Joe Oliver wants to lower taxpayer exposure to the housing market — but there’s no specific plan to do it

  TORONTO — Finance Minister Joe Oliver says Ottawa won’t be making any protective moves in Canada’s housing market. At a news conference Thursday, Oliver says the government’s long term aim is to gradually reduce taxpayer exposure to the residential real estate market, but there is no specific plan. Oliver’s predecessor, Jim Flaherty, moved four […]

Could targeted land transfer taxes cool Canada’s hottest markets?

Ontario’s real estate association has launched an ad campaign to explain why they believe land transfer taxes hurt the economy. But in a hot housing market, could the tax be used to cool particular regions, such as Toronto and Vancouver? Officials in Ottawa have made it clear they see no need to cool the market […]

Aging workers aren’t giving up on finding work, they’re simply retiring: RBC – Consult with a Vancouver Mortgage Broker

Aging workers aren’t giving up on finding work, they’re simply retiring: RBC New study shows that the 6.9 per cent unemployment rate is likely not hiding people who have given up on finding work but indicates baby boomers 65 and older are leaving the workforce OTTAWA—A new Royal Bank analysis suggests the Canada’s labour market […]

Jim Flaherty move shocks brokers – Ask a Vancouver Mortgage Broker

Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has stepped down. “Yesterday, I informed the prime minister that I am resigning from cabinet,” Flaherty said in a statement. “This was a decision I made with my family earlier this year, as I will be returning to the private sector.” Flaherty – who has been unpopular among the mortgage broker community – […]

Why Joe Oliver as Finance Minister is just a short-term fix for Stephen Harper

OTTAWA/CALGARY • Surprise or not. Best candidate or not. Neither much matters. In the end, Joe Oliver’s appointment as Finance Minister was obviously the best choice for Prime Minister Stephen Harper. Unlike Jim Flaherty, new Finance Minister Joe Oliver has already earned his Bay Street cred   Theresa Tedesco: Canada’s new Finance Minister is a […]

Recent Court Decision On Gift Letters- Ask a Vancouver Mortgage Broker

Recent Court Decision On Gift Letters Posted on April 25, 2013  The following was written by Calgary real estate lawyer, William (Bill) Fric, regarding an Alberta Court of Queen’s Bench  judgement from earlier this month. (Citation: Henderson-Jorgensen v Henderson-Jorgensen, 2013 ABQB 213) Gift letters are often required by mortgage companies when parents are helping children buy a home. […]