
Rising meals costs
and the hovering price of filling up on the fuel pump are hitting pocketbooks arduous, and now you can add
housing costs
to the checklist of economic stressors, given they rose in lots of Canadian cities final month in response to a report Thursday from Ratehub.ca.
“Demand for Canadian actual property stays frosty in comparison with current years, however the newest worth information exhibits some regional markets are beginning to agency up because the early spring market approaches,” the net mortgage firm mentioned in a press launch.
Ratehub mentioned month-over-month dwelling costs rose in 11 of 13 main cities in February, so homebuyers would have wanted extra revenue to qualify for a mortgage in most of these cities.
Montreal
properties had the biggest worth enhance, leaping to a mean of $594,200 from $579,900 in 2025 from 2024 on an unadjusted foundation. The revenue required to qualify for a
mortgage
within the metropolis beneath the
mortgage stress take a look at
was $127,600 in February in contrast with $124,800 at first of the 12 months, leading to a month-to-month mortgage fee enhance of $76.
“Listed dwelling costs for Canada have been up general,” Mike Rizvanovic, a monetary providers analyst at Scotia Capital Markets, mentioned in a notice, citing a 0.5 per cent month-over-month enhance in February.
Rising costs aren’t what policymakers wish to see.
“We’d like home costs to come back down in order that housing is extra reasonably priced,” Carolyn Rogers, senior deputy governor on the
Financial institution of Canada
, mentioned throughout a press convention final week following the choice to carry rates of interest. “There isn’t actually a path to affordability, significantly in a few of our massive centres, with out home costs correcting a bit.”
In an effort to maneuver the needle on
affordability
and revive demand and development,
Ontario
and the federal authorities on Wednesday introduced that homebuyers can now qualify for a
one-year exemption
from the 13 per cent harmonized gross sales tax (HST) on newly constructed properties valued at $1 million or much less.
Halifax and Fredericton ranked second and third on Ratehub’s checklist primarily based on the rise in dwelling costs, with these respectively rising to $558,600 from $545,200 and $363,400 from $351,800, growing month-to-month mortgage funds by $71 and $60.
The revenue wanted to qualify for a mortgage beneath the stress take a look at guidelines rose by $2,650 in Halifax to $120,850, and by $2,260 in Fredericton to $83,810.
In
Toronto
, the common dwelling worth rose 0.4 per cent to $938,800, so the revenue wanted to qualify rose by $890 to $193,000.
Affordability improved in Vancouver, the place common dwelling costs fell $1,600 to about $1.1 million, and St. John’s, N.L., the place they dropped by $6,300 to $389,200.
However rising costs don’t imply that the Canadian housing market is recovering its momentum, with Rizvanovic saying that the nationwide stock charge tightened up in February in comparison with January.
Gross sales in February have been down 24 per cent in comparison with the five-year common and 20 per cent from the 10-year common. Mortgage originations in February have been a 3rd under the height in early 2022.
Ratehub primarily based its mortgage calculations by utilizing a ten per cent down fee, a 25-year amortization interval, $4,000 in annual property taxes and $150 in month-to-month heating payments. Mortgage charges have been the common of the Large 5 banks’ five-year fastened charge and common dwelling costs got here from the Canadian Actual Property Affiliation’s dwelling worth index.
Listed below are the 13 cities
- Montreal: $594,200, +$14,300
- Halifax: $558,600, +$13,400
- Fredericton: $363,400, +$11,600
- Hamilton: $736,500, +$11,400
- Victoria: $872,500, +$10,900
- Ottawa: $615,400, +$8,700
- Calgary: $562,000, +$6,500
- Regina: $336,400, $5,800
- Toronto: $938,800, +$3,600
- Edmonton: $412,300, +$3,300
- Winnipeg: $383,800, +$1,700
- Vancouver: $1,100,300, -$1,600
- St. John’s: $389,200, -$6,300
Join right here to get Posthaste delivered straight to your inbox.

