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June 2024 Newsletter

Sluggish Home Sales Facilitate Inventory Recovery Home sales edged down by 1.7% between March and April, marking the second monthly decrease in five months. Provincially, April saw decreases in Nova Scotia (-6.3%), Alberta (-4.5%), Manitoba (-4.1%), Ontario (-2.9%), Quebec (-1.3%), P.E.I. (-0.6%), and B.C. (-0.5%). Conversely, increases were recorded in New Brunswick (+12.7%), Saskatchewan (+11.5%), …

What is Canada’s potential capacity for housing construction?

Despite having a record-high 650,000 construction workers in 2023, Canada’s housing production of 240,267 units fell short of the potential to build over 400,000 homes per year. Although more human and financial resources have been allocated to residential construction in recent years, housing starts have not kept pace with this investment. Achieving the Government’s Housing …

Housing Market Update

Home sales decreased by 1.7% between March and April, marking the second monthly decline in five months. On the supply side, new listings rose by 2.8% from March to April, the third increase in four months. Active listings surged by 5.8% in April after stabilizing the previous month, leading to an increase in the number …

April Employment Report: Key Highlights and Insights

Employment Growth Holds Steady April brought positive news for the Canadian job market with employment increasing by 90,000, a 0.4% rise. This growth stabilized the unemployment rate at 6.1% and kept the employment rate steady at 61.4%, following six months of consecutive declines. Who’s Benefiting from Employment Gains? Core-Aged Workers Shine Men (25 to 54 …

households adjusting to inflation

Bank of Canada: Households are adjusting to the rise in debt-servicing costs

Following sharp declines during the COVID‑19 pandemic, many financial stress indicators have now returned to more normal levels. Here’s a breakdown of the current situation: Households Without Mortgages Most Affected Stress Concentration: Financial stress is primarily concentrated among households without mortgages, with renters being the most affected, according to survey data. Mortgage Holders: Stress indicators …

Bank of Canada: Financial Stability Report

Key Takeaways Canada’s Financial System ResilienceCanada’s financial system has shown resilience over the past year. Various participants, including households, businesses, banks, and non-bank financial institutions, have proactively adjusted to higher interest rates. Ongoing Risks to Financial StabilityDespite this resilience, the Bank of Canada identifies two key risks to financial stability: Debt Serviceability Adjustment to Higher …

spring weather

May 2024 Newsletter

Federal Budget Summary: Housing and Capital Gains Tax In Budget 2024, the Liberal government renewed its commitment to enhancing affordability for low- and moderate-income Canadians. New spending totaling $53 billion over five years ($57 billion including expenditures from the Fall Economic Statement) was allocated for this purpose. A significant portion of this budget, $8.5 billion, …

work from home

Claiming Home Office Expenses for Remote Workers

Eligible employees who worked from home in 2023 will need to utilize the Detailed Method to claim home office expenses. The temporary flat rate method, which was applicable for a limited period, does not extend to the 2023 tax year. As an employee, you may qualify to claim specific home office expenses. These expenses include …

family grocery shopping

Scotiabank’s Fiscal Philosophy: Spend Lavishly, Tax Wisely

Canada’s federal Finance Minister unveiled Budget 2024 on April 16th, showcasing a significant increase in gross new spending compared to pre-budget expectations. This surge in spending was partially counterbalanced by substantial taxation measures, resulting in a mixed net impact. The budget injects a short-term stimulus into the economy through substantial new spending initiatives. However, it …

couple outside house

First Quarter 2024 Canadian Consumer Expectations Survey

Consumers perceive a slowdown in inflation, yet their short-term inflation expectations remain mostly unchanged. This perception is tied to their own experiences with price fluctuations in essentials like food and fuel. Long-term inflation expectations have risen but are still below historical averages. Concerns persist about high inflation, driven by factors like increased government spending and …