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24 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday February 28, 2007 www.oakvillebeaver.com First Canadian Title pioneered title insurance Continued from page 23 80,000 square-foot building and accommodate an additional 175 employees. More than 350 employees currently work in the state-ofthe-art building, which features an open-concept work environment, a fully equipped exercise centre, a full-service restaurant-style cafeteria and catering facility, café stations throughout the building and an outdoor patio. First Canadian Title is Canada's leading provider of $406 billion in ava went unused in 20 In 2005, Canadians con their Registered Retire ­ the highest total con year's record, $406 b room went unused Canada. As the Marc contributions approac to revisit their savings of this tax-sheltered in "It is great to see that retirement, but this fi seven per cent of the overall room available to eligible tax filers," says John Bennett, Executive Vice President at AGF Trust. A tax filer's 2006 RSP contribution limit is 18 per cent of their previous year's "Earned Income" ­ to a maximum of $18,000, plus any unused contributions carried forward from previous years. This can add up quickly and investors can find themselves a long way from maximizing their RSP contributions. "There are solutions for Canadians to help top-up their contributions, even if they don't have the cash to do so before the 2006 contribution deadline," Bennett explains. "Borrowing to invest in an RRSP can be an effective strategy to reach long-term financial goals sooner and the tax refund can be used to pay down the loan or other high interest debt." Bennett suggests investors answer the following questions when considering an RSP loan: 1. Am I comfortable borrowing money to finance an investment? 2. Should I take out a loan to invest in my RSP or pay down debt such as a student loan or mortgage? 3. Do I have the cash flow to repay the loan without affecting my lifestyle? 4. Is my income tax rate high enough to make reducing my taxable income with an RSP loan a priority? - News Canada title insurance for residential and commercial real estate transactions and other related products and services. It pioneered the concept of title insurance in Canada, and now issues hundreds of thousands of new policies each year. Wiebe promotes Bronte Creek Provincial Park and Oakville wherever she goes. As the park's Natural Heritage Education Specialist, she has spent the past 11 years appearing at trade shows, local shopping malls and GO train stations, as well as in newspaper ads and posters and on television shows. Bronte Creek Provincial Park, located north of the QEW on Burloak Drive, allows visitors to view living history demonstrations in an 1890s farmhouse, pet farm animals, play in an outdoor playground, camp overnight, swim in a huge outdoor pool and stroll or cycle along nature trails. In winter, visitors can skate outdoors, toboggan and ski cross-country. "The outstanding efforts of our first award winners exemplify the goals of OEDA," Breakey said. "Their contributions to local economic development and tourism have made Oakville a better place to live, work and visit." In recognition of their efforts, Wiebe and Gale Lockbaum, vice president, finance, First Canadian Title, were each presented with a blown glass Water Column produced by local artist John Raynard, a graduate of the School of Crafts and Design at the Sheridan Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning. These works of art were produced by Raynard using the Incalmo technique, in which multiple hot bubbles of glass are joined to produce unique compound forms. OEDA promotes Oakville for business and tourism development. The OEDA partnership was created by the Town of Oakville, Oakville Chamber of Commerce and the local business community. For more information, visit www.oeda.ca. OEDA board members Continued from page 23 We Know MORTGAGES LOANS · LINE OF CREDIT "We specialize in hard to place mortgages" 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Mortgages Residential and Commercial Debt Consolidation Power of Sale Refinancing No Up Front Fees Up to 100% Financing O.A.C. Apartment Buildings and Construction Loans Self Employed and Discharged Bankrupts Buy, Sell and Arrange all Types of Mortgages Equity Financing - No Income Required Private Funds for Unqualified Bank Deals Gandubert's experience in helping the Oakville Soccer Club adopt its first strategic plan and launch a new branding initiative will benefit the OEDA. He previously led the Quebec Soccer Federation and served as senior policy advisor to two federal Ministers of Sport. Gandubert is also a former journalist and managing partner with a sports marketing firm. Mason's capabilities resulted in her holding a variety of increasingly responsible positions at RBC Financial Group where she is currently responsible for the management of all consumer, financial planning, small business operations and overall performance of 18 RBC branches, 26 financial planners and 12 small business account managers in Halton. She is also President of Milton District Hospital Foundation and a Steering Committee member of Athena International, Oakville Chapter. OEDA's other Board members are: · John Breakey, President & CEO Unis Lumin, Chair; · Mary Cardamone, Royal LePage,Vice-Chair; · Rob Burton, Oakville Mayor, secretary; · Jeff Parr, Centerra Gold Inc.,treasurer; · Tom Adams, Oakville Councillor, director; · Jeff Knoll, Oakville Councillor, director; · John Scott, General Manager, Holiday Inn Oakville Centre, director. OEDA promotes Oakville for business and tourism development. The OEDA partnership was created by the Town of Oakville, Oakville Chamber of Commerce and the local business community. For more information, visit www.oeda.ca. KINGSWAY INVESTMENTS LTD. Oakville Corporate Centre, 710 Dorval Drive, Suite 520, Oakville Effort Square, 105 Main Street East, Suite 1510, Hamilton Oakville 905-815-8400 · Hamilton 905-526-6300 If you have a news tip or story idea, call the Oakville Beaver at 845-3824. Strike averted at Oakville FirstOntario Credit Union Ltd. FirstOntario Credit Union Ltd. has reached an agreement with the 15 unionized employees represented by Canadian Office and Professional Employees (COPE) Local 343 at its Kerr Street, Oakville and Brant Street, Burlington branches. "We are pleased to have successfully negotiated a contract that meets the needs of our members, our corporate strategic direction, the communities we serve and most importantly, our employees," says John Lahey, President and CEO of FirstOntario. The Kerr Street and Brant Street employees would have been in a legal strike position at midnight, Feb. 25. The new agreement addresses business issues the credit union had thus far been unable to reach agreement on with the 70 employees of the same union from the Hamilton and Stoney Creek branches. These employees have been on strike since Oct. 20, 2006. In business since 1939, FirstOntario Credit Union has 17 branches serving 11 communities within the Greater Hamilton Area, the Niagara Region and Southwestern Ontario. Peace of Mind ... ... the most Valuable Service we Provide Kelly G. Yerxa Certified Specialist Municipal Law: Local Government/Land Use Planning and Development Anton Tucker CFP, FMA, FCSI 905.901.3429 anton@tridelta.ca www.tridelta.ca OAKVILLE NORTH YORK MISSISSAUGA THORNHILL Tim Trian, CFA - Portfolio Manager , Laura Trian, C.A., CFP CIM - Investment Advisor O'Connor MacLeod Hanna LLP, Halton's full service law firm, is proud to announce that Kelly G. Yerxa has been designated by the Law Society of Upper Canada as a Certified Specialist in Municipal and Planning Law. To learn more about Kelly, you can contact her at the phone number below or visit our website at: www.omh.ca 200-2908 South Sheridan Way, Oakville Tel: 905-829-0600 Visit us at http://teamtrian.dundeewealth.com (905) 842-8030 700 Kerr Street, Oakville, ON, L6K 3W5 www.omh.ca