The work-from-home growth that drove consumers into Canada’s cottage market through the COVID-19 pandemic is now fading as some households return to metropolis life, however restricted provide continues to push leisure property costs greater, says actual property brokerage, Royal LePage.
In keeping with the corporate’s 2026 Spring Leisure Property report, 35 per cent of realtors noticed a reversal in earlier migration developments with a rise of full-time residents shifting again to city centres during the last 12 months. — Shantae Campbell, Monetary Submit
Learn the complete story right here.

- Immediately’s information: College of Michigan shopper sentiment and inflation expectations
- Earnings: Denny’s Corp.

- Disagree with CRA’s discover of evaluation? Be sure to file your objection by the deadline
- LNG Canada indicators key pipeline settlement required for part two enlargement
- Canada’s financial efficiency has been lagging the U.S. for years, and that is in charge

When a younger grownup is able to transfer out, it may be tempting for fogeys to step in and resolve their monetary challenges. Households with extra flexibility could provide to cowl lease shortfalls, high up financial savings or soak up surprising bills. That generosity comes from a spot of affection, however there’s a distinction between serving to and carrying. Mary Castillo explains the distinction and contains options for how one can assist your younger grownup discover their wings as an alternative of clipping them. Learn extra right here.

Involved in vitality? The subscriber-only FP West: Power Insider e-newsletter brings you unique reporting and in-depth evaluation on one of many nation’s most vital sectors.
Join right here.
McLister on mortgages
Need to be taught extra about mortgages? Mortgage strategist Robert McLister’s
Monetary Submit column
will help navigate the advanced sector, from the most recent developments to financing alternatives you received’t wish to miss. Plus examine his
mortgage charge web page
for Canada’s lowest nationwide mortgage charges, up to date each day.
Monetary Submit on YouTube
Go to the Monetary Submit’s
YouTube channel
for interviews with Canada’s main specialists in enterprise, economics, housing, the vitality sector and extra.
Immediately’s Posthaste was written by Gigi Suhanic with extra reporting from Monetary Submit workers and Bloomberg.
Have a narrative thought, pitch, embargoed report, or a suggestion for this text? Electronic mail us at
.
Bookmark our web site and help our journalism: Don’t miss the enterprise information it’s good to know — add financialpost.com to your bookmarks and join our newsletters right here

Rising meals costs
and the hovering price of filling up on the fuel pump are hitting pocketbooks arduous, and now you can add
housing costs
to the checklist of economic stressors, given they rose in lots of Canadian cities final month in response to a report Thursday from Ratehub.ca.
“Demand for Canadian actual property stays frosty in comparison with current years, however the newest worth information exhibits some regional markets are beginning to agency up because the early spring market approaches,” the net mortgage firm mentioned in a press launch.
Ratehub mentioned month-over-month dwelling costs rose in 11 of 13 main cities in February, so homebuyers would have wanted extra revenue to qualify for a mortgage in most of these cities.
Montreal
properties had the biggest worth enhance, leaping to a mean of $594,200 from $579,900 in 2025 from 2024 on an unadjusted foundation. The revenue required to qualify for a
mortgage
within the metropolis beneath the
mortgage stress take a look at
was $127,600 in February in contrast with $124,800 at first of the 12 months, leading to a month-to-month mortgage fee enhance of $76.
“Listed dwelling costs for Canada have been up general,” Mike Rizvanovic, a monetary providers analyst at Scotia Capital Markets, mentioned in a notice, citing a 0.5 per cent month-over-month enhance in February.
Rising costs aren’t what policymakers wish to see.
“We’d like home costs to come back down in order that housing is extra reasonably priced,” Carolyn Rogers, senior deputy governor on the
Financial institution of Canada
, mentioned throughout a press convention final week following the choice to carry rates of interest. “There isn’t actually a path to affordability, significantly in a few of our massive centres, with out home costs correcting a bit.”
In an effort to maneuver the needle on
affordability
and revive demand and development,
Ontario
and the federal authorities on Wednesday introduced that homebuyers can now qualify for a
one-year exemption
from the 13 per cent harmonized gross sales tax (HST) on newly constructed properties valued at $1 million or much less.
Halifax and Fredericton ranked second and third on Ratehub’s checklist primarily based on the rise in dwelling costs, with these respectively rising to $558,600 from $545,200 and $363,400 from $351,800, growing month-to-month mortgage funds by $71 and $60.
The revenue wanted to qualify for a mortgage beneath the stress take a look at guidelines rose by $2,650 in Halifax to $120,850, and by $2,260 in Fredericton to $83,810.
In
Toronto
, the common dwelling worth rose 0.4 per cent to $938,800, so the revenue wanted to qualify rose by $890 to $193,000.
Affordability improved in Vancouver, the place common dwelling costs fell $1,600 to about $1.1 million, and St. John’s, N.L., the place they dropped by $6,300 to $389,200.
However rising costs don’t imply that the Canadian housing market is recovering its momentum, with Rizvanovic saying that the nationwide stock charge tightened up in February in comparison with January.
Gross sales in February have been down 24 per cent in comparison with the five-year common and 20 per cent from the 10-year common. Mortgage originations in February have been a 3rd under the height in early 2022.
Ratehub primarily based its mortgage calculations by utilizing a ten per cent down fee, a 25-year amortization interval, $4,000 in annual property taxes and $150 in month-to-month heating payments. Mortgage charges have been the common of the Large 5 banks’ five-year fastened charge and common dwelling costs got here from the Canadian Actual Property Affiliation’s dwelling worth index.
Listed below are the 13 cities
- Montreal: $594,200, +$14,300
- Halifax: $558,600, +$13,400
- Fredericton: $363,400, +$11,600
- Hamilton: $736,500, +$11,400
- Victoria: $872,500, +$10,900
- Ottawa: $615,400, +$8,700
- Calgary: $562,000, +$6,500
- Regina: $336,400, $5,800
- Toronto: $938,800, +$3,600
- Edmonton: $412,300, +$3,300
- Winnipeg: $383,800, +$1,700
- Vancouver: $1,100,300, -$1,600
- St. John’s: $389,200, -$6,300
Join right here to get Posthaste delivered straight to your inbox.

