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Why Interest Rates Matter for Canadians

Interest rates are the single most powerful lever in Canada's economy.  When the Bank of Canada adjusts its policy rate, the effects reach every household—from the cost of carrying a mortgage to the return on a savings account. With rates currently at 2.25% and significant uncertainty ahead, understanding how rates work has never been more important for your finances. What Is the Bank of Canada's Policy Rate? The Bank of Canada sets the overnight policy rate—the interest rate at which major banks lend money to each other. This rate serves as a benchmark that influences borrowing and lending costs across the entire economy. When the Bank raises or lowers this rate, commercial banks adjust their prime rates accordingly, which directly affects the rates you pay on mortgages, lines of credit, and other loans. The Bank's primary goal is to keep inflation near its 2% target. When inflation runs too hot, the Bank raises rates to cool spending. When the economy slows, it cuts rates...

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Ontario Caps Daycare Fees at $22 for Children Under 6

 


In a significant move to make child care more affordable, the Ontario government has announced that starting in January 2025, parent fees for children under the age of six in Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care (CWELCC) programs will be capped at $22 per day. This fee reduction is expected to result in additional savings of nearly $300 million in 2025 for families.

The new funding model also introduces a cost-based approach for operators in the CWELCC program, prioritizing stability and predictability. Families facing the highest fees, particularly those with young children in less affordable communities, will see the largest fee reductions.

This initiative aims to provide more stability and predictability to child-care centers, ultimately helping reduce lengthy wait-lists and supporting parents as they enter the workforce with peace of mind.

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