{"id":2474,"date":"2026-03-30T17:41:45","date_gmt":"2026-03-30T21:41:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/advisor.wellington-altus.ca\/goldsealfinancialgroup\/?p=2474"},"modified":"2026-04-09T17:53:42","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T21:53:42","slug":"march-monthly-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/advisor.wellington-altus.ca\/goldsealfinancialgroup\/march-monthly-review\/","title":{"rendered":"March 2026 Monthly Review"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/p>\n

Gold Seal Monthly Review<\/strong><\/h1>\n

2025 Tax season reminder:<\/strong>\u00a0Final tax slips are not available until\u00a0April 1.<\/u>\u00a0See more information in\u00a0Mallory’s Memo<\/strong>\u00a0below.<\/em><\/p>\n

Geopolitical update: What it means for markets and your portfolio<\/strong><\/h2>\n

There\u2019s been a noticeable shift in tone coming out of the Middle East over the past week. While headlines remain tense and, at times, escalate quickly, the broader pattern suggests we may be moving through a more dynamic phase rather than a simple, one-directional escalation.<\/p>\n

That might seem counterintuitive. Strong language and rapid developments often signal rising risk, but in many cases, this is how complex negotiations unfold in real time. Pressure is applied, reactions follow, and positioning evolves. It\u2019s not always comfortable to watch, but it is a familiar pattern.<\/p>\n

What matters more than the headlines is how key players are actually behaving. Countries in the region, particularly those with the most at stake economically, continue to act cautiously and with a clear focus on stability. Investment commitments remain in place, alliances are holding, and there is still a strong incentive across the region to avoid meaningful disruption to energy markets and global trade.<\/p>\n

At the same time, this situation is not just about military tension. Financial pressure is playing an equally important role. Energy flows, trade channels, and access to global financial systems are all part of the equation. In many ways, these forces will shape the outcome just as much as anything happening on the ground.<\/p>\n

So what does this mean for markets?<\/strong><\/p>\n

When uncertainty rises, markets tend to price in worst-case scenarios. Energy prices can move higher, investors become more defensive, and volatility increases. As we\u2019ve seen recently, those moves can happen quickly in both directions. When conditions stabilize, even modestly, that risk premium can begin to ease, leading to more stable energy pricing, improving confidence, and capital gradually moving back toward growth-oriented investments.<\/p>\n

This is exactly the type of environment we prepare for.<\/em><\/p>\n

Rather than trying to predict how events will unfold, we focus on positioning portfolios so they can navigate a range of outcomes. Over the past several months, that has meant maintaining exposure to areas that tend to benefit from uncertainty, while also ensuring we are ready to participate as conditions improve.<\/p>\n

In practical terms, that balance has served clients well. Our\u00a0Serenity Portfolios<\/em>\u00a0have remained resilient through periods of volatility, while still being positioned to capture upside when markets find their footing. It\u2019s not about making big, reactive moves. It\u2019s about making thoughtful adjustments and staying aligned with long-term objectives.<\/p>\n

We continue to emphasize diversification across asset classes, regions, and strategies, including allocations designed to provide stability when markets are unsettled. At the same time, we remain attentive to opportunities that can emerge as uncertainty begins to fade.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s also worth noting that situations like this rarely resolve in a straight line. There will likely be periods where headlines become more or less concerning. That\u2019s normal. Markets tend to move ahead of the news, not in sync with it, which means recoveries often begin before the headlines fully improve.<\/p>\n

Looking forward, the most likely path is not a sudden resolution, but a gradual shift toward a more stable, though still complex, environment. If that continues, we would expect to see less pressure on energy markets, improving investor sentiment, and a broader reallocation of capital toward long-term growth.<\/p>\n

For now, the focus remains the same. Stay disciplined, stay diversified, and avoid reacting to short-term noise. Our role is to ensure your portfolio is positioned not just to withstand uncertainty, but to benefit as clarity returns.<\/p>\n

