Compliance & Disclosures
Important information about Clearstone Financial, its licensing, how its services are delivered, and how to understand the information and tools provided on this website.
Firm Identity & Registration
Clearstone Financial is a sole proprietorship registered in Prince Edward Island under the Partnership Act, R.S.P.E.I. 1988, Cap. P-2 (PEI business registration no. 171244). It is operated by Nicholas Gaudet, President & CEO, serving clients across Atlantic Canada. Clearstone can be reached at +1 (902) 892-8393 or clarity@clearstonefinancial.ca.
Licensed Activities & Jurisdictions
Nicholas Gaudet is licensed as a Financial Advisor, Life Insurance Agent, and Mortgage Broker. The specific licences held are set out below.
| Province | Activity | Licence / Status |
|---|---|---|
| PEI | Life & Accident/Sickness Insurance | Licensed |
| Nova Scotia | Life & Accident/Sickness Insurance | Licensed |
| New Brunswick | Life & Accident/Sickness Insurance | Licensed |
| Nova Scotia | Mortgage brokering (Associate Mortgage Broker) | Licensed |
| New Brunswick | Mortgage brokering (Mortgage Associate) | Licence pending — not yet offered in NB |
Mortgage brokering services in New Brunswick are not offered until the New Brunswick mortgage licence is active. Prince Edward Island does not operate the same mortgage licensing regime; mortgage activity connected to PEI is conducted in accordance with applicable Nova Scotia and Vine Mortgage processes. Specific licence numbers are available on request and are provided in point-of-sale documentation.
How Services Are Delivered
Insurance and insurance-based investment (segregated fund / IVIC) business is placed through Clearstone's managing general agency partner, IDC Worldsource Insurance Network Inc., with The Canada Life Assurance Company as sponsoring carrier on Clearstone's provincial insurance licences. Mortgage brokering is delivered through Vine Mortgage under provincial licence. Smith Manoeuvre™ coordination is provided as a Smith Manoeuvre™ Certified Professional accredited through SMCG.
Clearstone's own intake, coordination, and strategy materials supplement — and never replace — the regulated privacy, consent, credit-authorization, and disclosure documents required by Vine Mortgage and by insurance carriers. Where Clearstone's materials touch mortgage, insurance, or tax matters, the governing partner's or regulator's documents and requirements prevail.
Compensation & Conflicts of Interest
Clearstone is generally compensated by commissions paid by insurance carriers (through IDC Worldsource) on insurance and insurance-based investment products, and by lender-paid commissions on mortgages (through Vine Mortgage). Smith Manoeuvre™ implementation assistance is provided for a separate, client-paid project fee. Hourly work beyond included service time is billed at an hourly rate. Because compensation can vary between products and lenders, and because Clearstone operates across insurance, mortgage, and advisory lines, potential conflicts of interest are managed by making recommendations based on suitability rather than compensation. Full, product-specific compensation and conflict-of-interest disclosure is provided in writing before any transaction, as required by the applicable regulators and partners.
Smith Manoeuvre™ Disclosure
The Smith Manoeuvre is a sophisticated leveraged-investment strategy. Interest deductibility depends on the use of borrowed funds, proper tracing, and individual circumstances under Canada Revenue Agency rules, and is not endorsed or validated by the Canada Revenue Agency. Leverage magnifies both gains and losses. The strategy is not suitable for everyone. Nothing on this website is tax, legal, or accounting advice, and suitability is assessed for each client individually before any strategy is implemented.
Insurance-Based Investment Risk
Insurance-based investment solutions, including segregated funds and individual variable insurance contracts (IVICs), involve risk. Their value can rise or fall, past performance does not guarantee future results, and no specific return, income, or outcome is guaranteed. Guarantees that may apply to certain segregated fund contracts are obligations of the issuing insurance carrier, subject to the terms, conditions, and holding periods of the contract. Any insurance-based investment should be considered in light of your individual circumstances and the applicable information folder and contract.
Calculators, Tools & Feature Sheets
The calculators, tools, and feature sheets provided on or through this website produce estimates for illustration and education only. They are not an offer of credit, a pre-approval, or financial, tax, or legal advice, and do not guarantee any rate, payment, penalty amount, or approval. Actual figures depend on lender terms, verification, and individual circumstances. These tools are provided through third-party software (Bendigi Technologies / Canadian Mortgage App), and Clearstone is not responsible for the accuracy of third-party software output.
Referral Arrangements
Clearstone works with other professionals (including financial advisors, insurance agents, mortgage brokers, realtors, lawyers, and insolvency trustees) who may refer their clients to Clearstone, and Clearstone may refer clients to third-party providers. A referring professional does not receive access to a referred client's private financial information through a referral link. Where a referral fee is paid or received in connection with a specific client, it is disclosed to that client before the referral proceeds. A referral is not a recommendation, and referral arrangements do not change the professional obligations any referring professional owes their own clients.
Complaints & Regulators
Concerns are best raised first with Clearstone directly at clarity@clearstonefinancial.ca so they can be addressed promptly. For insurance and insurance-based investment (segregated fund / IVIC) matters that remain unresolved, you may contact the OmbudService for Life & Health Insurance (OLHI) at 1-888-295-8112 or www.olhi.ca. In New Brunswick, insurance and mortgage matters are regulated by the Financial and Consumer Services Commission (FCNB) at 1-866-933-2222 or www.fcnb.ca. Insurance matters in Nova Scotia are overseen by the Nova Scotia Office of the Superintendent of Insurance, and in Prince Edward Island by the PEI Office of the Superintendent of Insurance.
Provincial regulators can also be contacted directly. Insurance: PEI Superintendent of Insurance (902) 368-4550; Nova Scotia Superintendent of Insurance, consumer assistance (902) 424-5613; New Brunswick — Financial and Consumer Services Commission (FCNB) 1-866-933-2222. Mortgage brokering: Nova Scotia — Service Nova Scotia 1-800-670-4357; New Brunswick — FCNB 1-866-933-2222.
About the Information on This Website
The information on this website is general in nature, provided for education and discussion, and does not take account of your individual circumstances. It is not legal, tax, accounting, or individualized financial advice, and it is not an offer or solicitation to buy or sell any product. You should obtain advice specific to your situation before acting. Clearstone does not provide securities, and does not offer "financial planning" as a regulated service. Please do not submit sensitive personal or financial information (such as your Social Insurance Number, government identification, or banking details) through general website forms; secure collection of any such information happens through a separate, controlled channel once a client relationship begins.
Where We Operate
Clearstone offers services in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick, subject to the licensing set out above. Nothing on this website is directed at residents of jurisdictions where Clearstone is not licensed to provide the relevant service.
For planning and discussion only. Not legal, tax, or accounting advice.