Bank of Canada Rate Announcement Sept 9th, 2020

Marci Deane • September 9, 2020

Bank of Canada maintains commitment to current level of policy rate, continues program of quantitative easing.


The Bank of Canada today maintained its target for the overnight rate at the effective lower bound of ¼ percent. The Bank Rate is correspondingly ½ percent and the deposit rate is ¼ percent. The Bank is also continuing its quantitative easing (QE) program, with large-scale asset purchases of at least $5 billion per week of Government of Canada bonds.


Both the global and Canadian economies are evolving broadly in line with the scenario in the July Monetary Policy Report (MPR), with activity bouncing back as countries lift containment measures. The Bank continues to expect this strong reopening phase to be followed by a protracted and uneven recuperation phase, which will be heavily reliant on policy support. The pace of the recovery remains highly dependent on the path of the COVID-19 pandemic and the evolution of social distancing measures required to contain its spread.


The rebound in the United States has been stronger than expected, while economic performance among emerging markets has been more mixed. Global financial conditions have remained accommodative. Although prices for some commodities have firmed, oil prices remain weak.

In Canada, real GDP fell by 11.5 percent (39 percent annualized) in the second quarter, resulting in a decline of just over 13 percent in the first half of the year, largely in line with the Bank’s July MPR central scenario. All components of aggregate demand weakened, as expected.


As the economy reopens, the bounce-back in activity in the third quarter looks to be faster than anticipated in July. Economic activity has been supported by government programs to replace incomes and subsidize wages. Core funding markets are functioning well, and this has led to a decline in the use of the Bank’s short-term liquidity programs. Monetary policy is working to support household spending and business investment by making borrowing more affordable.


Household spending rebounded sharply over the summer, with stronger-than-expected goods consumption and housing activity largely reflecting pent-up demand. There has also been a large but uneven rebound in employment. Exports are recovering in response to strengthening foreign demand, but are still well below pre-pandemic levels. Business confidence and investment remain subdued. While recent data during the reopening phase is encouraging, the Bank continues to expect the recuperation phase to be slow and choppy as the economy copes with ongoing uncertainty and structural challenges.


CPI inflation is close to zero, with downward pressure from energy prices and travel services, and is expected to remain well below target in the near term. Measures of core inflation are between 1.3 percent and 1.9 percent, reflecting the large degree of economic slack, with the core measure most influenced by services prices showing the weakest growth.


As the economy moves from reopening to recuperation, it will continue to require extraordinary monetary policy support. The Governing Council will hold the policy interest rate at the effective lower bound until economic slack is absorbed so that the 2 percent inflation target is sustainably achieved. To reinforce this commitment and keep interest rates low across the yield curve, the Bank is continuing its large-scale asset purchase program at the current pace. This QE program will continue until the recovery is well underway and will be calibrated to provide the monetary policy stimulus needed to support the recovery and achieve the inflation objective.


Information note

The next scheduled date for announcing the overnight rate target is October 28, 2020. The next full update of the Bank’s outlook for the economy and inflation, including risks to the projection, will be published in the MPR at the same time.


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Make the Most of Summer: Outdoor Project Ideas for Every Space

By Marci Deane • July 10, 2025
Summer in Canada is short—but sweet. With warm weather and long evenings, it’s the perfect time to get outside and enjoy your outdoor space, no matter how big (or small) it is. Whether you have a tiny patio or a sprawling backyard, a few creative upgrades can go a long way toward turning your space into your personal summer oasis. Below are ideas for every type of outdoor space, from cozy balconies to large backyards! For Patio-Only Spaces Limited to a balcony or concrete patio? No problem! Small spaces can still offer big enjoyment. 1. Upgrade the Flooring Add interlocking tiles to give your concrete floor a more polished look—wood grain, grass panels, or composite styles are all popular, easy-to-install options. 2. Create an Outdoor Movie Zone Hang a pull-down screen or grab a portable stand, pair it with a mini projector, and voilà—your very own outdoor movie theatre under the stars! 3. Start an Herb Garden Railing planters are perfect for growing basil, mint, parsley, and more. Fresh herbs at your fingertips—and they smell amazing too! 4. Add Some Twinkle Wrap fairy lights around your railing or overhead beams to bring cozy vibes and nighttime charm. 5. Grill Like a Pro Maximize your BBQ season with a compact baby-que. Weber’s Q Series is a great option for small spaces without compromising grilling power. For Small Yards A little yard can still pack a lot of personality. Here are ways to make the most of every square foot: 1. Game Time! Add a mini putting green or an axe-throwing target (just be safe!) for quick bursts of backyard fun that don’t take up much space. 2. Warm Up Your Nights Add a heating lamp or portable fire bowl to keep your evenings cozy well into the fall. 3. Grow Your Own Produce Build or buy a raised garden box to grow tomatoes, cucumbers, lettuce, or other easy vegetables. Gardening is relaxing—and delicious! 4. DIY Bird Bath Make a pedestal bird bath using an old vase, a platter, and strong glue. You likely have everything you need already at home—and the local birds will thank you! For Big Yards If space isn’t an issue, the sky’s the limit! Here are some larger-scale projects to take your yard to the next level: 1. Build a Catio Yep, it’s a “cat patio”! Give your feline friends a safe way to enjoy the outdoors with a screened-in enclosure attached to your home. 2. Create a Permanent Fire Pit Use stones and a fire ring to build a beautiful, safe fire pit. You can even add airflow cutouts to reduce smoke—perfect for those marshmallow roasts! 3. Tile a Dining Area Install paving stones or tiles to define an outdoor dining space. Add a table, some string lights, and enjoy al fresco meals all summer long. Need More Inspiration? If none of these projects quite fit your vision, check out Home Depot’s DIY backyard ideas—complete with step-by-step instructions and material lists to help you bring your outdoor dreams to life. Soak It Up While It Lasts No matter the size of your space, there’s always something you can do to enhance your outdoor experience. So get out there, get creative, and make the most of these sunny summer days. See you back here in August—with more tips, tricks, and homeowner insights!

