PodBytes: KPMG Canada Podcast

In the fourth episode of the KPMG Law Canada Estates and Trusts Podcast series, hosts Alaina Spec and Andrew Higdon are joined by KPMG UK's Alice Killingbeck (Partner) for an insightful and informative discussion on international estates.   French transcript available here.

In the third episode of the KPMG Law Canada Estates and Trusts Podcast series, hosts Alaina Spec (Partner, KPMG Law) and Andrew Higdon (Senior Associate, KPMG Law) are joined by Madison Frehlick (Associate, KPMG Law) to provide insights on multiple wills including some of the benefits of preparing more than one will to administer your estate.    French transcript available here. 

In the second episode of the KPMG Law Canada Estates and Trusts Podcast series, hosts Alaina Spec (Partner, KPMG Law) and Andrew Higdon (Senior Associate, KPMG Law) are joined by Daniel Dwyer (Partner, KPMG LLP) and Madison Frehlick (Associate, KPMG Law) to provide insights on the tax implications of joint partner and alter ego trusts.  French transcript available here.

In the first episode of the KPMG Law Canada Estates and Trusts Podcast series, hosts Alaina Spec (Partner, KPMG Law) and  Andrew Higdon (Senior Associate, KPMG Law) are joined by Jonathan Warren (Partner, KPMG LLP) to discuss family trusts, highlighting the tax opportunities and other benefits they offer. French transcript available here. 

The power that automation and technology can bring puts traditional business models and hourly rate fees under pressure. Watch Lisa Cabel, Partner and National Leader, Employment and Labour Law, KPMG Law in Canada, and Isabelle Durand, Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, IA Financial Group, discuss changing businesses models and value propositions, and how the legal department can demonstrate the value it brings to the organization. French transcript available here. 

The power that automation and technology can bring puts traditional business models and hourly rate fees under pressure. Watch Lisa Cabel, Partner and National Leader, Employment and Labour Law, KPMG Law in Canada, and Isabelle Durand, Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, IA Financial Group, discuss changing businesses models and value propositions, and how the legal department can demonstrate the value it brings to the organization. French transcript available here.

Lisa Cabel, Partner and National Leader, Employment and Labour Law, KPMG Law in Canada, and Isabelle Durand, Vice President and Chief Legal Officer, IA Financial Group, discuss shifts in supply and demand, and three dimensions where legal services are expanding, including; in-house lawyers becoming more like business partners, broadening responsibilities, and legal departments now aiming to make their services part of the overall business offering. French transcript available here.

Let's delve into the fascinating world of cryptocurrency and staking. The conversation covers key topics such as the growing institutional interest in staking and its implications for the crypto landscape, as well as its risks and penalties. We touch on the future trends in staking and how it may evolve as the cryptocurrency market matures.   French transcript available here. 

Quantum computing has the potential to tackle humanity's biggest challenges, but it comes with risks. The question is: are we ready? Join KPMG in Canada's Alexander Rau and Pavan Chander, as well as IBM Canada's Sean Wagner as they kick off season 2 of Beyond by exploring a new era of discovery and innovation. French transcript available here.   

Beyond is a podcast about protecting the future. New technologies and innovations open the door to novel ways of living, conducting business and shaping our reality, but also to new risks. Join us for the second season of our National cybersecurity podcast where we explore what quantum computing is, how it stands to change our lives and what we can do today to ensure our identities are protected well into the future. French transcript available here.

Stephen Charko, KPMG in Canada's Deal Advisory Analytics National Leader, talks with Brian Polsinello, Managing Director at OMERS Private Equity, about the impact and potential of GenAI in the private equity space. The remarks included in this Podcast are for information purposes only and should not be construed as investment advice or a recommendation, solicitation, endorsement or offering for the sale, subscription or purchase of securities or for investment advisory services of any kind.

Our host Ilario Melia is joined by GTA leaders Janelle Dixon & Kareem Sadek, where the group candidly and authentically share what mental health means to them and their personal journeys. They delve into what is in their own mental health toolkit, sharing genuine narratives about challenges, support systems, setbacks, and the way they utilize tools from their mental health toolkits to thrive in their personal and professional lives.

