Good morning! Discover the latest trends and insights in this month’s Invested newsletter! This month’s edition spans leadership insights, market disruption, and our shared responsibility to the planet. Viewpoint Chair Mac Van Wielingen reflects on legacy and risk on The Trevor Rose Podcast, while global volatility dominates headlines—from Canada’s economic stagnation and Trump’s tariff playbook to the rise of risk-seeking investors. We also mark Earth Day with a look at Canada’s standing on air quality and environmental health, and zoom out to ask: what happens when even economic discourse becomes meme-ified? Happy reading!
VIEWPOINT SPOTLIGHT
MAC VAN WIELINGEN FEATURED ON THE TREVOR ROSE PODCAST
FAMILY WISDOM, THE ORIGINS OF ARC FINANCIAL & NAVIGATING INVESTMENT RISK
In episode #221 of The Trevor Rose Podcast, host Trevor Rose sits down with Mac Van Wielingen, Chair of Viewpoint Investment Partners, for a thoughtful conversation on leadership, legacy, and investment risk. Mac traces his entrepreneurial journey back to his family roots, and how that influenced his mindset and drive to be an entrepreneur and his continued involvement in corporate governance and leadership. The discussion delves into the nuances of investment risk, highlighting how Mac’s family values and philosophical outlook have shaped his approach to navigating uncertainty. Listeners gain insights into the balance between quantitative analysis and qualitative judgment in risk management, as well as the importance of long-term thinking in both business and personal endeavors. This episode offers a rich exploration of the principles guiding one of Canada’s most influential investors.
INSIGHTS FROM THE VIEWPOINT FOUNDATION
EXPLORING PHILANTHROPIC TRENDS & IMPACTFUL INITIATIVES
Sociogenomics: Beyond Nature vs. Nurture
Sociogenomics explores how our genes and environments work together to shape mental health—not as separate forces, but as a dynamic feedback loop. From partner influence to genetic risk shaping life events, the research blurs the line between nature and nurture. Could understanding this hidden interplay transform how we treat mental health? Dive into the full article from Jessica Ratushniak to find out.
APRIL’S INVESTMENT PULSE
AS CANADA STALLS & U.S. TRUST WANES, INVESTORS CHASE VOLATILITY
Adding Insult to Injury: Tariffs Are Only Exacerbating Canada’s Economic Underperformance, Some Experts Say
Canada’s economic troubles run deeper than U.S. tariffs—decades of policy missteps have triggered stagflation, capital flight, and weak productivity. As Trump’s aggressive reindustrialization strategy ramps up, Canada faces an uphill battle to stay competitive. Can Canada stop the slide before global capital—and prosperity—move elsewhere for good? Check out this article from Canadian Family Offices for more info!
Markets Are Discovering the Real Trump Trade Is ‘Sell America’
Trump’s second term is shaking global confidence in U.S. financial leadership. As the dollar weakens and Treasuries lose their safe-haven status, investors and governments are rethinking their reliance on America. With emerging markets gaining traction and geopolitical alliances shifting, could the era of U.S. exceptionalism be coming to an end? What happens when the world stops trusting America? This article from Bloomberg investigates.
‘I Could Lose It All Tomorrow’: The Traders Leaning In to Wild Markets
As markets plunge and volatility surges, a new breed of risk-hungry investors is charging in—betting big on bitcoin, call options, and leveraged ETFs. While Wall Street braces for recession, these traders are chasing fortunes in chaos, seeing opportunity where others see risk. This article from The Wall Street Journal asks the question: Are they fearless visionaries—or gamblers riding a ticking time bomb?
PODCAST PICK
UNLOCKING INSIGHTS, ONE EPISODE AT A TIME
Martin Wolf on Trump’s Shakeup of the Global Order
Martin Wolf, the Financial Times’ Chief Economics Commentator, unpacks Trump’s sweeping new tariffs and their ripple effects across global markets and geopolitics. On this episode of Bloomberg Odd Lots, Wolf explores the roots of America’s economic angst and the uncertain future of globalization, as nations scramble to decode U.S. intentions. Is this the end of liberal trade—or just the beginning of a new global order?
MORE TO EXPLORE
CURATED READS FOR THE INQUISITIVE
Air Quality in Canada and the OECD
In honour of Earth Day, we look at a new study from the Fraser Institute that ranks Canada 8th among 31 OECD countries for overall air quality, with standout performance on fine particulate matter and low health risks from pollution. However, Canada lands mid-pack on ozone and nitrogen oxides. This Earth Day, how does Canada’s air really stack up—and where can we still do better?
What Happens When Everything Becomes a Meme?
From sticker drops to sociopolitical meltdowns, this piece from Kyla’s Newsletter explores how we’re burning through our social, cognitive, economic, and informational “commons”—not with fire, but with algorithms, isolation, and outrage. Trust is eroding, systems are destabilizing, and even stickers might say more than headlines. Is our society running on vibes… or unraveling at the seams?