Clare O’Hara is a Toronto-based financial reporter for The Globe and Mail, specializing in wealth management innovations and regulatory shifts. With over a decade of experience, she has become a trusted voice on topics ranging from robo-advisory platforms to tax-efficient investing strategies.
“The future of wealth management lies in tools that empower, not replace, human judgment.” — Clare O’Hara, 2021
Her work bridges academic rigor and mainstream accessibility, making her a critical contact for firms innovating in Canada’s financial services sector.
Clare O'Hara has carved a niche as one of Canada’s foremost financial journalists, blending rigorous analysis with accessible storytelling. Her work at The Globe and Mail and other outlets reflects a deep commitment to demystifying complex financial systems for everyday investors.
O’Hara’s career began with a focus on macroeconomic trends, but she quickly pivoted to wealth management—a space where her ability to translate regulatory changes and product innovations into actionable insights shines. Over the past decade, she has documented the rise of robo-advisors, the evolution of tax-advantaged investment vehicles, and the shifting role of human advisors in an increasingly automated industry.
This landmark 2015 article analyzed the disruptive potential of robo-advisors in Canada’s wealth management sector. O’Hara interviewed executives from firms like Wealthsimple and Nest Wealth, contrasting their tech-driven models with traditional advisory services. Her analysis predicted the hybrid advisory systems now dominant in the industry, emphasizing how automation could reduce costs without sacrificing personalized service. The piece remains a touchstone for discussions about fintech’s role in democratizing financial planning.
O’Hara’s coverage of RBC’s 2019 fund launch highlighted the growing demand for tax-efficient investment products among high-net-worth Canadians. She dissected the fund structures’ advantages, such as tax-deferred switching between asset classes, while questioning their accessibility for retail investors. Her balanced approach—celebrating innovation while scrutinizing inclusivity—exemplifies her editorial voice.
In this 2023 analysis, O’Hara explored how demographic shifts and ESG priorities are reshaping portfolio strategies. She highlighted case studies of advisors integrating climate risk assessments into retirement planning, arguing that sustainability metrics will soon become standard in fiduciary evaluations. The article sparked debates among industry groups about standardization in ESG reporting.
O’Hara consistently highlights how policy changes ripple through financial products. A 2022 piece on Ontario’s fiduciary rule updates, for example, connected legislative tweaks to shifts in fund manager behavior. Pitches should foreground regulatory implications—e.g., how proposed wealth tax reforms might alter ETF inflows or insurance-based investment strategies.
Her reporting on robo-human advisory partnerships (e.g., Questwealth’s tiered service tiers) reveals a preference for solutions that balance automation with empathy. Successful pitches might explore emerging tools like AI-driven risk tolerance analyzers or platforms that gamify financial literacy for younger investors.
From corporate class funds to Smith Maneuver updates, O’Hara frames tax strategies as storytelling devices. A recent article on prescribed rate loans exemplified this, using family trust case studies to illustrate arcane CRA rules. Pitches should contextualize products within broader wealth preservation narratives.
While O’Hara maintains a low public profile, her work has been cited in parliamentary discussions about fintech regulation. A 2020 series on pandemic-driven investment fraud was incorporated into investor education campaigns by the Ontario Securities Commission, underscoring her reporting’s practical impact.
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