Mental Health Week kicks off May each year. With that in mind, get ready for a brand new episode "Tools to Thrive" in our podcast series Come As You Are. This year's podcast is hosted by Ilario Melia, GTA Audit Partner, Wellness Champion and GTA Mental Health Network Co-Chair. 

The #Bitcoin #halving is a core part of the Bitcoin protocol which occurs every four years and reduces the amount of new bitcoin supply by half. Ahead of the halving event next week, Amanda Fabiano (Founder, Fabiano Consulting) joins KPMG's George Djuric, Kaan Farahani and host Adam Rodricks to discuss the current Bitcoin mining industry, opportunities in capital markets and the future outlook on mining after the halving.

Marc Low, head of KPMG Ignition in Vancouver, invites Alex Tapscott, VC and author of "Web3 Charting the Internet's Next Economic and Cultural Frontier." They discuss entrepreneurship and what it means to get ahead as a business leader in the next internet age.  

Chainalysis CMO, Ian Andrews, joins Sue Ling Yip (Partner, Risk Services, Financial Crimes, KPMG in Canada) and Kunal Bhasin (Partner & Co-Leader, Digital Assets Center of Excellence, Advisory Services, KPMG in Canada) to discuss financial crimes involving cryptoassets and findings from the latest Chainalysis Crypto Crime Report.   Please note that the content of this episode is not to be treated as investment advice.

Marc Low, head of KPMG Ignition in Vancouver, invites Brett Henkel, co-founder and senior vice president of business development at Svante, and Jeanette Jackson, CEO of Foresight to a candid conversation on the challenges and opportunities found within Cleantech. 

In this episode, we will be discussing stories of ESG fraud and its many consequences. Tony Lam joins as a special guest to share his thoughts on how to ensure that actions made towards ESG goals have the intended impact and how to avoid perpetuating ESG fraud.

Ransomware continues to make headlines and is seen on the news more frequently these days. In this episode, we share stories detailing how events unfold when a group of skilled individuals hold sensitive company information hostage through the use of ransomware.

In this episode, we discuss stories of cryptocurrency fraud and how we can all protect ourselves from becoming victims. Special guests Amrit Dev and James Emerson join as special guests to share recommendations and best practices to invest carefully in cryptocurrencies to mitigate the chance of fraud. 

In this episode, we discuss the schemes used by fraudsters to get information through illegitimate means. Imraan Bashir, Partner and National Public Sector Cyber Leader joins as a special guest and discusses phishing and digital identity. 

In episode 3, Jillian Frank and Wendy Glaser highlight the importance of integrating pay transparency and equity into your ESG reporting and what first steps an organization should take to ensure they comply with the new pay-related legislation.

The landscape is changing, moving us towards a more transparent future. In this episode, Jillian Frank and Wendy Glaser dive into the effects of recent updates on pay transparency legislation on employers throughout British Columbia. Tune in as we explore strategies for maintaining an equitable approach to organizational compensation, shaping holistic reward structures, and seamlessly implementing necessary adjustments.

In episode 1 of our latest pay equity podcast, Jillian Frank and Wendy Glaser will delve into the far-reaching effects of the recently introduced pay transparency legislation on employers throughout British Columbia. Tune in as we navigate this dynamic landscape, offering invaluable insights to help organizations proactively adapt to the evolving regulatory landscape.

As owners look to manage their real estate investments and preserve their wealth, establishing a family office may become a viable option. In the latest episode of our Real Estate and Construction in Canada podcast series, Tom Rothfischer speaks with Jason Belanger, KPMG Quebec Real Estate Leader, and Bridget Sachs, KPMG Family Office Senior Manager, to discuss the stage in which owners may start to consider a family office and the critical success factors needed to establish one.  Écouter en français : https://bcove.video/46e0fgf

Join us as we unravel the profound impact of these three buckets on the Canadian tech ecosystem and how these key pillars converge to shape a future defined by innovation, opportunity, and collective success. In episode 6, Sid Paquette, who leads RBCx at the Royal Bank of Canada, notes that there are three crucial roles in innovation. Which one is your organization in?

