The Aubertin Group of RBC Dominion Securities

10/29/2026

I like to picture a large, beautiful tree when it comes to charitable giving. Many think it's just a receipt and a warm glow; that's just the seed. Here's what's under the surface: the roots you never see, but that hold the whole thing up.

It's deciding between cash, publicly traded securities, or a donor-advised fund and knowing that donating appreciated stock directly means no capital gains tax, so more of it actually reaches the charity.

It's timing the gift around a high-income year or an RRIF withdrawal, so the impact and the strategy work together instead of against each other.

It's the conversation with your advisor about whether a charitable remainder trust, a private foundation, or a simple donor-advised fund fits how you actually want to give.

It's understanding how the donation tax credit actually works, and not letting it become the reason instead of the bonus.

It's the estate plan: naming a charity as a beneficiary on a registered account or through your will, deciding what percentage goes where before anyone else gets a say.

It's vetting a charity's registration and financials with the CRA, not just its mission statement, before wiring real money.

It's revisiting the plan every few years, because your wealth changes, the tax rules change, and so should the strategy.

The roots are unseen, but they're what let the tree grow. The donation is just the trunk. What comes after — the leaves, the flowers, the fruit — that's the impact. That's the shade someone else gets to sit in, the beauty someone else gets to see, the fruit someone else gets to eat.

That's what charitable giving actually is. Not a moment. A tree.

10/20/2026

At The Aubertin Group, our team believes wealth and longevity are intertwined, and we work with our clients to ensure their wealth supports their livelihoods over the long term.

This topic is something we value so highly that we created an educational booklet to share with all of you. We believe access to important information like this is something we should all have.

Learn more here:

At The Aubertin Group, our team of experts is dedicated to helping you take advantage of opportunities, overcome challenges, and reach your goals.

10/15/2026

I’ve always been someone who values continuous education, and my favourite way, as of late, to learn new things is through my daily walks and listening to my top podcasts.

Here are some of the podcasts I’ve been enjoying most lately:

1. Rational Reminder: This one revolves around evidence-based investing, financial planning and the research behind the decisions we make. The hosts regularly bring in academics and industry experts to challenge conventional thinking, and I find it incredibly valuable.

2. Lost Women of Science: Co-hosted by journalist Katie Hafner and Carol Sutton Lewis, this series brings long-overdue attention to female scientists whose vital contributions were historically sidelined. We love amplifying women’s voices and stories around here, so this one is a favourite for many reasons.

3. Stuff Mom Never Told You: Based on the title alone, it’s pretty much exactly what you’d expect, where hosts Anney Reese and Samantha McVey deep dive into different topics that may have been considered taboo in the past. This one consists of discussions of sociology, psychology, and history, and investigates how gender intersects with science, pop culture, and everyday life.

These are some of the podcasts I listen to while I’m on my walks, and they all serve as excellent educational pieces on various aspects of life.

From financial conversations to science-based discussions and deep dives into the psychology behind much of what we know, I always love learning more as I get my steps in.

I’d love to hear about some of your current favourites. Let me know in the comments!

10/06/2026

For our team at The Aubertin Group, it has never been just about growing portfolios, but about understanding the people behind the numbers.

Our mission is grounded in the belief that the most meaningful financial plan is one that reflects what matters most to you, your family, your goals, your values, your sense of purpose, and the life you want to build.

For us, that means taking a people-first approach and having honest conversations to better understand where you are today and create a thoughtful roadmap for where you want to go.

When we look at the bigger picture of our clients’ lives, it’s clear that investments are only one piece of the puzzle. It’s also important to consider how aspects like retirement, taxes, estate planning, charitable giving, and other financial decisions work together.

To learn more about how our team can best support you and your financial plans, let’s schedule a time to chat.

https://bit.ly/4zirYLr

10/01/2026

How do you view charitable giving? For many people, the driving forces are both generosity and financial strategies.

Here are the top 3 questions I often hear people asking about this topic:

1. Can I get a tax credit for my charitable donations?

Yes, in Canada, eligible charitable donations generally qualify for a non-refundable tax credit, with the value of the credit depending on factors such as the amount donated and your province.

2. Is it better to donate cash or investments?

Donating certain appreciated securities may provide additional tax advantages compared to selling the investment and donating the cash.

3. When is the best time to make a charitable donation?

Your income, capital gains, retirement plans and other financial circumstances may all influence when and how you give, and charitable giving surely doesn’t need to be an afterthought just at tax time. Rather, it can be built into your financial strategy with intention and care.

If charitable giving is important to you, like it is for many of our clients, it’s worth having the conversation before you donate, not after.

Want to learn more? Let’s chat.

09/17/2026

Reaching out to a financial advisor, whether it's your first time or you're thinking about a change, can feel like a big step. Maybe things drifted with your last advisor. Maybe you just have a feeling it could be better.

Either way, here's how we see it at Aubertin Group, we see that first step as laying the foundation for a successful relationship that brings you clarity and peace of mind.

We’re here to listen, understand and create a clear plan that works best for you.

09/15/2026

Our branch partnered with Burlington Green to clean up a local park and the impact was real. Cat, Tammy, and Nadine, along with a few others from our office, collected nearly 450 cigarette butts and 3 full bags of garbage!

Here's something that might surprise you: cigarette butts contain cellulose acetate, a type of plastic that can take 10+ years to decompose. Even more concerning, they leach toxic chemicals into soil and waterways. These "forever plastics" persist in our environment long after they're discarded, harming wildlife and ecosystems.

Small actions create a big impact. Proud of my team for stepping up!

09/08/2026

It doesn’t matter how old you get; that "back-to-school feeling" never seems to leave you each year September rolls around.

For many of us, for a good chunk of our lives, September has felt like the start of the year. This continues as we have families of our own, and we’re busy preparing, scheduling and planning.

With the change in season and pace of life, and the start of preparing for a cold Ontario winter, this time of year can feel like a lot.

Although I love fall and the way the landscape in Canada becomes art, splashed with colours at every turn, it never seems to last long enough. Time seems to move quickly as we try to hold onto this season for just a little bit longer.

Let this be a reminder to pause amidst it all and allow yourself time to feel grounded. I like to practice being present through going for walks or slowing down long enough to read a book.

How do you practice mindfulness during this time of year?

09/03/2026

Labour Day weekend often marks the unofficial end of summer for many, as kids head back to school and life shifts into a new rhythm. For some, it means soaking up a few more days on the water.

It’s also a day that recognizes the contributions of workers and the history of the labour movement. Today, it feels especially relevant as many navigate evolving industries, a rising cost of living, and a growing desire to find meaning in their work.

As we transition into a new month, it’s good to take some time to reflect on where you are today and where you want more flexibility, stability, or intention moving forward.

Wishing you all a safe and happy Labour Day and start to September!

08/25/2026

There are many reasons I carry such pride for my work, and one of the most significant is our all-women advisory team.

This group of resilient, brilliant, and hard-working women, whom I’m so grateful to work alongside, has made our space one of empowerment for all those we work with.

The energy, consideration, and care that Tammy, Cat, Katharine and Nadine bring to every interaction is apparent. It’s also a beautiful example of the environment women can cultivate when we work together with intentionality and purpose.

I’ve always believed there is enough space for all women around me to succeed. And when it comes down to it, when one woman succeeds, we all do.