I hope everyone had a restful and joyful holiday season. As is tradition on this blog, the new year begins with a review of past predictions and a forward-looking analysis of what 2025 may bring in the mortgage and real estate markets. 2024 Prediction #1: The Bank of Canada (BoC) Will Substantially Reduce Its Policy Continue reading
Kathy Hilton
CRA Update 2025 Sees an Increase in the Basic Personal Amount!
The Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) has announced a game-changing update for 2025: no federal taxes on the first $16,129 of income! This increase in the Basic Personal Amount (BPA) provides significant tax relief, especially for low- and middle-income Canadians. Whether you earn below or above this threshold, this update ensures you’ll keep more of your Continue reading
Could Trump’s Tariffs Hit Canadian Oil & Gas Earnings Hard in 2025?
Canada’s largest oil and gas producers are ramping up their production plans for 2025 despite U.S. president-elect Donald Trump’s proposed 25% blanket tariff on crude imports. With the U.S. as Canada’s largest trade partner, accounting for over 75% of exports—including over 20% from oil and gas—these developments hold significant economic implications. U.S. Tariff Threat and Continue reading
Gas Prices Surge Across Canada Five Cities See Double Digit Increases This Week
Gas prices in Canada surged over the past week, with several cities experiencing significant increases. According to data from Kalibrate, the national average price for regular fuel rose by 1.2 cents per litre between January 2 and January 9, 2025.] Notable Gas Price Increases Chicoutimi, Quebec, recorded the highest increase, with gas prices jumping by Continue reading
Rare Australian 5 Cent Coin Valued at $4,000 Highly Sought After
Did you know a rare minting error on a 2016 Australian 5-cent coin could make it worth as much as $4,000? Coin collectors worldwide are on the hunt for this unique piece, nicknamed the ‘alien,’ due to its unusual features. What Makes the 2016 5-Cent Coin Special? One of the main reasons collectors are so Continue reading
Freeland to Scrap Promised $250 Cheques for Working Canadians in Monday’s Mini-Budget
If you were among the nearly 19 million working Canadians expecting a $250 cheque from the Liberal government in the new year, it’s time to put those plans on hold. Sources indicate that Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has decided to scrap the “Working Canadians Rebate” program, initially estimated to cost $4.68 billion. Why Was the Continue reading
Canada Suspends Federal Rebate for Electric Vehicles
The federal government has announced the pause of its five-year-old Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV) Program, which provided up to $5,000 in rebates to Canadians purchasing electric vehicles (EVs). Launched in 2019, the program has supported the purchase of over 546,000 vehicles, contributing to a rise in EV adoption from 3.1% in 2019 to 11.7% Continue reading
Top Picks to Buy During Canada’s GST Holiday Tax Break
In an effort to ease the financial burden on Canadians during the costly gift-giving season, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a GST holiday on essential items. The two-month tax break, which began on December 14 and runs through February 15, has prompted Canadians to share their strategies for saving money. From stocking up on groceries Continue reading
Over 150 Students at University of Guelph Report Illness, Public Health Confirms
A gastroenteritis outbreak has affected the University of Guelph, with more than 150 cases confirmed so far. Dr. Nicola Mercer, the medical officer of health for Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health, warned that the actual number of cases may be much higher. What Is Gastroenteritis and Its Symptoms? Gastroenteritis, commonly known as stomach flu, is an infection Continue reading
Ontario’s Wealthiest Family Holds Nearly $100 Billion Fortune
Canada’s wealthiest individuals continue to amass extraordinary fortunes, according to the latest January 2025 data pulled from Forbes’ Real-Time Billionaires list. While high-profile names like Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos dominate the global rankings, Canadians are making their mark, with a few prominent personalities regularly appearing among the world’s wealthiest. The Thomson Family: Canada’s Richest Continue reading