Stephen Punwasi

5 days ago | betterdwelling.com | Stephen Punwasi

Canada’s central bank will hold rates in June despite the economy’s rising headwinds, according to BMO. In a report to investors, the bank warns accelerating core inflation is now above 3%—not just above the Bank of Canada’s (BoC) target rate, but also above its upper tolerance range. Slowing economic factors may bring down inflation eventually, and government policies may reinforce inflation—but until then, the BoC is expected to remain cautious.

1 week ago | betterdwelling.com | Stephen Punwasi

Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP) may appear stable, but its foundation is anything but. Statistics Canada (Stat Can) data shows that real GDP rose 0.5% in Q1 2025, matching Q4 2024 after a downward revision. While the headline signals expansion, it conceals a more troubling reality: domestic economic activity is flatlining, and the terms of trade have slipped into negative territory—a combination that threatens household resilience and national income.

1 week ago | betterdwelling.com | Stephen Punwasi

Canada’s surging rents have more to do with financialization than fundamentals, according to a new University of Waterloo study. Researchers from the School of Planning conducted a deep dive into Toronto’s rental market and found the most aggressive rental hikes came from large financial landlords. By using techniques like vacant units, algorithmic pricing, and systematic tenant displacement, these firms behave similarly to an oligopoly—coordinating towards a single goal: maximum rent extraction.

2 weeks ago | betterdwelling.com | Stephen Punwasi

Canadian inflation is officially “too high,” putting the Bank of Canada’s (BoC) credibility into jeopardy for the second time in five years. April inflation data breached the central bank’s upper tolerance band—just weeks after it dismissed accelerating price growth and cut rates, effectively adding inflationary stimulus. BMO had a blunt warning to investors this week: Another cut at these levels would force markets to doubt the BoC’s commitment to its sole mandate: inflation control.

2 weeks ago | betterdwelling.com | Stephen Punwasi

The latest survey from Canada’s state-owned mortgage insurer reveals that the kids are not alright. CMHC data shows first-time purchasers increasingly depend on non-traditional funding such as non-mortgage debt, gifted down payments, and co-ownership with non-occupying residents. First-time buyers are showing more signs of being overextended despite increased leverage.