Call me to register now for Phase II and scoop a deal on remaining Phase II Suites!!
Asif Khan, RealtorRe/Max All-Stars Realty Inc.
Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc.
Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc.
http://www.dailywebtv.com/York/contest/18564/Where-In-The-World-Is-Your-Next-... Asif Khan, Realtor
Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc.
Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc.
Bank of Canada releases 2011 schedule of dates for its policy interest rate
announcements The Bank of Canada today released its 2011 schedule of eight dates for
announcing decisions on its key policy interest rate and confirmed the
announcement dates for the remainder of this year. Interest rates always
steal the spotlight when it comes to housing market forecasts. Make note of
the upcoming dates and be the first to know of any increases/decreases in
interest rates. The remaining dates for 2010 are as follows: Wednesday, 8 September 2010
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Tuesday, 7 December 2010 The eight dates in 2011 will be: Tuesday, 18 January 2011
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Tuesday, 6 December 2011 All rate announcements will be made at 9:00 a.m. EST. Asif DreamTeam (1) Asif Khan, Realtor Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc. Google me: Asif Khan Re/Max
announcing decisions on its key policy interest rate and confirmed the
announcement dates for the remainder of this year. Interest rates always
steal the spotlight when it comes to housing market forecasts. Make note of
the upcoming dates and be the first to know of any increases/decreases in
interest rates. The remaining dates for 2010 are as follows: Wednesday, 8 September 2010
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Tuesday, 7 December 2010 The eight dates in 2011 will be: Tuesday, 18 January 2011
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Tuesday, 6 December 2011 All rate announcements will be made at 9:00 a.m. EST. Asif DreamTeam (1) Asif Khan, Realtor Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc. Google me: Asif Khan Re/Max
announcements The Bank of Canada today released its 2011 schedule of eight dates for
announcing decisions on its key policy interest rate and confirmed the
announcement dates for the remainder of this year. Interest rates always
steal the spotlight when it comes to housing market forecasts. Make note of
the upcoming dates and be the first to know of any increases/decreases in
interest rates. The remaining dates for 2010 are as follows: Wednesday, 8 September 2010
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Tuesday, 7 December 2010 The eight dates in 2011 will be: Tuesday, 18 January 2011
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Tuesday, 6 December 2011 All rate announcements will be made at 9:00 a.m. EST. Asif DreamTeam (1) Asif Khan, Realtor Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc. Google me: Asif Khan Re/Max
Bank of Canada releases 2011 schedule of dates for its policy interest rate
announcements
announcing decisions on its key policy interest rate and confirmed the
announcement dates for the remainder of this year. Interest rates always
steal the spotlight when it comes to housing market forecasts. Make note of
the upcoming dates and be the first to know of any increases/decreases in
interest rates. The remaining dates for 2010 are as follows: Wednesday, 8 September 2010
Tuesday, 19 October 2010
Tuesday, 7 December 2010 The eight dates in 2011 will be: Tuesday, 18 January 2011
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Tuesday, 19 July 2011
Wednesday, 7 September 2011
Tuesday, 25 October 2011
Tuesday, 6 December 2011 All rate announcements will be made at 9:00 a.m. EST. Asif DreamTeam (1) Asif Khan, Realtor Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc. Google me: Asif Khan Re/Max
Hello Everyone: Here is a great new way to keep up to date with Real Estate and other
pertinent information that I blog about. Please click on the link below and then select "subscribe to RSS feed". Asif 's Blog This will get you the most current information as I post it. Please check
your Internet Explorer or Microsoft Outlook for your RSS feeds, and post any
thoughts you may have on the subjects. You can always click on "permalink"
to go straight to the topic, and you can select "Leave a comment" if you
wish. You may also visit www.AsifKhan.ca for all my blogs and up to the minute
news/weather/sports/ and more. As a reminder, the entire MLS is now
searchable from www.asifkhan.ca as well. Asif DreamTeam (1)
pertinent information that I blog about. Please click on the link below and then select "subscribe to RSS feed". Asif 's Blog This will get you the most current information as I post it. Please check
your Internet Explorer or Microsoft Outlook for your RSS feeds, and post any
thoughts you may have on the subjects. You can always click on "permalink"
to go straight to the topic, and you can select "Leave a comment" if you
wish. You may also visit www.AsifKhan.ca for all my blogs and up to the minute
news/weather/sports/ and more. As a reminder, the entire MLS is now
searchable from www.asifkhan.ca as well. Asif DreamTeam (1)
pertinent information that I blog about. Please click on the link below and then select "subscribe to RSS feed". Asif 's Blog This will get you the most current information as I post it. Please check
your Internet Explorer or Microsoft Outlook for your RSS feeds, and post any
thoughts you may have on the subjects. You can always click on "permalink"
to go straight to the topic, and you can select "Leave a comment" if you
wish. You may also visit www.AsifKhan.ca for all my blogs and up to the minute
news/weather/sports/ and more. As a reminder, the entire MLS is now
searchable from www.asifkhan.ca as well. Asif DreamTeam (1)
Hello Everyone:
Here is a great new way to keep up to date with Real Estate and otherpertinent information that I blog about. Please click on the link below and then select "subscribe to RSS feed". Asif 's Blog This will get you the most current information as I post it. Please check
your Internet Explorer or Microsoft Outlook for your RSS feeds, and post any
thoughts you may have on the subjects. You can always click on "permalink"
to go straight to the topic, and you can select "Leave a comment" if you
wish. You may also visit www.AsifKhan.ca for all my blogs and up to the minute
news/weather/sports/ and more. As a reminder, the entire MLS is now
searchable from www.asifkhan.ca as well. Asif DreamTeam (1)
On May 29th RE/MAX Sales Associates and support staff from coast to coast raised $106,970.20 for the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation through Yard Sale for the Cure.
RE/MAX has a history of getting behind vital causes that make a real difference in the lives of Canadian families. Thanks to the 50 offices who participated this year turning clutter into cash and taking a proactive role in this annual event.
