Arrears are rising at the fastest pace among buyers who purchased between 2020 and 2021 and between 2022 and 2024, according to Equifax Inc. data, underscoring their vulnerability to rates that are now much higher than when they took out their mortgages.
ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR INVESTMENT PROFESSIONAL BEFORE MAKING ANY INVESTMENT DECISION
February 9, 2026 | Spring Listings Start Early in 2026
Danielle Park
Portfolio Manager and President of Venable Park Investment Counsel (www.venablepark.com) Ms Park is a financial analyst, attorney, finance author and regular guest on North American media. She is also the author of the best-selling myth-busting book "Juggling Dynamite: An insider's wisdom on money management, markets and wealth that lasts," and a popular daily financial blog: www.jugglingdynamite.com
The spring listing wave traditionally starts at the end of February, but supply is already off to a strong start in 2026. Canadian housing inventory rose in January, with listings higher across most regions, as prices declined (home price index for the 5 largest urban centers shown below for December and January). See Supply surge keeps Canadian home prices on a downtrend.
The Bank of Canada expects that 60% of the one million mortgages renewing in 2026 will face higher payments, while falling home prices, slowing sales, and a weak job market are hampering people’s ability to afford those payments; investors are also buffeted by falling rents.
Unsurprisingly, a new Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. (CMHC) report notes that mortgage delinquencies are on the rise. Major cities such as Toronto and Vancouver are recording the highest delinquency rates, and those who purchased a home during the pandemic are exhibiting the greatest signs of payment stress. Mortgage delinquencies in Toronto have more than quadrupled since 2022. See, Mortgage delinquencies more than quadrupled in this Canadian city with no relief on the horizon.
Fresh job numbers out Friday pegged Ontario’s unemployment rate at 7.3 per cent compared with the national average of 6.5 per cent as the province’s manufacturing sector continues to take blows from tariffs.
STAY INFORMED! Receive our Weekly Recap of thought provoking articles, podcasts, and radio delivered to your inbox for FREE! Sign up here for the HoweStreet.com Weekly Recap.
Danielle Park February 9th, 2026
Posted In: Juggling Dynamite
Previous: « So…About That Chinese Silver Short Whale
Next: Pre-Sale Flip Flop »