2019 Federal Budget – Industry Impacts

Marci • March 20, 2019

Mortgage Professionals Canada welcomes aspects of the housing affordability component of today’s Federal Budget.
 
The announcement of a new CMHC First-Time Home Buyers Incentive Plan represents a shared equity mortgage program that would give eligible first-time homebuyers the ability to lower their borrowing costs by sharing the cost of buying a home with CMHC.

The incentive would provide funding (equity sharing) of up to five percent of the purchase price of an existing home, or 10 percent of a newly constructed home. No ongoing monthly payments are required. The buyer would repay the incentive, for example at resale. The government has budgeted up to $1.25 billion over the next three years to support this program.
 
For example, if a borrower purchases a $400,000 home with five per cent down and a five per cent CMHC shared equity mortgage ($20,000), the size of the borrower’s insured mortgage would be reduced from $380,000 to $360,000, helping to lower the borrower’s monthly mortgage bill. This would make it easier for Canadians to buy homes they can afford.
 
The program limits eligibility to households earning a maximum of $120,000 annually, and lets them borrow no more than four times their annual household income. This limits a home purchase to roughly $505,000. This Incentive Plan will be discussed more fully in the coming days, but it is not expected to begin until fall, 2019. In principle, the increased equity share eligibility for newly constructed homes will help incent new construction and supply across Canada.

Further analysis is needed, however, some aspiring homebuyers, especially at the lower end of the economic ladder, will have greater opportunities to purchase a home with the assistance of this new program.

Also of note is an increase in the eligible RRSP withdrawal amount through the Home Buyers’ Plan (HBP). Previously $25,000, this has been increased to a maximum to $35,000.
 
The budget included a lengthy defense of the current stress tests but does suggest that adjustments may be made in future. We will continue to discuss this issue with policymakers.
 
While we did not see immediate movement on the stress tests, and the new Home Buyers Incentive Plan can be seen as an alternate and more targeted response than an insurable 30 year amortization, we are encouraged by the announcements made today.

The forthcoming federal election will provide opportunities to continue the conversations with policymakers and candidates in the coming months. We will continue our ongoing market analysis and maintain our support for a stable housing market for our members and their customers.

 

This article was originally published by Mortgage Professionals Canada. 

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Need Funds Between Buying and Selling? Here’s How Deposit Loans & Bridge Financing Help

By Marci Deane • September 16, 2026
You’ve outgrown your current home. It no longer fits your life, so moving makes sense. And you’re not interested in juggling two properties. Selling first and buying something new feels like the right move. Ideally, you want possession of the new home before leaving the old one. That overlap makes moving easier, reduces stress, and gives you time to paint, renovate, or settle in before the boxes arrive. But there’s a common challenge. What if the down payment for your next home is tied up in the equity of the one you’re selling? That’s where bridge financing comes in. How bridge financing works Bridge financing temporarily unlocks equity from your current home once it has a firm sale . It bridges the gap between selling your existing property and purchasing your next one, allowing you to use that equity toward your down payment. What about competitive markets? In a hot market, a strong offer often means a larger deposit . If you don’t have that cash sitting in your account, but you do have equity, a deposit loan can help you compete with confidence. The non-negotiable requirement To qualify for bridge financing or a deposit loan, your current home must have a firm, unconditional sale . No firm sale = no bridge or deposit loan. Lenders need certainty to calculate available equity and manage risk. Bottom line A firm sale is the key that unlocks bridge financing and deposit loans. If you’re planning a move and want to understand how these options could work for you, let’s talk. I’m always happy to walk you through your options and help you plan your next step with confidence.

How to Qualify for a Mortgage After Bankruptcy in Canada

By Marci Deane • September 9, 2026
Financial setbacks happen. Bankruptcies and consumer proposals are more common than most people realize—and they don’t define your future. Going through one doesn’t mean homeownership is off the table forever. It simply means lenders want to see that you’ve taken control, learned from the past, and built a stronger financial foundation moving forward. What lenders look at after a bankruptcy or consumer proposal How long it’s been since your discharge Your discharge date matters. For lenders, this is your reset point. There’s no law that says you must wait a specific amount of time before applying for a mortgage, but the longer your track record after discharge, the stronger your application becomes. What matters most is how responsibly you’ve managed your finances since then. Your credit rebuild Re-establishing credit is critical. After discharge, most people start with a secured credit card and use it consistently and responsibly. To be considered fully re-established, lenders typically want to see: Two active trade lines At least two years of clean payment history Credit limits of around $2,500 on each No late or missed payments Your down payment or equity The more money you can put down—or the more equity you have when refinancing—the lower the risk for the lender. A stronger down payment often opens the door to better terms and more lender options. Your debt service ratios Lenders will also look closely at how much of your income goes toward housing and other debts. The stronger your income relative to your monthly obligations, the easier it is to qualify. Conventional vs. insured mortgage options To access the most competitive mortgage products, lenders typically want to see: At least two years plus one day since discharge Fully re-established credit Minimum down payment requirements met Mortgage insurance in place if your down payment is under 20% (through CMHC, Sagen, or Canada Guaranty) Total debt obligations generally not exceeding 44% of your gross income Alternative lending options Not every situation fits neatly into a bank’s box—and that’s where alternative lending can help. Independent mortgage professionals work with both traditional and alternative lenders, including those who specialize in complex financial situations. These lenders look at the full picture: equity, income stability, and your plan moving forward. While rates and terms may not be as competitive as prime lending, alternative financing can be an effective short-term solution—especially if you need a mortgage before your credit is fully rebuilt. Let’s talk about your next step Whether you’re planning ahead for the best possible mortgage—or need a solution sooner rather than later—there are options available. If you’d like help mapping out a clear path forward, reach out anytime. I’d be happy to review your situation and help you build a plan that gets you back into homeownership with confidence.

Bank of Canada Holds Rate at 2.25% — September 2, 2026

By Marci Deane • September 2, 2026
The Bank of Canada announced today that it is holding its target for the overnight rate at 2.25%, with the Bank Rate at 2.5% and the deposit rate at 2.20%. While Canada's economic recovery is broadening, a new layer of uncertainty has entered the picture. Here is what happened and what it means for your mortgage.