What to expect for mortgage rates in 2026 to 2030

What's Next for Rates? Dan's Take

The next Bank of Canada rate decision is coming up — and Dan's watching the signs that could point to another cut, a hold, or a shift in tone. Here's what he's seeing right now.

Will the next Bank of Canada move be a cut or a hike?

The Bank of Canada’s (BoC's) policy rate, also called the overnight rate, affects bank prime rates, which in turn move variable mortgage rates. Fixed mortgage rates follow the bond market, which can move to anticipate changes to the prime rate.

The potential for Bank of Canada rate hikes this year is back on the table — often a side dish that comes with higher oil prices, this time due to a conflict in Iran that is restricting global oil supply and pushing prices to $90-$110 per barrel (for several weeks now).

We're already seeing elevated prices flowing through to gas, groceries, and other goods and services. Bond yields initially rose in response to heightened inflation fears, and the 'best' fixed mortgage rates are now hovering around last year's levels (in the low 4s).

Even if traffic is soon restored through the Strait of Hormuz, oil prices could remain elevated above $70/barrel (the pre-conflict price on February 27) for months, working into the prices of everything and adding to existing inflationary pressures — like U.S. tariffs, resilient Canadian consumer demand (so far), increased government spending and debt, and potential additional supply shocks that could result from a U.S. trade review coming this spring.

Inflation risk is pushing one way, but economic cooling may push back. Higher energy prices often force companies to pull back on buying, production and investment, and households to reduce spending. The result could be softer jobs and growth data, which could offset some of the impact of energy inflation.

Markets may still be pricing in a Bank of Canada rate hike by late 2026, but the potential slowdown, combined with an upcoming CUSMA review, adds enough recessionary uncertainty to possibly even put a rate cut back in the mix.

For now, the Bank of Canada is still trying to figure out what's on the menu — and whether it should call for a hike or a cut in 2026.

The metrics that could serve a BoC rate hike this year are:

• Higher oil prices are now expected into September, increasing the risk of persistently elevated inflation
• Sticky domestic demand could limit price relief
• Oil revenue windfalls for the Canadian government could limit economic weakening (for every $1 U.S. increase in oil, about $175M CDN flows in)
• Increased government spending and debt add inflationary pressure
• U.S. inflation is rising — Canadian inflation is closely tied to the U.S. economy and likely to follow suit

The metrics that could still result in the BoC passing along a rate cut this year are:

• Higher energy prices often drag down consumer demand and economic growth
• A softening labour market is likely to deflate rising inflation
• A negative outcome from the CUSMA review might weigh harder on the economy
• If the U.S. economy slows, it could create room for a cut here

For now, the BoC is sticking to a seasoned approach: stay measured when uncertainty is high.

Dire consequences were envisioned when President Trump first threatened U.S. tariffs back in January 2025. Despite some consolation that the worst hasn't yet happened, the impact is still being felt here in Canada — especially in housing markets — with plenty of nervousness about what may come next.

That said, it's not all doom and gloom. Interest rates are still below their 2024 peak, and variable rates are lower than a year ago. If home prices remain stable, that could open up more flexibility in mortgage payments for some homebuyers and homeowners coming up for renewal.

If we believe that all the uncertainty could eventually be resolved, then job growth, confidence, and business investment could start to pick up, building on the Canadian resilience that kept us out of a recession in 2025.

That momentum could support a more stable path forward, especially with the BoC policy rate now sitting near the lower end of its neutral range.

Will the BoC raise its rate on June 10, 2026?

The next Bank of Canada rate decision will hinge on both inflation risk from higher energy prices and the mood surrounding the U.S. trade review. Despite the threat of rising inflation, a backwash of softer economic data could mute rate-hike expectations.

Courtesy of mortgagelogic.news, May 11, 2026:

• 25 bps cut: 1% market odds
• No change: 99% market odds

*60% is considered the magic number in calling the rate-decision odds

Stay tuned!

Cut, pause, or hike? How the latest economic readings predict where rates may go next.

