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Understanding Your TFSA Contribution Room in 2026

A Tax‑Free Savings Account (TFSA) is one of Canada’s most flexible and powerful savings tools, but figuring out your exact contribution room can feel like solving a puzzle. A clear breakdown makes it much easier. How TFSA Contribution Room Works Your available room is made up of three parts: Annual TFSA limit for the current year Unused contribution room from previous years Withdrawals from previous years (added back the following January) For 2026, the annual TFSA limit is $7,000 . Step‑by‑Step: How to Calculate Your Room Use this simple formula: [ \text{TFSA Room} = \text{Unused Room from Prior Years} + \text{Current Year Limit} + \text{Withdrawals from Last Year} ] A quick example: Unused room from past years: $18,000 2026 limit: $7,000 Withdrawals made in 2025: $4,000 [ \text{Total Room} = 18,000 + 7,000 + 4,000 = 29,000 ] That means you could contribute $29,000 in 2026 without penalty. A Few Helpful Notes Over‑contributions lead to penalties, so it’s worth...
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New Ontario real estate rules give sellers more options

 

Ontario has introduced new rules for real estate transactions that aim to provide more clarity and choice for buyers and sellers. The rules, which took effect on Friday, include the following changes:

  • Open bidding option: Sellers can now choose to disclose the prices of submitted bids to potential buyers, instead of keeping them secret. This is supposed to make the bidding process more transparent and fair, but it is not mandatory. Some experts say open bidding could reduce overbidding and lower prices, while others say it could have the opposite effect or harm sellers’ interests.
  • Designated representation: Buyers and sellers can now choose a designated representative from the same brokerage, instead of being subject to multiple representation. This means that the agent can advocate more actively for their client, instead of acting as a facilitator with limited advice. This is supposed to avoid conflicts of interest and improve the quality of service.
  • Improved disclosures: Brokers and brokerages have to provide more information to their clients, such as their role, duties, and fees. They also have to give them an information guide from the Real Estate Council of Ontario (RECO), the regulatory body that oversees the industry. RECO also has new enforcement tools to ensure compliance and protect consumers.
  • Amended code of ethics: Agents have to follow an updated code of ethics that reflects the new rules and promotes professionalism and ethical conduct.

The new rules are part of Phase 2 of the changes under the Trust in Real Estate Services Act, which was passed in 2019. The federal government has also promised to end blind bidding as part of its home buyers’ bill of rights, but it is still consulting with stakeholders.

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