Mortgage Digest: Easing homeownership prices could also be short-lived, RBC says


Canadian housing affordability has been bettering steadily for a yr and a half, RBC Economics says, thanks largely to revenue development, although the tempo of these good points is now anticipated to gradual.

“Sturdy family revenue development has contributed to greater than a 3rd of the decline in RBC’s nationwide mixture affordability measure over the previous yr and a half,” the financial institution famous in its newest report. That measure fell to 53.6% in Q2 2025, down from a file 63.5% on the finish of 2023, reflecting the mixed impression of decrease rates of interest, softer costs and secure wages.

The steepest enhancements had been seen in Vancouver, Toronto and Victoria, although these cities stay Canada’s least inexpensive markets. In contrast, affordability within the Prairies has returned to historic norms, whereas Regina was the one market to see prices edge increased.

Easing homeownership costs could soon slow in Canada - RBC
Courtesy: RBC Economics

RBC warns, nevertheless, that the tempo of aid is prone to gradual. Earlier price cuts have largely labored their method via the system, whereas revenue development is decelerating as labour markets weaken—notably in Ontario, the place joblessness has climbed effectively above pre-pandemic ranges.

The financial institution expects affordability to enhance additional by year-end, however solely sufficient to offset about half of the pandemic-era deterioration. “Additional development turns into tougher as soon as rates of interest attain a secure plateau because it relies upon completely on house worth actions and family revenue developments,” RBC famous. With costs broadly anticipated to carry regular and wages rising solely reasonably, the scope for added progress is restricted.

“Nonetheless, we anticipate broadly secure pricing throughout Canada over the subsequent two years with some regional variations and reasonable wage will increase,” RBC added.


Mortgage arrears inch increased however stay close to historic lows

As of July 2025, 11,430 Canadian mortgages had been in arrears by three months or extra, representing 0.23% of all residential loans, in keeping with the Canadian Bankers Affiliation. That’s up from 0.15% in mid-2023, however the nationwide arrears price has held regular at about 0.22–0.23% since June.

Saskatchewan continues to have the best arrears price at 0.54%, adopted by Manitoba (0.33%) and Alberta (0.26%). Ontario and British Columbia reported arrears of 0.22% and 0.21%, respectively, whereas Quebec remained beneath the nationwide common at 0.18%.

Regardless of the rise over the previous yr, greater than 99% of Canadian mortgage holders stay present on their funds. The CBA notes that arrears have a tendency to trace employment circumstances, that means a softer job market might put extra households underneath stress.

Mortgages in arrears in Canada – what the numbers mean
Supply: Canadian Bankers Affiliation

Manulife companions with M3 to increase mortgage safety

Manulife Canada and M3 Monetary Group have introduced a brand new partnership to make mortgage safety insurance coverage extra accessible via M3’s dealer community, beginning with a launch in British Columbia. The collaboration will give brokers entry to Manulife’s Mortgage Safety Plan, which incorporates life and incapacity protection, built-in straight into M3’s BOSS platform.

“By combining Manulife’s mortgage safety experience with M3’s dealer community, we’re giving brokers the instruments to assist extra Canadians shield one of many greatest monetary purchases they’ll make,” mentioned Pamela Wong, Head of Affinity at Manulife Canada.

Paul Desiré, Senior Vice-President at Simplinsur, referred to as the partnership “safety the place it belongs—on the coronary heart of the mortgage dialog,” including that it’s going to assist purchasers safeguard their properties “sooner, with much less friction and extra confidence.”


Haventree joins CMHC-backed mortgage-bond packages

Haventree Financial institution has been authorized by CMHC to take part within the Nationwide Housing Act Mortgage-Backed Securities (NHA MBS) and Canada Mortgage Bond (CMB) packages. The financial institution marked the milestone by ringing the opening bell alongside TSX Belief, which is able to function doc custodian for the NHA MBS program.

The securitization packages, backed by CMHC’s assure of principal and curiosity, are central funding instruments in Canada’s mortgage market. They permit authorized lenders to pool insured mortgages and promote them to traders, creating extra secure and cost-effective entry to capital whereas supporting liquidity throughout the system.

Launched in 2001, the CMB program has change into a cornerstone of mortgage financing, with AAA-rated bonds that appeal to broad investor demand. Participation in these channels expands Haventree’s funding choices inside Canada’s mortgage finance system.


