A new report card from the Task Force for Housing and Climate highlights how provincial governments across Canada are slowing down efforts to build more homes. The task force, co-chaired by former Edmonton mayor Don Iveson and former federal Conservative deputy leader Lisa Raitt, examined current policies on fast, quality, and environmentally responsible home construction. Every province received a grade of C or lower, while the federal government scored a B.

If you have some extra cash, making a lump-sum payment on your mortgage can save you a lot of money. Experts say it’s wise to do this before your mortgage interest rate goes up. That way, you reduce the principal amount that interest is calculated on, which could help you manage higher costs when it’s time to renew.

August means long days, hot sun, and plenty of beach trips. For contractors working near the coast or squeezing in a quick ocean visit between jobs, it’s easy to bring more than memories back into the van. Sand sticks to everything—boots, tools, floor mats, even the seat fabric. Over time, that sand builds up and creates a mess, scratches surfaces, and can even wear down your vehicle’s interior faster. What starts as a quick break turns into a cleaning headache.

In May, the Ontario real estate and development scene saw significant leadership changes at major firms. Gavin Swartzman was named President and CEO of Christie’s International Real Estate Canada, stepping into a key national role. At the same time, Randy Hoffman took over as CEO of Realstar, bringing fresh leadership to one of the country’s notable property managers.

The B.C. NDP government has introduced two new laws—Bill 13 and Bill 15—that give the provincial government sweeping new powers over land use, municipal planning, and infrastructure projects. Critics say these laws allow Victoria to override decisions made by city councils and local residents, undermining community input in favour of faster development. This shift marks a clear departure from traditional local control, stirring concerns about democratic norms and fair process.

August brings heat, dust, pollen, and grime. After months of backyard barbecues, summer storms, and long outdoor days, your home’s exterior starts to show the wear and tear. Driveways darken with oil stains, patios get slippery with mildew, and siding collects a layer of dirt. This is when one tool stands out: your pressure washer.

Canadian housing markets are not yet offering a clear opportunity for buyers, warns BMO. In a June research note, the bank pointed out that sales in major centres like Toronto and Vancouver fell even further in May, while available homes on the market continued to pile up.

A second group of tenants in Toronto has joined a rent strike and are now facing mass eviction hearings. Around 100 renters living in two North York apartment buildings stopped paying rent to pressure their landlord into addressing serious maintenance and repair issues. Instead of resolving the problems, the landlord has taken them to the Landlord and Tenant Board, scheduling eviction hearings against them.

Summer is full of good things—long days, outdoor fun, and time with pets. But it also brings messes that seem to take over your home. Sand from the beach ends up in the carpet. Grass clippings stick to everything. Dog hair floats through the air and coats your furniture. No matter how clean you try to keep your space, summer dirt always finds a way inside.

Canada’s mortgage market is showing signs of strain as both the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Equifax Canada have raised alarms. In early 2025, Equifax reported that household debt in Canada reached a staggering $2.55 trillion, with non-mortgage debt averaging $21,859 per person. That’s a heavy burden for many families, and Toronto emerged as a hotspot where overdue non-mortgage payments rose the fastest.

Toronto-based RioCan REIT has moved to take strong legal action against its joint venture partner, Hudson’s Bay Company (HBC), by filing an application to place their shared property venture into receivership. This dramatic step follows HBC’s filing for creditor protection under Canada’s Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act in March 2025, which allowed the historic retailer to stop paying rent to the venture—a move RioCan called unprecedented.

August can be brutal. Temperatures soar, humidity climbs, and the heat doesn’t let up, even at night. During these heat waves, keeping your home cool becomes a full-time job, and your refrigerator and freezer feel the strain. When it comes to popsicles, ice cream, and other frozen treats, even a slight drop in freezer performance can mean a sticky, melted mess. If you’ve ever opened your freezer to find soft popsicles or half-thawed ice cream during a heatwave, you know how frustrating it can be.