The work-from-home growth that drove consumers into Canada’s cottage market through the COVID-19 pandemic is now fading as some households return to metropolis life, however restricted provide continues to push leisure property costs greater, says actual property brokerage, Royal LePage.
In keeping with the corporate’s 2026 Spring Leisure Property report, 35 per cent of realtors noticed a reversal in earlier migration developments with a rise of full-time residents shifting again to city centres during the last 12 months. — Shantae Campbell, Monetary Submit
Learn the complete story right here.

- Immediately’s information: College of Michigan shopper sentiment and inflation expectations
- Earnings: Denny’s Corp.

- Disagree with CRA’s discover of evaluation? Be sure to file your objection by the deadline
- LNG Canada indicators key pipeline settlement required for part two enlargement
- Canada’s financial efficiency has been lagging the U.S. for years, and that is in charge

When a younger grownup is able to transfer out, it may be tempting for fogeys to step in and resolve their monetary challenges. Households with extra flexibility could provide to cowl lease shortfalls, high up financial savings or soak up surprising bills. That generosity comes from a spot of affection, however there’s a distinction between serving to and carrying. Mary Castillo explains the distinction and contains options for how one can assist your younger grownup discover their wings as an alternative of clipping them. Learn extra right here.

Involved in vitality? The subscriber-only FP West: Power Insider e-newsletter brings you unique reporting and in-depth evaluation on one of many nation’s most vital sectors.
Join right here.
McLister on mortgages
Need to be taught extra about mortgages? Mortgage strategist Robert McLister’s
Monetary Submit column
will help navigate the advanced sector, from the most recent developments to financing alternatives you received’t wish to miss. Plus examine his
mortgage charge web page
for Canada’s lowest nationwide mortgage charges, up to date each day.
Monetary Submit on YouTube
Go to the Monetary Submit’s
YouTube channel
for interviews with Canada’s main specialists in enterprise, economics, housing, the vitality sector and extra.
Immediately’s Posthaste was written by Gigi Suhanic with extra reporting from Monetary Submit workers and Bloomberg.
Have a narrative thought, pitch, embargoed report, or a suggestion for this text? Electronic mail us at
.
Bookmark our web site and help our journalism: Don’t miss the enterprise information it’s good to know — add financialpost.com to your bookmarks and join our newsletters right here

