The FHSA contribution deadline is December 31 for reducing 2026 taxable income, with an $8,000 contribution potentially lowering tax by about $2,400 at a 30% rate. Contributions must be made within the calendar year, unlike RRSPs. The account has a $40,000 lifetime limit and a 15-year participation period. Investments should match the home-buying timeline; near-term funds are safer in cash or GICs to avoid market risk.
The value of Canadian building permits rose 8.8% in August to $13.6 billion, driven by an increase in multi-unit construction permits, which reached $5.8 billion. Residential permits rose by $1.1 billion to $8.5 billion, with single-family permits steady at $2.6 billion. Ontario led the multi-unit growth, followed by British Columbia and Alberta. Despite the monthly rise, the 12-month total home authorizations declined to 299,500 from 305,500.
Canada's construction industry is projected to grow 2.6% in 2026, supported by increased residential and non-residential investment. Despite challenges like higher material costs and US trade tariffs, growth from 2027 to 2030 is expected to average 2.8% annually, driven by government investments in renewable energy, infrastructure, mining, and affordable housing, with housing development as a key focus.
Halloween falls on October 31 because the ancient Gaelic festival of Samhain, considered the earliest known root of Halloween, occurred on this day.
In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to praise all saints.
Soon, All Saints' Day incorporated some traditions of Samhain and the evening before was known as All Hallows Eve, and later Halloween.
Over time, Halloween evolved into a day of activities like trick-or-treating, carving jack-o-lanterns, festive gatherings, donning costumes and eating treats.
Today’s the day to eat candies and sweets to your heart’s content! Happy Halloween!
Canadian homebuyers are making more informed and deliberate decisions, with economic conditions encouraging careful planning rather than rushed purchases.
A more balanced market is giving buyers and sellers additional time to evaluate opportunities and make confident real estate decisions.
Improved financing awareness and stronger due diligence are helping consumers navigate transactions more strategically in today's market.
Real estate professionals remain cautiously optimistic, while increased adoption of AI and technology is helping modernize and streamline the industry.
Experts said Canada had taken small steps forward, with affordability improving in key markets, yet overall progress still fell short of solving supply challenges.
Canada has been building ~250K homes yearly, but restoring affordability and closing the backlog required ~400K to 470K new homes each year.
Over the past decade, population growth outpaced housing production, leaving a deficit that could not be erased quickly even if construction activity accelerated.
Public frustration stayed high: ~80% of Canadians said housing was not functioning properly, and ~75% felt too few homes were being built.
Looking ahead, pent-up demand could emerge when confidence improves, and housing was expected to remain a major political issue across Canada for voters.
For Canada, a home price index helps gauge home prices and trends in local neighborhoods, giving REALTORS® a clearer read on shifting market conditions.
Unlike avg. or median prices, the index tracks how buyers value housing features, aiming for steadier comparisons that better reflect underlying price trends.
The approach supports apples-to-apples price comparisons, helping REALTORS® explain values more accurately and giving clients clearer market context for informed home decisions.
Each month, the index uses >20 yr of listing system data and statistical models to define a typical home from sold property features.
Those benchmark homes are then tracked across neighborhoods and house types, giving REALTORS® another tool to spot trends and guide client conversations.
Small-scale infill had been taking a larger role in housing starts, even though larger developments still delivered most new construction across established neighborhoods.
Zoning changes allowing more homes on existing lots suggested supply could shift upward, especially where infill rules became more permissive within established neighborhoods.
The broader housing pattern showed more building on previously developed land, with new construction becoming denser and ground-oriented homes representing a smaller share.
Recent policy changes helped enable more missing middle housing, but project momentum still depended on fees, approval timelines, building rules, and financing.
Small-scale infill emerged as an important source of ground-oriented homes, while its longer-term growth still hinged on whether projects remained financially viable.
Nearly 65% of Canadians are willing to compromise to afford a larger or more suitable home, including living farther from city centers or buying older homes needing renovations. About 47% would move up to an hour away, and 20% would accept family financial help. Many would cut discretionary spending or extend mortgage terms. Despite declining home sales in most markets, prices continue to rise in over half of them.
Over half of prospective Canadian homebuyers would consider multi-generational living, with 74% of first-time buyers preferring homes they can stay in longer. Many current homeowners find moving up the property ladder difficult, with financial constraints limiting upgrades. Prospective buyers are split on the risk of buying now versus waiting. Homeowners face stress and financial pressure around mortgage renewals, with concerns about rising interest rates.