Subsequent Steps: Mortgage trade profession strikes

Next Steps: Mortgage industry career moves

Amir Parsa and Michael Neal be a part of Safebridge Monetary Group

Michael and Amir join Safebridge

Safebridge Monetary Group has introduced that Amir Parsa and Michael Neal, co-founders of North Energy Mortgages Inc., are becoming a member of the agency.

Primarily based in Toronto’s Monetary District, North Energy constructed a status as a boutique brokerage with a group of high producers and intensive banking and lending expertise. Parsa and Neal are recognized for his or her client-focused method and broad experience starting from first-time house purchases to non-public business financing.

Their transfer to Safebridge marks an enlargement of the agency’s attain within the Toronto market and brings added depth to its dealer community.

Canada Warranty broadcasts management modifications throughout gross sales and nationwide accounts

Canada Guaranty leadership changes

Canada Warranty has introduced a number of senior management appointments reflecting its continued concentrate on service and assist for companions nationwide.

Christine Kamel has been appointed Director of Gross sales, Quebec. With greater than 25 years of expertise within the mortgage and monetary providers trade, she brings intensive experience in enterprise growth and group management. On the identical time, Jamie Woods has been named Director, Nationwide Accounts. Woods, who joined Canada Warranty in 2015 and most just lately served as Director of Gross sales, Quebec, will now increase his work with key companions throughout the nation.

Brad Checknita has been promoted to Vice President, Nationwide Accounts. Beforehand based mostly in Western Canada, he’ll proceed to attract on his deep trade data and powerful relationships from Canada Warranty’s head workplace in Toronto. With Brad’s transfer, Trish Corridor steps into the function of Director of Gross sales, British Columbia. Corridor has been with the corporate since 2017 and is acknowledged for her dedication and trade perception.

As well as, Mike Klassen will return to Alberta to steer gross sales in Alberta and the Prairies, whereas persevering with to supervise Japanese Canada till a successor is called. Klassen has supported companions throughout the nation in earlier roles and brings a robust concentrate on consumer relationships to his new place.

Canada Warranty mentioned the appointments spotlight its continued funding in service and assist for brokers and lenders nationwide.

Yousry Bissada joins iA Monetary Group board

Yousry Bissada
Yousry Bissada

Yousry Bissada, the previous CEO of House Belief and present Vice Chair of the Board following its merger with Fairstone Financial institution, has joined the board of iA Monetary Group (Industrial Alliance).

Bissada is well-known within the mortgage trade for main House Belief via a interval of great transformation, from the 2017 liquidity disaster to its profitable turnaround within the dealer channel. Over his profession, he’s additionally held senior management roles at Kanetix, Paradigm Quest, Filogix, TD Canada Belief, CIBC Mortgages, and Firstline Belief.

In a current put up, he highlighted iA’s model evolution as “a key second within the group’s historical past,” praising the groups behind the corporate’s daring transformation. Bissada additionally continues to serve on the board of the Princess Margaret Most cancers Basis.

Faisal Siddiqi named Deputy Chief Actuary, Pensions at FSRA

Faisal Siddiqi
Faisal Siddiqi

The Monetary Companies Regulatory Authority of Ontario (FSRA) has appointed Faisal Siddiqi as Deputy Chief Actuary, Pensions, efficient September 29.

Siddiqi is a Fellow of each the Canadian Institute of Actuaries and the Society of Actuaries, with greater than 30 years of expertise in pension consulting, administration, funding and governance. He most just lately served as Managing Director, Actuary on the College Pension Plan, the place he helped set up the group’s asset-liability administration and pension administration methods, oversaw the merging of plans, and developed actuarial and funding threat frameworks.

At FSRA, he’ll be a part of the Pensions Management Group and lead Actuarial Companies and the Particular Transactions Group.

Ana Bailão appointed CEO of Construct Canada Houses

Ana Bailão
Ana Bailão

Former Toronto deputy mayor and mayoral candidate Ana Bailão has been named chief government officer of Construct Canada Houses, the federal authorities’s new housing company.

Bailão brings greater than 20 years of expertise in housing and public service, together with 12 years on Toronto Metropolis Council, the place she chaired the planning and housing committee. Most just lately, she led inexpensive housing and public affairs at Dream Limitless Corp.

As CEO, she’s going to oversee the company’s mandate to speed up housing provide, strengthen affordability and advance modular and factory-built development in partnership with governments, Indigenous communities, trade and the non-profit sector.


“Subsequent Steps” is a function in our Mortgage Digests that highlights notable job modifications and profession developments inside the mortgage trade. If in case you have a job replace to share, we welcome your submissions to maintain the group within the loop.


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