Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland has taken on a major new role: finance minister.

In a physically distant ceremony at Rideau Hall on Tuesday, Freeland removed her face mask briefly to take the oath of office and become the country’s new minister of finance before replacing the mask to bump elbows with both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Gov. General Julie Payette, also masked.

Veteran Liberal Dominic LeBlanc was also sworn in to take over the intergovernmental affairs portfolio.

The mini-cabinet shuffle follows the resignation Monday night of Bill Morneau after reports of a rift between him and Trudeau over the best course forward on the economic recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

​Freeland was asked on Tuesday to share whether she has had disagreements with the prime minister and how they handled those, and to reflect on what it means to be the first woman in the role.

“It’s actually something we talked about yesterday and we reflected, I think with good humour, on a few of the issues we have disagreed on. I’m actually not going to catalog those,” she said.

“My motto has been to have open, candid conversations with the prime minister in private but also to have a united front when we come out in public … that’s a really, really important part of any working relationship.”

On being the first female finance minister, Freeland said: “It’s about time that we broke that glass ceiling.”

“This particular economic challenge our country is facing, the economic challenge created by the coronavirus is hitting women particularly hard. It’s hitting mothers particularly hard,” she continued.

“Certainly I’m glad that I’ll have an opportunity as a woman, as a mother, to address this really important challenge our country is facing.”

Morneau had been under fire over his role in the WE Charity scandal, particularly his failure to recuse himself from cabinet discussions on the group given his family financial ties.

READ MORE and watch the Global News clip HERE

Angela Calla is a 16-year award-winning woman of influence and mortgage expert. Alongside her team, Angela passionately assists mortgage holders in acquiring the best possible mortgage. She educates and empowers individuals on the “The Mortgage Show”, which she’s hosted for over a decade and is the best selling author of The Mortgage Code available on Amazon. All proceeds from her book sales are donated to Access Youth Outreach services, a local charity in our community supporting our youth.

Angela leads by example with passion and conviction. She is known as an industry expert on TV and radio and the go-to source for publishers across the Country. On top of all her achievements, Angela finds the time to be a loving wife and mother of two beautiful children.

For media interviews, speaking inquiries, or personal mortgage assistance, please contact Angela at callateam@countoncalla.ca or 604-939-8777.

Vancouver sales increased 44 per cent on the month and 24 per cent from July 2019.

Canadian home sales surged to a record in July as homebuyers emerged from lockdowns.

Transactions for existing properties reached 62,355 in the month, up 26 per cent from a month earlier, the Canadian Real Estate Association reported. Benchmark prices were 2.3 per cent higher on the month, as pent-up demand for homes collided with extremely low inventory levels.

More homes were sold in Canada in July than in any month in history… And, let me tell you, it sure felt like it!! Mortgage rates are at all-time historical lows, home owners are discovering that their current homes aren’t big enough, separations 😢 – all of these seemed to drive a flurry of sales activity.

Also, with rates so low, we saw many people refinancing and transferring their mortgages. What a summer… what a year! And we’re only in August.

It will be interesting, to say the least, to see what the rest of the year brings for the real estate and mortgage market.

Stay tuned! You know we’ll always keep you updated.

READ MORE HERE

Angela Calla is a 16-year award-winning woman of influence and mortgage expert. Alongside her team, Angela passionately assists mortgage holders in acquiring the best possible mortgage. She educates and empowers individuals on the “The Mortgage Show”, which she’s hosted for over a decade and is the best selling author of The Mortgage Code available on Amazon. All proceeds from her book sales are donated to Access Youth Outreach services, a local charity in our community supporting our youth.

Angela leads by example with passion and conviction. She is known as an industry expert on TV and radio and the go-to source for publishers across the Country. On top of all her achievements, Angela finds the time to be a loving wife and mother of two beautiful children.

For media interviews, speaking inquiries, or personal mortgage assistance, please contact Angela at callateam@countoncalla.ca or 604-939-8777.

Canada’s finance minister resigned on Monday amid friction with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau over spending policies and after coming under fire for his ties to a charity tapped to run a student grant program.

Bill Morneau said he would not run for parliament again and would instead seek to become the next secretary general of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

Just last week, Trudeau had expressed confidence in his finance minister as rumors swirled of a rift between the two men. Morneau, 57, has been in the job since Trudeau’s Liberals took power in 2015.

“This morning I went to the prime minister and I tendered my resignation,” Morneau told reporters at a hastily arranged news conference on Monday evening.

