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CMHC Just Cut Its Housing Forecast — What It Means If You're Buying, Selling, or Renewing

  Published July 28, 2026 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation quietly downgraded its outlook for the rest of 2026 last week, and the new numbers are worth a look no matter which side of the housing market you're standing on. The federal housing agency's Summer 2026 update now calls for slower growth, softer home prices, fewer new builds and continued easing in rental markets right through the end of the year — with a split that leaves Ontario and B.C. looking a lot different from the Prairies and Quebec. Here's what's actually in the update, and what it means for your specific situation. What CMHC changed The agency's baseline call for 2026 is a Canadian economy growing at just 0.7%, with high borrowing costs, weak population growth and cautious buyers keeping a lid on demand even as affordability has technically improved. The practical result, nationally: Housing starts are expected to fall to about 241,400 units this year, down from 259,028 in 2025 Resale acti...
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Year-End Tax Planning Tips for Canadian Investors

 

                                                          

As the end of the year approaches, it's a good time to review your investment portfolio and see if there are any tax-saving strategies you can implement. Here are some ideas to consider:

- Realize capital losses to offset capital gains. If you have realized capital gains in 2023, you can sell some of your losing investments to generate capital losses that can reduce or eliminate your taxable capital gains. You can also carry back capital losses up to three years or carry them forward indefinitely to offset future capital gains.

- Contribute to your RRSP or TFSA. If you have contribution room in your registered retirement savings plan (RRSP) or tax-free savings account (TFSA), you can make a contribution before the end of the year to boost your savings and reduce your taxes. RRSP contributions are deductible from your income, while TFSA contributions are not taxable and grow tax-free.

- Donate securities to charity. If you have appreciated securities in your portfolio, such as stocks, bonds or mutual funds, you can donate them directly to a registered charity and receive a tax receipt for their fair market value. This way, you can avoid paying capital gains tax on the appreciation and claim a charitable donation credit.

- Swap assets with your spouse. If you and your spouse have different marginal tax rates, you can swap assets that generate income, such as interest, dividends or rent, to lower your overall tax bill. For example, if you are in a higher tax bracket than your spouse, you can transfer some of your income-producing assets to them in exchange for assets that generate capital gains, which are taxed at a lower rate.

- Review your asset allocation and rebalance your portfolio. The end of the year is also a good opportunity to review your asset allocation and make sure it still matches your risk tolerance and investment goals. If some of your assets have performed better or worse than others, you may need to rebalance your portfolio by selling some of the overperforming assets and buying more of the underperforming ones. This can help you maintain a diversified portfolio and reduce your risk exposure.

These are just some of the tax planning ideas that Canadian investors should consider before the year-end. For more personalized advice, consult with a qualified tax professional who can help you optimize your investment strategy and minimize your tax liability.

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