Neil Smith, CFP®

Certified Financial Planner
Investment Representative

I offer expert advice that works for you now and in the future – because financial freedom should leave room for you to live. This means having control over your money, doing what makes you happy and focusing on your family, not just your pocketbook. It means following your heart and not being afraid to change your mind. I’ll be here to help you with every step, every decision and every success.  

Through comprehensive analysis, in-depth market research and the support of a team of highly-qualified tax and product specialists available to me through Canada Life, I can help you achieve your financial freedom.
 

I’ll help you build a personalized financial security plan. Financial security planning is about more than just retirement planning – it’s about building a financial strategy that considers your immediate needs and your long-term goals and dreams. Are you ready to take the next step towards planning for your financial future? Contact me today if you'd like to meet and discuss your financial needs.

Neil Smith headshot

Why Neil?

I am a Certified Financial Planner® with Canada Life, a division of The Canada Life Assurance Company and an Investment Representative with Quadrus Investment Services Ltd. I have over 25 years’ experience in the financial services industry.

My aim is to help each of my clients to have a goals-based financial plan. It is the road map or the GPS to achieve the objectives of the individual or the family who are established in their career.

The goals-based financial plan put together by a financial advisor that holds their Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) designation has also been proven to reduce the number one stressor in the lives of Canadians, Financial Worry (FP Canada 2020 Financial Stress Index).

That plan may only focus on one aspect of financial planning like risk management or investment strategy or it may be a comprehensive plan covering several strategies to help you meet your financial goals at various stages your life:

  • Accumulation 30 – 45 years of age
  • Pre-retirement 45 – 60 years of age
  • Retirement 60 +

My philosophy

It has been shown by 3 surveys completed by FP Canada (formerly Financial Planning Standards Council) 2014, 2018 & 2020 that personal finance consistently remains a number one cause of stress for Canadians.

The impact financial worry is having on Canadians like you is of concern. According to the 2020 survey, 40% of Canadians without a financial planner rank money as their main stressor. That number drops to 25% for those who work with a financial advisor with their Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®) designation. I believe you should have a goals-based financial plan, to help “protect and grow your net worth for yourselves, your family, and for your legacy.”

It is more important you have a goals-based financial plan to reduce the number one stressor of Canadians and help improve your mental health. So, when challenging economic and health events occur, you will be better equipped to handle the crisis since you have a plan in place already to deal with the number one stressor, financial worry.

My interests

I believe family is a key value, and I love the chance to get together to share a meal, play games, or sit outside and enjoy the company of others. I enjoyed sports as a player and a coach when I was younger, but now more as a fan and as a volunteer for my son’s baseball, hockey, flag football, and soccer teams.

I have enjoyed traveling for work and pleasure across Canada, the USA, and Mexico. I have been in 6 of the 10 provinces. I'm still hoping to see the Maritimes, 1 of the 3 territories, 9 US states, and one area of Mexico. I love to interact with the people, get to know the culture and history, and to see the sites of the cities and the towns.

I enjoy giving back to the community by volunteering my time. I currently volunteer with Junior Achievement and present their programs on financial topics to grade 7/8 classes in Regina schools. I also volunteer with the Athol Murray College of Notre Dame Alumni Association where I attended as a student and taught. I have held a number of positions with the Saskatchewan Chapter of ADVOCIS, the largest voluntary membership association of financial security advisors in Canada.

My experience

I have worked in the banking industry and have spent time learning about lending and GIC’s, their mutual funds, and creditor insurance. I worked for a company that did income tax for farmers. I worked for their financial planning division, building plans to help with farm succession plans, farm sales, or accumulation stages of the farm. I also worked as a stockbroker and insurance agent for another company which allowed me to offer a full range of insurance products plus a full range of investment products including stocks and bonds. I was a Vice President and managed a branch of 5 advisors and 4 administrative staff. I was also the Branch Manager for Saskatchewan, looking after compliance duties for advisors throughout Saskatchewan.

Throughout my school and university years, I helped my father on the farm, mainly in the fall, with harvest and driving the truck and combine. After receiving my teacher's certificate, I taught at Athol Murray College of Notre Dame for 12 years. The subjects I taught were grades 9 – 11 History and English. My job description included helping manage a dorm of about 50 teenage boys and coaching football and hockey. My success with these teams included winning a number of league, tournament, and provincial championships. One year, the team I coached took bronze at a national hockey championship. In the summer months, I worked at sports camps as an on-ice and off-ice instructor. It was my responsibility to make sure the participants got to their next activity on time, to help the instructors with the activities, and to make sure the participants enjoyed their time.

Supported by a team of experts

When specialized expertise is required, I have access to a team of professionals associated with Canada Life. They specialize in tax, law, accounting, investments, insurance, group benefits, mortgages and financial security planning.