Insights Community Media Contact Login
Alternatives

The Transformation Continues

Read More
Market Views

Risks and Opportunities

Read More
Planning

Simple Tax Strategies for the New Year

Read More

Insights

Insights

Giving you access to exclusive insights and in-depth perspectives from our team of experts.

Market Views

TD slapped with US$3B in penalties, asset cap

Brian Madden, CIO of First Avenue Investment Counsel, breaks down the slump in TD stock as the bank faces billions of dollars in penalties.

Planning

Tax Integration

A fundamental principle of our Canadian tax system is integration. Tax integration is achieved when an individual experiences the same or similar after-tax result no matter the legal vehicle used to generate the income. The intention behind this principle is to eliminate any advantages or disadvantages in taxation between individuals, corporations and trusts.

Alternatives

Enhancing Your Portfolio with Alternatives

Alternative assets, such as real estate, are an important component of our pension-style approach to investing. At First Avenue, we believe in the merits of a well-diversified investment portfolio, inclusive of equities, fixed income, and alternative investments, which seeks to provide you, our valued clients, with attractive risk-adjusted returns over the long term.

Planning

Post-Secondary Students: Tax Planning Tips and Tricks

With so much going on during back-to-school season, tax planning is usually not top of mind for post-secondary students. In fact, many students don’t even file tax returns until they graduate and land their first full-time job. However, the following are several reasons why students should begin filing tax returns when they start their post-secondary career.

Planning

2024 Federal Budget Highlights

On April 16, 2024, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland tabled the federal budget aimed at providing “a fair chance to build a good middle-class life” by focusing on building more affordable housing, introducing programs to cut daily living costs and focusing on economic growth.

Alternatives

Construction Reaching New Heights at Arte Residence in Mississauga

Mississauga II LP, known as Arte, is progressing with impressive momentum as construction continues to advance on schedule. This 18-story building is expected to be structurally complete by Q3 2024, at which point construction and finishings will accelerate. Hear from EMBLEM's Project Manager, Justin Bourne, as he takes you through the achievements on site.

Alternatives

Celebrating the Successful Exit of 1 Jarvis Residence in Hamilton

Building on our reputation of performance through sound execution, we are pleased to announce the successful exit of the Hamilton I LP project (“1 Jarvis”), which held its final closing in April 2024 and delivered the full targeted annual return to First Avenue investors. This milestone marks the 5th successful exit for First Avenue’s alternatives portfolio in less than 18 months.

Alternatives

Milestone Achieved at Arte Residences in Mississauga

We recently celebrated a major achievement at Mississauga II LP, known as Arte. A "Topping Off" event was held to mark the completion of the 18-story structure and to thank the trades and team at EMBLEM for their efforts. With this milestone, Arte is on track to be completed by the end of 2025.

Market Views

Shakeup at TD as CEO retires in April 2025

Brian Madden, CIO of First Avenue Investment Counsel, joins BNN Bloomberg for insight on the shakeup at TD as CEO Bharat Masrani retires in April.

Market Views

S&P/TSX Composite Rises Monday, U.S. Markets Mixed Ahead of Interest Rate Decision

Canada’s main stock index rose Monday on broad-based strength, while U.S. markets were mixed as investors anticipated an interest rate cut later in the week, though the Dow set a new record.

Market Views

How TD's money-laundering crisis is making its succession dilemma 'messy and complicated'

Bharat Masrani would likely have retired by now. Instead, the CEO of Canada's second biggest bank finds himself in the middle of a major crisis with no obvious candidates to take his place

Planning

Additional and Expanded Filing Requirements Beyond Traditional Trusts

The new and enhanced trust reporting rules will begin applying to formal and informal trusts, including so-called ‘bare trusts’ with a tax year ending after December 30, 2023. This means the rules are effective for all trusts with a December 31, 2023 year-end.

Market Views

Rate Cuts to Take Place Throughout 2024

Anticipated rate cuts are in the headlines, with market experts predicting around 6 cuts in contrast to the Fed's forecast of 3. Now well into the higher interest rate environment, expect to see higher rates of unemployment and loan losses in mid to late 2024, signalling the near conclusion of the inflationary environment.

