I was recently hired to offer my expert opinion on a litigation case where a handful of investors agreed to participate in a syndicated private second mortgage on a commercial building. There were many red flags with this transaction but the thing that stuck out the most to me was the lack of experience amongst the multiple mortgage brokers and agents that were involved in the transaction. Most o...

Yesterday, I went for a walk in the woods on a road that was abandoned long ago. It reminded me of the journey we take in life. Sometimes the road is clear and other times we must look a little harder for that road. The outline of it is there but we might have to climb over a few obstacles or cross a brook to find our way.  My professional journey started back in 1989. I would have taken ...

As a card-carrying member of Gen X, I grew up at a time when life was affordable in Canada. No matter where you were on the socio-economic spectrum the basic necessities of food and shelter were attainable even if you just made minimum wage. If you needed transportation, you could always find a beat-up old car for a nominal price and if you aspired to be a homeowner that too was affordable. Fo...

The vice is tightening for many Canadian households!If your mortgage is maturing this year, you may find the following:- Your interest rate is higher- Your payments are higher- You do not have the option to roll other consumer debt into your mortgage because your home has decreased in valueFor some, the news is even more concerning:- Your private mortgage lender refuses to offer a renewal-  ...

I’m not one who thrives in large gatherings but Friday night I was glad I made the effort to show up!  Every summer I head to rural Cape Breton where I have a spot on the water, not far from my Mom’s family. She was one of seven kids so there are a lot of friends and family in the area; especially in the summer months when everyone comes home. On this night I was headed to the local ha...

I was recently hired to write an expert witness report for a case that perfectly illustrates the domino effects of the real estate correction that started in 2022. As you may recall, the Bank of Canada began to raise interest rates in the spring of 2022, signalling the beginning of the end to the real estate party that had been going on since the start of the Pandemic. From March to October 20...

About seven years ago I stumbled into songwriting. It wasn’t a calculated decision; it was on a whim and a prayer. For me it was therapeutic and a new challenge. It allowed me to use a completely different part of my brain that was probably well on its way towards atrophy. I was fortunate to find Murray Foster and the Toronto Songwriting School. Murray and his co-pilot, Mary Krause, have creat...

Back in my late twenties I had the privilege of playing hockey with a Canadian icon, Mr. Paul Henderson. We played Monday, Wednesday, and Fridays at noon hour at the old barn in Oakville on Kerr Street. To my clients, I was at a “lunch meeting", but for me it was a time to get some exercise while learning from a bunch of guys that were ten to twenty years my senior. It was a diverse bunch includi...

Sometimes, the most valuable thing an expert witness can provide is a reality check.I had a call the other day with a litigator and their client. The day before, the lawyer had sent me a brief summary of their case as they were considering retaining me as an expert witness.The conversation lasted only 15-20 minutes, but in that time, I was able to offer some key insights. Their theory hinged on t...

Tomorrow, Canadians across the country will head to the polls to cast their votes in the federal election. It's a moment that always fills me with a mix of pride, hope, and reflection. This year is extra special; I get to watch my daughters navigate their relationship with voting and democracy. I have two daughters who are now of voting age. I have tried my best to instill in them the importan...