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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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Trump Threatens 200% Tariffs on French Wines After Macron Rejects ‘Board of Peace’

                                             President Emmanuel Macron  and President Donald Trump.

A new transatlantic flare‑up erupted after President Donald Trump warned that he may impose 200% tariffs on French wines and champagne in response to President Emmanuel Macron’s reported refusal to join Trump’s proposed Board of Peace initiative.

Trump reacted forcefully when told that Macron did not plan to participate in the U.S.-led body, which he has promoted as a vehicle for resolving global conflicts. He suggested that steep tariffs would quickly change the French president’s stance, adding that Macron “doesn’t have to join” but would feel the pressure if he stayed out.

French officials have indicated that France is not prepared to join the initiative “at this stage,” citing concerns about the board’s scope and the financial commitments involved. Drafts circulated to foreign governments describe a requirement for member states to contribute $1 billion to maintain long‑term participation.

The threat marks the latest in a long line of trade tensions between Washington and Paris, with French wine often serving as a symbolic pressure point. A tariff of the magnitude Trump floated would represent one of the most aggressive measures ever aimed at the industry.

Whether the warning signals a serious policy move or a negotiating tactic remains uncertain, but it has already stirred unease among European officials and wine producers who fear the economic fallout of a renewed trade clash.


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