Learn what mortgage default insurance (aka CMHC insurance) is in Canada and why it's mandatory when your down payment is less than 20%. This one-time premium (typically 2.8%–4.0% of your mortgage, plus 13% HST in Ontario) protects lenders if you default, letting first-time buyers enter the market with as little as 5% down. Learn minimum down payment rules, costs by LTV ratio, pros/cons, and 2026 updates, such as 30-year amortizations for new builds/first-timers.

As of early 2026, Canada’s economic landscape is at a pivotal crossroads, with the "Big Six" banks offering diverging visions for the year ahead. While the current Bank of Canada rate sits at 2.25%, the financial sector is split on whether we have reached the bottom of the cooling cycle. Leading institutions like BMO, RBC, and TD anticipate stability at the 2.25% mark through December 2026; however, Scotiabank and National Bank are signalling a shift, forecasting a climb back

As of early 2026, Canada’s economic landscape is at a pivotal crossroads, with the "Big Six" banks offering diverging visions for the year ahead. While the current Bank of Canada rate sits at 2.25%, the financial sector is split on whether we have reached the bottom of the cooling cycle. Leading institutions like BMO, RBC, and TD anticipate stability at the 2.25% mark through December 2026; however, Scotiabank and National Bank are signalling a shift, forecasting a climb back