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Canada’s Housing Market Faces Headwinds Despite BoC Moves

The Bank of Canada’s 25-basis-point cut in September was at best ignored by the national market, with sales falling 1.7 per cent compared to the month before. The Bank of Canada’s recent interest rate adjustments have done little to revive the country’s housing market, which continues to struggle under the weight of broader economic concerns. In September, the central bank cut its policy rate by 25 basis points, bringing it to 2.5%. Yet, instead of sparking renewed activity, national home sales actually fell by 1.7% compared to the previous month.  Economists note that the housing market is no longer moving in lockstep with monetary policy, but is instead being shaped by regional affordability challenges, consumer psychology, and—most critically—job security fears. Uncertainty surrounding U.S. trade policy has also cast a shadow over Canada’s economic outlook. Businesses remain hesitant to invest, and households are wary of making major financial commitments such as home purchas...

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NDP Won’t Support Liberal $250 Rebate Plan Unless Eligibility Expanded: Singh


NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has announced that his party will not support the Liberal government's $250 rebate plan unless it is expanded to include the most vulnerable Canadians. The current proposal, part of a broader affordability package, aims to provide $250 to more than 18.7 million Canadians who earned less than $150,000 in 2023.

Singh emphasized that the rebate should also cover seniors, students, people on disability benefits, and those who were unable to work last year. He initially supported the idea, believing it would benefit anyone earning under $150,000, but the current plan only includes those who had an income.

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland's office responded, stating that it is "categorically false" to say seniors and people with disabilities are excluded, as many of them work and would qualify if they meet the income criteria.

The proposed measures are set to be included in the fall economic statement, with the GST holiday beginning in mid-December and lasting for two months.




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