The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.6% year-over-year (y/y) in February, following an increase of 1.9% in January. With the federal tax break ending on February 15, the GST and HST were reapplied to eligible products. This put upward pressure on consumer prices for those items, as taxes paid by consumers are included in the CPI. While the second straight acceleration in the […]

Did you know? March is Fraud Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to learn how to protect yourself and your mortgage from fraud. Understanding common mortgage scams and how to recognize warning signs can make all the difference in safeguarding your financial well-being. Common Mortgage Fraud Scams One of the most frequent types of […]

The outlook for the Canadian economy in the coming months presents a picture of cautious optimism with high uncertainty. Economic indicators were expected to strengthen this year, driven by resilient consumer spending and a robust export sector. Housing activity was poised to accelerate this year as well. However, when the newly inaugurated US president began […]

Canadian MLS® Systems posted a double-digit jump in new supply in January 2025 when compared to December 2024. At the same time, sales activity fell off at the end of the month, likely reflecting uncertainty over the potential for a trade war with the United States. Although sales were down 3.3% month-over-month in January, this […]

Today’s Labour Force Survey for January surprised on the high side as businesses expanded employment despite threats of a tariff war with the US. According to Statistics Canada, employment increased by 76,000 last month, bringing the jobless rate down to 6.6%. Economists in a Bloomberg survey expected a smaller rise of 25,000 jobs, with the […]

One of the biggest benefits to purchasing your own home is the ability to build equity in your property. This equity can come in handy down the line for refinancing, renovations, or taking out additional loans – such as a second mortgage. A second mortgage refers to an additional or secondary loan taken out on […]

The Bank of Canada (BoC) reduced the overnight rate by 25 basis points this morning, bringing the policy rate down to 3.0%. The market had anticipated a nearly 98% chance of this 25 basis point reduction, and consensus aligned with this expectation. The Federal Reserve is also set to announce its rate decision this afternoon, […]

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased by 1.8% year-over-year in December, a slight decrease from the 1.9% rise in November. The main contributors to this slowdown were food purchased from restaurants and alcoholic beverages bought from stores. Excluding food, the CPI rose by 2.1% in December. On December 14, 2024, a temporary GST/HST exemption on certain goods […]

Today is President Trump’s inauguration day in the US, and contrary to earlier threats, officials have announced that he will not impose new tariffs on his first day in office. Instead, Trump will issue a comprehensive trade memo directing federal agencies to evaluate trade relationships with China, Canada, and Mexico. The president had previously pledged […]

Home sales activity recorded over Canadian MLS® Systems softened in December, falling 5.8% compared to November. However, they were still 13% above their level in May, just before the Bank of Canada began cutting interest rates. The fourth quarter of 2024 saw sales up 10% from the third quarter and stood among the more muscular […]