10/28/2026
Bank of Canada decision — today, Oct 28: the Bank raised its policy rate by a quarter point, to 2.50% — its first increase since 2023.
Why: the Bank said persistently high oil and energy prices have kept inflation around 3% since April, and it expects inflation to reach about 3.5% by year-end. Core inflation is still close to 2%, but fuel costs are pushing up production and transportation costs, and near-term inflation expectations have risen — so the Bank moved now to keep energy prices from spreading into broader inflation. It also said it could raise again if needed, but will proceed carefully.
What it means for you:
Variable-rate and HELOC borrowers: lenders are expected to raise prime by a quarter point — big-bank prime is currently 4.45%, so watch for 4.70%. If your payment adjusts with prime, that's roughly $70 more a month on a $500,000 variable mortgage with 25 years of amortization remaining (illustration only, not a quote). If your payment is fixed, more of it will go toward interest instead.
Fixed-rate borrowers: nothing changes on your existing mortgage today. New fixed rates are priced off bond markets, so they don't move one-for-one with today's decision.
Renewing soon or house-hunting in Ontario? With another hike possible, this is the week to check your rate hold and renewal numbers against the new picture — based on today's actual decision, not last week's headlines.
DM me if you want your situation run with today's numbers.
Mortgageville · FSRA #13693 · License