The quiet end of one of B.C.\u2019s best retirement hacks<\/span><\/h3>\n

For years, B.C.\u2019s\u00a0Property Tax Deferral Program<\/strong>\u00a0was one of the most quietly powerful tools available to retirees. Many financially savvy homeowners used it strategically, not because they couldn\u2019t afford their property taxes, but because the math made sense.<\/p>\n

Historically, the program charged\u00a0simple interest at up to 2% below prime<\/strong>, and importantly, that interest\u00a0did not compound<\/strong>. In practice, that meant homeowners could defer property taxes at extremely attractive rates. In some periods the cost of borrowing through the program was close to\u00a00.5%\u20133%<\/strong>, far lower than most credit lines or mortgages.<\/p>\n

Many retirees realized something interesting: if your portfolio could reasonably earn more than the borrowing cost, it sometimes made financial sense to\u00a0defer the taxes and keep your investments working<\/strong>. That strategy may now be coming to an end.<\/p>\n

Beginning with\u00a02026 tax deferrals<\/strong>, the province has changed the structure of the program dramatically. Instead of simple interest below prime, the new rules apply\u00a0interest at prime plus 2%, compounded monthly<\/strong>.\u00a0That is a very different equation.<\/p>\n

Compound interest means you now pay\u00a0interest on interest<\/strong>, and the rate itself is materially higher than before. In other words, what used to resemble a subsidized government loan now looks much closer to a\u00a0conventional borrowing rate<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

What does this mean in practice?<\/u><\/p>\n

First, existing deferred balances from prior years will\u00a0keep their original terms<\/strong>, which is good news for homeowners who have already been using the program.\u00a0However, new deferrals going forward will accumulate interest much more quickly.<\/p>\n

From a planning perspective, the strategy changes:<\/u><\/p>\n

If you were using the program purely as a financial optimization tool, it may no longer make sense in many cases. The new borrowing cost may be higher than what many retirees are comfortable carrying over long periods.<\/p>\n

On the other hand, the program still serves its original purpose well. For homeowners who are cash-flow constrained but equity rich, it can still provide flexibility and allow people to remain in their homes longer without being forced to sell assets or relocate.<\/p>\n

The key takeaway is simple: a strategy that used to be an easy \u201cyes\u201d now requires a bit more analysis. As always, when government programs change quietly in the background, it is worth revisiting how they fit into your broader financial plan.<\/p>\n

Gold Seal Insights<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Mallory’s Memo: Your 2025 tax Package<\/span><\/h2>\n

\"Mallory\"<\/p>\n

Tax season is here and your 2025 tax documents are available through our secure client portal. To access your Tax Package visit:\u00a0MyPortfolio+<\/a>\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

First-time user? Click \u201cStart here\u201d; Forgot your password? Click \u201cForgotten password?\u201d; Don\u2019t know your User ID? Contact the Gold Seal team<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Once logged in: Open the Documents<\/strong> menu> Select Reports<\/strong>\u00a0to download your\u00a0Tax Package> <\/strong>Select\u00a0Tax Slips<\/strong>\u00a0to download your\u00a0T-slips<\/strong><\/p>\n

Reminder, our tax slips are being issued up until\u00a0April 1 2026.<\/strong> Third-party tax slips, such as those from mutual fund companies, are sent to you directly from those institutions.\u00a0We strongly recommend not submitting your tax return early<\/strong>\u00a0unless you are confident that all slips have been received. Missing documents can result in reassessments and unnecessary delays.<\/p>\n

If you are unsure whether your documents are complete, our team is happy to help.<\/p>\n

Tanya’s Tips: A quick security reminder for clients<\/h2>\n

\"Tanya\"<\/p>\n

We were recently made aware of an attempted phone scam targeting investment clients in Canada. In this case, a caller contacted an individual claiming to represent the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization (CIRO) and asked the client to confirm whether they had accounts at their investment firm.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, the client recognized that something didn\u2019t feel right and ended the call. The incident has since been reported to the appropriate regulatory bodies.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a good reminder that financial fraud attempts continue to evolve, and they often rely on creating urgency or using official-sounding names to gain trust.<\/p>\n

A few important points to keep in mind:<\/p>\n