Many important factors are changing the landscape of charitable giving.  We will talk with 3 philanthropy professionals who each work in different ways to advance planning giving.

Laurie Fox will speak to trends based on extensive CAGP research and the new Will Power program. Mike Todd works with charities, and will share the benefits of positioning themselves for DAF and systems/process to optimize. Matt Mandrusiak will share the unique impact philanthropy has on Donors.

Laurie Fox, MBA  - Campaign Director, Will Power

Laurie Fox is the Director of the Will Power, a public awareness campaign inspiring Canadians to harness the power of their Wills, RRSPs and other financial assets to do more for the causes they care about.

Laurie has worked in the non-profit sector for over 2 decades, and has seen the need in our communities and across the country rise. But she has also seen first-hand how ordinary Canadians have made truly extraordinary contributions just by giving in a different way.

Will Power runs a website, with free tools and resources, where people can explore how to use their Wills and other assets to make charitable gifts, and find the help they need to get started. Check it out at willpower.ca 

Mike Todd, MFA-P

Mike Todd works with charities and financial advisors, and specializes in donor-advised funds (DAF). The DAF is the fastest growing way to give in Canada, yet many charities have yet to incorporate this tool into their overall fundraising strategy. Mike works with charities to help them optimize their funding from this important tool.

Matt Mandrusiak - Manager, Philanthropy

Matt joined Edmonton Community Foundation in 2015 after seven years of working with organizations focused on providing support to individuals with disabilities throughout Alberta. Having witnessed first-hand the passion and generosity of Edmontonians to support local causes, Matt has had the great privilege of assisting donors and charities to enhance our already amazing community.

---

Registration $35 - Recording Available

No charge for Estate Planning Council of Canada Members

Guests are welcome - this event is for Professional Advisors only.

Membership Information

Curious about membership with the Estate Planning Council of Canada?  

This free event is for Professional Advisors only. Accountants, Lawyers, Financial Planners, Trust Officers, Insurance Advisors, Gift Planners and Estate Planning Advisors are invited to attend.

Drop in to our information session and find out more on Tuesday, November 26th ~ 10am Pacific / 1pm EST (1/2 hour).

The Estate Planning Council of Canada will help you expand opportunities with our:

• Solutions for advisors, practitioners and professionals include cross-education, referrals and exposure to new and developing Estate Planning and Estate Administration topics.

• Presentations are recorded and available any time, in the members only area of the website.

• We help our members to find the right information, people and strategies which help firms compete more effectively and provide exceptional client outcomes.  

---

No charge to attend - for professional Advisors only.

We are hosting a small group meeting for 10 members at the Terminal City Club in Vancouver on Wednesday, November 27th from 12pm to 1:30 pm.  It is a chance to have lunch and conversation with local estate planning professionals.

Location - 837 West Hastings - upstairs Member Lounge

Cost - $20 - includes Lunch

Questions to Laurie - info@epc-canada.org

We are also looking for Members to host Luncheons in 2025.

Get up to date Will, Inheritance and Tax Planning information for both UK and non-UK domiciled individuals. We will focus on cross-border estates, those which include business assets, and real estate and include tax changes under a new Labour Government.

Do you have clients with relatives, property, inheritances, or businesses in the UK? Don't miss this online 2-hour seminar.  Learn about inheritance tax and planning strategies for residents and non-residents. Attend live event or receive recording and slides.

Speakers:

Tim Cook, CA, Partner - Wilder Coe Ltd. in London

Having previously worked for HMRC, Tim Cook can use his insights to assist with HMRC investigations and ensure that you are informed at all times, and can offer you clear and simple advice throughout the process.

His technical areas of expertise include tax planning, pensions, emigration and trusts. Tim works with entrepreneurs, and families from a wide range of backgrounds, based both in the UK and overseas.

Zahra Kanani, Legal Director - Howard Kennedy - London

Zahra is a solicitor specializing in Wills and Tax Planning for both UK and non-UK domiciled individuals. In addition, she has a varied caseload of general private client work, such as powers of attorney, probate and the administration of estates, with a particular focus on cross-border estates and those which include business assets.

----

Registration $45 - Recording available

No charge for Estate Planning Council of Canada Members

Guests are welcome - this event is for Professional Advisors only.

Membership Information

Meet fellow members from across Canada and join our lively forum!  We will do some round table discussion on Cross Border Clients. Discussion topics will include Snowbirds, Cross Border Families, Work Relocation, and more.  

Attendees share insights, exchange ideas and identify possible courses of action to navigate common (and often complex) cross border issues.

Please be prepared to turn your camera on and join the group. See you there! For Estate Planning Council of Canada Members only. One Hour

Discussion Hosts - TBA

No charge for Estate Planning Council of Canada Members

Membership Information

Everyone is looking for reliable, tax-efficient cash flow throughout retirement. This session will highlight approaches that continue to adapt well to client situations for 2025 and beyond.

