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Big Six Banks Raise Fixed Mortgage Rates: What Your Renewal Costs Now

  Canadian Money Brief • Mortgages Updated Saturday, October 17, 2026 If your mortgage term ends this winter, the rate you saw advertised in August is probably gone. All six of Canada’s big banks have raised fixed rates since early September, and the Bank of Canada hasn’t touched its policy rate in almost a year. That disconnect catches a lot of homeowners off guard. Your fixed mortgage rate doesn’t follow the Bank of Canada. It follows the bond market. And bond yields have been climbing on oil-driven inflation worries, which means the people feeling it first right now are the ones opening a renewal letter. The numbers at a glance Up to 0.50 pt in fixed-rate increases at the big banks in about five weeks • BoC policy rate still 2.25% • Big bank prime still 4.45% • About $110 a month more on a $400,000 balance from a half-point jump How far have the big banks moved? Depending on the term, some big bank fixed rates are up by as much as half a percentage point in roughly five week...

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Heat Wave Sweeps Ontario and Quebec: Record-Breaking Temperatures and Health Risks

 


As the mercury soars into the 30s across Ontario and Quebec this week, residents are bracing for an extended period of extreme heat and humidity. Humidex levels are stretching into the 40s, posing health risks for everyone. Here’s what you need to know:

  1. Health Impacts: Extreme heat can lead to heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Stay hydrated, avoid strenuous outdoor activities, and be vigilant about heat-related symptoms.

  2. Record-Breaking Heat: A strong ridge of high pressure over the eastern U.S. and the Great Lakes is driving this heat wave. Hot, muggy winds from the Gulf of Mexico add tropical humidity. Humidex values could reach the mid-40s in Greater Toronto, Hamilton, Ottawa, and Montreal, challenging records set during the 2018 heat wave.

  3. Air Quality Concerns: The stagnant, humid air mass may deteriorate air quality. Scattered thunderstorms could provide temporary relief, but overall, we’re in for sweltering days and sticky nights.

Remember to take precautions, stay informed about weather alerts, and prioritize your well-being during this intense heat wave. 

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