Government and Regulation
This is where you’ll find the latest on government programs, policies and regulations that impact the mortgage industry.
Barriers to homeownership in Canada are “vast,” Butler tells Finance Committee
The dream of homeownership is slipping out of reach for many Canadians, particularly young people and those without significant family assistance, according to mortgage expert Ron Butler.
Mortgage industry weighs in on federal secondary suite refinance program
Industry professionals express cautious optimism but call for more clarity on the program’s specifics
Mortgage industry braces for FINTRAC’s new AML rules starting October 11
New FINTRAC regulations set to impact mortgage professionals nationwide.
Feds launch mortgage refinancing program to boost secondary suites and ease housing crunch
The federal government is rolling out another set of mortgage changes aimed at addressing the housing shortage, this time focusing on supporting the construction of secondary suites.
New mortgage rules spark debate in Canada’s housing sector
Canada’s mortgage industry is responding to the federal government’s recent adjustments to mortgage rules, aimed at improving affordability for certain buyers.
Public perceptions of banking regulator influenced mortgage decision: OSFI head
The recent decision by Canada’s banking regulator to relax a mortgage stress test rule was shaped in part by concerns about public perception of the agency, said Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions head Peter Routledge.
OSFI to eliminate stress test for uninsured mortgage switches starting November 21
OSFI has confirmed that it will remove the requirement for lenders to apply the Minimum Qualifying Rate (MQR) to straight switches of uninsured mortgages.
Federal government releases technical details of its latest mortgage changes
As a follow-up to last week’s announcement, the federal government has unveiled a more detailed framework for its updated mortgage rules, which are set to take effect on December 15, 2024.
Mortgage rule changes will help spark demand, but supply challenges persist: experts
Experts say Ottawa’s changes to mortgage rules could help spur demand among potential homebuyers, but supply challenges are likely to persist in Canada’s real estate sector despite lofty goals to build new housing.