Canadians are more excited at the thought of cheap credit than actually getting it. Statistics Canada (Stat Can) data shows household credit grew in August—though at a slower rate than the month before. The mild acceleration in borrowing ahead of rate cuts reversed once the actual cuts were made. It potentially serves as a red […]
Canadian real estate seems boring these days, but dramatic demand shifts are occurring. Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) data shows the sales to new listings ratio (SNLR) fell in September. At the national level, the drop was only slight but the composition shift was very unexpected. Booming cities like Calgary are now seeing the demand […]
Canadian housing starts are starting to lose momentum but they remain lofty. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) data shows a drop in housing starts for September. Despite the slow month, BMO notes the trend is still moving higher, especially considering the environment. The slowdown is contrary to policymaker efforts to triple new home starts, […]
One of Canada’s largest provinces is looking to not just slow study permit growth, but reverse it. The Government of Quebec recently tabled legislation to seek greater control of the circumstances in which study permits are issued. This comes as a part of a larger strategy from the region’s policymakers to take on a more […]
Canadian real estate demand remains too weak to prevent further declines, but it’s improving. Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) data shows the composite benchmark (typical) home fell in September. Over the past two years, prices have largely moved sideways as market uncertainty persists. However, price drops were smaller last month, implying the potential for a […]
Canadian inflation is being tamed rapidly, sparking fears that the economy will cool and require stimulus soon. Statistics Canada (Stat Can) data shows the Consumer Price Index (CPI) annual growth fell sharply in September. The slowdown was primarily the result of gasoline, with inflation showing little progress when excluded. However, experts still see this clearing […]
Canadian banks have been considered mostly risk-free for a long time, but every streak ends. A former Canadian banking regulator urges the country’s policymakers to prepare for that day while it still can. In a new report from CD Howe, a former OSFI manager urges the country to modernize its banking crisis response and adopt […]
Remember when Canada announced it would establish a Minister of Middle Class Prosperity, only to eliminate the role a few months later? It perfectly foreshadowed the roller coaster the Middle Class is on, according to the latest data on income inequality. Statistics Canada (Stat Can) data released today shows the disposable income gap between Canada’s […]
Canadian real estate demand has been so weak that developers are struggling to stay afloat. Naturally, the Government of Canada (GoC) sees this as the perfect time get households to take their shot at playing developer with state-backed loans. This week the GoC announced homeowners looking to turn an “unused basement or garage” into a […]
Canadian real estate markets have yet to see that expected boost from falling rates. Only a handful of markets have already reported September data, but RBC warns the trend continues to show new inventory outpacing sales. Rising inventory and sluggish sales are combining to fuel a downtrend. Despite cheaper credit and lower prices, buyers still […]
