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Rate Watch: Best GIC, Savings and Mortgage Rates in Canada (Nov 13, 2026)

  Rate Watch | Canadian Money Brief Best GIC, Savings and Mortgage Rates in Canada Today Friday, November 13, 2026 • Bank of Canada rate 2.50% • Prime 4.70% The Bank of Canada raised its policy rate to 2.50% on October 28. Savers saw very little of it: GIC rates barely moved, and big-bank savings accounts still pay next to nothing. Borrowers saw more of it: the lowest 5-year fixed mortgage rate crept up from 4.34% to 4.44% after bond yields jumped. Here is where the best rates sit today. 4.05% Best 1-yr GIC WealthONE 4.55% Best 5-yr GIC WealthONE 2.85% Top HISA (no promo) WealthONE / Saven 4.44% Lowest 5-yr fixed insured mortgage 3.60%+ Lowest 5-yr variable insured mortgage Best GIC Rates Term Best rate Provider Runner-up 1 year 4.05% WealthONE Bank of Canada Achieva Financial 3.95% 2 years 4.30% WealthONE Bank of Canada Achieva Financial 4.10% 3 years 4.40% WealthONE Bank of Canada MCAN, Oaken, Saven 4.30% 5 years 4.55% WealthONE Bank of Canada Oaken Financial 4.50% Big banks, 1 y...

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The alternative minimum tax


 

The alternative minimum tax (AMT) is a secondary way for Canadians to calculate their income tax. It is often applicable when you have claimed a preferential tax deduction or credit, such as capital gains, dividend, or employee stock options.

Each year, your tax owing is calculated under the normal method, which considers the preferential tax credits and deductions. This number is then compared to a second calculation where you don’t receive these same credits and deductions, but your tax is calculated at a lower tax rate. For most instances, the normal calculation will result in more tax owing. When the second calculation results in a higher amount owing, you will pay this higher amount. The difference between the regular tax owing and the second calculation is the AMT. When you are subject to the AMT, this should be viewed as a prepayment of future tax. Over the next seven years, you can recover this amount paid against your regular income tax. In order to recover this AMT in the future, you would have to be taxable in future years, thus if you do not have taxable income in these years, this AMT will be lost.

I hope this helps!

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