MortgageswithNicola

08/27/2026

The Bank of Canada is expected to keep the interest rate on hold when it meets next week.
There could be bigger questions ahead about the direction of fixed rates.
Bond yields have crept higher in recent months, and a recent upswing in US Treasury yields could also be about to intensify.
Inflation concerns have already been on the rise across Canada and the US, because of the war in Iran and spiking oil prices.
If the tariffs continue to push costs, it will eventually lead to higher Inflation, which would put upward pressure on bond yields, then pushing fixed rates higher.

08/26/2026

The US Canada trade war escalated again as Ottawa unveiled retaliatory tariffs on over $27 billion worth of US products.
Two sides are locked in and could be a lengthy and punishing trade standoff and that could have big implications for the Bank of Canada's approach to interest rates, some economists seeing a hike in the months ahead as unlikely.
The Iran war is rumbling on with no sign of a resolution, meaning upward pressure on oil prices is likely to continue, and tariffs and counter-tariffs usually pass costs on to the end consumer.

08/25/2026

Cutting interest rates may do more to inflame Canada housing affordability crisis than resolve it.
Unexpected shifts in monetary policy affect home sales, housing starts,and prices across different labour market conditions.
Because demand tends to respond more strongly than supply, monetary policy appears unable to alleviate housing affordability pressures and may intensify them when labour market conditions are strong.
Home resales begin rising shortly after an unexpected 25 basis point policy rate reduction,with the largest effects appearing 18 to 24 months later.
New construction takes longer to respond, housing starts don't pick up until about 2 years after the cut owing to the time required to plan projects, secure permits, and break ground.
Even when construction does respond, it's not enough to offset the stronger demand impulse.
Monetary policy has a larger effect on home sales, construction and prices when unemployment is low.
When unemployment is high,consumers may look through lower than expected interest rates because they prefer to maintain elevated savings buffers in case of job loss or because broader economic fears are more pronounced.

08/24/2026

Global Affairs Canada hiked its hospitality spending 53% in 2025-26. That's as PM Mark Carney keeps telling Canadians his government will spend "less".
Global Affairs spent $15.5 million on hospitality, hosting parties and events last year. Nearly half was spent abroad. Global Affairs spent $44.5 million on hospitality over the last 4 years.
2025 spending included $582,700 in Mexico where they hosted a French language and cultural diversity festival and $324,300 in South Korea including hospitality for a q***r cultural festival
Over the last 4 years they spent over $12k in Libya where Canada has no embassy or staff on the ground and tells Canadians not to go.

08/24/2026

A problem that's gripped Canada's two major condo markets isn't showing much sign of slowing: a surge in presale condos coming in well below purchase price, leaving many borrowers facing lost deposits, developer lawsuits and few realistic options.
Scores of buyers signed presale agreements in 2021 and 2022 when the condo market was hot, values continued to soar and demand for rental properties remained high.
But the market's cool down since then has seen values plunge, meaning those buyers are suddenly faced with appraisals coming in at 20-25% below the original purchase price.
Appraisers have also highlighted the challenges they're facing and encouraged brokers to lock in an appraisal as early as possible.

08/19/2026

Canada's latest inflation data is still unlikely to spur the BoC into an interest rate hike next month.
Rising oil prices have continued to put upward pressure on inflation.
For the housing market, it means variable mortgage and home equity line of credit rates aren't likely to jump anytime soon, but it's less clear what's in store for fixed rates.
Home sales are up nationally. Much will depend on the duration of the Iran conflict.
Bank of Canada governor has already suggested rates could go up if oil price shocks prove long lasting.
Other causes of economic uncertainty have weighed against Canada's housing market including the tariff war.

08/18/2026

The Carney government is moving full speed ahead with its Alto high speed rail project.
The proposed line would run from Toronto to Quebec City and cost taxpayers up to $90 billion.
It's also a good bet that the government will go over budget. That's what happened to similar projects in California and the UK.
Plus, the federal government is threatening thousands of property owners in Ontario with expropriation.
Doug Ford has the power to block the high speed rail project if he wants to.

08/18/2026

Senate Speaker Raymonde Gagne and her entourage spent nearly $900,000 traveling to New Zealand. Spain, Japan, and the list goes on.
Senators are unelected. They don't represent us. They have no democratic mandate for things like negotiating with other countries. It's hard to imagine how Gagne can justify spending nearly a million dollars on travel expenses.
The Senate is costing more than $140 million this year.

08/08/2026

Gas prices are soaring and politicians are quick to blame world events.
Those same politicians are silent about the taxes they charge that drive up the price at the pump.
When you fill up at the pump, up to 35% is taxes. But most of those taxes don't show up on your receipt.
https://canadian.taxpayer.com/action/gas-tax-calculator
You can find out how much the government is gouging you at the pump.

Will you sign the petition?Cut Gas Taxes Taxes make up about a third of the pump price in Canada. Canadians need relief and politicians could make life more affordable today by cutting the big tax…

08/07/2026

Canada's mortgage renewal wave isn't fading, with scores of five year mortgages still renewing at higher rates than when they originated during COVID.
Many borrowers who took out fixed mortgages in 2021 are facing a big jump in borrowing costs, a trend Many flagged as a significant hazard for the market.
Many are taking a disciplined and responsible approach, with refinances and debt consolidation helping keep household budgets under control and allowing borrowers to meet the challenges of higher rates.
Cutting back on non essential spending and focusing on making sure higher mortgage payments and housing costs can be covered is a priority.
Vacations are going by the wayside etc.