The Economy
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Understanding Bond Sector Consideration Premium
Learn how The Bond Sector Consideration Premium accounts for sector-specific risks or other unique factors affecting particular bonds.
Are House Prices Too High?
You don’t need to be a real estate expert to feel it: house prices seem out of reach for the average family. But why? What’s keeping prices so high when affordability has clearly left the building? As someone who gets into roughly a hundred homes every month, I’ve had a front-row seat to the push and pull of today’s housing market—and let me tell you, it’s a fascinating, frustrating, and complex story.
Natural Disasters, Inflation, and Housing Affordability
Canada is no stranger to natural disasters. From wildfires in British Columbia to severe floods in Ontario and Quebec, extreme weather events are becoming more frequent and costly. Beyond their immediate devastation, these disasters also have long-term economic...
How to Control Inflation with Interest Rates
Let's explore the intricate relationship between interest rates and inflation, and how central banks utilize interest rates as a key weapon in their arsenal to control inflation. We will unravel the complexities and real-world implications of interest rate...
Housing: A Business or a Right?
For much of the past century, the dream of owning a home has been a cornerstone of Canadian life — a promise of stability, security, and prosperity. But today, for many Canadians, that dream feels more out of reach than ever before. What happened? How did we go from a nation of builders and homeowners to a country where homes are increasingly treated not as places to live, but as financial assets?
Millennials Brace for Economic Pain
A new report from RBC warns that millennials and young Gen X homeowners could face significant financial challenges. High debt and vulnerability to a potential economic downturn are raising concerns about the ability of young workers to maintain employment and make mortgage payments. Dive deeper into the findings of the RBC report and explore the implications for millennials.
What are Negative Interest Rates
Decoding Negative Interest Rates: A Game Changer in Economics Negative interest rates have the potential to revolutionize the financial landscape, with central banks using this unconventional tool to spur economic activity. The concept of charging lenders for holding...
Canada Continues to Misjudge Population Growth
Canada is growing—faster than most experts predicted, and certainly faster than many housing policymakers have planned for. As a professional mortgage agent, I’ve seen firsthand how rapid demographic changes can ripple through local housing markets, pushing demand up...
The Economic Pulse of Canadian Households
Every quarter, Statistics Canada provides us with a deeper look into the financial realities of Canadian households. The most recent release from the Distributions of Household Economic Accounts sheds light on how Canadians are managing their income, savings, debt,...
Bank of Canada’s March 2025 Rate Decision
In its latest announcement, the Bank of Canada has reduced its target overnight interest rate to 2.75%, with the corresponding Bank Rate now at 3.00% and the deposit rate set at 2.70%. This strategic decision reflects the bank's proactive approach to managing an...
10 Ways Supply and Demand Impact Real Estate Prices
The principles of supply and demand are fundamental in determining real estate prices. The balance between the number of buyers in the market (demand) and the availability of properties (supply) governs the real estate market, just like any other market. When demand...
Experts Predict Canadian Dollar Fall
Discover why the Canadian dollar is expected to weaken against the American dollar in early 2024, and learn about the potential consequences for households and businesses in Canada. Stay informed about the changing currency landscape and make informed decisions.
What is Canada’s Mortgage Default Risk?
If a large number of Canadians default on their mortgage, what could happen? The Trump administration has introduced a great deal of economic uncertainty to Canada, the United States, and the world at large. Tariffs introduced by the Trump administration are likely to...
Will AI Address Labour Shortages?
Learn how AI will impact the labour market and whether it can address labour shortages in many sectors of the economy.
Bank of Canada’s Economic Outlook
The Bank of Canada has published its economic outlook based on questionnaires to Canadian businesses and consumers.
Interest Rates and the Canadian Dollar
Ever wondered how interest rates affect the value of a country's currency? Buckle up and let's dive into the intriguing world of currency and interest rates! The Relationship Between Interest Rates and Currency Value Central banks often increase interest rates to...
Featured Publications
Articles
- Extended Amortizations and Hypothetical Calculations
Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) - Minimum Qualifying Rate for Uninsured Mortgages
Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) - Residential Mortgage Underwriting Practices and Procedures
Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI) - Guideline on Existing Consumer Mortgage Loans in Exceptional Circumstances Financial Consumer Agency of Canada
Book: “The Program”
- Part 1 – Building Your Down Payment
- Part 2 – Mortgage Payoff Strategies
- Part 3 – Building Wealth Through Real Estate