Since 2006, RE/MAX has raised close to $500,000.00 nationwide through Yard Sale for the Cure.
Yard Sale for the Cure funds the most promising breast cancer research, prevention, diagnosis and treatment initiatives in the fight against breast cancer in communities across the country and plays and integral role in educating the public.
RE/MAX is leading the way to a future without breast cancer. Congratulations to all who participated. Asif Khan, Realtor
Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc. Text "ASIF" to 68888 to join my Mobile Community
RE/MAX has a history of getting behind vital causes that make a real difference in the lives of Canadian families. Thanks to the 50 offices who participated this year turning clutter into cash and taking a proactive role in this annual event.
Since 2006, RE/MAX has raised close to $500,000.00 nationwide through Yard Sale for the Cure.
Yard Sale for the Cure funds the most promising breast cancer research, prevention, diagnosis and treatment initiatives in the fight against breast cancer in communities across the country and plays and integral role in educating the public.
RE/MAX is leading the way to a future without breast cancer. Congratulations to all who participated. Asif Khan, Realtor
Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc. Text "ASIF" to 68888 to join my Mobile Community
Great article by Claire Bradley, Investopedia.com. Here is an investment
strategy everyone can use to set themselves up for retirement. Contact me
and I can show you how to build a Real Estate Portfolio to supplement your
retirement income and help you generate cash flow for life. Asif
provided by forbes If you're just entering the workforce, retirement probably seems like a
lifetime away. A million dollars by retirement? That's someone else's dream,
right? It doesn't have to be. Here is the millionaire's retirement plan. For
these calculations, assume an average annual return of 8%, adjusted for
inflation at 3% - a reasonable estimate of average market returns. Age 25: A Good Beginning
You're 25 and landed that first job on your career ladder - congratulations!
Before you start living to your new paycheque's standards, budget your
retirement savings. If your employer offers an RRSP plan that matches your
contributions, use it! These matching dollars are like a guaranteed return
on investment. If you don't have a matching plan, look for a mutual fund
through an investment firm with low fees; many now offer target funds, which
allocate your investment risk with your targeted retirement year in mind -
great for a beginning investor. If you have extra money beyond your maximum RRSP contributions to put away,
contribute to a tax-free savings account (TFSA) if you can; you don't get to
deduct your contributions from your taxes, but you'll enjoy tax-free
withdrawals at 65 - or any time. Overall, plan to start by saving at least $200 a month to reach your
millionaire goal; increasing this monthly contribution as you get a raise or
promotion will only speed up your saving. Age 35: Rolling Along
By now you have saved about $45,000 and you've grown in your career with a
bigger paycheque, but often, family commitments like children and a mortgage
will seem more pressing than saving for your golden years. Don't make the
mistake of slowing down your retirement savings. By now, you should ramp up
your contributions to at least $400 a month - remember that a matching RRSP
plan will help you in attaining this amount. If you have kids and worry about saving for their college, look at it this
way: the best way to help them in the future is by ensuring you're
financially sound in retirement. Make saving for retirement a priority. Age 45: Holding Steady
You're mid-career, and things are looking good in your retirement portfolio.
At this rate, your savings have grown to about $160,000 - not bad, but it
still isn't quite time to slow down. Increase your retirement contributions
to at least $450 a month, and you'll be rolling your way to millionaire
status by 65. Age 55: Close to the Finish Line
By age 55, your retirement portfolio should be at $400,000 or so. You can
start to see the finish line, but begin to wonder about risk. If you've been
investing in a target fund, your portfolio has been adjusting its allocation
for you; otherwise, look at adjusting some of your investments to reflect a
lower risk tolerance. And remember: your income at, say, age 70 won't be
withdrawn for another 15 years - plenty of time to ride out market
fluctuations. At age 55, expect to really ramp up your retirement contributions, to
roughly $600 a month, and more if you can manage it. The more you save, the
sooner you can leave the nine-to-five behind. Age 65: Prudent Asset Management
You're at the finish line: a millionaire at 65! Since you have no way to add
to your savings now that you're out of the workplace, prudent asset
management is vital. Keep a close eye on your portfolio so you can make your
nest egg last. Protect yourself against inflation as well as market risk,
and you'll be enjoying your golden years without financial worries. The Bottom Line
With steady savings and smart financial habits, you can retire a millionaire
- maybe even before you're 65. Asif Khan, Realtor Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc. Google me: Asif Khan Re/Max Follow me on Twitter Become a Fan on Facebook
provided by forbes If you're just entering the workforce, retirement probably seems like a
lifetime away. A million dollars by retirement? That's someone else's dream,
right? It doesn't have to be. Here is the millionaire's retirement plan. For
these calculations, assume an average annual return of 8%, adjusted for
inflation at 3% - a reasonable estimate of average market returns. Age 25: A Good Beginning
You're 25 and landed that first job on your career ladder - congratulations!
Before you start living to your new paycheque's standards, budget your
retirement savings. If your employer offers an RRSP plan that matches your
contributions, use it! These matching dollars are like a guaranteed return
on investment. If you don't have a matching plan, look for a mutual fund
through an investment firm with low fees; many now offer target funds, which
allocate your investment risk with your targeted retirement year in mind -
great for a beginning investor. If you have extra money beyond your maximum RRSP contributions to put away,
contribute to a tax-free savings account (TFSA) if you can; you don't get to
deduct your contributions from your taxes, but you'll enjoy tax-free
withdrawals at 65 - or any time. Overall, plan to start by saving at least $200 a month to reach your
millionaire goal; increasing this monthly contribution as you get a raise or
promotion will only speed up your saving. Age 35: Rolling Along
By now you have saved about $45,000 and you've grown in your career with a
bigger paycheque, but often, family commitments like children and a mortgage
will seem more pressing than saving for your golden years. Don't make the
mistake of slowing down your retirement savings. By now, you should ramp up
your contributions to at least $400 a month - remember that a matching RRSP
plan will help you in attaining this amount. If you have kids and worry about saving for their college, look at it this
way: the best way to help them in the future is by ensuring you're
financially sound in retirement. Make saving for retirement a priority. Age 45: Holding Steady
You're mid-career, and things are looking good in your retirement portfolio.
