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Big Bank Earnings Wrap: What RBC and CIBC Reveal About Your Mortgage

  Royal Bank and CIBC reported record or near-record profits before the market opened Thursday, closing out a jam-packed bank earnings week that also included BMO, Scotiabank and National Bank. Beyond the headline numbers, though, the details tucked into these reports say a lot about where mortgage rates, lending standards and household credit stress are actually heading — and it's a more reassuring picture than a lot of the tariff-and-tension headlines this month might suggest. RBC: Record Profit, Credit Quality Barely Budged Royal Bank of Canada posted net income of $6.0 billion for the quarter ended July 31, up 11% from a year earlier and a record for the bank. Diluted earnings per share came in at $4.23, up 13% year-over-year, while return on equity climbed to 17.9%. The number worth watching for anyone with a mortgage isn't the profit line — it's the provision for credit losses (PCL), the money banks set aside for loans that might go bad. RBC's total PCL was $1.0 b...

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Canada’s Capital Gains Tax Changes: What You Need to Know

The Liberal government’s capital gains tax changes have officially taken effect today, sparking both support and opposition. Here’s a concise overview:

  1. What Changed?

    • The capital gains inclusion rate has increased from one-half to two-thirds for gains over $250,000 per year for individuals.
    • Corporations and most types of trusts now face the same inclusion rate on all capital gains.
  2. Why the Change?

    • Prime Minister Justin Trudeau frames this as generational fairness, aiming to address wealth disparities.
    • The $19.4 billion expected revenue will fund housing and other priorities for young Canadians.
  3. Backlash and Concerns:

    • Critics argue that the higher inclusion rate may harm the economy by reducing competition and innovation.
    • Physicians’ groups express concern about the impact on doctors who invest through incorporated medical practices.
  4. Opposition and Alternatives:

    • Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre claims the wealthy will find ways to avoid the tax, affecting farmers, small businesses, and homebuilders.
    • Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland emphasizes the need for increased spending on health care and social services.
  5. Entrepreneurship Incentive:

    • To encourage entrepreneurship, the government proposes the Canadian Entrepreneurs’ Incentive, reducing the inclusion rate to a third on eligible capital gains up to $2 million.

In summary, these changes aim to balance fairness, revenue, and economic impact. The debate continues as Canada adapts to its evolving tax landscape. 

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