Economy

Ontario to Waive Provincial HST on New Homes in Major Bid to Spark Real Estate Market

Ontario’s Ford government plans to waive the provincial HST on new homes for one year to stimulate the real estate market and boost construction starts.

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2 weeks ago

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Emergency Stimulus for Ontario’s Housing Sector

In a bold move to revive a stagnant real estate market, Premier Doug Ford’s government is preparing to waive the provincial portion of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) on all new home purchases for a period of one year. The policy, expected to be a centerpiece of Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy’s upcoming spring budget, represents a significant expansion of previous tax-relief efforts aimed at making homeownership more accessible.

Expanding Beyond First-Time Buyers

The revised plan marks a pivot from the government’s initial proposal in the fall economic statement, which had allocated $470 million specifically for first-time homebuyers. Faced with sluggish housing starts and a sector struggling under high interest rates, the provincial government is now moving to offer the discount to all new home purchasers, regardless of their buyer status. Sources suggest the one-year duration is intended to create immediate urgency, preventing potential buyers from waiting on the sidelines.

A Costly Gambit for the Treasury

The financial implications of the tax break are substantial. While the original targeted plan was budgeted at under half a billion dollars, industry sources estimate that waiving the tax for all new homes could cost the Ontario treasury approximately $2 billion. This comes at a precarious time for the province’s finances, as the total provincial debt is projected to surpass $500 billion by 2027, with the current deficit sitting at $13.4 billion.

Meeting Ambitious Housing Targets

The push for stimulus is fueled by the province’s struggle to meet its goal of building 1.5 million homes by 2031. With only 62,561 housing starts recorded in 2025, Ontario is falling well behind the pace required to hit its targets. Finance Minister Bethlenfalvy emphasized the need for stimulus not just for buyers, but for the stability of the construction industry, noting that without new starts today, the province faces a severe supply shortage three to four years down the road.

What Happens Next?

While Housing Minister Rob Flack and Premier Ford have remained tight-lipped on specific details, the Premier hinted at a significant boost for the construction trade during recent caucus meetings. The full details of the tax waiver, including specific price caps and eligibility criteria, will be officially unveiled when the provincial budget is tabled on March 26.

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business

Canada’s Oilpatch Braces for M&A Surge Following Geopolitical Tensions

Deloitte predicts a surge in Canadian oil and gas M&A activity as geopolitical tensions ease and market stability returns to the Montney and Duvernay regions.

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4 days ago

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April 8, 2026

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The Impact of Geopolitical Volatility on Energy Markets

The Canadian energy sector is standing at a crossroads of significant transformation. Following a period of intense geopolitical upheaval characterized by the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict, industry experts are forecasting a substantial uptick in mergers and acquisitions (M&A). While the conflict previously pushed West Texas Intermediate (WTI) prices as high as US$115 per barrel, creating a massive gap between buyer expectations and seller demands, a recent two-week ceasefire has begun to stabilize the market.

Opportunities in the Montney and Duvernay Formations

According to Andrew Botterill, a partner at Deloitte Canada, the stabilization of crude prices—which recently dropped toward the US$96 mark—is essential for deal-making. While the oilsands remain dominated by a small group of major players with limited room for further consolidation, the Montney and Duvernay regions in Alberta and British Columbia are emerging as primary targets. These areas are recognized for their high-quality assets and repeatability economics, making them some of the most attractive energy plays globally.

Canada as a Global LNG Powerhouse

The recent disruptions in global supply, particularly the loss of production from major players like Qatar, have repositioned Canada as a critical, stable supplier of liquefied natural gas (LNG). Despite a slow ramp-up of the LNG Canada export terminal and a mild winter affecting domestic prices, the long-term outlook for Canadian gas remains bullish. Investors are increasingly viewing Canada as a ‘safe haven’ for capital, with expectations of several new export projects moving forward on the West Coast.

Long-Term Price Forecasts and Stability

Deloitte’s latest economic forecast suggests a gradual return to pre-war pricing levels, with WTI expected to average US$85 in 2026 and eventually settle near US$67.65 by 2028. This downward trend toward price normalization is expected to narrow the valuation gap that has stalled deals for years. As the ‘geopolitical mayhem’ eases, the combination of technological consistency and effective cost management by Canadian producers makes the sector ripe for a wave of consolidation that could redefine the domestic energy landscape.