At this rate, your savings have grown to about $160,000 - not bad, but it
still isn't quite time to slow down. Increase your retirement contributions
to at least $450 a month, and you'll be rolling your way to millionaire
status by 65. Age 55: Close to the Finish Line
By age 55, your retirement portfolio should be at $400,000 or so. You can
start to see the finish line, but begin to wonder about risk. If you've been
investing in a target fund, your portfolio has been adjusting its allocation
for you; otherwise, look at adjusting some of your investments to reflect a
lower risk tolerance. And remember: your income at, say, age 70 won't be
withdrawn for another 15 years - plenty of time to ride out market
fluctuations. At age 55, expect to really ramp up your retirement contributions, to
roughly $600 a month, and more if you can manage it. The more you save, the
sooner you can leave the nine-to-five behind. Age 65: Prudent Asset Management
You're at the finish line: a millionaire at 65! Since you have no way to add
to your savings now that you're out of the workplace, prudent asset
management is vital. Keep a close eye on your portfolio so you can make your
nest egg last. Protect yourself against inflation as well as market risk,
and you'll be enjoying your golden years without financial worries. The Bottom Line
With steady savings and smart financial habits, you can retire a millionaire
- maybe even before you're 65. Asif Khan, Realtor Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc. Google me: Asif Khan Re/Max Follow me on Twitter Become a Fan on Facebook
strategy everyone can use to set themselves up for retirement. Contact me
and I can show you how to build a Real Estate Portfolio to supplement your
retirement income and help you generate cash flow for life. Asif
provided by forbes If you're just entering the workforce, retirement probably seems like a
lifetime away. A million dollars by retirement? That's someone else's dream,
right? It doesn't have to be. Here is the millionaire's retirement plan. For
these calculations, assume an average annual return of 8%, adjusted for
inflation at 3% - a reasonable estimate of average market returns. Age 25: A Good Beginning
You're 25 and landed that first job on your career ladder - congratulations!
Before you start living to your new paycheque's standards, budget your
retirement savings. If your employer offers an RRSP plan that matches your
contributions, use it! These matching dollars are like a guaranteed return
on investment. If you don't have a matching plan, look for a mutual fund
through an investment firm with low fees; many now offer target funds, which
allocate your investment risk with your targeted retirement year in mind -
great for a beginning investor. If you have extra money beyond your maximum RRSP contributions to put away,
contribute to a tax-free savings account (TFSA) if you can; you don't get to
deduct your contributions from your taxes, but you'll enjoy tax-free
withdrawals at 65 - or any time. Overall, plan to start by saving at least $200 a month to reach your
millionaire goal; increasing this monthly contribution as you get a raise or
promotion will only speed up your saving. Age 35: Rolling Along
By now you have saved about $45,000 and you've grown in your career with a
bigger paycheque, but often, family commitments like children and a mortgage
will seem more pressing than saving for your golden years. Don't make the
mistake of slowing down your retirement savings. By now, you should ramp up
your contributions to at least $400 a month - remember that a matching RRSP
plan will help you in attaining this amount. If you have kids and worry about saving for their college, look at it this
way: the best way to help them in the future is by ensuring you're
financially sound in retirement. Make saving for retirement a priority. Age 45: Holding Steady
You're mid-career, and things are looking good in your retirement portfolio.
At this rate, your savings have grown to about $160,000 - not bad, but it
still isn't quite time to slow down. Increase your retirement contributions
to at least $450 a month, and you'll be rolling your way to millionaire
status by 65. Age 55: Close to the Finish Line
By age 55, your retirement portfolio should be at $400,000 or so. You can
start to see the finish line, but begin to wonder about risk. If you've been
investing in a target fund, your portfolio has been adjusting its allocation
for you; otherwise, look at adjusting some of your investments to reflect a
lower risk tolerance. And remember: your income at, say, age 70 won't be
withdrawn for another 15 years - plenty of time to ride out market
fluctuations. At age 55, expect to really ramp up your retirement contributions, to
roughly $600 a month, and more if you can manage it. The more you save, the
sooner you can leave the nine-to-five behind. Age 65: Prudent Asset Management
You're at the finish line: a millionaire at 65! Since you have no way to add
to your savings now that you're out of the workplace, prudent asset
management is vital. Keep a close eye on your portfolio so you can make your
nest egg last. Protect yourself against inflation as well as market risk,
and you'll be enjoying your golden years without financial worries. The Bottom Line
With steady savings and smart financial habits, you can retire a millionaire
- maybe even before you're 65. Asif Khan, Realtor Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc. Google me: Asif Khan Re/Max Follow me on Twitter Become a Fan on Facebook
Great article by Claire Bradley, Investopedia.com. Here is an investment
strategy everyone can use to set themselves up for retirement. Contact me
and I can show you how to build a Real Estate Portfolio to supplement your
retirement income and help you generate cash flow for life.
provided by forbes If you're just entering the workforce, retirement probably seems like a
lifetime away. A million dollars by retirement? That's someone else's dream,
right? It doesn't have to be. Here is the millionaire's retirement plan. For
these calculations, assume an average annual return of 8%, adjusted for
inflation at 3% - a reasonable estimate of average market returns. Age 25: A Good Beginning
You're 25 and landed that first job on your career ladder - congratulations!
