Forecasts, Fastballs & Financial Wisdom

At the Toronto Due Diligence Investment Planning Counsel Conference this week, the mood was cautiously optimistic. The consensus? The economic outlook is holding up. Most recent forecasts place the probability of a recession this year at 25% to 35%—not exactly a red alert, but still worth paying attention to.

We heard from leading economists and portfolio managers who shared a common theme: the fundamentals are solid, inflation is easing, and the backdrop for equities is constructive. In other words, steady as she goes.

But if 2022 taught us anything, it’s that predictions are far from guarantees. Remember how no one saw that recession coming? Exactly. The takeaway? Stay informed—but invest based on your plan, your goals, and your personal risk tolerance. Long-term focus always beats short-term noise.

Gold Nuggets, Not Just Market Numbers

Beyond the macro talk, the real value often came from peer-to-peer conversations. We walked away with confidence that our offering—grounded in financial planning and quality advice—is hitting the mark. Yes, investment selection matters, but our impact is in helping people make better decisions, not just better trades.

We also heard some memorable cautionary tales—especially around poor (or nonexistent) estate planning. These stories hit hard and served as a reminder that the cost of doing nothing can be much higher than you think. Expect us to shine more light here this year—it’s time to have those conversations.

Mark Shapiro, the Jays, and the Power of Process

The final keynote came from none other than Mark Shapiro, President of the Toronto Blue Jays. And no surprise—he crushed it.

Shapiro shared lessons from his leadership journey, and one message stood out: you don’t need to be the loudest voice or the biggest personality to lead effectively. His job isn’t about making every big decision—it’s about setting direction, building the right team, and putting strong systems in place.

He emphasized values and process over outcomes—reminding us that you can’t always control results, but you can control your approach. Sound familiar? Financial planning works the same way. Markets go up, down, and sideways—but if the foundation is solid, the path forward stays clear.

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, he does get a lot of free advice from fans everywhere he goes. Apparently, everyone has thoughts on what to do with the Jays lineup.

Why In-Person Still Wins

As much as we’ve all learned to adapt digitally, this conference was a reminder: real connection doesn’t happen through screens. Ideas hit harder, insights run deeper, and relationships grow stronger when we’re in the same room.

Here’s to another year of clarity, connection, and planning with purpose.

“Prediction is very difficult, especially if it's about the future.”
— Niels Bohr