6 Apr

Weak Canadian Job Creation Is The First Fallout From The Trade War

General

Posted by: Ryan Roth

Today’s Labour Force Survey for March was weaker than expected. Employment decreased by 33,000 (-0.2%) in March, the first decrease since January 2022. The decline in March followed little change in February and three consecutive months of growth in November, December and January, totalling 211,000 (+1.0%). The employment rate—the proportion of the population aged 15 and older—fell 0.2 percentage points to 60.9% in March. This partially […]

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31 Mar

Variable-Rate Mortgages: What You Should Know

General

Posted by: Ryan Roth

Shakespeare might have thought ‘to be or not to be’ was the ultimate question, but he wasn’t living in 2025 trying to minimize bank fees and interest charges while maximizing financial returns—and having to pay $9 for a clamshell of raspberries. This month, we’re tackling a modern dilemma: ‘Should I get a variable or fixed […]

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24 Mar

Global Tariff Uncertainty Sidelined Buyers

General

Posted by: Ryan Roth

Canadian existing home sales plunged last month as tariff concerns moth-balled home buying intentions. According to data released Monday by the Canadian Real Estate Association, transactions fell 9.8% from January. Activity was at its lowest level since November 2023. Benchmark home prices declined 0.8%, and new listings plunged, more than reversing January’s gains. Housing continues […]

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19 Mar

Canadian Inflation Surged to 2.6% in February, Much Stronger Than Expected

General

Posted by: Ryan Roth

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 […]

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9 Mar

Fraud Awareness Month: Scams to Avoid

General

Posted by: Ryan Roth

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 […]

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3 Mar

Economic Insights from Dr. Sherry Cooper

General

Posted by: Ryan Roth

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 […]

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23 Feb

Global Tariff Uncertainty Is Not Good For the Canadian Housing Market

General

Posted by: Ryan Roth

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 […]

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10 Feb

Understanding Second Mortgages: Are They Right for You?

General

Posted by: Ryan Roth

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 […]

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2 Feb

Bank of Canada Cuts Policy Rate By 25 BPs

General

Posted by: Ryan Roth

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, […]

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