“It’s appropriate that the prime minister finds someone with a longer-term approach for the role since I’m not running for office,” he added.

Morneau’s Toronto seat, a mix of low-income flats and million dollar homes that the party has held since 1993, is unlikely to be at risk for the Liberals, who have a minority government.

One front-runner to replace Morneau is Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, a close Trudeau ally, who has held several high-profile cabinet roles.

Morneau and his team have pushed back against other cabinet ministers about how much pandemic funding was needed, including to what extent the post-lockdown recovery could be helped by investing in environmental projects, sources told Reuters on Sunday.

Trudeau, who campaigned on a platform to tackle climate change, believes the 2021 budget should have an ambitious environmental element to start weaning the heavily oil-dependent economy off fossil fuels and he recently hired former Bank of England Governor Mark Carney as an informal adviser, aides say.

Canada’s budget deficit is forecast to hit C$343.2 billion ($253.4 billion), the largest shortfall since World War Two, this fiscal year. Total coronavirus support is nearly 14% of gross domestic product.

The Canadian dollar showed little reaction to the news.

“We had a little bit of a sell-the-rumour type weakness in the lead up to the resignation,” said Ray Attrill, head of forex strategy at National Australia Bank in Sydney. “There doesn’t seem to be any suggestion at this stage that this any broader implications for the Canadian government.”

Other possible replacements for the key post include Foreign Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne and President of Canada’s Treasury Board Jean-Yves Duclos.

In a statement, Trudeau thanked Morneau for his service over the past five years and said he would “vigorously support” Morneau’s bid to head the OECD.

OECD nominations are due by October. The United States plans to nominate deputy White House chief of staff Christopher Liddell for the secretary general job, a senior U.S. official said last month.

Adding to Morneau’s challenges, several cabinet members were upset when he disclosed he had forgotten to repay travel expenses covered for him by a charity at the heart of an ethics probe. Morneau and Trudeau are both facing ethics inquiries related to the charity.

Morneau’s resignation “is further proof of a government in chaos,” Conservative Party leader Andrew Scheer said on Twitter, adding the “government is so consumed by scandal that Trudeau has amputated his right hand to try and save himself.”

The clash reflected concerns among business leaders that Ottawa had little apparent interest in the economy, sources told Reuters.

Business and analysts have also fretted about Ottawa becoming distracted by the discord as it tackles the coronavirus crisis.

“I doubt you’ll be seeing other finance ministers around the world step down at this time of elevated economic and fiscal uncertainty,” said David Rosenberg, chief economist at Rosenberg Research & Associates.

“It’s like a boxer being forced to take his gloves off in the fifth round.”

READ MORE HERE

Angela Calla is a 16-year award-winning woman of influence and mortgage expert. Alongside her team, Angela passionately assists mortgage holders in acquiring the best possible mortgage. She educates and empowers individuals on the “The Mortgage Show”, which she’s hosted for over a decade and is the best selling author of The Mortgage Code available on Amazon. All proceeds from her book sales are donated to Access Youth Outreach services, a local charity in our community supporting our youth.

Angela leads by example with passion and conviction. She is known as an industry expert on TV and radio and the go-to source for publishers across the Country. On top of all her achievements, Angela finds the time to be a loving wife and mother of two beautiful children.

For media interviews, speaking inquiries, or personal mortgage assistance, please contact Angela at callateam@countoncalla.ca or 604-939-8777.

In an announcement on August 14 the Provincial Government released the full details on the Residential Tenancy Branch’s Repayment Plan framework. This announcement brings with it a significant change to the timing of the end date of the moratorium on ending tenancy for unpaid rent. It was previously announced that this would end when the Provincial State of Emergency is lifted, the updated regulations have changed this to a fixed date; August 17. LandlordBC fully supports this change as it removes the significant uncertainty surrounding the previously announced framework.

The changes are part of an update to the Residential Tenancy Regulations which set out a clear process landlords must follow to address rent due but unpaid between March 18th through to August 17. The updated regulations also provide guidance regarding late fees and rent increases.

Unpaid Rent and/or Utilities from March 18 to August 17, 2020

Please Note: Do not serve the repayment plan until August 18th. Use the RTB Repayment Plan form. 

Angela Calla is a 16-year award-winning woman of influence and mortgage expert. Alongside her team, Angela passionately assists mortgage holders in acquiring the best possible mortgage. She educates and empowers individuals on the “The Mortgage Show”, which she’s hosted for over a decade and is the best selling author of The Mortgage Code available on Amazon. All proceeds from her book sales are donated to Access Youth Outreach services, a local charity in our community supporting our youth.