We break down key factors, such as inflation, jobs, and GDP, and what they currently signal for future rate moves. Want an even deeper dive into the factors? Click here

• INFLATION (MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR) – PAUSE
  March 2026 CPI (Canadian Price Index) shot up to headline inflation of 2.4% from last month's 1.8%, primarily due to gas prices that are 21% higher than a few short weeks ago and are considered temporary; core inflation (the average of the median and trimmed measures) remained at 2.3%, which lags further behind than headline inflation (next reading May 19)
  
• LABOUR MARKET – PAUSE
  Canada's April 2026 labour market report showed continued softening for 2026, with the unemployment rate rising to a 6-month high of 6.9% from last month's 6.7% and a job loss of 17.7K — worse than expected, and showing that businesses aren't firing but also aren't hiring (next reading Jun 5)
  
• WAGES – LEANING TO HIKE
  April's average wage growth eased a bit to 4.5% from last month's 4.7%, indicating inflation expectations are still being worked into wages (next reading Jun 5)
  
• ECONOMIC GROWTH – PAUSE
  February 2026 real GDP rose 0.2% (after a 0.1% rise in January), and March growth is forecast to be flat; Q1 is likely to avoid a contraction with growth forecast at 0.4% (Mar and Q1 reading on May 29)
  
• BOND YIELD MARKET – SHAKY PAUSE
  The Canadian 5-year bond yield is up to 3.2% following higher U.S. inflation in April and as oil prices remain in the $100 range due to the Iran conflict; as the June U.S. trade review nears, expect ongoing bond market volatility in a tight range because, right now, uncertainty rules the day (every day)

What's the most important economic factor the Bank of Canada considers? The BoC's sole mandate is to control inflation. It uses its policy interest rate (which directly influences bank prime rates) to keep headline inflation close to its 2.0% target and core inflation within the 1.0%-3.0% range.

Other key economic factors can help the BoC determine the path of inflation, whether it's likely to rise or fall.

For example, rising unemployment and slow GDP growth may call for a rate cut to stimulate the economy. However, rising inflation may indicate the need to pause or raise rates to curb demand and keep inflation in check.

What economists predict for interest rates (2026-2030)

While Dan's outlook is shaped by experience, client feedback, and lender decision points in addition to real-time trends, he also closely watches the forecasts of several economists:

• National Bank expects the Bank of Canada policy rate to remain at 2.25% through 2026, rise to 2.50% in Q1 2027, and then again to 2.75% in Q2 2027 and remain at that level through 2027.
• TD Economics expects the BoC to keep its policy rate at an average of 2.25% in 2026 and hold through to 2031.
• Scotiabank now forecasts the BoC will hold at 2.25% for the first few months of 2026, then rise by 0.75% to 3.0% by the end of 2026, and remain at that level through 2027, while warning that tariff‑related uncertainty may delay or reset this path.
• CIBC Economics predicts the BoC policy rate will rise by 0.75% to 3.0% by the end of 2026 and remain there through 2027.
• RBC expects the BoC rate to remain at 2.25% until the end of 2026, rising to 3.25% by the end of 2027.
• BMO Capital Markets has forecast the BoC rate to remain at 2.25% through 2026 and 2027.
• Desjardins expects the BoC to hold its policy rate through 2026, with a hike in Q3 2027 to 2.5% and another hike in Q4 2027 to 2.75% (still in the neutral range).
• Capital Economics predicts a BoC policy rate of 2.25% to hold through 2026, and rise to 2.75% in 2027.
• Oxford Economics predicts that the BoC rate will hold at 2.25% through 2026.

Please note: The above rate forecasts are subject to change, and most now include initial forecast reactions to the recent oil price shock.

Also, most economic forecasts are based on a favourable resolution to renegotiate CUSMA; trade uncertainty and, now, the Iran conflict, are the wild cards in forecasting how the economy and interest rates will be affected.

Will rates rise or fall this year? Dan's closer look. 

Energy-related inflation is raising the risk of rate hikes amid U.S. trade uncertainty.

"The U.S. trade war has brought immediate changes for Canadian businesses, and when rules change that quickly, the response or counteractions take time, even years." – Dan Eisner, True North CEO

Today, the prime rate sits around 4.45%, based on the current Bank of Canada policy rate of 2.25%. The latter is about one policy rate cut lower than I had predicted in mid-2025, for a total decline by 2.75% since June 2024.

Despite U.S. trade disruptions, the Canadian economy has weathered the chaos with some resilience (excluding hard-hit sectors such as steel and aluminum). BoC policy rates have little room to fall below current levels until there's more clarity on how the U.S. trade agreement review will resolve.

Now, the ongoing conflict in Iran threatens to drive inflation higher, potentially forcing the BoC's hand to raise its policy rate. With that higher inflation, though, consumer demand may finally see a more pronounced dent, which could help offset the energy bump, keeping the BoC rate on hold or even a notch lower if inflation eases.

Experts are increasingly conflicted about how inflation will affect the economy, especially when it comes to forecasting how long it could persist and its knock-on effects amid U.S. trade disruption.