Entrepreneurship thrives on self-belief, guided by exceptional mentors and nurtured by a supportive network, all needed to overcome challenges often accompanying the entrepreneurial path. In Episode 5, Jeff McCann, CEO of Apollo Insurance, shares his journey to entrepreneurship, the importance of self-confidence and the influential people who help pave the way for success.

"Real Deal Insights" is a podcast about stories, reflections, and recommendations from dealmakers across Canada. In this inaugural episode, KPMG in Canada Deal Advisory Partner, Georges Pigeon, sits down with People Corporation's SVP of Corporate Development, Mark Dixon, to discuss his M&A experience in the insurance industry, deal-sourcing savvy, as well as considerations to maintain competitiveness and maximize deal value.  

How do you transition your career in tech to a different industry? In this episode of Women Talk Tech, Jennie Sadler, Tax Transformation Senior Manager, and Derlaine Brito, Tax Transformation Manager, discuss Derlaine's journey to KPMG from the traditional manufacturing industry to the non-traditional tech area in financial services. Derlaine also shares her challenges, career goals, and how she leveraged her knowledge and experience to make her career move.

As your organization grows and matures, are you consciously asking the right questions? In Episode 4, Mo Asgari, Co-Founder & President of PokerLab, emphasized the importance of value add and the secret ingredient that ultimately led to the success of his business. Learn more as he shares his perspective on how technology transforms businesses.

In Episode 3, we've invited Jayesh Parmar, Co-CEO and Founder of Gunkii, to share his journey in the startup ecosystem. Having incubated his startups in San Francisco, to now bringing innovation to the market. Tune into this discussion to learn about his business model and how that differentiates his company in the market.

Not only do we rely on others when we are struggling with our mental health, but friends, family, and colleagues may also struggle with offering support; no one struggles alone. In this episode we talk about how our mental health has impacted those around us, and how we have struggled to be there for others.  We also share some of our biggest learnings or 'ah-ha' moments in supporting those around us with their mental health. 

Join us in Episode 2 as we delve into the fascinating world where the human experience meets the disruptive force of AI. Special guest Cameron Burke, Technology Partner at Fort Capital, shares his unique perspective on innovation and the game-changing influence of GenAI in business. Prepare for a captivating exploration of reclaiming passion and regaining control in the face of technological advancements.  

Uncover the untold scaling stories in BC with Anna Sainsbury, CEO of GeoComply, and Tomica Divic, Interim President and CEO of Innovate BC's groundbreaking unicorn study. Join us in Episode 1 for remarkable insights, challenges, and opportunities in entrepreneurship.  

This episode is about the hot topic of work-life balance.  Finding the balance that is right for you is important as it not only improves your mental health, but it helps reduce stress, and prevents burnout. But what does balance really mean?  We talk about a few different concepts to achieving a work-life blend that is right for you - whether that is balance, integration, or even volleying.  Listen to learn more about our experiences with finding balance and how that has changed overtime. 

Being resilient means being able to manage challenges or life events, recover quickly from them, and even grow or improve as a result of these challenges.  But being resilient does not mean that people don't experience stress, emotions, setbacks, or even suffering – being resilient is more about how you work through those challenges.  In this episode we talk about what resilience means to us, the challenges we experience with resiliency, and how we work on developing resiliency. 

In this episode of Women Talk Tech, we look at how businesses can move the dial when it comes to awareness around creating, using and interacting with AI in an ethical, responsible and inclusive manner. Tune in as Zoe Willis, National Data and Digital Leader and Silvia Gonzalez-Zamora, Partner in the People & Change practice and National Leader of Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Services share their insights on AI's bias problem.

When we talk about mental health, we can either focus on breaking the stigma with mental illness or mental health challenges, or we can focus on how to maintain positive mental health.  Enhancing positive mental health is possible for everyone, even those with a mental illness.  And people can recover from mental illness, and even thrive!  In this episode, we share more of our mental health story, how stigma has impacted our ability to thrive, and how we work to overcome this each day.

Liezel Pistorius and Amrit Dev, Senior Managers in KPMG in Canada's Forensic practice, join host Adam Rodricks and recurring guest Kunal Bhasin from KPMG in Canada's Cryptoassets & Blockchain CoE to discuss fraud and financial crimes in the cryptoassets industry.