Before you start living to your new paycheque's standards, budget your
retirement savings. If your employer offers an RRSP plan that matches your
contributions, use it! These matching dollars are like a guaranteed return
on investment. If you don't have a matching plan, look for a mutual fund
through an investment firm with low fees; many now offer target funds, which
allocate your investment risk with your targeted retirement year in mind -
great for a beginning investor. If you have extra money beyond your maximum RRSP contributions to put away,
contribute to a tax-free savings account (TFSA) if you can; you don't get to
deduct your contributions from your taxes, but you'll enjoy tax-free
withdrawals at 65 - or any time. Overall, plan to start by saving at least $200 a month to reach your
millionaire goal; increasing this monthly contribution as you get a raise or
promotion will only speed up your saving. Age 35: Rolling Along
By now you have saved about $45,000 and you've grown in your career with a
bigger paycheque, but often, family commitments like children and a mortgage
will seem more pressing than saving for your golden years. Don't make the
mistake of slowing down your retirement savings. By now, you should ramp up
your contributions to at least $400 a month - remember that a matching RRSP
plan will help you in attaining this amount. If you have kids and worry about saving for their college, look at it this
way: the best way to help them in the future is by ensuring you're
financially sound in retirement. Make saving for retirement a priority. Age 45: Holding Steady
You're mid-career, and things are looking good in your retirement portfolio.
At this rate, your savings have grown to about $160,000 - not bad, but it
still isn't quite time to slow down. Increase your retirement contributions
to at least $450 a month, and you'll be rolling your way to millionaire
status by 65. Age 55: Close to the Finish Line
By age 55, your retirement portfolio should be at $400,000 or so. You can
start to see the finish line, but begin to wonder about risk. If you've been
investing in a target fund, your portfolio has been adjusting its allocation
for you; otherwise, look at adjusting some of your investments to reflect a
lower risk tolerance. And remember: your income at, say, age 70 won't be
withdrawn for another 15 years - plenty of time to ride out market
fluctuations. At age 55, expect to really ramp up your retirement contributions, to
roughly $600 a month, and more if you can manage it. The more you save, the
sooner you can leave the nine-to-five behind. Age 65: Prudent Asset Management
You're at the finish line: a millionaire at 65! Since you have no way to add
to your savings now that you're out of the workplace, prudent asset
management is vital. Keep a close eye on your portfolio so you can make your
nest egg last. Protect yourself against inflation as well as market risk,
and you'll be enjoying your golden years without financial worries. The Bottom Line
With steady savings and smart financial habits, you can retire a millionaire
- maybe even before you're 65. Asif Khan, Realtor Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc. Google me: Asif Khan Re/Max Follow me on Twitter Become a Fan on Facebook
By Maria Babbage, The Canadian Press TORONTO - Canadian Tire customers won't be charged Ontario's controversial
eco fees starting Tuesday, largely because the program is too complex and
was mishandled by both government and businesses, the store chain announced
Monday. The fees, which sparked widespread confusion when retailers started charging
them on thousands of new items July 1, were the victim of a "botched" roll
out and "poorly handled" by everyone involved, said Mike Arnett, president
of Canadian Tire Retail. "We just think that the whole program that was rolled out on the first of
July this year was not well-managed by anyone, really, and that it's caused
a great deal of confusion for our customers," he said in an interview. "We're being asked questions that we don't have good answers to, and we
really think the program needs to be reworked." Waste Diversion Ontario set up a very complicated structure for charging eco
fees and left retailers to sort it out, Arnett explained in a release. For example, two similar brands of cleaning products could have two
different eco fees depending on slight variations in their ingredients. "Even more confusing, the 'interpretation' of these fees is left up to each
retailer - meaning that five different retailers may charge five different
eco fees for the exact same product - all depending on how they interpret
the very complicated fee structure," he wrote. Stewardship Ontario, an industry-led organization that oversees the program,
also shares in the blame because it didn't do a good job in preparing
Ontario consumers for the new fees, Arnett added. "Stewardship Ontario did not provide answers to the many questions customers
and the media had in the face of fees that nobody understood," he wrote. Canadian Tire, which apologized last week for overcharging some of its
customers, stumbled too in implementing the fees, largely because of how
complex they were, Arnett acknowledged. "Although we quickly fixed any incorrect fees, we still have customers every
day asking us why two nearly identical products have different fees," he
wrote. "We don't have good answers - because the program itself isn't built to be
intuitive for either customers or retailers." The Canadian retailing giant won't be charging any more eco fees until it
can "sort out a better system" with Stewardship Ontario and the provincial
government. It's also looking into listing the new eco fees on price tags and shelf
labels to make it more transparent, Arnett said. The government gave Stewardship Ontario the power to collect fees to fund a
recycling program that diverts potentially hazardous items, such as fire
extinguishers, household cleaners and paint, from Ontario's landfills. But there was no public warning that the eco fee, which was first introduced
in 2008, would be slapped on thousands of new items earlier this month. Stewardship Ontario collects fees from retailers and manufacturers who, in
turn, determine the fees that they pass on to consumers. The fee can be embedded in the product or the sticker price, which means in
some cases, shoppers won't know when or how much they're being charged. Consumers, critics and some industry groups have been scratching their heads
about why certain items are subject to the levy, such as laundry detergent,
grass seed and environmentally friendly products that use natural
ingredients. The fee furor has provided rich fodder for Ontario's opposition parties,
with the Progressive Conservatives promising to scrap the levy if they win
the 2011 provincial election. Ontario's outspoken ombudsman Andre Marin is also looking into complaints
about the fees after the New Democrats asked him to intervene. Canadian Tire's decision provides further evidence that Premier Dalton
McGuinty's "eco tax grab" - which hit consumers the same day the new 13 per
cent harmonized sales tax kicked in - has created chaos at the cash
register, said Opposition Leader Tim Hudak. "Clearly, since this eco tax was brought in hidden behind the HST back on
Canada Day, it has been an absolute disaster and a tax increase Ontario
families cannot afford," he said. Environment Minister John Gerretsen belatedly jumped into the fray last
week, firing off a scolding letter to Stewardship Ontario demanding that
they take "quick action" to stop customers from being overcharged. He also mused in an interview about making legislative changes that would
