Canada’s slowing economy may be shaking the confidence of builders. Statistics Canada (StatCan) data shows building permit values fell in April. A drop in multi-family permits fueled nearly the entire plunge for residential, with non-residential also slipping. Falling permits signal a slowdown in the sector ahead, providing another data point highlighting Canada’s slowdown. Canadian Building […]
There may be a perfect storm on the horizon, and it’s leaving Canada’s central bank paralyzed. The Bank of Canada (BoC) held its key interest rate at 2.25%, a widely expected move. They warn that the economy faces slow growth and rising inflation—conditions that resemble a stagflation-like threat. BoC Holds Rates On Stagflation-Like Conditions Surfacing […]
Canada just saw its biggest trade surplus since its leaders pledged to shed its US reliance. Statistics Canada (StatCan) data shows international merchandise trade jumped in April. A sharp climb in exports produced the biggest trade surplus in over a year, though it wasn’t due to policymakers. The net gain was more than explained by […]
Canadians are among the most indebted in the world, but managed to avoid signs of stress—until now. Office of the Superintendent of Bankruptcy (OSB) data shows insolvencies surged in April. Filings for the month just hit the second-highest level on record, driven by consumers. About Today’s Data Today we’re looking at total insolvencies, both consumer […]
Time for your cheat sheet on this week’s top stories. Canadian Real Estate Canada Taps Leveraged Hedge Funds For Over 40% of New Debt, Warns BoC Canada’s central bank has growing concerns about how the country is financing its debt. In its annual risk report, the Bank of Canada warns that hedge funds are buying […]
Canada just entered a technical recession, but it’s also apparently in the middle of a hiring boom? Statistics Canada’s (StatCan) Labour Force Survey (LFS) shows a sharp climb in employment in May. In fact, it marks the third-most jobs added to employment outside of the pandemic recovery. That doesn’t quite jibe with the recession and […]
Ottawa is boasting of fiscal anchors, but the latest stress test is about to give taxpayers that sinking feeling. This morning, the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) released its 2026 Economic and Fiscal Outlook, reviewing Ottawa’s fiscal projections and the probability of meeting them. The non-partisan agency found the federal plan stands up on paper, but […]
Toronto real estate is showing encouraging data, but is it a return to normal or the “return to normal” bubble experts warn of? Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) data shows home prices climbed in May. It was accompanied by a big jump in sales and a significant cut to inventory. As inspiring as these […]
Canada’s central bank is concerned about how the country is financing its debt. The Bank of Canada’s (BoC) latest Financial Stability Report flags the growing role of hedge funds in public bond auctions. They now represent over 40% of new Government of Canada (GoC) bond purchases, often financed with short-term loans secured by GoC bonds […]
Canadian banks aren’t just seeing delinquencies rise—they’re losing market share. Canadian Bankers Association (CBA) data shows the arrears rate was unchanged in March. Delinquent mortgages stalled at one of the highest levels in a decade, after doubling from 2022 lows. However, the big story last month was the drop in the number of mortgages held […]