Market Views

Companies in Focus

Brian Madden, chief investment officer at First Avenue Investment Counsel, discusses his top picks: Tourmaline Oil, Home Depot, and Marsh & McLennan Companies.

Market Views

Outlook For Geopolitical Risks on Markets

Brian Madden, chief investment officer of First Avenue Investment Counsel, joins BNN Bloomberg and says elections in countries like the U.S., Taiwan and India and Indonesia will be important to watch.

Market Views

Companies in Focus

Brian Madden, chief investment officer at First Avenue Investment Counsel, discusses his top picks: Franco Nevada Corp, McKesson Corp, and UBER Technologies.

Market Views

Brian Madden’s Market Outlook

Brian Madden, chief investment officer at First Avenue Investment Counsel, joins BNN Bloomberg to share his outlook on the markets.

Market Views

S&P/TSX composite rises, U.S. stock markets also gain after strong GDP report

TORONTO — Strength in energy and utilities helped Canada’s main stock index post a modest gain Thursday, while U.S. markets also moved higher following a stronger-than-expected GDP report. The U.S. economy grew 3.

Planning

Maximizing Flexibility with the FHSA

Last year, we saw the introduction of the First Home Savings Account (FHSA), a measure established by the government in an effort to help first-time homebuyers save money for their first home purchase in Canada.

Alternatives

1 Jarvis is Nearing Completion

Construction on 1 Jarvis is nearing completion. The EMBLEM team has begun preparing for tenant occupancy in Q1 2024. The project is slated to exit by early Spring of this year and is on time and on budget. Investors are expected to receive the full target rate of return upon completion.

Market Views

Companies in Focus

Our Founder and CEO, Kash Pashootan, recently appeared on BNN Bloomberg to give an update on The Street and discuss Companies in Focus.

Alternatives

Mississauga I LP is on its Final Lap

Construction on Mississauga I LP, known as ARTFORM, is nearing completion. This project is slated to exit by mid-year 2024 and is on time and on budget. Another example of sound execution by the EMBLEM team.

Market Views

How to invest as the Bank of Canada holds interest rates at 5%

Our CIO, Brian Madden, speaks to BNN Bloomberg on safe plays for investors while rates are on hold.

Planning

Underused Housing Tax: Upcoming Deadline

The 2022 Underused Housing Tax (UHT) return deadline is fast approaching. Earlier this year, the CRA extended the filing deadline for the new housing tax from April 30, 2023 to October 31, 2023 to allow more time for taxpayers to determine their filing obligations.

Alternatives

Hamilton II LP Groundbreaking

Hamilton II LP has broken ground. A major milestone in development, marking the commencement of construction. Hear from Founder and CEO, Kash Pashootan, and the Global Director of Arcadis IBI Group, Mansoor Kazerouni...

Market Views

What We Are Reading

Hand-picked reads from our investment professionals.

Market Views

Companies in Focus: Alimentation Couche-Tard, RBC, Public Storage

Our Chief Investment Officer, Brian Madden, appeared last week on BNN Bloomberg to give an update on Market Outlook and holdings at First Avenue Investment Counsel.

Market Views

Key Competitive Advantages in Investing

When it comes to investing, there are differing opinions. Some theories evolve, while others remain relevant. Renowned investor Bill Miller identified three advantages in investing: informational, analytical, and psychological, which continue to ring true.

Market Views

Positivity in Quarterly Reports

Our Founder and CEO, Kash Pashootan, recently appeared on BNN Bloomberg to give an update on Market Outlook and holdings at First Avenue Investment Counsel.

Market Views

Opportunities in U.S. Health Care and Low-Cost Canadian Retail

Our Founder and CEO, Kash Pashootan, recently appeared on BNN Bloomberg to give an update on Market Outlook and holdings at First Avenue Investment Counsel.

Alternatives

Mississauga I Construction

Our team recently celebrated a major achievement at Mississauga I LP. This Topping Off event marks the completion of the building's structure and is held to thank the trades for their efforts.

Market Views

Warren Buffett: Key Takeaways from the Berkshire Hathaway Annual Meeting

Thousands of investors make the pilgrimage to Omaha the first weekend in May for the annual Berkshire Hathaway shareholder meeting to listen to the wit and wisdom of CEO and investor mogul Warren Buffett...

