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BoC Opens the Door to Rate Hikes: What It Means for Your Mortgage

  Published September 4, 2026 The Bank of Canada held its policy rate at 2.25% on September 2 — the seventh straight hold — but Governor Tiff Macklem didn't sound like a central banker done for the year. He told reporters the Bank is "prepared to raise interest rates, and if it takes more than one increase, we're prepared to do that," if inflation stays too high. That's a real shift in tone, and it lands right as a wave of Canadians hit their mortgage renewal date. Here's what changed, who's forecasting what, and what it actually means for your payment. Why the Bank Suddenly Sounds Hawkish Canada's annual inflation rate has climbed to around 3% — a full point above the Bank's 2% target — and the Bank is pointing squarely at energy prices. Oil has stayed elevated because of the Iran conflict and disruption near the Strait of Hormuz, pushing gas prices up and dragging headline CPI with it. Core inflation, which strips out food and energy, is still s...
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RESP: A Smart Way to Save for Schooling.


RESP is a great way to save for schooling. RESP stands for Registered Education Savings Plan. It is a government-sponsored investment account that helps parents save for their child’s post-secondary education. One of the key benefits of RESP is that it allows your savings to grow tax-free until the funds are withdrawn. This means that any investment income earned within the RESP is not subject to tax as long as it remains in the plan. Additionally, the government provides grants and incentives to encourage parents to save for their child’s education. For example, the Canada Education Savings Grant (CESG) matches 20% of the contributions made to an RESP, up to a maximum of $500 per year. This can significantly boost your savings over time.


RESPs offer flexibility in terms of investment options. You can choose from a wide range of investment products such as mutual funds, stocks, bonds, and guaranteed investment certificates (GICs). This allows you to tailor your investment strategy based on your risk tolerance and financial goals. Moreover, when it comes time to withdraw funds from the RESP, the earnings are taxed in the hands of the student, who typically has little or no income. Since students usually have a lower tax rate than their parents, this can result in significant tax savings.


In summary, RESP is an excellent way to save for schooling as it offers tax advantages, government grants, and investment flexibility. It provides parents with a structured and efficient means of saving for their child’s post-secondary education while maximizing their savings potential.

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