Angela leads by example with passion and conviction. She is known as an industry expert on TV and radio and the go-to source for publishers across the Country. On top of all her achievements, Angela finds the time to be a loving wife and mother of two beautiful children.

For media interviews, speaking inquiries, or personal mortgage assistance, please contact Angela at callateam@countoncalla.ca or 604-939-8777.

The stress test rate is about to fall for the second time in three months following cuts by Canada’s Big Six banks to their 5-year fixed posted rates.

Mortgage experts say the Bank of Canada will reduce the benchmark qualifying rate—a.k.a., “stress test rate”—from 4.94% to 4.79% this week.

National Bank of Canada cut its posted 5-year fixed rate by 15 bps on Monday, following similar cuts by BMO and CIBC over the weekend, while RBC and TD lowered their rates last week.

In May, similar big-bank posted rate reductions caused the qualifying rate to fall from its then-current level of 5.04%, since the rate is based on a mode average of the big banks’ 5-year fixed posted rate. That marked their first time since January 2018, when OSFI’s stress test was introduced, that the benchmark qualifying rate fell below 5%.

It will make qualifying easier, or permit some people to borrow fractionally more.

Just how much more? Well, not a whole lot in the scheme of today’s average home prices.

Rob McLister, founder of RateSpy.com, calculated that a buyer earning $70,000 a year and purchasing with the minimum 5% down would be able to afford roughly $4,000 more home, or about 1.2%.

“That’s not much to get excited about, but on a market-wide basis, small buying power improvements are inflationary for home prices, other things equal,” he wrote.

At 4.79%, the benchmark qualifying rate will be just 15 bps above the all-time low of 4.64%, last seen in July 2017, McLister notes.

Stress Test Still Well Above Market Rates

Despite the reduction, the stress test rate is still roughly 290 basis points above the lowest nationally available insured rate today.

And that’s despite the current interest rates expectations, including Bank of Canada Governor Tiff Macklem’s suggestion there will be no interest rate hikes for the next two or even three years.

“Interest rates are very low and they are going to be there for a long time,” Macklem said.

A Better Formula Still on Hold

While these recent small reductions to the mortgage qualifying rate are assisting affordability to a small degree, industry leaders have called on the federal government to proceed with a plan to change how the stress test rate is calculated.

In April, the Department of Finance said homebuyers purchasing with an insured mortgage would be stress-tested at a rate equal to the weekly median 5-year-fixed insured mortgage rate plus 2%.

At the time, when the stress test rate was 5.19%, the change would have reduced it to 4.89%. But in March, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the government announced it would suspend the proposed changes.

A similar change for the uninsured mortgage stress test, which was being considered by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions (OSFI), was also put on hold.

The pause on new regulatory changes was sensible given the marketplace uncertainty in March. However, as we begin to open businesses again, now is the time for OSFI and Finance to consider the implementation of the new test.

Sourced here

Angela Calla is a 16-year award-winning woman of influence and mortgage expert. Alongside her team, Angela passionately assists mortgage holders in acquiring the best possible mortgage. She educates and empowers individuals on the “The Mortgage Show”, which she’s hosted for over a decade and is the best selling author of The Mortgage Code available on Amazon. All proceeds from her book sales are donated to Access Youth Outreach services, a local charity in our community supporting our youth.

Angela leads by example with passion and conviction. She is known as an industry expert on TV and radio and the go-to source for publishers across the Country. On top of all her achievements, Angela finds the time to be a loving wife and mother of two beautiful children.

For media interviews, speaking inquiries, or personal mortgage assistance, please contact Angela at callateam@countoncalla.ca or 604-939-8777.

The Canadian economy bounced back sharply in May and June as Canadian provinces eased lockdown measures.

GDP expanded 4.5% in May, and activity in June was even more robust at an estimated 5% rise. Cumulatively, GDP rose 10% in May and June, after plummeting more than 18% in March and April. These figures are calculated on a month-over-month basis.

These figures point to about a 40% annual rate decline in second-quarter GDP in Canada, which is roughly in line with economists’ projections. South of the border, the US posted a 33% contraction in GDP for the second quarter, the most massive plunge on record (see details below). It’s not surprising that Canada’s economy tanked by more than the US in Q2, as Canada enacted more aggressive restrictions earlier than the US and eased them more slowly. These public health restrictions were well worth it, as Canada has had far greater success at flattening the curve of new cases and deaths. Moreover, Canada’s economy will likely outpace the US in Q3, showing the benefit of allowing the public health considerations to dominate.

