Just How Big is the Canadian Mortgage Market Really?

Marci • February 16, 2017

With all the government changes happening in the mortgage market right now, the good people over at Mortgage Professionals Canada via their online publication Canadian Mortgage Trends just published an interesting couple of articles on their blog. Most recently “How Big is Canada’s Mortgage Market” gives perspective to just how much money is leant annually through mortgage financing, while providing context to the importance of their recent article “DOF Challenged in Parliament”

Here are both of these articles in their entirety. If you have any questions about what is going on with mortgages, or want to have a look at your financial situation to see where you stand, please don’t hesitate to contact me anytime! 

Oh, and if you just want to know how big the Canadian mortgage market is – well, estimates would say that over $400 Billion in mortgages is written each year in Canada. That is a lot of money. 

How Big is Canada’s Mortgage Market?

When it comes to the total mortgages arranged in Canada each year (by all lenders), definitive data isn’t easy to find. So we have to rely on estimates.

CIBC economist Benjamin Tal is one of the best estimators out there. And his latest figures suggest the market is a lot bigger than some in our business may think. 

The estimates we typically cite for annual residential mortgage originations range from about $210 to $250 billion. But that doesn’t include renewals.

By Tal’s calculations, the total of all residential mortgages negotiated or renegotiated in 2016 was $405 billion. This figure is a much truer indication of what the theoretical potential market is for mortgage lenders.

This data includes purchases, refinances and renewals of owner-occupied and residential investment properties (including 1- to 4-unit and 5+ unit residential properties).

Tal writes that the total number is up 5.5% over 2015. Canada’s “typical” home price rose 13% in the same timeframe, according to Royal LePage data. But with insurers already citing a 15-20% drop in business since the mortgage rule changes, 2017 volumes won’t be as rosy.

DoF Challenged in Parliament

Ottawa Canada. November 14th 2016 – Parliament of Canada on Parliament Hill in Ottawa

MPs are questioning why the Liberal government took liquidity out of the refinance market, and Dan Albas is one of the most vocal.

In the House of Commons yesterday, the Conservative MP charged the Department of Finance with “Increasing interest costs on refinanced mortgages.” This of course is a result of the Finance Minister’s ban on default insuring refinances. The move has decimated competition in the refi space, which Albas says “hurts middle-class Canadians.”

“Will the Liberals reverse this punitive and damaging change?” he questioned on his Facebook page today. Albas asked the equivalent in Parliament yesterday, to which the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance responded but, “didn’t answer the question at all!” Albas charges. 

Here’s a video of that exchange…

This debate followed hours of testimony these past two weeks about the new mortgage rules. Those hearings were held by Parliament’s Finance Committee  and included 38 expert witnesses.

In an opinion piece today that touched on the hearings, Albas said:

As the public servants involved in this area could not provide a coherent reason for this punitive [refinance] policy, a motion I put forward to have the Finance Minister appear directly before the Finance Committee was adopted thanks in part to some Liberal MPs voting in support.

It appears, however, the Finance Minister is sending others to talk for him (on Monday), namely:

  • Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Finance
  • Rob Stewart, Associate Deputy Minister, Department of Finance
  • Cynthia Leach, Chief, Housing Finance, Capital Markets Division, Financial Sector Policy Branch, Department of Finance

CMHC head Evan Siddall will also speak at the same meeting. Siddall has been  quoted  by Bloomberg as saying lenders have “no skin in the game” and “misaligned” incentives, which he later called a misstatement on his part. So the mortgage industry will be watching for any new bombs he might drop on Monday.

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Bank of Canada Holds Rate at 2.25% — June 10, 2026

By Marci Deane • June 10, 2026
The Bank of Canada announced today that it is maintaining its target for the overnight rate at 2.25%, with the Bank Rate at 2.5% and the deposit rate at 2.20%. For Canadian homeowners, buyers, and anyone with a mortgage on the horizon — here's what you need to know.

