News Releases

What:
A new report from Statistics Canada shows that Canadians are wealthier, as household net worth¹ grew by $141 billion to $5.6 trillion during the second quarter of 2009.

While the gains mainly came from a more robust stock market, Statistics Canada also noted that Canadians took on more debt during the April-June time frame than during previous quarters.

With the recession now coming to an end, these new statistics raise questions including:

• Is this the beginning of sunnier times for investors, or will the upswing be short-lived?
• What investment sectors have led the way for Canadians to increase their net worth and which ones will outperform in 2010?
• With interest rates continuing to hover near record lows, is now a good time to borrow and invest as part of a longer term strategy?
• How can investors protect the gains they have made during 2009?

Who:

Paul Taylor, MBA, CFA - Senior Vice President & Chief Investment Officer, BMO Harris Private Banking.

Mr. Taylor is responsible for the management of over $11 billion of assets for BMO Harris Private Banking. He is a regular commentator on Canada's Business News Network and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's Nightly Business Report.

For news media interviews, please contact:
Martha McInnis, Toronto, 416-867-3996

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¹Net worth includes Canadians' household assets minus their liabilities.