As we move into a new quarter, there’s a noticeable shift in the air—longer evenings, a bit more daylight, and (finally) no more time changes here in BC. It’s a small win, but one we’ll gladly take.

While the change in seasons tends to bring a sense of reset, the broader global backdrop remains a bit more uncertain. Ongoing tensions in Iran continue to evolve, and while it’s difficult to predict how long the conflict may last, it’s something we’re keeping a close eye on as part of the bigger economic picture.

Closer to home, the city is starting to come back to life a bit: patios filling up, golf courses getting busy, and the annual debate of “is it warm enough yet?” in full swing. It’s that in-between season where one day feels like summer and the next reminds you it’s still Canada. Either way, it’s a good time to shake off the winter routine and get back into the rhythm of things.

In this edition, we’ve put together a few timely updates and practical insights to help you stay informed and on track as we head further into the year:

Olympics
Tax Time
Holidays
Your Next Chapter
AI and Your Career: What the Data Actually Shows
Security

Olympics

The Winter Olympics trace their roots back to 1924, when a modest “International Winter Sports Week” was held in Chamonix, an event not originally intended to be part of the Olympic movement. Its success led to it being recognized as the first official Winter Olympics, setting the stage for a global tradition. More than just sport, the Olympics embody the idea of bringing nations together, with the iconic five-ring symbol representing the unity of the world’s continents and a shared commitment to friendly competition and mutual respect.

Canada has a proud Olympic tradition in both Winter and Summer Games, and this year our athletes showed incredible skill, determination, and grit across a wide range of sports. Their performances went beyond medals, inspiring Canadians with their effort and resilience in the way they represented the country on the world stage. It was a reminder of why the Olympics have such a powerful impact on not just on athletes, but on everyone watching back home.

https://www.canadagames.ca/news/2025-guide-to-the-games?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Tax Time

The end of March and beginning of April is tax season for many Canadians, so we wanted to send a quick reminder about a few helpful resources.

We encourage clients to make use of the online client portal, not only does it provide a clear view of your accounts, but it also includes digital copies of your tax slips that can be easily shared with your accountant.

You will also find a Tax Checklist in the portal to help highlight the T-slips you can expect to receive from your portfolio with us.

If you have any questions, Tracy is always happy to help.

Holidays

We wanted to let you know that Travis and Jack’s vacation schedules overlap from April 7–10 and April 13–15, resulting in limited availability in our office during those periods.

During this time, Tracy will be available to assist with general inquiries, including tax slip questions and administrative matters. We have also arranged for additional team support to help with urgent requests.

We appreciate your understanding and apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.

Your Next Chapter

At some point, you will stop working in your current occupation. Call it Independence Day.

Beyond a paycheque, work provides structure, social connection, mental stimulation, and perhaps most importantly, a sense of identity and purpose. When that chapter closes, you may need to rediscover who you are outside of it — and that takes time and grace.

So how do you prepare for this leap into the unknown?

Income — converting savings, government benefits, and pensions into a reliable income stream is a core part of planning. And geography matters too: where you choose to live in retirement can be just as important as how much you have saved. Living below your means, both before and after you retire, gives you more freedom than any specific savings target.

What truly matters to you? Start a bucket list — salsa dancing, travel, learning something new, volunteering, or simply being present for family. Knowing what you want helps put today's pressures into perspective. It also shapes how much you'll actually need to live on, which is a key input into any solid plan.

There is a lot of time to fill. The transition can feel disorienting — the emails stop, the meetings disappear, and the silence is eerie at first. But once you find your new rhythm, a common refrain is that people can't imagine how they ever had time for work.

If you have a partner, expect an adjustment period. Suddenly sharing every hour of every day is a shift for both of you. Some couples thrive doing everything together; others carve out independent interests and social lives — and that's perfectly healthy too.

One more thing: rediscover your inner child. Don't worry about what others are doing or how their retirement compares to yours. Run your own race. And eat more ice cream.

All your goals and activities shape what you need financially — and that is exactly what we help you figure out.

