian arm of the home-sharing platform made the agreement official today. Beginning Oct. 1, Airbnb will automatically collect and remit a 3.5 […]

By Jason Contant | August 29, 2017

1 min read