Canada’s economy is booming, and there’s a good chance you’re not feeling any of the benefits. A new study by Statistics Canada (Stat Can) on gross domestic product (GDP) per capita might shed some light on why. The agency found GDP recovered from the recession but not when measured on a per capita basis. Lingering […]
Canada’s central bank said they would “forcefully” control inflation last month. In the first rate announcement since that statement, the Bank of Canada (BoC) took the first steps of following through. To curb “excess demand,” the central bank raised rates aggressively and even set a date to begin reversing its QE program. Canada’s Overnight Rate […]
Vancouver real estate just had a little froth shaved off last month. Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver (REBGV) data shows home prices jumped in March. Diving deeper, the benchmark climbed but median sale prices fell in the City. Mixed price indicators came as the hot market also showed signs of weakness. While inventory is […]
Canada just fined the world’s largest bank for not following anti-money laundering rules. A local subsidiary of the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) paid over $700k in penalties last year. Despite only being fined weeks ago, FINTRAC, Canada’s financial intelligence unit, found the problems during a routine audit in 2019. The regulatory body […]
Canadian subprime real estate buyers are scrambling to join the housing gold rush. Earlier this week, we discussed the sharp climb in subprime mortgage borrowers in Q3 2021. Today we’ll break the Equifax data down by city and show the highest concentrations. All but three major cities in Canada saw their share of poor quality […]
Canada’s largest real estate board confirmed it’s building a for-profit subsidiary. The Toronto Real Estate Board (TRREB) emailed members to announce its new for-profit plan. This comes after brokers began to rally support for an inquiry into the decision to pursue profits. Some allege the plan was done in secret, but the board says they […]
Mortgage industry veteran Rob Butler, founder of Butler Mortgages and one of the most important names in the industry, shares his insights on the “infinite up” culture and the irrational exuberance of Canadian real estate. Want more? Subscribe to our new YouTube channel for analysis, news, and interviews you won’t find anywhere else.
Canada’s largest bank observed the fastest deterioration of home prices in decades. RBC economists crunched the numbers on housing affordability for Q2 2021. The bank found the share of income needed to carry ownership costs on the purchase of a home has surged. Even with negative mortgage rates (or because of?), affordably made the biggest […]
Dust off the disco ball and rolled up dollar bills, because the 1970s are back. At least the signs of 70s-style stagflation are forming, according to one of Canada’s Big Six banks. National Bank of Canada (NBC) chief economist Stéfane Marion warned clients of the rising risk of global stagflation. Rising oil prices, soaring food […]
Young Canadians aren’t interested in joining the trades, and it’s a big problem. RBC Economics took a look at skilled workers, and the anticipated shortage. The labor shortage isn’t just due to a large demographic cliff though. Not enough young adults are attracted to the field, nor are new immigrants. This squeeze can result in […]