Areas to be discussed:

• RRSP Meltdown

• CPP & OAS - changes have made it more significant now

• Individual Pension Plans (IPPs)

• Capital Gains solutions for professional corporation and business owners

• Charitable Giving upon death – points about tax advantages

• Annuities and defined benefit pension plans

• What is financial planning & what is fee-only financial planning?

How you draw your income from your RRSPs, TFSAs, LIRAs, Non-Registered Funds, CPP/OAS and any individual pensions you may have is critical. If done properly, your income is maximized and your tax is minimized. If not done correctly, you are paying much more tax than necessary.

Presenter:

Ken Doll - BA, B.Comm., MA, CFP, CLU, TEP, ICD.D

---

Registration $35 - Recording Available

No charge for Estate Planning Council of Canada Members

Guests are welcome - this event is for Professional Advisors only.

Membership Information

Meet fellow members from across Canada and join our lively forum!  We will do introductions and also round table discussion on how advisors have traveled with challenges, or as a caregiver or with aging parents.  You can also ask travel related questions to the group. See you there!

Remember how great it is to connect and converse? 

Because when we decide to show up, be real, and meet others, ...pretty cool stuff happens.

No charge for Estate Planning Council of Canada Members.

In this two-part presentation, we will explore how client services can be improved by staying up to date on legal trends and evolving legal developments in the areas of estate law outside the scope of one’s practice.

We will share insights on how proactive estate planning involves an appreciation of litigation trends and procedure, and vice versa.

In Part I, we will explore how a big picture understanding of the umbrella of estate law can guide proactive estate planning and estate administration. This will include suggestions for estate planning lawyers and other estate professionals involved in estate planning.

Estate law is a vast legal practice area that spans a wide array of legal services revolving around a client’s desire to manage, protect, and efficiently transfer assets from one generation to the next. It encompasses the preparation of essential documents, such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and personal directives, to the administration of estates and trusts, both on the death of a testator or the incapacity of a donor. Of course, estate litigation is also alive and well in Canada and continues to be a fast-growing practice area.  Many estate law practitioners in Canada focus their practice on either the solicitor side, with client services focused on planning and administration, while others practice estate litigation, working to advance a client’s goal in court rooms and through alternative dispute resolution processes. 

In Part II, the presentation will focus on understanding the drafting process, from client intake to signing, provides insights into litigation strategy and advocacy. While this presentation will focus on the provision of estate legal services, we know that we (us lawyers!) could not do it without the many important professional services who make up a client’s estate team, including financial advisors, accountants, trust officers, business succession planners, insurance agents, valuation experts and appraisers, and many more. For this reason, the presentation will also endeavor to identify where under the estate umbrella our teamwork adds value to the client along the spectrum an estate file.

Presenters

Eleanor Carlson, TEP 

Partner, Carbert Waite, LLP

Gregory Kaladeen

Associate, McLeod Law, LLP

---

Registration $35 - Recording Available

No charge for Estate Planning Council of Canada Members

Guests are welcome - this event is for Professional Advisors only.

Membership Information

We will explore how client services can be improved by staying up to date on legal trends and evolving legal developments in the areas of estate law outside the scope of one’s practice.

We will share insights on how proactive estate planning involves an appreciation of litigation trends and procedure, and vice versa.

In Part II, the presentation will focus on understanding the drafting process, from client intake to signing, provides insights into litigation strategy and advocacy. While this presentation will focus on the provision of estate legal services, we know that we (us lawyers!) could not do it without the many important professional services who make up a client’s estate team, including financial advisors, accountants, trust officers, business succession planners, insurance agents, valuation experts and appraisers, and many more. For this reason, the presentation will also endeavor to identify where under the estate umbrella our teamwork adds value to the client along the spectrum an estate file.

Estate law is a vast legal practice area that spans a wide array of legal services revolving around a client’s desire to manage, protect, and efficiently transfer assets from one generation to the next. It encompasses the preparation of essential documents, such as wills, trusts, powers of attorney, and personal directives, to the administration of estates and trusts, both on the death of a testator or the incapacity of a donor. Of course, estate litigation is also alive and well in Canada and continues to be a fast-growing practice area.  Many estate law practitioners in Canada focus their practice on either the solicitor side, with client services focused on planning and administration, while others practice estate litigation, working to advance a client’s goal in court rooms and through alternative dispute resolution processes. 

Presenters

Eleanor Carlson, TEP 

Partner, Carbert Waite, LLP

Gregory Kaladeen

Associate, McLeod Law, LLP

---

Registration $35 - Recording Available

No charge for Estate Planning Council of Canada Members

Guests are welcome - this event is for Professional Advisors only.

Membership Information

Douglas Buchmayer

Partner, Gowling WLG