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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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Alberta Halts Health Procurement Amid Controversy

                                           Alberta Premier Danielle Smith 


Alberta’s government has abruptly ended procurement negotiations with two companies linked to Edmonton businessman Sam Mraiche, a figure at the centre of a growing health care scandal. The firms were in talks to build private surgical facilities in Red Deer and Lethbridge, but the United Conservative government announced the termination following mounting criticism over transparency and potential conflicts of interest.

The decision comes after weeks of scrutiny over Mraiche’s involvement in provincial health contracts. Allegations of inflated prices, political pressure, and questionable procurement practices have fueled public concern, prompting Alberta’s auditor general to launch an investigation into the health authority’s contracting processes.

Premier Danielle Smith’s government has faced backlash for its dealings with Mraiche’s companies, especially given his limited background in the medical sector. Critics argue that the episode highlights deeper issues of oversight and accountability in Alberta’s health care system.

By halting these negotiations, the province aims to restore public trust, though opposition leaders continue to call for broader inquiries into alleged corruption and mismanagement. The controversy underscores the tension between Alberta’s push for expanded private surgical facilities and the need for rigorous safeguards in public procurement.

In summary: Alberta’s move to end talks with Mraiche-linked firms signals a retreat from controversial health care deals, but the scandal has already sparked wider investigations and political fallout.

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