The first significant economic report of the new year landed on Friday and it is raising speculation about the Bank of Canada’s next rate move. Statistics Canada’s December employment numbers show nearly 91,000 new jobs were added for the month, nearly four times more than had been expected.  Most of the jobs (56,000) are full […]

With the arrival of the new year comes a new round of predictions about what is ahead for interest rates, mortgages and real estate. Generally, the mood among realtors is up-beat as First National report mentions. The Canadian Real Estate Association has tempered its forecasts but continues to forecast increases for sales and home prices […]

    The latest employment numbers have more forecasters calling for a 50 basis-point (0.50%) cut in the Bank of Canada’s benchmark Policy Rate on December 11.  It will be the Bank’s final rate setting for this year as First National Bank reports. The November unemployment rate rose to 6.8%, up from 6.5% in October, […]

    The October inflation report caused a minor commotion but it does not appear to have upset things enough to see the Bank of Canada change course as per First National’s Bank report. Statistics Canada reports headline inflation, also known as the Consumer Price Index, rose to 2.0%, on a year-over-year basis, up from […]

The Bank of Canada gave no indication in its March announcement that interest rates are set to fall soon – but the central bank is still likely to cut in June, according to CIBC deputy chief economist Benjamin Tal (pictured) as mentioned by Canadian Mortgae Professionals, CMP. Yesterday’s statement saw the Bank maintain its benchmark […]

Global financial markets faced unprecedented disruption when economies shut down in response to the global COVID-19 pandemic. To support financial markets, the Bank of Canada launched 10 liquidity facilities and asset purchase programs. As markets recovered from the initial shock, the central bank refocused their operations from ensuring that markets functioned to using these tools […]

      Canada’s latest inflation numbers were not the sign anyone hoping for lower interest rates was looking for.  Headline inflation, also known as the Consumer Price Index, rose to 3.4% in December, up from 3.1% in November.  Much of the increase was driven by high rents and increasing mortgage costs as report says […]

      Home buyers report a variety of feelings when it comes to financing a new home. According to the 2019 CMHC consumer report, most borrowers reported feeling “happy” or “excited” about their purchase, but over one-third of borrowers also said that buying made them feel stressed. Additionally, 42% of buyers felt uncertain about the […]

Housing starts in Canada bounced back in June, reversing a string of declines dating back to November of last year as mentioned by First National Financial LP Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation reports the seasonally adjusted annual rate of housing starts totalled 281,373 units in June, up from 200,018 in May. The increase was led […]

It was a busy week for economic data in Canada.  Much of it tended to be optimistic but there is little to suggest the Bank of Canada will not be raising interest rates again on July 12th as mentioned by First National Financial LP. The Consumer Price Index for May showed the annualized inflation rate […]