The Shelter Debate
Recent Statistics Canada data shows 11.3 million Canadians contributed to retirement accounts in 2023, with 5 million using only a TFSA (median $6,500 CAD ≈ $4,750 USD) and 3.8 million using only an RRSP (median $3,420 CAD ≈ $2,500 USD). A further 2.5 million Canadians contributed to both, indicating the TFSA is now the primary savings vehicle for many households. While TFSAs offer tax‑free growth and flexible withdrawals, the article demonstrates that when tax rates differ between contribution and retirement, RRSPs can deliver higher after‑tax income, especially with pension‑income splitting and the basic personal amount exemption. The author advises a blended strategy—using RRSP deductions to fund TFSA contributions—to maximize long‑term retirement security.
The Jobs Fade
Canadian labour market slipped further in April 2026, with the unemployment rate climbing to 6.9%, the highest level in six months. The country shed 17,700 jobs last month, bringing the year‑to‑date loss to roughly 110,000, while youth unemployment topped 14%....
Goldilocks
April 2024 Canadian housing data show a modest slowdown in Vancouver, where inventory edged above 16,000 units and benchmark prices fell about 7% to roughly $800,000 USD. Detached home sales rose 14% year‑over‑year, while Victoria saw a 6% increase in...
Baby Steps
A Canadian parent wants to help her 16‑year‑old daughter start investing before she can open a TFSA. The article explains that minors can contribute to a RRSP if they have earned income and file a tax return, and that parents...
Oh Canada…
Canada’s April housing data is set to show a rebound after the federal government eliminated the HST on new homes, sparking a noticeable uptick in sales. While condo resales stay depressed, the broader market appears to be stabilizing despite higher...
The Lego War
Oil prices surged past $100 a barrel, climbing 5% as the U.S. deepens its involvement in a protracted Middle‑East conflict that has already cost Washington roughly $60 billion. The Bank of Canada kept its policy rate steady at 2.25% despite inflation...
Beaver Bucks
Canada announced the Canada Strong Fund, a new sovereign‑wealth‑style vehicle funded with roughly $25 billion CAD (about $18 billion USD) over three years. The capital will be raised through bond issuance and managed by a private‑sector CEO and board, keeping it arm’s‑length...
The Good. The Bad. The Numbers.
Canada’s new fiscal update shows a record post‑pandemic deficit of C$78.3 bn (≈US$57 bn) despite a strong economic outlook. Oil price surges are projected to boost federal revenues by C$5‑10 bn (≈US$3.5‑7.3 bn) annually, potentially narrowing the shortfall. However, costly social programs, a higher...
RIP
Canada’s condo market is in crisis, with 13,726 unsold units in the GTA—enough to meet demand for roughly two and a half years. Prices have slashed about 30%, falling from roughly $569,000 USD in early 2022 to $401,000 USD today,...
The Downsizers
Australia’s Downsizer Superannuation Contribution lets homeowners 55 or older transfer up to $300,000 per person (about $300,000 USD) from their primary residence into a tax‑advantaged retirement account, freeing equity for younger buyers. The one‑time, lifetime option requires ten years of continuous...
It’s Back
Canada’s consumer price index jumped to 2.4% in March, up from 1.8% in the previous reading, driven largely by higher gasoline prices linked to tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Economists expect the April CPI, released May 19, to climb...
The Big Risk
Canadian housing markets are showing a tentative rebound as prices have slipped up to a third since 2022, prompting a surge in buyer activity despite higher mortgage rates and economic headwinds. The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI)...
Unsurprising
The US‑Israel‑Iran war has reignited an energy shock, spurring inflation and pushing bond yields higher, which in turn lifted Canadian mortgage rates from roughly 3.5% in February to about 4.2% today. Higher borrowing costs are dampening demand across Canada’s housing...
The Meltdown
A three‑bedroom pre‑construction condo at 33 Parliament Street in downtown Toronto, originally sold for C$1.15 million (≈US$842,000) at C$1,230 per square foot, is now listed for C$799,000 (≈US$583,000), reflecting a roughly 30% price decline. The unit has never been occupied; the...
The Cycle
Canada’s 5‑year government bond yield surged from 2.6% to 3.2% within weeks, while the 30‑year benchmark climbed to 4%, reflecting heightened inflation fears tied to the Ukraine war, soaring energy costs and lingering tariff pressures. The yield jump has already...