allow the government to exert more control over the organization. Stewardship Ontario wrote back two days later, saying it has no authority to
interfere in how retailers and manufacturers pass on the eco fees to
consumers. "In the meantime, I would respectfully ask that the parties refrain from any
finger-pointing or accusations, especially in the media," CEO Gemma Zecchini
said in her July 15 letter to Gerretsen. "Stewardship Ontario has an important program to operate that requires
consumer support if it is to meet its objectives and targets. Tarnishing the
reputation of Stewardship Ontario for problems not of its making and outside
of its power to remedy is unfair and undermines the objectives of waste
diversion in this province." Zecchini's letter was obtained by the Opposition Conservatives, who passed
it out Monday to reporters. Canadian Tire's decision to scrap the fees should be applauded, but Premier
Dalton McGuinty should have never allowed the industry to effectively
regulate itself with respect to the eco fees, said NDP Leader Andrea
Horwath. "The McGuinty government dropped the ball, it's now up to the government to
pick up the pieces and ensure the companies that profit off this waste
should be responsible for getting rid of it - not their customers," she said
in a statement. Asif Khan, Realtor Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc. Google me: Asif Khan Re/Max Follow me on Twitter Become a Fan on Facebook
eco fees starting Tuesday, largely because the program is too complex and
was mishandled by both government and businesses, the store chain announced
Monday. The fees, which sparked widespread confusion when retailers started charging
them on thousands of new items July 1, were the victim of a "botched" roll
out and "poorly handled" by everyone involved, said Mike Arnett, president
of Canadian Tire Retail. "We just think that the whole program that was rolled out on the first of
July this year was not well-managed by anyone, really, and that it's caused
a great deal of confusion for our customers," he said in an interview. "We're being asked questions that we don't have good answers to, and we
really think the program needs to be reworked." Waste Diversion Ontario set up a very complicated structure for charging eco
fees and left retailers to sort it out, Arnett explained in a release. For example, two similar brands of cleaning products could have two
different eco fees depending on slight variations in their ingredients. "Even more confusing, the 'interpretation' of these fees is left up to each
retailer - meaning that five different retailers may charge five different
eco fees for the exact same product - all depending on how they interpret
the very complicated fee structure," he wrote. Stewardship Ontario, an industry-led organization that oversees the program,
also shares in the blame because it didn't do a good job in preparing
Ontario consumers for the new fees, Arnett added. "Stewardship Ontario did not provide answers to the many questions customers
and the media had in the face of fees that nobody understood," he wrote. Canadian Tire, which apologized last week for overcharging some of its
customers, stumbled too in implementing the fees, largely because of how
complex they were, Arnett acknowledged. "Although we quickly fixed any incorrect fees, we still have customers every
day asking us why two nearly identical products have different fees," he
wrote. "We don't have good answers - because the program itself isn't built to be
intuitive for either customers or retailers." The Canadian retailing giant won't be charging any more eco fees until it
can "sort out a better system" with Stewardship Ontario and the provincial
government. It's also looking into listing the new eco fees on price tags and shelf
labels to make it more transparent, Arnett said. The government gave Stewardship Ontario the power to collect fees to fund a
recycling program that diverts potentially hazardous items, such as fire
extinguishers, household cleaners and paint, from Ontario's landfills. But there was no public warning that the eco fee, which was first introduced
in 2008, would be slapped on thousands of new items earlier this month. Stewardship Ontario collects fees from retailers and manufacturers who, in
turn, determine the fees that they pass on to consumers. The fee can be embedded in the product or the sticker price, which means in
some cases, shoppers won't know when or how much they're being charged. Consumers, critics and some industry groups have been scratching their heads
about why certain items are subject to the levy, such as laundry detergent,
grass seed and environmentally friendly products that use natural
ingredients. The fee furor has provided rich fodder for Ontario's opposition parties,
with the Progressive Conservatives promising to scrap the levy if they win
the 2011 provincial election. Ontario's outspoken ombudsman Andre Marin is also looking into complaints
about the fees after the New Democrats asked him to intervene. Canadian Tire's decision provides further evidence that Premier Dalton
McGuinty's "eco tax grab" - which hit consumers the same day the new 13 per
cent harmonized sales tax kicked in - has created chaos at the cash
register, said Opposition Leader Tim Hudak. "Clearly, since this eco tax was brought in hidden behind the HST back on
Canada Day, it has been an absolute disaster and a tax increase Ontario
families cannot afford," he said. Environment Minister John Gerretsen belatedly jumped into the fray last
week, firing off a scolding letter to Stewardship Ontario demanding that
they take "quick action" to stop customers from being overcharged. He also mused in an interview about making legislative changes that would
allow the government to exert more control over the organization. Stewardship Ontario wrote back two days later, saying it has no authority to
interfere in how retailers and manufacturers pass on the eco fees to
consumers. "In the meantime, I would respectfully ask that the parties refrain from any
finger-pointing or accusations, especially in the media," CEO Gemma Zecchini
said in her July 15 letter to Gerretsen. "Stewardship Ontario has an important program to operate that requires
consumer support if it is to meet its objectives and targets. Tarnishing the
reputation of Stewardship Ontario for problems not of its making and outside
of its power to remedy is unfair and undermines the objectives of waste
diversion in this province." Zecchini's letter was obtained by the Opposition Conservatives, who passed
it out Monday to reporters. Canadian Tire's decision to scrap the fees should be applauded, but Premier
Dalton McGuinty should have never allowed the industry to effectively
regulate itself with respect to the eco fees, said NDP Leader Andrea
Horwath. "The McGuinty government dropped the ball, it's now up to the government to
pick up the pieces and ensure the companies that profit off this waste
should be responsible for getting rid of it - not their customers," she said
in a statement. Asif Khan, Realtor Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc. Google me: Asif Khan Re/Max Follow me on Twitter Become a Fan on Facebook
eco fees starting Tuesday, largely because the program is too complex and
was mishandled by both government and businesses, the store chain announced
Monday. The fees, which sparked widespread confusion when retailers started charging
them on thousands of new items July 1, were the victim of a "botched" roll
out and "poorly handled" by everyone involved, said Mike Arnett, president