AI and Your Career: What the Data Actually Shows

The headlines about AI eliminating jobs can feel unsettling, but the real-world numbers tell a different story. Since late 2022, right when ChatGPT launched and the alarm bells started ringing, the U.S. economy has actually added around 3 million white collar jobs. Salaries have kept climbing too, with office professionals earning meaningfully more in real terms than they did just three years ago. So while the debate rages in boardrooms and on op-ed pages, most knowledge workers are still very much in demand.

History gives us reason for cautious optimism. When personal computers arrived in the 1980s, Nobel-winning economists warned of mass displacement. Instead, white-collar employment more than doubled over the following decades. That's because technology rarely eliminates jobs wholesale, it tends to automate the routine parts, freeing people up for the higher value work that actually requires human judgment, creativity, and relationships. AI appears to be following the same playbook. Research shows that only about 4% of occupations could be fully automated by current AI tools, the vast majority of roles involve enough complexity and nuance that humans remain essential.

The takeaway isn't really about white-collar vs. blue-collar, it's about the nature of the work itself. Jobs built around repetitive, rule-based tasks face the most pressure, regardless of whether that's an office administrator or a production line worker. On the flip side, roles that demand physical dexterity, human judgment, creative thinking, or genuine relationship-building - whether you're a nurse, a plumber, or a project manager - appear far more resilient than the headlines suggest. The real opportunity lies in leaning into those distinctly human skills that AI simply can't replicate: judgment, empathy, adaptability, and the ability to build trust with the people around you.

https://www.economist.com/finance-and-economics/2026/01/26/why-ai-wont-wipe-out-white-collar-jobs

Security

Cyber-attacks are becoming more common, and this is something we all need to become more adept at monitoring. We want to remind you that when iA Private Wealth sends an email to you, there are no links to click on. You must navigate to our site yourself and sign in. Criminals are creating fraudulent sites that closely resemble legitimate dealer login pages and are being to harvest client credentials. So far, discount brokers are the main target and most affected, but it could well spread to other firms.

We act as go between you and your investments, which is why we always want to talk with you before entering a transaction. Please always use iAPW’s official website and mobile application before entering any login credentials.

Do not access accounts through links received by email, text message, or social media.

As always, if anything here sparks a question or conversation, feel free to reach out. We’ll continue to keep an eye on what matters and share updates along the way. In the meantime, enjoy the longer days ahead.

Travis Kidson, B.Sc, CFP®, CIM®
Portfolio Manager | iA Private Wealth
Insurance Advisor | iA Private Wealth Insurance Agency
700-609 Granville St. Vancouver, BC
p: 604 895 3486
travis@beaconwealthpartners.ca

Jack Fournier B.Sc, FMA, CIM®
Portfolio Manager | iA Private Wealth
Insurance Advisor | iA Private Wealth Insurance Agency
700-609 Granville St. Vancouver, BC
p: 604 895 3348
jack@beaconwealthpartners.ca

This information has been prepared by Travis Kidson and Jack Fournier who are Portfolio Managers for iA Private Wealth Inc. and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of iA Private Wealth. The information contained in this newsletter comes from sources we believe reliable, but we cannot guarantee its accuracy or reliability. The opinions expressed are based on an analysis and interpretation dating from the date of publication and are subject to change without notice. Furthermore, they do not constitute an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any of the securities mentioned. The information contained herein may not apply to all types of investors. The Portfolio Managers can open accounts only in the provinces in which they are registered.

iA Private Wealth Inc. is a member of the Canadian Investor Protection Fund and the Canadian Investment Regulatory Organization. iA Private Wealth is a trademark and business name under which iA Private Wealth Inc. operates.

*Insurance products are provided through iA Private Wealth Insurance Agency which is a trade name of PPI Management Inc. Only products and services offered through iA Private Wealth Inc. are covered by the Canadian Investors Protection Fund.

Beacon Wealth Partners is a personal trade name of Jack Fournier and Travis Kidson.