Valérie Forget
Wealth Management Advisor
Valérie Forget, BA, B. Fin
Education & Experience
Bachelor of Commerce in Finance
Université du Québec en Outaouais
7+ years of experience
Associations & Accrediations
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About Valérie Forget
Valérie has been an integral part of the St-Georges Group since 2019, with her affiliation to the Assante wealth management family beginning in 2015. She earned her Bachelor in Finance from the Université du Québec en Outaouais in 2016, and is now obtaining her financial planning designation (Pl. Fin.). Further bolstering her financial expertise, Valérie completed courses from the Canadian Securities Institute, ensuring she stays updated with the latest financial trends and strategies. Valérie excels in conducting detailed financial analyses and calculations. Her approach is centered on understanding clients’ unique financial landscapes and offering adaptive wealth management solutions tailored to their evolving needs.
See Valérie’s full bio on the team page and follow Valérie on LinkedIn.
Recent Articles
RRSP, TFSA, RESP and FHSA 2023
With the New Year upon us, The St-Georges Group team would like to offer a reminder and some general information regarding some registered plans you may have. Note that some information may not apply to you. Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) You have until March 1st 2023, to contribute towards the 2022 tax year. Please do not wait until the last minute as clients sometimes encounter unexpected last-minute obstacles. It would [...]
Understanding the New Capital Gains Tax Rules and How They Affect You
Effective June 25, 2024, significant changes to the capital gains tax rules came into effect in Canada. As a business owner, it's essential to understand these changes and how they may affect your individual or corporate taxation planning and investment strategies. In this blog, I explain the new capital gains changes and some incentives that can help you navigate them effectively. What Are Capital Gains? Let's start with the basics. [...]
A Night to Remember: Under the Cover 2025 Was a Sold-Out Success
On May 1st, something special happened. Under the Cover, Literacy Unlimited’s signature fundraiser event, brought together a full house of passionate supporters, curious readers, and community champions. The event completely sold out, and the energy in the room was undeniable from start to finish. Held at the stunning Souffle de Vie Vineyard, the evening featured excellent wine, lively conversation, and a captivating on-stage dialogue between acclaimed author Ashley Audrain [...]
Beyond Procrastination: Early Financial Planning for Physicians
“He who fails to plan is planning to fail” – Winston Churchill Winston Churchill's words hold significant weight, especially for physicians who juggle a demanding career with personal financial responsibilities. As practitioners of medicine, understanding the nuances of strategizing and planning for the future can be the cornerstone of your financial success. When it comes to personal finance and investing, planning is not just a wise practice; it's an [...]
The “Not So Financial” Retirement Dilemma of Business Owners
Retirement is an exciting stage in a business owner’s life. It brings many possibilities, like chasing dreams of leisure, traveling to new places, or simply unwinding and enjoying the results of your years of hard work. But retirement also brings some uncertainties and questions beyond money. According to the BDC, four out of ten entrepreneurs in Canada plan to leave their businesses in the next five years. Are you [...]
Wealth Management: What to Focus on at Every Stage of Your Life
As business owners in the health and medical profession, you have to wear different hats throughout the day. This includes caring for your patients, managing employees, approving purchases, and dealing with anything that comes up on a daily basis. You also have to carve out time for family and friends. With all the competing interests in your life, it’s easy to neglect wealth management. However, it’s crucial to build [...]
Saving for the future by eating sauerkraut??
Tongue in cheek, of course – but read this blog post and it will make sense. I spent 4 years living in Australia, where employees are forced to save (deducted from their pay) in a government superannuation (“supers”) plan. This is different to QPP here in Quebec (and CPP elsewhere in Canada), which is a pooled resource - the money in the super remains 100% yours. I was relatively young [...]
Helping You Grow Your Wealth and Practice
As a medical professional, you improve and maintain the health of your patients, but who’s looking out for your financial health? When it comes to finance and wealth management, not everyone has the energy and time to invest in consulting with different finance and insurance professionals to secure their financial future and protect their assets. This is the main reason I became a wealth advisor. I wanted to help people [...]
How to Keep Your TFSA Aligned With Your Goals
This year, you can contribute $6,500 to your Tax-Free Savings Account (TFSA), bringing the cumulative total of TFSA contributions to $88,000, or $176,000 between a couple. This means that a TFSA can help meet any investment objective. Your First Decision You need to look at all components of your financial plan and decide where TFSA investments can help you the most. Education. To meet today’s increasing education costs, a TFSA [...]
Why I Go to Work Every Day
The other day I got asked: "Daddy, why do you go to work every day?" It was a great opportunity to showcase that work (like school) does not need to be "boring". And then it prompted some self-reflection - why is it that I wake up so ready to in the morning? (Full disclosure: coffee helps) Autonomy Being the owner of The St-Georges Group probably has a lot to [...]