Rising meals costs
and the hovering price of filling up on the fuel pump are hitting pocketbooks arduous, and now you can add
housing costs
to the checklist of economic stressors, given they rose in lots of Canadian cities final month in response to a report Thursday from Ratehub.ca.
“Demand for Canadian actual property stays frosty in comparison with current years, however the newest worth information exhibits some regional markets are beginning to agency up because the early spring market approaches,” the net mortgage firm mentioned in a press launch.
Ratehub mentioned month-over-month dwelling costs rose in 11 of 13 main cities in February, so homebuyers would have wanted extra revenue to qualify for a mortgage in most of these cities.
Montreal
properties had the biggest worth enhance, leaping to a mean of $594,200 from $579,900 in 2025 from 2024 on an unadjusted foundation. The revenue required to qualify for a
mortgage
within the metropolis beneath the
mortgage stress take a look at
was $127,600 in February in contrast with $124,800 at first of the 12 months, leading to a month-to-month mortgage fee enhance of $76.
“Listed dwelling costs for Canada have been up general,” Mike Rizvanovic, a monetary providers analyst at Scotia Capital Markets, mentioned in a notice, citing a 0.5 per cent month-over-month enhance in February.
Rising costs aren’t what policymakers wish to see.
“We’d like home costs to come back down in order that housing is extra reasonably priced,” Carolyn Rogers, senior deputy governor on the
Financial institution of Canada
, mentioned throughout a press convention final week following the choice to carry rates of interest. “There isn’t actually a path to affordability, significantly in a few of our massive centres, with out home costs correcting a bit.”
In an effort to maneuver the needle on
affordability
and revive demand and development,
Ontario
and the federal authorities on Wednesday introduced that homebuyers can now qualify for a
one-year exemption
from the 13 per cent harmonized gross sales tax (HST) on newly constructed properties valued at $1 million or much less.
Halifax and Fredericton ranked second and third on Ratehub’s checklist primarily based on the rise in dwelling costs, with these respectively rising to $558,600 from $545,200 and $363,400 from $351,800, growing month-to-month mortgage funds by $71 and $60.
The revenue wanted to qualify for a mortgage beneath the stress take a look at guidelines rose by $2,650 in Halifax to $120,850, and by $2,260 in Fredericton to $83,810.
In
Toronto
, the common dwelling worth rose 0.4 per cent to $938,800, so the revenue wanted to qualify rose by $890 to $193,000.
Affordability improved in Vancouver, the place common dwelling costs fell $1,600 to about $1.1 million, and St. John’s, N.L., the place they dropped by $6,300 to $389,200.
However rising costs don’t imply that the Canadian housing market is recovering its momentum, with Rizvanovic saying that the nationwide stock charge tightened up in February in comparison with January.
Gross sales in February have been down 24 per cent in comparison with the five-year common and 20 per cent from the 10-year common. Mortgage originations in February have been a 3rd under the height in early 2022.
Ratehub primarily based its mortgage calculations by utilizing a ten per cent down fee, a 25-year amortization interval, $4,000 in annual property taxes and $150 in month-to-month heating payments. Mortgage charges have been the common of the Large 5 banks’ five-year fastened charge and common dwelling costs got here from the Canadian Actual Property Affiliation’s dwelling worth index.
Listed below are the 13 cities
- Montreal: $594,200, +$14,300
- Halifax: $558,600, +$13,400
- Fredericton: $363,400, +$11,600
- Hamilton: $736,500, +$11,400
- Victoria: $872,500, +$10,900
- Ottawa: $615,400, +$8,700
- Calgary: $562,000, +$6,500
- Regina: $336,400, $5,800
- Toronto: $938,800, +$3,600
- Edmonton: $412,300, +$3,300
- Winnipeg: $383,800, +$1,700
- Vancouver: $1,100,300, -$1,600
- St. John’s: $389,200, -$6,300
Join right here to get Posthaste delivered straight to your inbox.