Market Views

Why Timing the Market Doesn't Work

Our CIO, Brian Madden, appeared on BNN Bloomberg to give an update on Market Outlook and holdings at First Avenue Investment Counsel.

Alternatives

A Major Milestone at Hamilton I LP

The Hamilton I project recently topped off, a significant milestone in construction as the structure is complete. This achievement was commemorated with an on-site celebration thanking the trades for their efforts.

Market Views

Opportunities While Playing Defense

The grocery space has been an opportunistic category as consumers look to save money. Our Founder and CEO, Kash Pashootan, discusses a defensive investment approach on BNN Bloomberg with ‘needs over wants’ companies.

Alternatives

The Vision is Taking Shape at Mississauga I LP

Go on site with Justin Bourne, Project Manager at EMBLEM Developments, as he provides an exclusive look at the window installation progress at Mississauga I LP. Discover how this milestone was reached and what this means for the next stage of construction.

Market Views

March 2023 Market Outlook

Our CIO, Brian Madden, joins BNN Bloomberg's Market Call to discuss his outlook for the markets in March.

Market Views

Companies in Focus: Nuvei, TD Bank, Fortinet

Watch our Chief Investment Officer, Brian Madden, on BNN Bloomberg.

Alternatives

The Robinson Village Community Has Come Full Circle

Construction for Robinson Village I-III completed in 2022 and successfully exited over the past several months. Construction is wrapping up on the community’s fourth and final phase, with investment completion on the horizon before the end of 2023.

Market Views

February 2023 Market Outlook

Our CIO, Brian Madden, discusses the outlook for markets on BNN Bloomberg's segment Market Call with Andrew Bell.

Market Views

Companies in Focus: Tourmaline Oil, Dollarama, Humana

Watch our Chief Investment Officer, Brian Madden, on BNN Bloomberg

Alternatives

The Transformation Continues

Construction is progressing at Hamilton I LP and the windows have been installed up to the 9th floor.

Market Views

Risks and Opportunities

A spotlight on Fairfax Financial; a company we added to the Momentum Mandate.

Market Views

Not Sunny Yet… But Better

Our Founder and CEO, Kash Pashootan, joined BNN Bloomberg last week discussing First Avenue's outlook including peak inflation is behind us and what challenges lie ahead in 2023 for equity markets.

Planning

Simple Tax Strategies for the New Year

We are pleased to share recommendations as you plan to improve your financial health for 2023.

Alternatives

Robinson Village I, II & III: Now Complete and Sold

Milestone Achieved

Planning

Leadership Extends Beyond the Boardroom

With December coming to a close, we take time to reflect on our firm’s culture, what we stand for, and how our professionals have been involved in our communities.

Planning

Highlights from the 2022 Fall Economic Statement

On November 3, 2022 the federal government provided their 2022 Fall Economic Statement. We have compiled the key highlights for your benefit.

Alternatives

A Milestone Moment for Arte Residences

Go behind the scenes on the construction site at MII LP as we share exclusive footage of the crane raising. This is a significant occasion in the construction process as it propels the development of the building.

Market Views

Companies in Focus: NextEra Energy, Stella-Jones, Albemarle

Watch our CIO, Brian Madden, on BNN Bloomberg

Market Views

Companies in Focus: Loblaw, Johnson & Johnson

Our Founder and CEO, Kash Pashootan, was a guest on BNN Bloomberg's The Street. In this segment, he discusses defensive investment strategies in a volatile market.

Alternatives

Get an Inside Look at Arte Residences

The EMBLEM team together with their construction manager, SKYGRiD, are on the site of Arte Residences located at 89 Dundas Street in Mississauga to provide an update and walk you through the excavation process.

Market Views

Apple’s New Products Never Cease to Amaze

Apple’s annual new product day, held last week, is an event that loyal users, techies, and investors alike eagerly await.

Stay Informed

THANK YOU FOR CONTACTING US.

We have received your message and will be in touch.

Receive the best from First Avenue Investment Counsel delivered to your inbox. Stay up to date with top articles, video, news and more.