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Economy

Markets Under Pressure: Dow Tumbles Amid Middle East Tensions While Broadcom Defies Trend

The Dow sinks as Hormuz deadline nears, sparking energy supply fears. Broadcom shares rise on AI strength. Read the latest market update and analysis.

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4 days ago

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April 7, 2026

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Market Volatility Rises as Global Tensions Flare

Wall Street faced significant headwinds on Wednesday as the Dow Jones Industrial Average sank amid escalating geopolitical concerns. The primary driver of the market pullback remains the approaching deadline regarding the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor for global energy supplies. As regional tensions heighten, investors have increasingly pivoted toward defensive stances, leading to a broad sell-off across blue-chip stocks.

Energy Security and Economic Impact

The Strait of Hormuz is responsible for the transit of nearly one-fifth of the world’s daily oil consumption. Market analysts warn that any disruption to this supply chain could trigger a sharp spike in crude oil prices, potentially reigniting inflationary pressures that central banks have been struggling to contain. The uncertainty surrounding the impending deadline has created a risk-off environment, weighing heavily on sectors sensitive to global stability and transportation costs.

Broadcom Provides a Tech Bright Spot

Despite the prevailing gloom in the Dow, the technology sector showed signs of resilience, led by a notable surge in Broadcom shares. The semiconductor giant saw increased buying interest following positive analyst sentiment regarding its artificial intelligence infrastructure projects and sustained demand for high-end networking hardware. Broadcom’s performance helped mitigate some losses in the tech-heavy Nasdaq, highlighting a growing divergence between traditional industrial stocks and high-growth technology plays.

Navigating Market Uncertainty

As the deadline nears, volatility is expected to remain elevated. Financial experts suggest that the current market movement reflects a transition from optimism over domestic economic data to a more cautious outlook dominated by international relations. Investors are closely monitoring diplomatic efforts in the Middle East, as any resolution or further escalation will likely dictate the market’s trajectory for the remainder of the quarter.

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Economy

Middle East Conflict Triggers ‘Uncertainty Premium’ as Canadian Mortgage Rates Surge

The Middle East war and Strait of Hormuz closure are driving up Canadian mortgage rates. Learn how the ‘uncertainty premium’ affects your next renewal.

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1 week ago

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April 4, 2026

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The Global Impact on Canadian Homeowners

An escalating conflict in the Middle East is reverberating through the Canadian housing market, causing an unexpected spike in mortgage costs. Over the last three weeks, three- and five-year fixed mortgage rates have surged by 0.5 per cent, a trend driven by volatile bond yields and heightened geopolitical instability. With approximately 1.4 million mortgages set for renewal by the end of 2024, representing 23 per cent of the market, many homeowners are facing a stark financial reality compared to the record-low rates of 2021.

The Rise of the ‘Uncertainty Premium’

Market experts point to an ‘uncertainty premium’ currently being priced into lending products. While the Bank of Canada has held its key interest rate at 2.25 per cent since October 2025, the fixed-rate market—which tracks bond yields rather than central bank policy—is reacting to global supply chain threats. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran and ambiguity in U.S. foreign policy following a recent prime-time address by President Donald Trump have fueled market anxiety. Financial analysts note that lenders are raising rates now to avoid being caught short by future economic shifts.

Inflationary Pressures and the Bank of Canada

The conflict’s duration is directly impacting the cost of goods and services. Economists warn that as the closure of maritime chokepoints drives up oil and gas prices, domestic inflation will likely rise throughout the spring. This shift has altered previous forecasts of rate cuts; instead, some analysts now anticipate as many as three Bank of Canada rate hikes before the year ends. This creates a difficult environment for an economy already teetering on the edge of zero GDP growth.

Strategies for Renewal

For Canadians approaching renewal, experts recommend proactive measures. Mortgage brokers suggest securing a rate hold—often available for up to 120 days when switching lenders—to provide a buffer against further increases. While the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) describes homeowners as ‘remarkably resilient,’ economists urge borrowers to consult financial planners early. Options such as extending amortization or adjusting mortgage terms may be necessary to navigate this period of heightened financial volatility.

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