of Canadian Tire Retail. "We just think that the whole program that was rolled out on the first of
July this year was not well-managed by anyone, really, and that it's caused
a great deal of confusion for our customers," he said in an interview. "We're being asked questions that we don't have good answers to, and we
really think the program needs to be reworked." Waste Diversion Ontario set up a very complicated structure for charging eco
fees and left retailers to sort it out, Arnett explained in a release. For example, two similar brands of cleaning products could have two
different eco fees depending on slight variations in their ingredients. "Even more confusing, the 'interpretation' of these fees is left up to each
retailer - meaning that five different retailers may charge five different
eco fees for the exact same product - all depending on how they interpret
the very complicated fee structure," he wrote. Stewardship Ontario, an industry-led organization that oversees the program,
also shares in the blame because it didn't do a good job in preparing
Ontario consumers for the new fees, Arnett added. "Stewardship Ontario did not provide answers to the many questions customers
and the media had in the face of fees that nobody understood," he wrote. Canadian Tire, which apologized last week for overcharging some of its
customers, stumbled too in implementing the fees, largely because of how
complex they were, Arnett acknowledged. "Although we quickly fixed any incorrect fees, we still have customers every
day asking us why two nearly identical products have different fees," he
wrote. "We don't have good answers - because the program itself isn't built to be
intuitive for either customers or retailers." The Canadian retailing giant won't be charging any more eco fees until it
can "sort out a better system" with Stewardship Ontario and the provincial
government. It's also looking into listing the new eco fees on price tags and shelf
labels to make it more transparent, Arnett said. The government gave Stewardship Ontario the power to collect fees to fund a
recycling program that diverts potentially hazardous items, such as fire
extinguishers, household cleaners and paint, from Ontario's landfills. But there was no public warning that the eco fee, which was first introduced
in 2008, would be slapped on thousands of new items earlier this month. Stewardship Ontario collects fees from retailers and manufacturers who, in
turn, determine the fees that they pass on to consumers. The fee can be embedded in the product or the sticker price, which means in
some cases, shoppers won't know when or how much they're being charged. Consumers, critics and some industry groups have been scratching their heads
about why certain items are subject to the levy, such as laundry detergent,
grass seed and environmentally friendly products that use natural
ingredients. The fee furor has provided rich fodder for Ontario's opposition parties,
with the Progressive Conservatives promising to scrap the levy if they win
the 2011 provincial election. Ontario's outspoken ombudsman Andre Marin is also looking into complaints
about the fees after the New Democrats asked him to intervene. Canadian Tire's decision provides further evidence that Premier Dalton
McGuinty's "eco tax grab" - which hit consumers the same day the new 13 per
cent harmonized sales tax kicked in - has created chaos at the cash
register, said Opposition Leader Tim Hudak. "Clearly, since this eco tax was brought in hidden behind the HST back on
Canada Day, it has been an absolute disaster and a tax increase Ontario
families cannot afford," he said. Environment Minister John Gerretsen belatedly jumped into the fray last
week, firing off a scolding letter to Stewardship Ontario demanding that
they take "quick action" to stop customers from being overcharged. He also mused in an interview about making legislative changes that would
allow the government to exert more control over the organization. Stewardship Ontario wrote back two days later, saying it has no authority to
interfere in how retailers and manufacturers pass on the eco fees to
consumers. "In the meantime, I would respectfully ask that the parties refrain from any
finger-pointing or accusations, especially in the media," CEO Gemma Zecchini
said in her July 15 letter to Gerretsen. "Stewardship Ontario has an important program to operate that requires
consumer support if it is to meet its objectives and targets. Tarnishing the
reputation of Stewardship Ontario for problems not of its making and outside
of its power to remedy is unfair and undermines the objectives of waste
diversion in this province." Zecchini's letter was obtained by the Opposition Conservatives, who passed
it out Monday to reporters. Canadian Tire's decision to scrap the fees should be applauded, but Premier
Dalton McGuinty should have never allowed the industry to effectively
regulate itself with respect to the eco fees, said NDP Leader Andrea
Horwath. "The McGuinty government dropped the ball, it's now up to the government to
pick up the pieces and ensure the companies that profit off this waste
should be responsible for getting rid of it - not their customers," she said
in a statement. Asif Khan, Realtor Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc. Google me: Asif Khan Re/Max Follow me on Twitter Become a Fan on Facebook
By Maria Babbage, The Canadian Press
TORONTO - Canadian Tire customers won't be charged Ontario's controversialeco fees starting Tuesday, largely because the program is too complex and
was mishandled by both government and businesses, the store chain announced
Monday. The fees, which sparked widespread confusion when retailers started charging
them on thousands of new items July 1, were the victim of a "botched" roll
out and "poorly handled" by everyone involved, said Mike Arnett, president
of Canadian Tire Retail. "We just think that the whole program that was rolled out on the first of
July this year was not well-managed by anyone, really, and that it's caused
a great deal of confusion for our customers," he said in an interview. "We're being asked questions that we don't have good answers to, and we
really think the program needs to be reworked." Waste Diversion Ontario set up a very complicated structure for charging eco
fees and left retailers to sort it out, Arnett explained in a release. For example, two similar brands of cleaning products could have two
different eco fees depending on slight variations in their ingredients. "Even more confusing, the 'interpretation' of these fees is left up to each
retailer - meaning that five different retailers may charge five different
eco fees for the exact same product - all depending on how they interpret
the very complicated fee structure," he wrote. Stewardship Ontario, an industry-led organization that oversees the program,
also shares in the blame because it didn't do a good job in preparing
Ontario consumers for the new fees, Arnett added. "Stewardship Ontario did not provide answers to the many questions customers
and the media had in the face of fees that nobody understood," he wrote. Canadian Tire, which apologized last week for overcharging some of its
customers, stumbled too in implementing the fees, largely because of how
complex they were, Arnett acknowledged. "Although we quickly fixed any incorrect fees, we still have customers every
day asking us why two nearly identical products have different fees," he
wrote. "We don't have good answers - because the program itself isn't built to be
intuitive for either customers or retailers." The Canadian retailing giant won't be charging any more eco fees until it
