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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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Canada Kicks Off Tax Filing Season


Today marks the official start of the tax filing season in Canada. As of February 24, Canadians can begin submitting their income tax and benefit returns online. This year, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has introduced several updates to its digital services to make the process smoother and more efficient for taxpayers.

One of the key changes for the 2025 tax season is the increase in federal income tax brackets by 2.7% to account for inflation. The new tax rates are as follows:

  • - 15% for earnings up to $57,375
  • - 20.5% for earnings between $57,375.01 and $114,750
  • - 26% for earnings between $114,750.01 and $177,882
  • - 29% for earnings between $177,882.01 and $253,414
  • - 33% for earnings above $253,414

Additionally, the contribution limit for the Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) has increased to $32,490 for the 2025 tax year, up from $31,560 the previous year. The maximum pensionable earnings and contributions for the Canada Pension Plan (CPP) have also been adjusted, with the Year’s Maximum Pensionable Earnings (YMPE) set at $71,300.

The CRA encourages taxpayers to file their returns early to avoid any last-minute stress and to ensure they receive any refunds or benefit payments they may be eligible for. The deadline for most individuals to file and pay any taxes owed is April 30, 2025. Self-employed Canadians have until June 16, 2025, to file their tax returns, but any money owed should be paid by April 30 to avoid interest charges.

For more information on the 2025 tax filing season and to access helpful resources, visit the CRA's official website.



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