Today, Randy Gunn, BULLWEALTH’s VP and Portfolio Manager, sits down with Mike Werbowecki, Senior Vice President at NFP Canada, who brings more than 35 years of experience in the insurance industry, primarily within group pension plans at firms such as Clarica, Equitable Life, and Manulife. Their discussion focuses on employer-sponsored pension plans in Canada, with particular attention to Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution plans, including the current state of these plans, their limitations, the responsibilities of plan sponsors, and best practices for achieving strong outcomes for plan members. Mike also highlights the challenges both plan sponsors and members are likely to face in the years ahead, particularly as the shift from Defined Benefit to Defined Contribution plans continues. Together, Randy and Mike offer a thoughtful and insightful conversation that provides practical guidance for navigating employer-sponsored pension plans.

Today, BULLWEALTH brings together its portfolio management team, along with Savva Cherdantsev, Managing Director of Research & Investments, for our second annual Lessons Learned podcast. Following the strong reception to last year’s inaugural episode, where we discussed key challenges and successes from 2024, we have reconvened to reflect on the lessons learned throughout 2025. These insights span a wide range of topics, including whether market breadth is broadening or remains concentrated among mega-cap technology companies, how to construct portfolios amid strong global capital markets and slowing economic fundamentals, what clients can expect from BULLWEALTH’s enhanced Watch List process for evaluating and changing investment managers, and how we manage portfolio liquidity when certain securities cannot be readily sold. We hope this wide-ranging discussion provides useful perspective and helps inform decision-making for your portfolio in 2026 and beyond.

Today, Randy Gunn, BULLWEALTH’s VP & Portfolio Manager, speaks with Michael Kulbak of Kulbak Trust Solutions about terminal tax returns—often the single largest tax liability an individual will face—and why proactive planning and expert guidance are essential. Their discussion covers what terminal returns are, how deemed disposition works, and the use of optional returns, marginal tax rates, and available credits to minimize taxes and maximize benefits for heirs. A key message is the importance of working with professionals experienced in these filings, as many accountants may miss valuable elections or nuances. They also outline common executor pitfalls, including managing estate liquidity, meeting filing deadlines, canceling benefits, reporting registered accounts correctly, and obtaining CRA clearance certificates before distributing assets. Since estate distribution is the moment when a client’s lifelong wealth is ultimately allocated, thoughtful guidance during this stage is critical.

In today’s podcast, Kevin Van Dyk, Managing Director at BULLWEALTH, speaks with Adam Burns, Vice President of Investments at Fulcra Asset Management, to explore the firm’s distinctive approach to fixed income investing. Adam explains how Fulcra, founded in 2009, applies a bottom-up process that evaluates companies across the capital structure—from senior secured loans to subordinated debt. He highlights how Fulcra differentiates itself from traditional fixed income managers by avoiding index constraints, instead targeting mispriced securities in small to mid-sized North American companies. Adam also discusses Fulcra’s barbell strategy, combining government and investment-grade securities with tactical and special situation opportunities to enhance yield, while managing risk. Finally, Adam outlines how the investment team leverages due diligence, credit rating arbitrage, and event-driven strategies such as merger arbitrage to identify value and drive both income and capital appreciation for investors.

Today, Randy Gunn, BULLWEALTH’s VP & Portfolio Manager, speaks with Dr. Maureen Dunne, a cognitive scientist, and international expert and author on neurodiversity, to explore what neurodivergence means and why recognizing it is vital in today’s workplace. Their conversation begins with defining neurodiversity as the broad range of ways our brains can work—encompassing strengths, challenges, and neurological differences such as autism, ADHD, and dyslexia—and why these differences should be viewed as strengths. They discuss how embracing neurodivergence drives fresh perspectives, innovative problem-solving, and helps teams avoid groupthink, ultimately boosting creativity and performance. Maureen also explains how neurodivergent individuals can bring unique skills that makes them valuable contributors in an evolving world shaped by AI. Randy and Maureen’s conversation is inspiring, highlighting how leveraging cognitive diversity can uncover hidden talent and create stronger, more innovative teams.

Today, Tammy Huitema, Managing Director at BULLWEALTH, introduces listeners to BULLWEALTH’s newest partner, Leanne Rodrigo. Leanne brings a wealth of experience from her years in the tax field, having worked at firms such as Grant Thornton and Cadesky Tax, where she advised families on a wide range of tax-related decisions. In this engaging conversation, Tammy and Leanne cover a variety of topics—from Leanne’s path to becoming an accountant, to the areas she focuses on in her daily work, to her personal life, including her two daughters and their activities.

Today, Randy Gunn BULLWEALTH’s VP & Portfolio Managers sits down with Nimali Gamage, Managing Partner at the law firm Goddard Gamage LLP to discuss the key issues that parents with disabled children should consider when building out their estate plan. Most parents want to protect and support their children while also enhancing their autonomy and independence. When the child is an adult disabled child, the legal issues around balancing protection and autonomy are numerous and complex. This podcast touches on some of the issues that arise regarding legal issues for disabled adults, such as estate planning tools, Henson trusts, guardianship, powers of attorney, ODSP issues, and the use of a RDSP account. 

In today’s podcast, Kevin Van Dyk, Managing Director at BULLWEALTH, speaks with Brian Kersmanc, one of GQG’s three Portfolio Managers on its Global Equity Portfolio, for an insightful discussion on their distinctive investment philosophy, process, and strategy. Brian explains that GQG evaluates each holding on a five-year basis and emphasizes the firm’s perspective advantage—rather than an information advantage—when identifying new investment opportunities, illustrated through his analogy of viewing an apple from multiple angles. He further elaborates that GQG does not adhere strictly to a value or growth investment style; instead, they view quality as dynamic, allowing the portfolio to shift across sectors and regions as opportunities evolve. In addition, Brian highlights how GQG combines traditional analysis with input from non-traditional investigative journalists to uncover unique investment ideas and proactively adjust the portfolio in anticipation of potential risks.

Today, Randy Gunn, BULLWEALTH’s VP & Portfolio Manager, sits down with Corina Weigl, Partner and Co-Lead of Fasken’s Private Client Service Group, to delve into the evolving world of trusts and the critical responsibilities trustees hold. With the fiduciary environment becoming more complex, the role of a trustee has never been more important—or more demanding. While our last podcast explored the various types of trusts and the opportunities they present for families, today’s discussion focuses to what it truly means to be a trustee. Corina outlines the key duties trustees are expected to fulfill, the qualities that define an effective trustee, and the best practices that can help trustees meet their legal and ethical obligations to beneficiaries. As trusts become a more common planning tool among Canadian families—and with many of our clients having a trust—this episode is especially relevant. Randy and Corina’s conversation is both thoughtful and insightful, offering practical guidance for those navigating the responsibilities and challenges of trust and estate planning.

Today, Randy Gunn, BULLWEALTH’s VP & Portfolio Manager, speaks with Nathan Wright, Managing Partner at Spectrum Tax & Estate Planning. Their discussion begins with an overview of what a trust is and the various types of trusts available. Then they explore the tax savings and tax deferral opportunities, which depend on when the trust is established and the individual's proximity to the assets. Finally, Nathan dives into the tax implications of transferring assets into or out of a trust. As you can imagine, Randy and Nathan’s conversation is both thoughtful and insightful, offering valuable guidance for those navigating trust and estate planning decisions.