can "sort out a better system" with Stewardship Ontario and the provincial
government. It's also looking into listing the new eco fees on price tags and shelf
labels to make it more transparent, Arnett said. The government gave Stewardship Ontario the power to collect fees to fund a
recycling program that diverts potentially hazardous items, such as fire
extinguishers, household cleaners and paint, from Ontario's landfills. But there was no public warning that the eco fee, which was first introduced
in 2008, would be slapped on thousands of new items earlier this month. Stewardship Ontario collects fees from retailers and manufacturers who, in
turn, determine the fees that they pass on to consumers. The fee can be embedded in the product or the sticker price, which means in
some cases, shoppers won't know when or how much they're being charged. Consumers, critics and some industry groups have been scratching their heads
about why certain items are subject to the levy, such as laundry detergent,
grass seed and environmentally friendly products that use natural
ingredients. The fee furor has provided rich fodder for Ontario's opposition parties,
with the Progressive Conservatives promising to scrap the levy if they win
the 2011 provincial election. Ontario's outspoken ombudsman Andre Marin is also looking into complaints
about the fees after the New Democrats asked him to intervene. Canadian Tire's decision provides further evidence that Premier Dalton
McGuinty's "eco tax grab" - which hit consumers the same day the new 13 per
cent harmonized sales tax kicked in - has created chaos at the cash
register, said Opposition Leader Tim Hudak. "Clearly, since this eco tax was brought in hidden behind the HST back on
Canada Day, it has been an absolute disaster and a tax increase Ontario
families cannot afford," he said. Environment Minister John Gerretsen belatedly jumped into the fray last
week, firing off a scolding letter to Stewardship Ontario demanding that
they take "quick action" to stop customers from being overcharged. He also mused in an interview about making legislative changes that would
allow the government to exert more control over the organization. Stewardship Ontario wrote back two days later, saying it has no authority to
interfere in how retailers and manufacturers pass on the eco fees to
consumers. "In the meantime, I would respectfully ask that the parties refrain from any
finger-pointing or accusations, especially in the media," CEO Gemma Zecchini
said in her July 15 letter to Gerretsen. "Stewardship Ontario has an important program to operate that requires
consumer support if it is to meet its objectives and targets. Tarnishing the
reputation of Stewardship Ontario for problems not of its making and outside
of its power to remedy is unfair and undermines the objectives of waste
diversion in this province." Zecchini's letter was obtained by the Opposition Conservatives, who passed
it out Monday to reporters. Canadian Tire's decision to scrap the fees should be applauded, but Premier
Dalton McGuinty should have never allowed the industry to effectively
regulate itself with respect to the eco fees, said NDP Leader Andrea
Horwath. "The McGuinty government dropped the ball, it's now up to the government to
pick up the pieces and ensure the companies that profit off this waste
should be responsible for getting rid of it - not their customers," she said
in a statement. Asif Khan, Realtor Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc. Google me: Asif Khan Re/Max Follow me on Twitter Become a Fan on Facebook
OTTAWA – The Bank of Canada today announced that it is raising its target for the overnight rate by one-quarter of one percentage point to 3/4 per cent. The Bank Rate is correspondingly 1 per cent and the deposit rate is 1/2 per cent.
The global economic recovery is proceeding but is not yet self-sustaining. Greater emphasis on balance sheet repair by households, banks, and governments in a number of advanced economies is expected to temper the pace of global growth relative to the Bank's outlook in its April Monetary Policy Report (MPR). While the policy response to the European sovereign debt crisis has reduced the risk of an adverse outcome and increased the prospect of sustainable long term growth, it is expected to slow the global recovery over the projection horizon. In the United States, private demand is picking up but remains uneven.
Economic activity in Canada is unfolding largely as expected, led by government and consumer spending. Housing activity is declining markedly from high levels, consistent with the Bank's view that policy stimulus resulted in household expenditures being brought forward into late 2009 and early 2010. While employment growth has resumed, business investment appears to be held back by global uncertainties and has yet to recover from its sharp contraction during the recession.
The Bank expects the economic recovery in Canada to be more gradual than it had projected in its April MPR, with growth of 3.5 per cent in 2010, 2.9 per cent in 2011, and 2.2 per cent in 2012. This revision reflects a slightly weaker profile for global economic growth and more modest consumption growth in Canada. The Bank anticipates that business investment and net exports will make a relatively larger contribution to growth.
Inflation in Canada has been broadly in line with the Bank's April projection. While the Bank now expects the economy to return to full capacity at the end of 2011, two quarters later than had been anticipated in April, the underlying dynamics for inflation are little changed. Both total CPI and core inflation are expected to remain near 2 per cent throughout the projection period. The Bank will look through the transitory effects on inflation of changes to provincial indirect taxes. Reflecting all of these factors, the Bank has decided to raise the target for the overnight rate to 3/4 per cent. This decision leaves considerable monetary stimulus in place, consistent with achieving the 2 per cent inflation target in light of the significant excess supply in Canada, the strength of domestic spending, and the uneven global recovery.
Given the considerable uncertainty surrounding the outlook, any further reduction of monetary stimulus would have to be weighed carefully against domestic and global economic developments.
Information note:
A full update of the Bank's outlook for the economy and inflation, including risks to the projection, will be published in the MPR on 22 July 2010. The next scheduled date for announcing the overnight rate target is 8 September 2010.
If you haven't been pre-qualified as yet, today is the day to get this done. Contact me at 416-985-5426 and I'll put you in contact with the financial institution of your choice to help save you some money on your mortgage or re-financing needs. Asif Asif Khan, Realtor
Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc. Text "ASIF" to 68888 to join my Mobile Community
The global economic recovery is proceeding but is not yet self-sustaining. Greater emphasis on balance sheet repair by households, banks, and governments in a number of advanced economies is expected to temper the pace of global growth relative to the Bank's outlook in its April Monetary Policy Report (MPR). While the policy response to the European sovereign debt crisis has reduced the risk of an adverse outcome and increased the prospect of sustainable long term growth, it is expected to slow the global recovery over the projection horizon. In the United States, private demand is picking up but remains uneven.