Dan's rate prediction for 2026.

I expect the Bank of Canada's policy rate to remain at 2.25% for the next few months, with oil shock inflation likely being partially sapped by weakening household purchasing power (aka less leftover in the budget after paying higher gas and grocery prices).

When U.S. tariffs entered the scene in 2025, some rapid-fire forecasts predicted a drop to 1.5% on the policy rate and a prime rate of around 3.70%. Never say never — those forecasts could still play out.

However, after the 0.50% policy rate drop in the fall of 2025, the BoC has turned hawkish, indicating that it prefers its 'neutral' rate to work through the economy; it takes 12 to 18 months for the effects of a rate change to fully materialize.

Even with the sudden rise in oil prices affecting household budgets, a rate cut risks injecting stimulus that increases demand too quickly, resulting in undersupply and putting inflation back on a path to take off again.

Another 0.25% cut this year (taking bank prime rates down to 4.20%) becomes more likely only if higher energy prices deepen economic woes, the U.S. trade review gives way to broader tariffs on more goods, and Canada's economy enters a recession. Or, less probable but still in the realm of possibility, if the global economy takes a sudden downturn due to other geopolitical events, the knock-on effects of spiralling U.S. debt, or an AI stock collapse.

So, even though most experts, myself included, expect rates to remain on pause through 2026 amid these opposing forces. However, a rate hike is back on the radar if recently higher oil prices, combined with a resilient Canadian economy, prompt the BoC to head off 'persistent' inflation that exceeds 3.5%.

As always, my forecast may change when (if?) the clouds of uncertainty part and the trajectory becomes clearer.

What is the BoC's current neutral rate range?

The Bank of Canada's published neutral rate range, which estimates the rate position that neither stimulates nor constrains economic activity, is 2.25% to 3.25%.

The BoC rate is now at the low end of that range, and the central bank may decide to dip its interest-rate vehicle into stimulative territory or raise it to curb conditions that could push inflation higher.

If the economy shows greater weakness than expected, even a rate in the neutral range can feel restrictive, which is why the BoC frames its policy stance as either supportive or restrictive.

Is there a danger that the prime rate could increase?

There's always the risk that bank prime rates (led by the BoC policy rate) could rise to counter inflation. However, the economic softening from higher energy, gas and grocery prices, tariffs, and trade disruptions makes it unlikely for at least the first half of 2026.

What about fixed mortgage rates?

Note that bond yields, which inform fixed rates, are affected by a mix of forces.

In the short term, political and economic volatility can cause yields and fixed rates to fluctuate in response to emerging data or global instability. If another interest rate cut is anticipated, expect yields and fixed rates to trend down ahead of a move or to trend up ahead of an expected BoC rate hike.

Under current conditions, fixed mortgage rates are likely to remain relatively steady. For more details, read the Fixed Rate section, plus view forecasts for 2026 to 2030.

Let's dive deeper into the latest economic numbers.

Why is Canada's inflation higher in March 2026?

In Canada's latest CPI (Consumer Price Index) report, headline inflation in March rose sharply to 2.4% from last month's 1.8% due to the largest monthly spike in gas prices ever in Canada: +21% in one month. It translates to a 3.9% year-over-year increase in energy prices, which last year's carbon price levy makes look a little too palatable.

No one thought it possible, but that one-month gas climb made the grocery rise look tame — it was still a substantial 4.0% year over year increase, on top of the other 4.0-7.5% increases in each of the previous months since U.S. tariffs began.

Stripping out the volatile energy component, the remaining CPI baskets declined to 2.3% from 2.6% last month. And core inflation (the average of the median and trimmed measures) micro-eased to 2.25%, clearly not yet showing the impact of the Iran conflict and global oil supply disruption — core inflation numbers lag more than headline.

Perhaps the federal government's recently announced pause on their gasoline and diesel tax from April 20 to Labour Day weekend (September 1) will help cushion the gas price spikes — reports poured in that consumers in many centres saw at least a 10-cent reduction as a result (depending on the competition at your local gas station).

Is it a given that the Bank of Canada rate will increase to tame energy inflation? Not necessarily. Higher energy prices also typically lead to reduced consumer spending, which could help moderate the inflationary impact of the oil shock. Canada's economy is already softening amid U.S. trade disruptions and uncertainty, which some experts believe will allow the BoC to leave its policy rate unchanged for now.

Is Canada's labour market weakening in early 2026?

