Frequently Asked Questions
Start with the question you have.
Short answers to practical questions about Clearstone — with a clear path to the page that owns the detail when you need it.
Question 01 · Why Clearstone
Why work with Clearstone?
Clearstone is built to make financial decisions simpler by bringing several important parts of your financial picture into one coordinated practice.
About ClearstoneFind your question
Topic 01
Start Here
What does Clearstone help with?
Clearstone brings Financial Advisory, Mortgages, Insurance, Investments, the Smith Manoeuvre™ and Group Benefits together within one independent practice. You can use a single service or more than one. The broader suite allows related needs to be coordinated when useful without requiring you to move every financial relationship to Clearstone.
Explore ServicesI’m not sure which service I need. Where should I start?
You do not need to diagnose the solution before speaking with Clearstone. Start with the situation or decision you are trying to work through. We can determine which area is relevant and whether one service or several should be considered.
See Who We HelpHow do I get started, and what should I send?
Start with the Get Started page and provide only enough information for Clearstone to understand what you need.
Privacy — before you send
Do not send sensitive financial or medical information, identification documents, SINs or document uploads through general website forms.
If additional information is required later, the appropriate process can be explained to you.
See How to Get StartedTopic 02
Scope & Boundaries
For planning and discussion only. Not legal, tax, or accounting advice.
I’m looking for an investment advisor. How can Clearstone help?
Clearstone provides investment guidance through insurance-based investments. Clearstone’s public investment offering includes segregated funds, IVICs and insurance-based investment solutions, which may be held in accounts such as an RRSP, TFSA, FHSA or RRIF depending on the carrier and contract. Clearstone does not present individual securities or mutual funds as Clearstone offerings.
Explore InvestmentsWhat is the Smith Manoeuvre™?
The Smith Manoeuvre™ is a long-term leveraged strategy involving a readvanceable mortgage and borrowing to invest.
Borrowing to invest magnifies both gains and losses, and the strategy is not suitable for everyone. It generally requires a long time horizon of 15 years or more. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and is not guaranteed.
Smith Manoeuvre™ is a trademark used under licence through SMCG.
Read about the Smith Manoeuvre™Does Clearstone provide legal, tax or accounting advice?
For planning and discussion only. Not legal, tax, or accounting advice. Where a decision crosses into those areas, the appropriate outside professional should provide advice within their professional role. Clearstone can work alongside external professionals where coordination is useful and appropriate.
Read Compliance DisclosuresDo I need to use more than one Clearstone service?
No. You can work with Clearstone for one specific service or for several. The broader suite is available so that, when more than one area is relevant, the work can be coordinated through the same practice. There is no requirement to move other financial relationships to Clearstone simply because you use one of our services.
Explore ServicesIs there a minimum income, net worth or account size required to work with Clearstone?
Clearstone does not set a firm-wide minimum income, net worth, investment balance, mortgage amount or insurance premium simply to become a client. Individual services, products, lenders, insurers and strategies may have their own eligibility, underwriting or suitability requirements, which can be explained when they apply.
Get StartedTopic 03
Working With Clearstone
How does ongoing work with Clearstone happen after I get started?
That depends on the service and the work being completed. Some relationships involve a defined transaction or implementation process, while others may involve ongoing servicing, reviews or coordination. Clearstone should explain what the relationship looks like for the service you are using.
See How We WorkWho will I work with?
The people involved depend on the service you are using. Nicholas Gaudet is Clearstone’s Founder & CEO. Anmol Multani is Director, Mortgage Operations and supports mortgage intake, file preparation, lender coordination and client communication through the mortgage process.
Meet the TeamCan Clearstone work with my existing accountant, lawyer or other professionals?
Yes. Working with Clearstone does not require you to replace your existing accountant, lawyer or other outside professionals. Where coordination would be useful, Clearstone can work alongside them with your consent while respecting the responsibilities and professional boundaries of everyone involved.
See How We WorkTopic 04
Practical & Disclosure
Where is Clearstone based, and where are services available?
Clearstone is based in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island and serves clients across Atlantic Canada, subject to the licensing, availability and requirements of the particular service involved. General regional service does not mean every service is available in every province.
Read Compliance DisclosuresHow is Clearstone paid?
Clearstone may be paid through fees and commissions depending on the service. In most cases involving financial products, compensation is paid by lenders or carriers rather than directly by the client. The applicable compensation and required disclosures should be explained for the particular service or transaction.
Read How Clearstone Is PaidCan I meet with Clearstone in person?
Yes. By appointment only. In-person appointments are available across PEI.
Contact ClearstoneStill have a question?
Tell us what you’re trying to figure out. You don’t need to choose a service before you reach out.