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BoC Decision Day: What a Hold at 2.25% Means for Your Mortgage

  Published September 2, 2026 Tomorrow's date has been sitting at the bottom of every Canadian Money Brief for weeks, and it's finally here. The Bank of Canada announces its overnight rate decision on Wednesday, September 2 at 9:45 a.m. ET, with Governor Tiff Macklem holding a press conference at 10:30. Every economist polled by Reuters — all 35 of them — expects the same outcome: a hold at 2.25%, the eighth straight meeting without a move. That's the headline. The more useful question for your wallet is what a "boring" hold actually does — and doesn't do — to your mortgage, and why two of the Big Six banks think the boring streak is about to end. Why a hold is the almost-certain call The Bank has a genuinely awkward setup heading into this meeting. On one side, the economy just posted its best quarter in years: GDP grew at a 3.3% annualized pace in the second quarter, well ahead of the Bank's own 2.5% forecast, and July's jobs report added a blowout ...

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Navigating Inheritance Tax: Understanding and Planning for Your Legacy

 

Inheritance tax is a levy on the assets bequeathed by a deceased person to their heirs. While many countries have specific inheritance taxes, Canada does not impose such a tax. Instead, the Canadian Revenue Agency (CRA) treats the estate as having been sold at fair market value immediately before death, which may result in capital gains taxes that the estate must pay before distribution to beneficiaries.

Who Pays Inheritance Tax? In jurisdictions where inheritance tax exists, it is typically paid by the beneficiary who receives the assets. However, in Canada, beneficiaries do not pay taxes on received inheritances directly. Any taxes owed are usually settled by the estate of the deceased before the inheritance is distributed.

How to Avoid Inheritance Tax Since Canada does not have an inheritance tax, Canadian residents need not worry about avoiding it. However, it’s important to plan for potential capital gains taxes on the estate’s assets. Strategies such as designating a principal residence, planning withdrawals from retirement accounts, and setting up trusts can help minimize the tax burden on an estate.

Understanding the implications of inheritance and estate taxes is crucial for effective estate planning. By being informed and prepared, you can ensure that your legacy is passed on to your loved ones with minimal tax impact.

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