Deposit Lending And Bridge Financing

By Marci Deane • July 9, 2025
Let’s say you have a home that you’ve outgrown; it’s time to make a move to something better suited to your needs and lifestyle. You have no desire to keep two properties, so selling your existing home and moving into something new (to you) is the best idea. Ideally, when planning out how that looks, most people want to take possession of the new house before moving out of the old one. Not only does this make moving your stuff more manageable, but it also allows you to make the new home a little more “you” by painting or completing some minor renovations before moving in. But what if you need the money from the sale of your existing home to come up with the downpayment for your next home? This situation is where bridge financing comes in. Bridge financing allows you to bridge the financial gap between the firm sale of your current home and the purchase of your new home. Bridge financing allows you to access some of the equity in your existing property and use it for the downpayment on the property you are buying. So now let’s also say that it’s a very competitive housing market where you’re looking to buy. Chances are you’ll want to make the best offer you can and include a significant deposit. If you don’t have immediate access to the cash in your bank account, but you do have equity in your home, a deposit loan allows you to make a very strong offer when negotiating the terms of purchasing your new home. Now, to secure bridge financing and/or a deposit loan, you must have a firm sale on your existing home. If you don’t have a firm sale on your home, you won’t get the bridge financing or deposit loan because there is no concrete way for a lender to calculate how much equity you have available. A firm sale is the key to securing bridge financing and a deposit loan. So if you’d like to know more about bridge financing, deposit loans, or anything else mortgage-related, please connect anytime! It would be a pleasure to work with you.

How To Get A Mortgage After Bankruptcy

By Marci Deane • July 2, 2025
Sometimes life throws you a financial curveball. Bankruptcy and consumer proposals happen. It doesn’t mean your life is over, and it doesn’t mean you won’t ever qualify for a mortgage again. The key to financial success here is getting things under control as quickly as possible. You must demonstrate to the potential lenders that what happened in the past won’t happen again in the future. So if you’re thinking about getting a mortgage post-bankruptcy, lenders will want answers to the following questions: How long have you been discharged? Securing a mortgage will be dependent on how long it has been since you were discharged from your bankruptcy or consumer proposal. Most lenders consider the discharge date on both to be your new ground zero. And while there is no legally defined waiting period for when you can apply for a new mortgage post-bankruptcy, what lenders will assess is how you’re managing your finances after your financial troubles. Have you established new credit? You can show lenders that they can trust you after bankruptcy by establishing new credit and managing that credit flawlessly. So as soon as you’ve been discharged, it’s a good idea to get a secured credit card and start rebuilding your credit score. To be considered completely established, you’ll want to have two years of credit history on two trade lines with a credit limit of $2500 on each trade line. You’ll also want to make sure that you have no late or missed payments. How much do you have available for a downpayment? The more money you have to put towards purchasing a property, or the more equity you have in your property in the case of a refinance, the better your chances of getting a mortgage. The more money you bring to the table, the more comfortable a lender will feel about the risk they take of losing their investment should you run into future financial difficulty. What is your total debt service ratio? Another consideration lenders will look at is how much money you make compared to the cost of making your mortgage payments. So it probably goes without saying that the more money you make compared to the amount you want to borrow, the better. Conventional or insured financing. If you’re looking to get the best mortgage products available, here are some of the things a lender will want to see: You’ve been discharged for at least two years plus a day. You’ve established your credit (as listed above). You have at least 5% down for the first $500k of the purchase and 10% down for anything over $500k. If you don’t have a 20% downpayment, you will be required to secure mortgage insurance through CMHC, Sagen (formerly Genworth), or Canada Guaranty. The cost to service the property and all your debts don’t exceed 44% of your gross income. Alternative lending As independent mortgage professionals, our job is to provide solutions and strategies for our clients. As such, in addition to dealing with many traditional lending institutions, we also have access to lenders who specialize in working with clients whose financial situation isn't all that straightforward. These private lenders offer alternative lending solutions that consider the overall strength of your mortgage application. While you won’t qualify for the best rates and terms on the market by going with an alternative lender, if you’re looking for options, you might find that alternative lending is a very reasonable solution for you. Alternative lending isn’t for everyone, but it’s an excellent solution for some, especially if you’ve gone through a bankruptcy or consumer proposal and need a mortgage before fully establishing your credit. Get in touch anytime. So whether you’re looking for a plan to help you qualify for a mortgage with the most favourable terms or if you need something more immediate. Please connect anytime. It would be a pleasure to outline your options and work on a plan to get you a mortgage.