First-Time Buyer? Here’s How to Tell If You’re Ready

By Marci Deane • June 3, 2026
Ready to Buy Your First Home? Here’s How to Know for Sure Buying your first home is exciting—but it’s also a major financial decision. So how can you tell if you’re truly ready to take that leap into homeownership? Whether you’re confident or still unsure, these four signs are solid indicators that you’re on the right path: 1. You’ve Got Your Down Payment and Closing Costs in Place To purchase a home in Canada, you’ll need at least 5% of the purchase price as a down payment. In addition, plan for around 1.5% to 2% of the home’s value to cover closing costs like legal fees, insurance, and adjustments. If you’ve managed to save this on your own, that’s a great sign of financial discipline. If you're receiving help from a family member through a gifted down payment , that works too—as long as the paperwork is in order. Either way, having these funds ready shows you’re prepared for the upfront costs of homeownership. 2. Your Credit Profile Tells a Good Story Lenders want to know how you manage debt. Before they approve you for a mortgage, they’ll review your credit history. What they typically like to see: At least two active credit accounts (trade lines) , like a credit card or loan Each with a minimum limit of $2,000 Open and active for at least 2 years Even if your credit isn’t perfect, don’t panic. There may still be options, such as using a co-signer or working on a credit improvement plan with a mortgage expert. 3. Your Income Can Support Homeownership—Comfortably A steady income is essential, but not all income is treated equally. If you’re full-time and past probation , you’re in a strong position. If you’re self-employed, on contract, or rely on variable income like tips or commissions, you’ll generally need a two-year history to qualify. A general rule: housing costs (mortgage, taxes, utilities) should stay under 35% of your gross monthly income . That leaves plenty of room for other living expenses, savings, and—yes—some fun too. 4. You’ve Talked to a Mortgage Professional Let’s be real—there’s a lot of info out there about buying a home. Google searches and TikToks can only take you so far. If you're serious about buying, speaking with a mortgage professional is the most effective next step. Why? Because you'll: Get pre-approved (and know what price range you're working with) Understand your loan options and the qualification process Build a game plan that suits your timeline and financial goals The Bottom Line: Being “ready” to buy a home isn’t just about how much you want it—it’s about being financially prepared, credit-ready, and backed by expert advice. If you’re thinking about homeownership, let’s chat. I’d love to help you understand your options, crunch the numbers, and build a plan that gets you confidently across the finish line—keys in hand.

Home Reno Dreams? Let’s Talk Mortgage Financing

By Marci Deane • May 27, 2026
How to Use Your Mortgage to Finance Home Renovations Home renovations can be exciting—but they can also be expensive. Whether you're upgrading your kitchen, finishing the basement, or tackling a much-needed repair, the cost of materials and labour adds up quickly. If you don’t have all the cash on hand, don’t worry. There are smart ways to use mortgage financing to fund your renovation plans without derailing your financial stability. Here are three mortgage-related strategies that can help: 1. Refinancing Your Mortgage If you're already a homeowner, one of the most straightforward ways to access funds for renovations is through a mortgage refinance. This involves breaking your current mortgage and replacing it with a new one that includes the amount you need for your renovations. Key benefits: You can access up to 80% of your home’s appraised value , assuming you qualify. It may be possible to lower your interest rate or reduce your monthly payments. Timing tip: If your mortgage is up for renewal soon, refinancing at that time can help you avoid prepayment penalties. Even mid-term refinancing could make financial sense, depending on your existing rate and your renovation goals. 2. Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) If you have significant equity in your home, a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) can offer flexible funding for renovations. A HELOC is a revolving credit line secured against your home, typically at a lower interest rate than unsecured borrowing. Why consider a HELOC? You only pay interest on the amount you use. You can access funds as needed, which is ideal for staged or ongoing renovations. You maintain the terms of your existing mortgage if you don’t want to refinance. Unlike a traditional loan, a HELOC allows you to borrow, repay, and borrow again—similar to how a credit card works, but with much lower rates. 3. Purchase Plus Improvements Mortgage If you're in the market for a new home and find a property that needs some work, a "Purchase Plus Improvements" mortgage could be a great option. This allows you to include renovation costs in your initial mortgage. How it works: The renovation funds are advanced based on a quote and are held in trust until the work is complete. The renovations must add value to the property and meet lender requirements. This type of mortgage lets you start with a home that might be more affordable upfront and customize it to your taste—all while building equity from day one. Final Thoughts Your home is likely your biggest investment, and upgrading it wisely can enhance both your comfort and its value. Mortgage financing can be a powerful tool to fund renovations without tapping into high-interest debt. The right solution depends on your unique financial situation, goals, and timing. Let’s chat about your options, run the numbers, and create a plan that works for you. 📞 Ready to renovate? Connect anytime to get started!