09/25/2026
🇺🇸🇨🇦 The U.S. just raised rates. Does that mean Canada is next?
Not necessarily — but there’s an interesting story happening underneath the surface.
On September 16, the U.S. Federal Reserve raised its benchmark rate by 0.25%, bringing its target range to 3.75%–4.00%. It was the Fed’s first increase since 2023, with the Fed pointing to elevated inflation and continued economic strength.
So what does that mean for Canada?
The Bank of Canada does not automatically follow the Federal Reserve. Canada sets its own monetary policy based on Canadian economic conditions.
At its September 2 decision, the Bank of Canada held its overnight rate at 2.25%. The next decision is October 28, when the Bank will also release its latest Monetary Policy Report.
But here’s where things get interesting…
THE GAP BETWEEN FIXED AND VARIABLE
Right now, we have a meaningful difference between Canada’s short-term policy rate and longer-term borrowing costs.
The Bank of Canada overnight rate is 2.25%.
Meanwhile, the 5-year Government of Canada bond yield is around 3.7%.
And that matters because fixed mortgage rates are heavily influenced by longer-term bond yields, while variable mortgage rates are much more directly connected to the Bank of Canada’s policy rate through prime.
That’s one reason we’re currently seeing variable mortgage rates significantly below many fixed-rate options.
BUT LOOK AT WHAT HAPPENED IN 2021–22.
As the chart shows, 5-year bond yields began rising before the Bank of Canada started aggressively increasing its overnight rate.
Then the Bank began tightening monetary policy as inflation became increasingly persistent.
As the overnight rate moved higher, the gap between the overnight rate and the 5-year bond yield narrowed.
Could we see something similar again?
Potentially — but history doesn’t guarantee the same outcome.
For the gap between today’s variable and fixed rates to narrow substantially, the Bank of Canada would need to raise its policy rate and/or fixed rates would need to move lower.
And whether the Bank actually raises rates will depend on what happens with inflation, employment, economic growth, energy prices and other financial conditions.
WHAT IS THE BANK WATCHING RIGHT NOW?
Canada's latest data presents a mixed picture.
📈 Canadian GDP grew 3.3% in Q2.
👷 Unemployment was 6.4% in July.
📊 Headline inflation has been around 3%.
⛽ A significant portion of that inflation has been driven by higher gasoline prices.
📉 Excluding gasoline, inflation was 2.2%, while core inflation remained close to 2% in July.
The Bank also said the Canadian economy continues to have excess supply, while higher energy prices and trade uncertainty have increased the risks surrounding the inflation and growth outlook.
So October 28 isn't simply about what the U.S. Federal Reserve just did.
The bigger question is:
WHAT DOES THE CANADIAN DATA SAY BY OCTOBER 28?
The Bank could hold.
It could raise.
It could eventually cut.
And each outcome would have different implications for variable mortgage rates.
Meanwhile, fixed mortgage rates can continue moving independently as bond yields and lender funding costs change.
THAT'S THE BIG TAKEAWAY:
The Fed raising rates doesn't automatically mean the Bank of Canada will raise rates.
But the current gap between longer-term bond yields, fixed mortgage rates and the Bank of Canada's overnight rate is worth watching.
And if inflation remains elevated and the Bank eventually needs to raise its policy rate, we could see the gap between today's variable and fixed rates narrow — similar to what happened during the 2021–22 tightening cycle.
That isn't a prediction.
It's simply why understanding what drives each type of mortgage rate is so important.
📅 October 28, 2026 — we'll see what the Bank of Canada decides next.