Mental Health week kicks off May each year.  With that in mind, get ready for our newest 4-part podcast series release called, This is me: striving to thrive. We encourage you to take each week this month to listen to the newest episode.  I will be joined by a special guest over the course of the month and we will share our authentic stories about struggles, supports, setbacks, and how we strive to thrive. 

Nic Carter, Partner at Castle Island Ventures joins our host Adam Rodricks (National Lead, Digital Services), Kareem Sadek (Partner, Technology Risk Consulting) and Kunal Bhasin (Director & Co-Lead, Cryptoassets & Blockchain CoE, Advisory Services) on this episode of our State of Cryptoasets podcast series. Their discussion focused on proof of reserves, including leading practices, regulations and some of the challenges for implementation and maintenance.  

What does it really mean to work in a technology team, such as Ignition Tax, at KPMG in Canada? What initiatives are in place at the firm to help empower women in this male-dominated industry? In this episode of Women Talk Tech, Shery Mormile (Strategy & Operations Lead) and Cynthia Wang (Product Owner) break down their career journeys and share details about their day-to-day on the Ignition Tax team.

In the fourth episode of the Fraudcast series, our hosts Jazz Clemente and Frédéric LeBlond discuss the story of a man who took advantage of an organization built to help those in need. Karen Grogan, Partner, Forensic Services joins to discuss why fraud can occur at non-profit and charitable organizations, behaviors of a fraudster and steps NPOs can take to help prevent fraud. 

In episode 3 of our Fraudcast series, we discuss stories of rule-bending and breaking, of tricksters who believed themselves immune to scrutiny, and the fallout of their actions. Kas Rehman, Partner, Forensic services joins to share recommendations and best practices for conflicts of interest and unethical conduct. 

Join hosts, Jazz Clemente, and Frederic LeBlond, of KPMG in Canada's Forensics practice as they tell the story of a man who lived a double life and how his ambition to succeed led him to create one of the biggest Ponzi schemes in Canadian History. They will be joined by Karen Grogan, Partner in KPMG's Forensics practice to discuss signs of a Ponzi scheme, how we can protect ourselves and actions to take. 

In our Fraudcast series we will unravel fraud cases in the news to uncover what happened and explore lessons learned. In the first episode we will be discussing stories of deceit and deception, of vulnerable people who just wish they could have known better, the unfortunate victims of scams. Join Jazz Clemente and Frederic LeBlond, of KPMG in Canada's Forensics practice along with guest, Kas Rehman as they explore stories, schemes and help you and your organization navigate these risks.

Although social media may not be considered a traditional career in technology, it certainly plays an integral role for many companies today. In this episode of Women Talk Tech, host, Mirna Ibrahim, Marketing Manager, GTA Financial Services, speaks to special guest Deanna Spagnuolo, National Marketing Specialist, Social Growth about Deanna's journey into social media at KPMG in Canada. Discover how Deanna's previous roles led her to where she is today while also learning some tips and tricks on how to make your mark in today's world of social media. 

In this episode we are thrilled to be joined by Catherine Marangu, Project Lead, Financial Accounting and Policy Review at Government of Yukon, sharing their perspective on the implementation challenges of AROs and the key role stakeholders play in the process.

AROs are a critical aspect of asset management, requiring organizations to plan and budget for the eventual retirement of assets. Failing to properly manage AROs can lead to significant financial and regulatory risks. In this episode we are joined by Martin Kinyua, Director of Financial Reporting at Alberta Health Services discussing practical applications of PS 3280.

Asset Retirement Obligations (AROs) are not only a financial concern, but also an environmental and legal one. Organizations must take into account not only the cost of decommissioning, but also the impact of the environment and compliance with relevant regulations. Join us as we discuss key implementation strategies with Vanessa Green, Accountant III with the City of Campbell River.

With no liquidity available, inheriting an estate tax liability can be a significant challenge for privately owned real estate companies. This is where estate planning comes to play by helping owners take proper steps to cap and fund the potential liability. Tom Rothfischer, KPMG in Canada's National Leader for Building, Construction & Real Estate, and Lorne Shillinger, GTA Family Office Leader, break down the fundamentals of estate planning and strategies to consider in our latest episode.