Canada’s economy started the year strong, but things are changing fast. Statistics Canada (Stat Can) real gross domestic (GDP) growth came in slower-than-expected in February. Today’s data also included a downward revision for January, and a preliminary estimate of flat growth for the rest of the quarter. Any signs of life the economy showed at […]
Canadian mortgage payments went from virtually nothing to the highest level in well over a decade, inflicting pain on mortgage borrowers. However, the value of homes also surged. In fact, from the rate cuts that sent home prices surging in March 2020 to the end of 2023, the growth rate of home prices outpaced the […]
Time for your cheat sheet on this week’s top stories. Canadian Real Estate Canadian Mortgage Changes Blur The Line Between Normal & Crisis: CMHC Canada was warned directly funding its mortgages would be a disaster, but it’s seeking the same impact anyway. The Government of Canada sought advice from the CMHC on directly funding mortgages […]
Most Canadian real estate markets have seen prices decline, but they aren’t nearly as large as many may assume. Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) data shows the composite benchmark (typical) home price declined significantly at the national level. However, breaking those numbers down shows most of that decline was concentrated in provinces like Ontario, BC, […]
The real estate slowdown in Canada’s largest city is starting to show increasing signs it’s not just a blip. Greater Toronto saw a sharp climb to its mortgage delinquency rate in Q4 2023, according to Equifax data. The share of delinquent mortgages has nearly doubled in just over a year, leading to the highest rate […]
Canada is on an epic borrowing spree, and that’s not good news for anyone else. The Government of Canada (GoC) new direct and guaranteed bond issuance made a big jump in March. It was the biggest monthly issuance of GoC debt since 2021, and it came ahead of the latest budget’s new proposed spending—while the […]
Canada is taking crisis-style mortgage market intervention, and making it an everyday thing. That was the feedback the Government of Canada (GoC) received from the CMHC. In recommendations dated in 2022, the CMHC explained the country’s plan to directly fund mortgage borrowing is unusual for a Sovereign, and blurs the line between normal markets and […]
Canada recently suffered a setback fighting its reputation as a global money laundering hub. Financial Transactions and Reports Analysis Centre of Canada (FINTRAC), the country’s financial crimes intelligence agency, disclosed a cyber incident in March. Nearly two months later, the country’s financial crimes intelligence agency still hasn’t got 100% of its systems back up and […]
Time for your cheat sheet on this week’s top stories. Canadian Real Estate Canadian Household Debt Nears $3 Trillion, Over 130% of GDP Canadians are warming up to borrowing again, fueled by rumors of cheap credit returning soon. Households owed $3 trillion in debt as of February, climbing 3.4% from last year. Higher rates slowed […]
Higher interest rates may have slowed Canadians from borrowing, but they’re embracing hope. Hope that rates will be cut and the debt they’re once again accumulating will go down in cost. Bank of Canada (BoC) data shows household credit jumped in February, and has shown some mild acceleration. This presents a few concerns for the […]