Jenny, I’ve Got Your Number
I was working with a client, trying to establish their goals, and ultimately set our sights on something measurable (a.k.a. “your number”). Hold up Darren – I don’t have a number!?! That’s another matter, but let’s pretend your number is $1,000,000. It turns out many people like that number. How much do we need to save so that your capital has time to compound all the way to $1,000,000? Hold [...]
Financial Planning Is More Than Investing
A common misconception prevalent among many, including physicians, is that financial planning solely revolves around investing. While investing forms a substantial component of financial planning, a comprehensive and successful financial plan goes much beyond that. The goal is not just wealth accumulation but also wealth protection and efficient wealth distribution. Here we delve deeper into the multifaceted world of financial and wealth planning. Looking Beyond Investment While investment is [...]
5 Frequently Asked Questions About Private Market Investments
Private equity and private debt as an allocation to your portfolio Today’s low-rate environment and increasingly complex market have led to a growing number of investors seeking out opportunities beyond traditional asset classes to achieve their investment goals. Enter alternative asset classes: a key strategy to add significant value to a portfolio. At a high level, you could divide the alternative asset classes into 4 categories: Private Market (private equity/private [...]
Salary or Dividends: What Compensation Strategy Should You Choose as an Entrepreneur?
For incorporated business owners in Quebec, there are several ways to pay yourself: salary, dividends, or both. Although this choice might seem straightforward, as an entrepreneur, it can significantly affect your personal finances, your business’s tax obligations, and your retirement plans. In this article, I outline the pros and cons of each option, including strategies that can help reduce your tax burden and build long-term wealth. Keep in mind [...]
4 Ways to Protect Yourself From Sequence Risk
A major aspect of a wealth advisor's role is to educate clients about the numerous risks they face and devise strategies to mitigate them. You have probably become familiar with some of these risks as an investor. The two that most often come to mind when I probe clients about risks they face are: Market risk (stock markets dropping in value) and; Concentration risk (having too much of one investment [...]
Understanding the Value of Corporate-Owned Life Insurance
Are you a business or dental/medical practice owner seeking to proactively build wealth, grow your savings, reduce your tax rate, plan for succession, and leverage your assets? If so, corporate-owned life insurance is a tool you need in your wealth management and insurance planning toolkit. Below, we provide an overview of corporate-owned life insurance and how you can use it to grow your practice, maximize your wealth, and reach your [...]
Term versus Life Insurance: What Business Owners Need to Know
Let's face it: insurance is a boring topic to talk about. However, as an entrepreneur, being better informed about insurance is considered essential nowadays since insurance can greatly affect the lives of your survivors, including your business partner, and your own. As with everything, there are different types of insurance, each with its own function and advantages. Today, I will help you shed some light on the world of insurance [...]
Avoiding Financial Mistakes: Tips for Physicians in Relationships
One of the critical and often overlooked aspects of managing money is effective communication between partners. According to a survey by Certified Divorce Financial Analyst® professionals, a significant 22% of divorces are attributed to “money issues”, and physicians are no exception. Consequently, ensuring mutual understanding and alignment of financial goals and strategies within a committed relationship is pivotal in fostering financial harmony and avoiding potential conflicts. Why Financial Planning [...]
The Pitfall of Keeping Up With The Joneses: A Wealth Management Perspective for Physicians
For many physicians and health professionals, the path to financial stability and wealth growth is often overshadowed by societal pressures and material symbols of success. As a respected professional, you may feel implicit pressure to embody a certain lifestyle, often portrayed as a perfect existence with luxury cars, high-end gadgets and enviable vacations. However, the desire to "keep up with the Joneses" can be potentially detrimental to your financial [...]
7 Money Mistakes Every Physician Should Avoid
Investing is a critical part of building financial security, but it comes with its share of pitfalls. Whether you're a seasoned investor or just starting, avoiding common mistakes is key to success. Here I explore the seven most common mistakes that investors often make and provide insight into why they can be detrimental to your financial health. Understanding these errors can guide you to make more informed and strategic financial [...]
When and Why To Update Your Insurance Plan as Your Dental Practice Grows
As your dental practice expands, so does your exposure to financial risk. The insurance plan you put in place years ago may no longer match the reality of your business, income, or family situation. You see, insurance isn’t something you set once and forget. Just as your practice evolves, so should the protection around it. An outdated plan could leave gaps that put both your practice and your personal finances [...]
Celebrating the Nomination of Valérie Forget as Partner at The St-Georges Group
I am thrilled to announce the appointment of Valérie Forget as a partner of The St-Georges Group Wealth Management in Dorval, Montreal. This significant milestone reflects her dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to our clients. Valérie’s journey with us is a testament to her hard work and the value she brings to our firm and the broader Montreal community. Valérie’s Journey and Accomplishments Valérie’s journey with us has been [...]