Yes, so far, the weakening continues. The April 2026 labour market data showed an unemployment rate rise to 6.9% from 6.7% in March, with 17.7K job losses, concentrated in full-time positions. More people are looking for work amid a total of $112K job losses since the start of 2026.

Keep in mind that lower immigration targets, which could bring population growth to near zero in 2026 and 2027, are likely to 'improve' labour numbers on the surface, masking even deeper weakness.

Businesses aren't in full layoff mode, but aren't hiring as they try to absorb higher energy prices and deal with the uncertainty around U.S. trade.

With wage inflation also hovering at 4.5%, inflation expectations are still baked into wages — and those expectations can play into higher inflation for longer.

A tiny bright spot in the darker read — a soft labour market could reduce consumer demand and inflationary pressures, diminishing any urgency for the Bank of Canada to consider a rate hike in 2026.

How is Canada's economic growth being affected by trade disruption and the Iran conflict?

Real GDP in February 2026 increased by 0.2%, adding to January's gain of 0.1%. March is projected to be flat, but Q1 2026 is forecast to show 0.4% growth.

This GDP reading reflects conditions before the oil price shock. The March reading may begin to show the effects of higher energy prices on Canadian business sectors.

Is the threat of a recession hanging over Canada in 2026?

The Bank of Canada had projected real GDP economic growth of 1.1% for 2026. Growth is better than a contraction, but that level isn't anything to get excited about. And that forecast excludes a worst-case trade scenario or the impact of ongoing higher energy prices.

The potential exists for both U.S. trade disruption and rising energy-related inflation to further drag down sectors — though some companies will see a boost from increased oil production and sales.

With Canadian economic growth teetering on the edge, how much would it take for another quarter of contraction to appear? Right now, that's a rhetorical question. But recent government GST relief, additional stimulus for impacted sectors, and infrastructure and trade initiatives may prop up Canada's economy as 2026 wears on.

Regardless, last year's up-and-down GDP readings reinforce the Bank of Canada's caution in holding its rate for now, as it seeks concrete and sustained indications of weakening or strengthening before making another rate-cut or rate-hike decision this year.

How did Canada's GDP fare in 2025?

Overall, Canada's GDP in 2025 grew by a meagre 1.6%. Here's a look at quarterly 2025 GDP (quarter over quarter and annualized pace), reflecting the rollercoaster ride of U.S. trade turmoil since January 2025:

• Q1 2025: +0.5% real, +2.1% annualized
• Q2 2025: -0.2% real, -0.9% annualized
• Q3 2025: +0.6% real, +2.4% annualized
• Q4 2025: -0.2% real, +0.6% annualized

Also, Statistics Canada recently revised its GDP data for 2022 to 2024, saying the economy expanded by 1.7% more than thought for those three years.

How is economic volatility affecting Canada's housing market in early 2026?

National housing sales and home price averages continue to trend downward in March 2026, with year-over-year sales and home prices showing slight month-over-month declines. Due to yet another layer of uncertainty added to household budgets from the disruption to the global oil supply caused by conflict in the Middle East, several real estate experts have again trimmed their housing activity forecasts for 2026.

Many buyers and sellers remained on the sidelines during a(nother) turbulent economic and political month. Housing analysts still hope for a Spring 2026 bump, given how long some Canadians have been waiting to make their move. 

However, ongoing economic, geopolitical, and trade uncertainty, along with moderate inflation, may weigh on households and continue to inhibit markets until a more sustained recovery builds in 2027.

Read more here: Housing Market Forecast (2026-2030)

How is the U.S. economy influencing Canada's interest rate outlook?

Like it or not, our countries' economies are closely intertwined.

With a Trump presidency, here are some current concerns:

• Surging oil and energy prices due to the U.S.-led Iran conflict are already raising inflation in both countries — the Canadian CPI is highly correlated to U.S. inflation.
• U.S. data sources, under political pressure, are giving some economists reason for concern that they're offering an unbiased read of the U.S. economy.
• U.S. trade policies are causing supply and demand shocks, leading to price hikes that are slowly being passed on to consumers in both countries.
• Ongoing geopolitical conflict, trade disruptions, and higher U.S. tariffs on certain Canadian imports are injecting significant uncertainty for Canadian companies and consumers, interrupting planning, hiring, investment, and spending decisions.
• Immigration issues between the two countries may further diminish our labour productivity.
• The interest rate differential between the two central banks is 2.0%, which is pressuring input prices.
• A higher U.S. dollar is raising import prices, adding to inflationary risks.
• Proposed U.S. taxes (section 899 of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act) on Canadian investments and companies could have a significant impact on our economy.
• U.S. government debt is ballooning — current U.S. debt interest payments exceed the defence budget — and tariff revenue is $100B less than expected so far.

