At the Institute of Advanced Financial Planners® (IAFP®), our mission is built on three pillars: protecting clients, supporting financial planners, and advancing the financial planning profession in Canada. We believe that being a professional financial planner and holding the R.F.P.® (Registered Financial Planner®) designation means more than just managing wealth; it means acting as an advocate for the public interest.
When tax legislation unintentionally creates hurdles for Canadian families, the IAFP® has a responsibility to step in, help policymakers understand the real-world impact, and work towards fair solutions for everyone involved.
The Issue: Fairness for Shared Custody Families
A technical inconsistency in the Income Tax Act is creating unfair outcomes for divorced or separated parents with shared custody. Families with identical parenting arrangements are being treated differently by the tax system solely because of how their child support payments are structured.
Specifically, many shared-custody parents are being denied access to the Eligible Dependent Amount (EDA). This results in a loss of up to approximately $3,000 – $4,000 in annual tax relief for affected families depending upon the province they live in.
Leading the Charge: Linda Cartier’s Advocacy
One of our dedicated members, Linda Cartier, R.F.P.®, an expert in divorce and shared custody financial matters, has been leading this advocacy effort. On behalf of the IAFP® and the Canadian public, she has been engaging with the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) and the Ministry of Justice to seek a narrow legislative amendment to remedy this unfair tax practice.
The goal is simple: Restore fairness by aligning tax rules with the intention of the existing federal child support guidelines. This fix would ensure that both parents can claim what they are legally allowed to pay, without creating administrative complexity or new, unearned benefits.
How You Can Support This Initiative
Policymakers rely on the insights of practitioners who work directly with Canadian families to share their expertise. If the financial planning community joins together, it can help promote outcomes that reflect how Canadians actually live today.
We invite you to take 5–10 minutes to add your voice to this cause:
- Review the Technical Notes: Understand the deep mechanics of the issue. [Download Technical Notes]
- Personalize the Advocacy Letter: Use our template to share your professional perspective. [Download Advocacy Letter]
- Contact Government Representatives: Send your letter to the key policymakers we have identified. [Download Contact List]
Advancing the Profession Together
Advocacy is a core part of human-centric financial planning. By setting a standard of excellence and demanding high ethics through the R.F.P.® designation, we provide the public with the assurance they need when seeking advanced financial solutions. This advocacy work is just one example of how we bring value to the public and honour to our profession.
For more information on this initiative or to learn more about the Institute of Advanced Financial Planners and the R.F.P. designation, please contact us at:
1275 West 6th Ave, Suite 300 Vancouver, BC V6H 1A6
Phone: 604-909-3841
Fax: 1-888-808-4198
