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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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Your lookahead weekly horoscope: January 5, 2025

 

HOROSCOPES IF TODAY IS YOUR BIRTHDAY

If you can be bothered to do a little bit of planning now then your journey through the year ahead should be free of obstructions, major ones at least. Creative activities are under excellent stars on your birthday, so build a legacy that never grows old.

ARIES (March 21 - April 20):

No matter how daunting the odds you face this week you will find a way to succeed. You are now in the right frame of mind to ignore those who say something cannot be done and just get on and do it. That’s Aries confidence for you.

TAURUS (April 21 - May 21):

You may not be much in the mood for work at the moment but you will do what needs to be done and do it well. What you must not do, however, is make believe that a task is of earth-shattering importance when it hardly matters at all.

GEMINI (May 22 - June 21):

There will be times over the next few days when you feel as if you could conquer the world, but don’t get carried away and start picking fights with people who don’t need to be your foes. Why make enemies when you can just as easily make friends?

CANCER (June 22 - July 23):

Although you usually put family members first the message of the stars now is that your own needs must be taken care of before turning your attention to other people. You will be able to help them better if your own security is not at risk.

LEO (July 24 - Aug. 23):

It is more than possible that your patience with someone you work alongside will snap over the next few days. You can look back and feel guilty about it later on if you so choose but for now you are right to read the riot act to them.

VIRGO (Aug. 24 - Sept. 23):

If a friend or colleague goes out of their way to elicit your sympathy this week it is odds-on they think they can get something from you by playing the victim. Don’t let them take advantage of your generous nature. Sharpen up.

LIBRA (Sept. 24 - Oct. 23):

The more you try to help certain people the more aggressive they get, so stop wasting your time on them and focus on your own needs instead. On the work front, especially, there will be opportunities to move up over the coming week. Take them!

SCORPIO (Oct. 24 - Nov. 22):

If you are not in the mood for socializing then don’t force it. Even if friends and loved ones encourage you to get involved you must make your excuses and spend some quiet time with the person who matters most in your life – that’s you!

SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23 - Dec. 21):

Before you point out to a friend or colleague where they have been going wrong you must make sure that your own recent efforts are beyond reproach. No one likes to be criticized for making a less than optimum effort – you least of all!


CAPRICORN (Dec. 22 - Jan. 20):

You will have to deal with someone this week who, given the choice, you would rather cross the road to avoid. But you don’t have that choice, so make the best of the situation. If they feel the same way you may even accomplish something together.

AQUARIUS (Jan. 21 - Feb. 19):

There will be times this week when you get the impression that someone who should be in your corner is being deliberately obstructive. Have they gone over to the opposition? Maybe, but more likely they are irritated because you never seem to praise them.

PISCES (Feb. 20 - Mar. 20):

If you rush into something you are not prepared for this week you will waste a lot of time and energy clearing up your mistakes later on. Is there a genuine reason why you should be in such a hurry? No there is not, so slow down.

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