When will fixed rates drop?

Fixed mortgage rates are steered by the Canadian bond market and (eventually) follow the movements in bond yields up or down. 5-year bond yields are the standard for setting 5-year fixed rates and are the reference in this section and blog.

Higher oil prices are likely to keep fixed rates elevated.

Canada's 5-year bond yield is around 3.1% as Canada's GDP growth barely holds above water and the Iran conflict continues to stall global oil traffic, with prices still above $100/barrel for now.

The pressure on yields is being driven by:

• Energy supply disruption brought on by the Iran conflict
• Persistent inflation risks as oil prices are forecast to remain higher until at least September
• Economic benefits of higher Canadian crude export prices, which could support higher inflation for longer
• U.S.-Canada trade uncertainty
• Canadian government stimulus in support of trade-related sectors
• Reports of ballooning U.S. debt and the overstatement of the revenue the U.S. is collecting from tariffs

On the moderation side, pushing back against inflationary pressures:

• Rising oil shock inflation could result in a substantial business and consumer spending pullback
• Canada's tepid economic growth forecasts that hinge on the spring U.S. trade review
• Weakening labour numbers
• Gloomy Canada Business Outlook

For now, surging oil prices are injecting more volatility into markets. We can all likely agree we've seen enough volatility and would like to see something in a less volatile colour.

With no BoC rate cut in the immediate future, yields are unlikely to enter a sustained downward trend unless signs of deeper economic softening gain momentum — or oil prices or geopolitical pressures ease.

Will fixed mortgage rates keep rising?

The 5-year fixed mortgage rate is about 0.30% higher than a few weeks ago due to a rapid rise in oil prices from the $70s to the $100s, which has heightened worries of persistent inflation. If an Iran ceasefire holds, global oil prices may slowly subside, easing pressure on the bond market — and fixed rates may decline again as markets normalize (just in time for the volatility that could come with a U.S. trade review).

On the other hand, oil price volatility could persist for a few more weeks, keeping fixed rates elevated. And if the Iran conflict suddenly worsens and oil surges to around $130/barrel, fixed rates are likely to increase.

Lender margins remain tight amid recent economic and global volatility, keeping markets in the uncomfortable 'reactionary' zone. Mortgage rate deals may emerge depending on prevailing bond-yield conditions.

It's a good time to lock in your mortgage rate if you're looking to buy a home or renew your mortgage, as fixed rate movement is likely to resemble a rollercoaster for the next while, or at least until we see some clarity on geopolitical activity and U.S. trade.

Can the U.S. economy affect rate hikes here?

Yes. The U.S. economy matters for Canadian rate decisions.

Why it matters, briefly:

• Trade and prices. Strong U.S. demand and tariffs can change import and export prices here, which feeds into Canada's inflation readings.
• Policy and capital flows. If the U.S. Federal Reserve loosens monetary policy while the Bank of Canada holds, capital may shift toward Canadian assets, pushing yields lower and weakening the loonie, which can raise import inflation.
• Market spillovers. U.S. growth, fiscal moves, or political uncertainty can change global bond yields and risk premiums, and these moves can show up in Canadian fixed mortgage rates.

Bottom line: A hotter U.S. economy, or U.S. Fed policy rate tightening, tends to push Canadian yields and rates up, while a U.S. slowdown can make it easier for the Bank of Canada to cut its benchmark interest rate.

Will Canada see a recession?

Canada's economy in 2025 avoided a technical recession, walking the line to eke out 1.6% growth for the year.

Following the sudden U.S. trade disruption beginning in early 2025, a mild recession was forecast for the second half of 2025, which didn't materialize.

Will market resilience keep Canada out of recessionary territory? Despite some resilience in demand through 2025, Canada isn't out of the recessionary woods until we have more clarity on how the CUSMA (Canada-U.S.-Mexico Agreement) review will play out. Now add the impact of higher oil prices from the Iran conflict, and the economy could face even more drag.

Whatever the fallout, it's hoped that Canadian businesses will adapt and that consumers will have sufficient financial resilience to weather a trade and oil shock storm.

Keep in mind that a recession can hit Canadians the hardest in the sectors most affected — and whether the country is skirting the line between contraction and growth won't matter to them if they've lost their job.