The work-from-home growth that drove consumers into Canada’s cottage market through the COVID-19 pandemic is now fading as some households return to metropolis life, however restricted provide continues to push leisure property costs greater, says actual property brokerage, Royal LePage.
In keeping with the corporate’s 2026 Spring Leisure Property report, 35 per cent of realtors noticed a reversal in earlier migration developments with a rise of full-time residents shifting again to city centres during the last 12 months. — Shantae Campbell, Monetary Submit
Learn the complete story right here.

- Immediately’s information: College of Michigan shopper sentiment and inflation expectations
- Earnings: Denny’s Corp.

- Disagree with CRA’s discover of evaluation? Be sure to file your objection by the deadline
- LNG Canada indicators key pipeline settlement required for part two enlargement
- Canada’s financial efficiency has been lagging the U.S. for years, and that is in charge

When a younger grownup is able to transfer out, it may be tempting for fogeys to step in and resolve their monetary challenges. Households with extra flexibility could provide to cowl lease shortfalls, high up financial savings or soak up surprising bills. That generosity comes from a spot of affection, however there’s a distinction between serving to and carrying. Mary Castillo explains the distinction and contains options for how one can assist your younger grownup discover their wings as an alternative of clipping them. Learn extra right here.

Involved in vitality? The subscriber-only FP West: Power Insider e-newsletter brings you unique reporting and in-depth evaluation on one of many nation’s most vital sectors.
Join right here.
McLister on mortgages
Need to be taught extra about mortgages? Mortgage strategist Robert McLister’s
Monetary Submit column
will help navigate the advanced sector, from the most recent developments to financing alternatives you received’t wish to miss. Plus examine his
mortgage charge web page
for Canada’s lowest nationwide mortgage charges, up to date each day.
Monetary Submit on YouTube
Go to the Monetary Submit’s
YouTube channel
for interviews with Canada’s main specialists in enterprise, economics, housing, the vitality sector and extra.
Immediately’s Posthaste was written by Gigi Suhanic with extra reporting from Monetary Submit workers and Bloomberg.
Have a narrative thought, pitch, embargoed report, or a suggestion for this text? Electronic mail us at
.
Bookmark our web site and help our journalism: Don’t miss the enterprise information it’s good to know — add financialpost.com to your bookmarks and join our newsletters right here

Rising meals costs
and the hovering price of filling up on the fuel pump are hitting pocketbooks arduous, and now you can add
housing costs
to the checklist of economic stressors, given they rose in lots of Canadian cities final month in response to a report Thursday from Ratehub.ca.
“Demand for Canadian actual property stays frosty in comparison with current years, however the newest worth information exhibits some regional markets are beginning to agency up because the early spring market approaches,” the net mortgage firm mentioned in a press launch.
Ratehub mentioned month-over-month dwelling costs rose in 11 of 13 main cities in February, so homebuyers would have wanted extra revenue to qualify for a mortgage in most of these cities.
Montreal
properties had the biggest worth enhance, leaping to a mean of $594,200 from $579,900 in 2025 from 2024 on an unadjusted foundation. The revenue required to qualify for a
mortgage
within the metropolis beneath the
mortgage stress take a look at
was $127,600 in February in contrast with $124,800 at first of the 12 months, leading to a month-to-month mortgage fee enhance of $76.
“Listed dwelling costs for Canada have been up general,” Mike Rizvanovic, a monetary providers analyst at Scotia Capital Markets, mentioned in a notice, citing a 0.5 per cent month-over-month enhance in February.
Rising costs aren’t what policymakers wish to see.
“We’d like home costs to come back down in order that housing is extra reasonably priced,” Carolyn Rogers, senior deputy governor on the
Financial institution of Canada
, mentioned throughout a press convention final week following the choice to carry rates of interest. “There isn’t actually a path to affordability, significantly in a few of our massive centres, with out home costs correcting a bit.”
In an effort to maneuver the needle on
affordability
and revive demand and development,
Ontario
and the federal authorities on Wednesday introduced that homebuyers can now qualify for a
one-year exemption
from the 13 per cent harmonized gross sales tax (HST) on newly constructed properties valued at $1 million or much less.
Halifax and Fredericton ranked second and third on Ratehub’s checklist primarily based on the rise in dwelling costs, with these respectively rising to $558,600 from $545,200 and $363,400 from $351,800, growing month-to-month mortgage funds by $71 and $60.
The revenue wanted to qualify for a mortgage beneath the stress take a look at guidelines rose by $2,650 in Halifax to $120,850, and by $2,260 in Fredericton to $83,810.
In
Toronto
, the common dwelling worth rose 0.4 per cent to $938,800, so the revenue wanted to qualify rose by $890 to $193,000.
Affordability improved in Vancouver, the place common dwelling costs fell $1,600 to about $1.1 million, and St. John’s, N.L., the place they dropped by $6,300 to $389,200.
However rising costs don’t imply that the Canadian housing market is recovering its momentum, with Rizvanovic saying that the nationwide stock charge tightened up in February in comparison with January.
Gross sales in February have been down 24 per cent in comparison with the five-year common and 20 per cent from the 10-year common. Mortgage originations in February have been a 3rd under the height in early 2022.
Ratehub primarily based its mortgage calculations by utilizing a ten per cent down fee, a 25-year amortization interval, $4,000 in annual property taxes and $150 in month-to-month heating payments. Mortgage charges have been the common of the Large 5 banks’ five-year fastened charge and common dwelling costs got here from the Canadian Actual Property Affiliation’s dwelling worth index.
Listed below are the 13 cities
- Montreal: $594,200, +$14,300
- Halifax: $558,600, +$13,400
- Fredericton: $363,400, +$11,600
- Hamilton: $736,500, +$11,400
- Victoria: $872,500, +$10,900
- Ottawa: $615,400, +$8,700
- Calgary: $562,000, +$6,500
- Regina: $336,400, $5,800
- Toronto: $938,800, +$3,600
- Edmonton: $412,300, +$3,300
- Winnipeg: $383,800, +$1,700
- Vancouver: $1,100,300, -$1,600
- St. John’s: $389,200, -$6,300
Join right here to get Posthaste delivered straight to your inbox.