READ MORE HERE

Angela Calla is a 16-year award-winning woman of influence and mortgage expert. Alongside her team, Angela passionately assists mortgage holders in acquiring the best possible mortgage. She educates and empowers individuals on the “The Mortgage Show”, which she’s hosted for over a decade and is the best selling author of The Mortgage Code available on Amazon. All proceeds from her book sales are donated to Access Youth Outreach services, a local charity in our community supporting our youth.

Angela leads by example with passion and conviction. She is known as an industry expert on TV and radio and the go-to source for publishers across the Country. On top of all her achievements, Angela finds the time to be a loving wife and mother of two beautiful children.

For media interviews, speaking inquiries, or personal mortgage assistance, please contact Angela at callateam@countoncalla.ca or 604-939-8777.

Not even a pandemic can slow buyers. More of us are working from home, staying in, homeschooling and all need a space to co-habitat together.

Canadians want more space. A place to recharge, work, and educate their children. BC in particular is being showcased for all the beautiful locations with waterfront views. Only minutes away we have more affordable real estate outside of the lower mainland with a slower lifestyle pace – a place where you can truly relax.

If you’re looking to enhance your lifestyle there could be some key steps getting in the way of your dream to move up the property ladder or acquire a second home to staycation this summer. We recently did a segment with Global to elaborate on what might prevent you from living this dream!

Angela Calla is a 16-year award-winning woman of influence and mortgage expert. Alongside her team, Angela passionately assists mortgage holders in acquiring the best possible mortgage. She educates and empowers individuals on the “The Mortgage Show”, which she’s hosted for over a decade and is the best selling author of The Mortgage Code available on Amazon. All proceeds from her book sales are donated to Access Youth Outreach services, a local charity in our community supporting our youth.

Angela leads by example with passion and conviction. She is known as an industry expert on TV and radio and the go-to source for publishers across the Country. On top of all her achievements, Angela finds the time to be a loving wife and mother of two beautiful children.

For media interviews, speaking inquiries, or personal mortgage assistance, please contact Angela at callateam@countoncalla.ca or 604-939-8777.

Not even a pandemic can slow buyers. More of us are working from home, staying in, homeschooling and all need a space to co-habitat together.

Canadians want more space. A place to recharge, work, and educate their children. BC in particular is being showcased for all the beautiful locations with waterfront views. Only minutes away we have more affordable real estate outside of the lower mainland with a slower lifestyle pace – a place where you can truly relax.

If you’re looking to enhance your lifestyle there could be some key steps getting in the way of your dream to move up the property ladder or acquire a second home to staycation this summer. Here are some tips to watch out for:

1. Your outside debt. Many people are unaware that every payment outside of your mortgage takes away your ability to qualify for a mortgage. Most Canadians have car loans, student loans, credit card loans, or lines of credit. Did you know for every $480/month payment outside of your mortgage that’s $100,000.00 taken away in mortgage qualifications?! Imagine that, $900/per month will take away just over $200,000 in mortgage qualifications! There is a big difference in being approved for 500k or 700k. Understanding that outside debt is a huge factor and needs to be addressed with either a refinance to consolidate this debt into your existing mortgage or pay down strategy will help you improve your credit score, cash flow, and future qualifications.
2. Existing time in your job, or work interruptions. Some of us have had unfortunate interruptions to our work or reductions in income. Depending on your type of employment, different lenders use different averages of incomes or want to see a specific amount of return to work with consistency prior to issuing an approval.
3. Not being pre-approved. This is huge for many reasons. With all the factors and calculations that go into purchasing a home – the down payment, your income, credit, closing costs, and personal profile – shopping without a FULL pre-approval to understand those specific factors will lead to disappointment and can unnecessarily lead to bidding up the price of homes.
4. Zoning and/or property condition. The last stage, once a contract is accepted, is the property review by the lender. Anything named, “handyman special”, “as is where is”, “leased land”, “manufactured home”, “cable cord construction”, “co-op”, “commercial-zoned”, “maintenance not being done properly on properties”, or “water and sewer connections/access to the property and year-round access” all contribute to who will lend on it and at what cost. Some people will have to use the equity in their existing home or savings to purchase certain properties or be willing to pay higher rates. Discussing your intentions of purchase during the pre-approval process and subject period will assist you in gaining clarity.