Economic activity in Canada is unfolding largely as expected, led by government and consumer spending. Housing activity is declining markedly from high levels, consistent with the Bank's view that policy stimulus resulted in household expenditures being brought forward into late 2009 and early 2010. While employment growth has resumed, business investment appears to be held back by global uncertainties and has yet to recover from its sharp contraction during the recession.
The Bank expects the economic recovery in Canada to be more gradual than it had projected in its April MPR, with growth of 3.5 per cent in 2010, 2.9 per cent in 2011, and 2.2 per cent in 2012. This revision reflects a slightly weaker profile for global economic growth and more modest consumption growth in Canada. The Bank anticipates that business investment and net exports will make a relatively larger contribution to growth.
Inflation in Canada has been broadly in line with the Bank's April projection. While the Bank now expects the economy to return to full capacity at the end of 2011, two quarters later than had been anticipated in April, the underlying dynamics for inflation are little changed. Both total CPI and core inflation are expected to remain near 2 per cent throughout the projection period. The Bank will look through the transitory effects on inflation of changes to provincial indirect taxes. Reflecting all of these factors, the Bank has decided to raise the target for the overnight rate to 3/4 per cent. This decision leaves considerable monetary stimulus in place, consistent with achieving the 2 per cent inflation target in light of the significant excess supply in Canada, the strength of domestic spending, and the uneven global recovery.
Given the considerable uncertainty surrounding the outlook, any further reduction of monetary stimulus would have to be weighed carefully against domestic and global economic developments.
Information note:
A full update of the Bank's outlook for the economy and inflation, including risks to the projection, will be published in the MPR on 22 July 2010. The next scheduled date for announcing the overnight rate target is 8 September 2010.
If you haven't been pre-qualified as yet, today is the day to get this done. Contact me at 416-985-5426 and I'll put you in contact with the financial institution of your choice to help save you some money on your mortgage or re-financing needs. Asif Asif Khan, Realtor
Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc. Text "ASIF" to 68888 to join my Mobile Community
"Which GTA neighbourhood is the best bang for your buck?"
Please visit link: http://www.yourhome.ca/homes/realestate/article/836044--which-gta-neighbourhood-is-the-best-bang-for-your-buck
Mississauga, ON (July 14, 2010) - Toronto's housing market roared back to life in the first half of 2010, with single-detached homes and condominium apartments and townhouses posting unprecedented double-digit gains in average price in most districts, according to a report released today by RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada. This is in stark contrast to the July 2009 RE/MAX report that found that values in approximately 80 per cent of neighbourhoods surveyed in Toronto had depreciated over the same period in 2008.
RE/MAX examined 63 Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) districts in the single-detached category between January and June of 2010 and found that 85.7 per cent experienced double-digit gains. Mississauga's Lorne Park (W13) led in terms of percentage increase in average price with a 30.2 per cent upswing in the first six months of the year, bringing year-to-date values in the area to $880,373 (vs. $676289 in 2009 and $830,041 in 2008). Markham (N01) ranked second with a 27.7 per cent jump to $779,168 (vs. $610,322 in 2009 and $683,050 in 2008) while Armour Heights, Bathurst Manor (C06) came in a close third at 27.5 per cent (rising to $732,535 from $574,599 in 2009 and $589,808 one year earlier). Mississauga's Creditview, Erindale area (W16) secured fourth spot with an average price of $561,973-up 26.5 per cent over 2009's $444,221 and 2008's $476,877. Rounding out the top five was York Mills, Hogg's Hollow, Bridle Path (C12) with a 26.2 per cent increase over last year and an average price of $1,868,591 (vs. $1,480,296 in 2009 and $1,580,851 in 2008).
"While first-time buyers dominated housing markets during the first half of 2009, move-up buyers ruled during January to June of 2010," says Michael Polzler, Executive Vice President, RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada. "Rising interest rates and the introduction of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) in the province helped drive activity, with more than 50,000 sales reported year-to-date-a figure on par with record 2007 levels."
Asif Khan, Realtor
Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc. Text "ASIF" to 68888 to join my Mobile Community
RE/MAX examined 63 Toronto Real Estate Board (TREB) districts in the single-detached category between January and June of 2010 and found that 85.7 per cent experienced double-digit gains. Mississauga's Lorne Park (W13) led in terms of percentage increase in average price with a 30.2 per cent upswing in the first six months of the year, bringing year-to-date values in the area to $880,373 (vs. $676289 in 2009 and $830,041 in 2008). Markham (N01) ranked second with a 27.7 per cent jump to $779,168 (vs. $610,322 in 2009 and $683,050 in 2008) while Armour Heights, Bathurst Manor (C06) came in a close third at 27.5 per cent (rising to $732,535 from $574,599 in 2009 and $589,808 one year earlier). Mississauga's Creditview, Erindale area (W16) secured fourth spot with an average price of $561,973-up 26.5 per cent over 2009's $444,221 and 2008's $476,877. Rounding out the top five was York Mills, Hogg's Hollow, Bridle Path (C12) with a 26.2 per cent increase over last year and an average price of $1,868,591 (vs. $1,480,296 in 2009 and $1,580,851 in 2008).
"While first-time buyers dominated housing markets during the first half of 2009, move-up buyers ruled during January to June of 2010," says Michael Polzler, Executive Vice President, RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada. "Rising interest rates and the introduction of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) in the province helped drive activity, with more than 50,000 sales reported year-to-date-a figure on par with record 2007 levels."
Asif Khan, Realtor
Re/Max All-Stars Realty Inc. Text "ASIF" to 68888 to join my Mobile Community