Why Trying to Time the Market is a Flawed Strategy for Physicians
In the world of personal finance and investing, there's a persistent debate about whether one can or should try to time the market. Many individuals, driven by a mix of intuition, fear, and ambition, believe they can outsmart the market by making precisely timed investments. But is it truly possible to predict market fluctuations consistently? The common adage, “time in the market beats timing the market,” highlights the pitfalls of [...]
Why You Need to Incorporate Your Dental Practice
Dentists and other health professionals who incorporate their businesses find it easy to realize tax benefits by putting money back into the business. If you are setting up your practice in the dental field, you may have several other competing obligations and goals, such as paying off your student loan (as early as possible), buying a home, starting a family, and so on, that may warrant delaying the incorporation. At [...]
The Importance of Seeking Financial Advice: Insights for Physicians
Novice or experienced, everyone can benefit from expert advice on wealth management and financial planning. Calling on professionals doesn't mean leaving the reins of your financial future blindly in the hands of strangers, but rather recognizing that you can't be an expert in everything and that the advice you receive will help you make better decisions in line with your goals and dreams.The Misconception of Self-Sufficiency in FinanceMany physicians, particularly [...]
Income Splitting: An Effective Tax Saving Strategy
Earn more, pay more. That’s the outcome of the Canadian graduated tax system. It doesn’t, however, have to be the only inevitable outcome. You may be able to take advantage of income splitting with your spouse or partner who incurs a lower tax rate because they earn less than you or have no income. As an entrepreneur, dentist or health professional, effective income redistribution will allow you to save [...]
How to Manage Financial Risks as a Dentist
In the complex world of dentistry, financial risk management for dentists goes far beyond simple professional liability insurance. As a dental professional, you face a unique set of financial challenges that, if not properly managed, can have a significant impact on your professional and personal life. In this article, I examine the most common financial risks faced by dentists and present you with effective strategies to manage them and better [...]
What to Do And Not Do In Volatile Markets!
Recession. Inflation. Bear markets. These are just a few of the terms that can strike fear into the heart of even the most experienced investor. And with good reason - over the past few years, we've twice seen firsthand how quickly the stock market can plunge, taking our hard-earned savings with it. But while volatile markets can be scary, the market as a whole has tended to trend upwards. [...]
How Much Life Insurance Do You Need as a Business Owner?
As a wealth management advisor at CI Assante, I have helped many Montreal business owners protect what matters most to them: their business and their family. When I discuss insurance planning with my clients, one question often comes up: “How much life insurance do I need as a business owner?” It's a valid question that, unfortunately, has no “one size fits all” answer. Determining the amount of life insurance a [...]
Benefits of Estate Planning for Entrepreneurs
Personal health is critical to providing for your loved ones, but you cannot always count on your ability to earn an income. You may be diagnosed with a critical illness, be involved in an accident, or pass away unexpectedly. While you cannot predict if or when these sudden family crises may occur, you can plan for what you want to happen when you are deceased or cannot make decisions independently. [...]
Critical Illness vs. Disability Insurance: Protecting Your Dental Practice and Your Future
Table of Content About Critical Illness Insurance About Disability Insurance Comparing of Coverages Evaluating Needs and Risks Making an Informed Decision Frequently Asked Questions As the owner of a successful dental practice, you understand the importance of protecting your livelihood and financial future. In this article, I discuss the key differences between critical illness and disability insurance, focusing on the benefits and considerations that are specific to dentists. By [...]
RRSP, TFSA, or RESP – Where to Invest First?
Whether you own a business, or a healthcare practice, or you are a working professional, you want to invest your hard-earned income wisely. A prudent investment will be one that allows you to meet your objectives like saving for retirement or your children’s higher education while ensuring you minimize your tax liabilities. The good news is that the Federal government understands your needs and has introduced various savings plans [...]
Welcome to The St-Georges Group Website
At The St-Georges Group, we simplify the lives of dentists, health professionals, entrepreneurs and high net worth individuals by addressing all aspects of their financial well-being from investments and insurance to tax and estate planning. We use an integrated wealth planning approach to best serve your needs. Just as we make it easy for you to find all the wealth management strategies you need in one place, our new website [...]
Understanding Risk Tolerance: The Key to Sound Investing
For many investors, particularly those going it alone, there's a significant pitfall that can dramatically influence their investment outcomes: not understanding their risk tolerance. This is especially common among physicians, who often find themselves making critical financial decisions without adequate guidance. What is Risk Tolerance? In the realm of investing, risk tolerance is a measure of how comfortable an investor is with fluctuations and potential losses in their investment [...]
Estate Planning Timeline
As an entrepreneur, it's important to know the benefits associated with estate planning, but when should you start planning your estate? What is the ideal estate planning timeline and what events can affect it? Estate planning is one of the best things you can do to protect your family, preserve your wealth, and clarify your wishes for the distribution of your assets upon your incapacitation or death. It is critical [...]