This is one hot market! Being prepared and learning what applies to you will help you move forward with you living your best life.

Angela Calla is a 16-year award-winning woman of influence and mortgage expert. Alongside her team, Angela passionately assists mortgage holders in acquiring the best possible mortgage. She educates and empowers individuals on the “The Mortgage Show”, which she’s hosted for over a decade and is the best selling author of The Mortgage Code available on Amazon. All proceeds from her book sales are donated to Access Youth Outreach services, a local charity in our community supporting our youth.

Angela leads by example with passion and conviction. She is known as an industry expert on TV and radio and the go-to source for publishers across the Country. On top of all her achievements, Angela finds the time to be a loving wife and mother of two beautiful children.

For media interviews, speaking inquiries, or personal mortgage assistance, please contact Angela at callateam@countoncalla.ca or 604-939-8777.

During your pre-approval inquiry process, we may ask that you provide the following documents. It is best to have these on hand and easily accessible to ensure the process goes smoothly.

1. A Credit Check Authorization signed – One (1) must be filled out by each applicant and a picture of 2 pieces of ID.
2. A Letter of Engagement, signed and returned
3. Letter of employment for all applicants
4. Copy of 2020 and 2021 T4’s for all applicants
5. Copy of 2021 Notice of Assessment for personal income taxes
6. Copy of 2020 and 2021 T1 Generals, (If you are self-employed) (full versions – not condensed)
7. Copy of Mortgage Statements for all mortgages
8. Most recent Two Years Business Financials (If you are self-employed)

Not ALL of these documents will be required. They will depend on your unique profile and whether you are employed or self-employed.

Angela Calla is a 16-year award-winning woman of influence and mortgage expert. Alongside her team, Angela passionately assists mortgage holders in acquiring the best possible mortgage. She educates and empowers individuals on the “The Mortgage Show”, which she’s hosted for over a decade and is the best selling author of The Mortgage Code available on Amazon. All proceeds from her book sales are donated to Access Youth Outreach services, a local charity in our community supporting our youth.

Angela leads by example with passion and conviction. She is known as an industry expert on TV and radio and the go-to source for publishers across the Country. On top of all her achievements, Angela finds the time to be a loving wife and mother of two beautiful children.

For media interviews, speaking inquiries, or personal mortgage assistance, please contact Angela at callateam@countoncalla.ca or 604-939-8777 ext 309.

💸 All About RESPs

A Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) is an investment account designed to help parents save for their child’s education. Like other tax-shelter accounts, an RESP allows investments inside the account to grow tax-free. That means you don’t pay taxes on capital gains, no income taxes on interest, and no tax on dividend payments.

The significant benefit of RESPs is the Canadian Education Savings Grant (CESG). The CESG is essentially free money. For every dollar you put into your child’s RESP, the government will put in up to 20 cents.

If you put $2,500 in your child’s RESP, you will receive $500 for a total of $3,000.

🗹 3 Reasons You Should Open An RESP

1. Post Secondary education is getting more expensive. The burden on students can last years. If you alleviate some financial pressure for your child, you are giving them a massive head start.
2. Tax-free growth. Not only are you getting up to a 20% return, but you can also invest that money for further growth without paying tax. With 20% from CESG and another 8% in the stock market, your child’s RESP will give you a total return of up to 28%!
3. If your child does not go to school, you can transfer that money back into your RRSP. The CESG grant will be deducted, but you can still keep the return you earned.

Need I say more?

📚 Additional Resources

1. 7 Things To Know About RESPs before you start

2. RESP Questions Answered. From how to open one to how to invest using the RESP, this article has the most common RESP questions covered.
3. RESPs are not without fees! Have all your bases covered by educating yourself on fees to look out for.

Angela Calla is a 16-year award-winning woman of influence and mortgage expert. Alongside her team, Angela passionately assists mortgage holders in acquiring the best possible mortgage. She educates and empowers individuals on the “The Mortgage Show”, which she’s hosted for over a decade and is the best selling author of The Mortgage Code available on Amazon. All proceeds from her book sales are donated to Access Youth Outreach services, a local charity in our community supporting our youth.

Angela leads by example with passion and conviction. She is known as an industry expert on TV and radio and the go-to source for publishers across the Country. On top of all her achievements, Angela finds the time to be a loving wife and mother of two beautiful children.

For media interviews, speaking inquiries, or personal mortgage assistance, please contact Angela at callateam@dominionlending.ca or 604-939-8777.