In some ways, 2015 was more about currency than investing. If you were 100% invested in Canada, there were few ways to have a good year. We have always had a North American bias over a Canadian bias, and roughly 50% of our stock portfolios have been invested outside of Canada this year.

As we write this, we have decided to move even further into the U.S., and will be moving to roughly 60% of stock portfolios outside of Canada. We believe that the Canadian currency still has room to weaken and that Energy and Materials will hold back Canadian growth in ways that won’t meaningfully hold back the U.S. market.

Having said that, we believe that 2016 will be a better year Globally. As one of my colleagues stated, when I can get 1% on cash, or get a 5% dividend to hold a Bank stock or Utility stock, the market has never made a better case to get off the sidelines. Of course, in the short term, if markets fall, cash seems like the better option, but when the gap on income is a tax preferred 4%, the mid to long term direction is pretty clear.

As for interest rates, even if they go up in the United States, they won’t go up much. In Canada, they are likely headed lower. The ‘threat’ of meaningfully higher interest rates is just not real at this juncture, and may not be real for many years to come.

In 2016, we believe that stock markets will provide a year like the first two sentences above, and not like the third one. Next month, we will be sending you our more detailed 2015 review and 2016 forecast.

Tom and Mary are a recently retired, 65-year-old couple, living in Vancouver. British Columbia isn’t the only part of Canada where a $0 income tax bill is possible, though — the dream is alive in Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Territories, too. In Ontario, they would have no tax, but would pay $1,500 for the health premium, which is essentially a tax.

Doer has clearly undertaken some thorough research to bring this novel to print and combined with his easy-to-read writing style, it all makes for a fascinating and entertaining read.

What We Did On Our Holiday is a delightful comedy, sometimes a little on the dark side, but brilliantly scripted with terrific actors. Although it has a stellar and formidable cast I often found that the kids were given the funniest lines and steal the show - the saying that includes the words “out of the mouth of babes” comes to mind.

The event they are going to is Doug’s father, Gordie McLeod’s 75th birthday. Gordie, who is played by my favourite comedian, Billy Connolly, is seriously ill and would rather spend his last days doing what he loves most, fishing and sitting on his favourite baron beach. more than attending a party organized on his behalf.

The relationship between Gordie and his grandchildren is very touching. In the humorous interactions between them we can see that the grandchildren are far more interested in what Gordie has to say and far more interested in fulfilling his wishes than his own children.

The climax to the movie brings both tears and laughter as the grandchildren get themselves into a bit of a tangle to do what they feel is right for Gordie.

The scenes in Scotland want to make you pack your bags and go take a look in person and the story makes your want to hug your kids and realise the importance of not getting caught up in the trivial things in life, as compared to most things, they are not really that important.