Canada & Ontario mortgage rule watch

What changed—and what does it mean for your mortgage?

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Dedicated client journeyFirst-Time Home Buyer RulesQualification, down payment, FHSA/HBP, rebates, new construction, offers and closing.Open the first-home pathway →

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In forceMortgage Qualification

Can an insured mortgage be switched at renewal without another stress test?

A qualifying insured straight switch at renewal may avoid another minimum-qualifying-rate test, but the receiving lender still reviews the mortgage and can decline it under its own policy.

Announced
Nov 21, 2023
Effective
Dec 15, 2024
Applies to
Renewing Homeowner
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In forceMortgage Qualification

Does the $1.5 million insured-mortgage cap guarantee financing at the purchase price?

No. The higher insured-price cap expands eligibility for purchases below the program limit, but the lender and insurer still assess the borrower and property, and a lower appraisal can increase the cash required.

Announced
Sep 16, 2024
Effective
Dec 15, 2024
Applies to
Home Buyer
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In forceDown Payment

How much minimum down payment is required on a $1.2 million home?

The federal minimum on a $1.2 million purchase is $95,000: 5% of the first $500,000 plus 10% of the remaining $700,000, provided the mortgage and property qualify for insurance.

Announced
Sep 16, 2024
Effective
Dec 15, 2024
Applies to
First Time Buyer · Home Buyer
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In forceDown Payment

Can a first-time buyer use a 30-year insured mortgage?

Yes, a qualifying first-time buyer can apply for a 30-year amortization on an insured mortgage. It can reduce the required payment, but it may increase total interest and it does not relax the lender’s…

Announced
Sep 16, 2024
Effective
Dec 15, 2024
Applies to
First Time Buyer
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In forceDown Payment

How much down payment does a first-time buyer need below $1.5 million?

The statutory minimum is generally 5% on the first $500,000 and 10% on the portion above $500,000 when the purchase price is below $1.5 million. At $1.5 million or more, the stated minimum is…

Announced
Sep 16, 2024
Effective
Dec 15, 2024
Applies to
First Time Buyer
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In forceFINTRAC Compliance

Why must my mortgage broker verify my identity?

Because mortgage brokers, administrators and lenders are reporting entities under Canada’s anti-money-laundering framework and must verify people and entities for specified mortgage records and transactions.

Announced
Oct 11, 2024
Effective
Oct 11, 2024
Applies to
Business Owner · Home Buyer
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In forceFINTRAC Compliance

How long can mortgage compliance records be retained?

Many prescribed mortgage-sector records must be retained for at least five years, although the starting date varies by record. Privacy, brokerage and other legal retention requirements may also apply.

Announced
Oct 11, 2024
Effective
Oct 11, 2024
Applies to
Business Owner · Home Buyer
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In forceFINTRAC Compliance

Can a mortgage transaction be reviewed or reported even below $10,000?

Yes. Suspicious Transaction Reports are based on reasonable grounds to suspect specified financial-crime activity, not on reaching a fixed dollar threshold, and attempted transactions can also be relevant.

Announced
Apr 8, 2024
Effective
Oct 11, 2024
Applies to
Business Owner · Home Buyer
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In forceFINTRAC Compliance

Why am I asked whether I am politically exposed or connected to a public official?

Because mortgage brokers and lenders must take reasonable measures in prescribed circumstances to identify politically exposed persons, heads of international organizations and certain family members or close associates.

Announced
Oct 11, 2024
Effective
Oct 11, 2024
Applies to
Business Owner · Home Buyer
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In forceFINTRAC Compliance

Why does a broker ask whether someone else is directing the mortgage or providing funds?

Mortgage-sector reporting entities have third-party determination duties for specified records and reports. They may need to understand whether the named client is acting for someone else or whether another person controls the transaction.

Announced
Oct 11, 2024
Effective
Oct 11, 2024
Applies to
Business Owner · Home Buyer
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In forceFINTRAC Compliance

Why must a corporate mortgage disclose its beneficial owners?

Because identifying the individuals who ultimately own or control an entity helps prevent anonymous companies, trusts or partnerships from hiding who is behind a mortgage transaction.

Announced
Jun 16, 2026
Effective
Oct 11, 2024
Applies to
Business Owner · Home Buyer
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In forceFINTRAC Compliance

Why does the mortgage application ask about my occupation or business?

FINTRAC recordkeeping rules require mortgage-sector information records to include a person’s occupation or a sole proprietor’s principal business, and entity records must include the nature of the entity’s business.

Announced
Oct 11, 2024
Effective
Oct 11, 2024
Applies to
Business Owner · Home Buyer
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In forceMortgage Qualification

Does choosing a 30-year insured amortization cost more than 25 years?

Usually yes. The longer amortization can reduce the required payment, but CMHC applies a 20-basis-point insurance-premium surcharge to eligible 30-year insured mortgages, and slower principal repayment can increase total interest.

Announced
Jul 10, 2024
Effective
Aug 1, 2024
Applies to
First Time Buyer · Home Buyer
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In forceDown Payment

Is the Home Buyers’ Plan $60,000 of free down-payment money?

No. The current HBP limit is $60,000 per eligible participant, but the money comes from the participant’s RRSP and generally must be repaid over a 15-year period.

Announced
Apr 11, 2024
Effective
Apr 17, 2024
Applies to
First Time Home Buyer · Home Buyer
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In forceInvestor Tax And Ownership

Is Canada’s federal foreign-homebuyer ban still in effect?

Yes. The federal prohibition on purchases of residential property by non-Canadians was extended and is scheduled to remain in force until January 1, 2027, subject to the Act, regulations and exceptions.

Announced
Feb 4, 2024
Effective
Feb 4, 2024
Expiry
Jan 1, 2027
Applies to
Home Buyer · Investor
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In forceMortgage Qualification

Can a lender extend my amortization to reduce payments during hardship?

A federally regulated lender may consider extending amortization as a relief measure, but FCAC expects the extension to be for the shortest period appropriate and accompanied by a plan to restore the amortization when…

Announced
Jul 5, 2023
Effective
Jul 5, 2023
Applies to
Homeowner · Renewing Homeowner
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How to read this centre

Rules, insurer requirements and lender policies are different layers.

01

Government or regulator

Sets laws, program requirements or prudential boundaries. FSRA regulates; it does not write every lender’s underwriting policy.

02

Insurer or program

Applies only when the mortgage or client fits that insured product or program. It should not be generalized to every conventional deal.

03

Individual lender

Decides its own acceptable income, property, credit and exception policy inside the applicable rules.

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Review What This Rule Means for MeRajiv Verma, Mortgage BrokerOntario · No automatic approval or lender outcome is implied.