To counteract the geopolitical chaos, Canadian initiatives are already underway to improve domestic productivity — including reducing inter-provincial trade barriers, investing in energy and production infrastructure, reviewing restrictive government regulations that hinder productivity, and expanding international trade opportunities. Will it be enough? Only time will tell.

A recession would bring mortgage rates down faster.

If economic weakness accelerates, the BoC would likely lower its policy rate further (assuming that job losses and spending pullbacks would place downward pressure on inflation), providing more budget relief when we'll likely need it most.

Is stagflation a possible economic outcome?

Stagflation, an entrenched state of high inflation coupled with a weak economy and high unemployment, is on everyone's radar. The conditions for stagflation don't currently exist because our inflation pace isn't high enough, having decreased to around 2% from over 8%, and our unemployment rate is still well below 8%.

Conditions could change if inflation runs higher while the economy weakens, and lower interest rates aren't supporting enough (or fast enough) rebound spending.

Is mortgage activity picking up in early 2026?

Home affordability has improved slightly in 2026 due to lower interest rates and cooling home prices in some Canadian centres.

However, the recent Bank of Canada rate cuts haven't sparked renewed activity as the new year progresses — though experts are still projecting a better spring market when temperatures warm, and home buying typically heats up.

After months of waiting for clarity on the U.S. trade disruption and its impact on interest rates, many Canadians have been hesitant to enter the market, despite an increase in listings in several centres nationwide.

Those who need to buy in the normal course are chasing mortgage-rate and home-price deals amid subdued local market competition (regionally specific).

Current mortgage activity is primarily driven by homeowners renewing — over 1M households are expected to renew in 2026. In 2025, here at True North, we saw a 67% increase in homeowners renewing compared to the year before. Some of those renewals are transitioning from lower mortgage rates secured during the pandemic, and they're looking for their best rate and mortgage solution to reduce the impact on their monthly payments.

As well, in 2025, we saw a 67% increase in refinances among our clients compared with 2024, as more households looked to restructure their mortgages to reduce their payments or maintain homeownership amid rising consumer prices and potentially higher mortgage rates at renewal, or lower home prices in some centres.

A recent Equifax report shows that over 28% of homeowners are switching to a better deal at renewal, up about 46% from a year ago (according to a Mortgage Professionals Canada survey).

Ongoing U.S. trade and geopolitical uncertainty continues into 2026, and expectations for an improved Spring 2026 housing market compared to last year will depend heavily on how Canadian households view their financial prospects.

Read more in our Housing Market Forecast 2026-2030

Dan's mortgage rate advice for 2026?

Use an expert broker to get your best rate and mortgage — if you really want to save more.

Whether rates are falling or rising, your best rate and mortgage can help you better afford your home. Many Canadians are still unaware that they don't have to stick with their bank for a mortgage, purchase, renewal, or refinance.

• Shop around. You don't have to get a mortgage with your bank — and doing so may result in paying a higher rate.
• Use an expert broker, preferably a highly trained, salaried, non-commissioned True North broker. You'll get expert, unbiased advice (in your preferred language) from a broker who puts you first.
• Hold your rate. Hold or lock in your rate with us to protect your budget from rate increases while you make home-buying or mortgage decisions.

First-time home buyers, especially, need expert advice to set them on a path to successful homeownership amid all these price pressures.

A variable rate can offer immediate savings, but the risk of prime rate increases is now higher.

A 5-year variable rate is currently lower than most fixed mortgage rates. However, despite prime rates likely being on hold for the next few months, some homeowners may not want to stomach the risk if they think variable rates will rise again this year due to U.S. trade uncertainty and now higher oil prices.

A variable-rate mortgage offers more flexibility for watching the market — and you can typically change to a fixed-rate term penalty-free if you get nervous about where rates may be headed (check with your lender). However, when you go to switch, you may face a higher fixed mortgage rate.

Recently, we've seen many of our clients choose a variable rate or a short-term fixed rate, such as a 2- or 3-year fixed rate, more often than the popular 5-year fixed rate.

If our unique 6-month fixed Rate Relief™ product is right for you, it can help you bridge the gap with budget relief now, giving you time to consider a longer commitment later.

Owning a home is a tremendous source of pride in Canada. I created True North Mortgage to deliver a better mortgage experience and save clients thousands by securing their best possible rate along with a more flexible mortgage for long-term savings.

Have questions about your mortgage or pre-approval? Give us a shout, anywhere you are in Canada. We have your best rate, expert advice and unbeatable service — with over 17,000 5-star reviews from our happy clients.