Skip to main content

Featured

The Mortgage Renewal Wave Just Peaked — Here's What the Data Actually Shows

Published August 30, 2026 For three years, "the mortgage renewal wall" has been the scariest phrase in Canadian personal finance — the idea that a flood of ultra-cheap, pandemic-era mortgages would come due at much higher rates and trigger a wave of forced sales. That wall is now mostly behind us. Two new 2026 surveys, one from Royal LePage and one from Rates.ca, show what actually happened when it hit. The short version: it hurt, budgets tightened hard for a lot of people, but the mass default many feared simply didn't show up. The last big group is renewing right now Royal LePage's 2026 Mortgage Renewal Survey, released August 19 and based on a Leger poll of 1,127 Canadians renewing this year, pins down where things stand: about 12% of all outstanding Canadian mortgages are five-year, fixed-payment loans taken out during the 2020–2022 ultra-low-rate window, and this is their last major renewal wave. The Bank of Canada's overnight rate sat at just 0.25% through m...

article

Fashion Farewell: Ted Baker, Brooks Brothers, and Lucky Brand Close Shop

 

In a significant turn of events, three iconic clothing retailers—Ted Baker, Brooks Brothers, and Lucky Brand—are bidding farewell to their Canadian stores. Let’s delve into the details of these closing sales and their impact on the retail landscape.

1. Ted Baker Canada: Ted Baker, known for its British style and attention to detail, has initiated store-closing clearance sales across its Canadian and U.S. locations. The brand’s entire collection is now marked down, offering shoppers a chance to snag their favorite pieces at discounted prices. The fate of Ted Baker’s stores remains uncertain, but the sales are in full swing. Online shopping has been temporarily suspended during this transition.

2. Brooks Brothers Canada: Brooks Brothers, a 202-year-old clothier, faces a similar fate. The company’s Canadian assets are now part of its parent company’s U.S. bankruptcy proceedings. The luxury clothing retailer plans to sell its inventory to SPARC Group LLC, which acquired Brooks Brothers and its affiliates for $325 million. Thirteen Brooks Brothers stores in Canada will be closing, with the possibility of more closures during the bankruptcy process.

3. Lucky Brand: Lucky Brand Dungarees, a denim retailer, has also filed for bankruptcy protection. The pandemic played a role in their financial struggles, leading to the decision to sell the company. Lucky Brand plans to close 13 stores, and additional closures may occur during the bankruptcy proceedings. Lucky’s Canadian locations are part of this restructuring, signaling the end of an era for the brand.

These closures mark a significant shift in the retail landscape, leaving fashion enthusiasts reminiscing about the unique styles and memories associated with these beloved brands. As the doors close, shoppers have a final chance to grab a piece of fashion history before these storied names fade into the past.

Comments