The work-from-home growth that drove consumers into Canada’s cottage market through the COVID-19 pandemic is now fading as some households return to metropolis life, however restricted provide continues to push leisure property costs greater, says actual property brokerage, Royal LePage.
In keeping with the corporate’s 2026 Spring Leisure Property report, 35 per cent of realtors noticed a reversal in earlier migration developments with a rise of full-time residents shifting again to city centres during the last 12 months. — Shantae Campbell, Monetary Submit
Learn the complete story right here.

- Immediately’s information: College of Michigan shopper sentiment and inflation expectations
- Earnings: Denny’s Corp.

- Disagree with CRA’s discover of evaluation? Be sure to file your objection by the deadline
- LNG Canada indicators key pipeline settlement required for part two enlargement
- Canada’s financial efficiency has been lagging the U.S. for years, and that is in charge

When a younger grownup is able to transfer out, it may be tempting for fogeys to step in and resolve their monetary challenges. Households with extra flexibility could provide to cowl lease shortfalls, high up financial savings or soak up surprising bills. That generosity comes from a spot of affection, however there’s a distinction between serving to and carrying. Mary Castillo explains the distinction and contains options for how one can assist your younger grownup discover their wings as an alternative of clipping them. Learn extra right here.

Involved in vitality? The subscriber-only FP West: Power Insider e-newsletter brings you unique reporting and in-depth evaluation on one of many nation’s most vital sectors.
Join right here.
McLister on mortgages
Need to be taught extra about mortgages? Mortgage strategist Robert McLister’s
Monetary Submit column
will help navigate the advanced sector, from the most recent developments to financing alternatives you received’t wish to miss. Plus examine his
mortgage charge web page
for Canada’s lowest nationwide mortgage charges, up to date each day.
Monetary Submit on YouTube
Go to the Monetary Submit’s
YouTube channel
for interviews with Canada’s main specialists in enterprise, economics, housing, the vitality sector and extra.
Immediately’s Posthaste was written by Gigi Suhanic with extra reporting from Monetary Submit workers and Bloomberg.
Have a narrative thought, pitch, embargoed report, or a suggestion for this text? Electronic mail us at
.
Bookmark our web site and help our journalism: Don’t miss the enterprise information it’s good to know — add financialpost.com to your bookmarks and join our newsletters right here