Canada’s economy grew in the first quarter of 2025, with real GDP rising 0.5% compared to the last quarter of 2024. On an annualized basis, this equals a 2.2% increase, which beat expectations. Most of this growth came from a spike in exports. However, the boost hides some weaker parts of the economy that didn’t perform as well.

Canada’s economy showed a small gain of 0.5% in the first quarter of 2025, but that hides a deeper issue: Canadians are spending less. Even though exports helped push the overall number up, everyday spending and trade have faded. This signals that the economy’s strength is largely driven by overseas demand, while people at home are tightening their belts.

Home sales in Calgary fell by 17 per cent in May compared with the same month last year, according to numbers released by the Calgary Real Estate Board (CREB). A total of 2,568 homes changed hands, sharply down from May 2024, as buyers held back amid growing economic worries. This continued a recent trend where potential homeowners appear cautious, waiting for more favourable conditions before committing.

Homeowners across Canada are in for a surprise as many come up for mortgage renewal. In the last few years, people took out five-year mortgages with low interest rates. Now, as these mortgages mature, borrowers are facing much higher rates—and that means monthly payments are rising fast. While the central bank has cut its key rate slightly, long-term bond yields—what most renewals are based on—haven’t dropped much. The result? Renewing at these rates could stretch household budgets significantly.

When summer winds down, the yard starts to quiet. The kids are back in school, the days get shorter, and your once-busy garden hose ends up in a messy, tangled pile by the side of the house. After months of watering lawns, rinsing off muddy feet, and filling up kiddie pools, it’s no surprise the garden hose ends up twisted, kinked, and impossible to deal with. Most homeowners ignore it until next spring, only to face the same annoying problem all over again.

A two‑storey Victorian house in Toronto’s historic Cabbagetown has been carefully reimagined as a home for two. Once actually two adjoining Victorian homes, this property was unified into a single, striking residence. Located amid the neighbourhood’s charming brick streets, the renovation preserved the classic bay‑and‑gable architectural style that first appeared in the 1860s and remains a hallmark of Cabbagetown.

Home buyers may be surprised to learn that three of Toronto’s most affluent neighbourhoods have seen home prices fall below what they were before the pandemic. These areas—Forest Hill, Lawrence Park and the Bridle Path—are known for high-end homes, leafy streets and prestigious reputations. But recent data shows average property values are now lower than they were in early 2020.

Summer doesn't last forever, and as the days grow shorter and the air starts to cool, it’s time to make the most of what’s left. August is the perfect window to enjoy your favorite summer activities one last time and take care of a few things before fall kicks in. Whether it's about outdoor adventures or home maintenance, having a clear end-of-summer checklist can help you finish the season right.

A rock-climbing couple has given a historic Victorian cottage in downtown Toronto a full makeover, tapping the best of the best to blend old-world charm with modern living. The pair, both dedicated climbers, wanted a home that matched their adventurous lifestyle while still honoring the cottage’s 19th-century bones.

Andrea and Gordon Webster live in Toronto’s Beaches neighbourhood, near Lake Ontario and beside a lush ravine. Surrounded by wildlife—deer, foxes, and songbirds—they felt a responsibility to care for their green space. The couple decided to renovate their home with the environment in mind. They aimed to reduce pollution, improve energy efficiency, and support the natural world right outside their door.

In many regions, summers are getting hotter and drier. Water bills go up, and lawns turn brown. Traditional landscaping methods just aren’t built for these changing conditions. That’s where xeriscaping comes in. Xeriscaping is a method of landscaping that uses drought-tolerant plants, efficient irrigation, and smart design to reduce water use without sacrificing beauty. It’s a practical, eco-friendly solution that’s growing in popularity, especially in areas with water restrictions or dry climates.

Digram Developments, working through its Green World Construction unit, is facing serious trouble. The company planned to turn Barrie’s old fairgrounds—about 55 acres at Essa Road and Wood Street near Highway 400—into a major mixed-use community. This project was to include up to nine towers reaching 40 storeys, almost 3,000 condo units, nearly 300 townhomes, shops, and even a school. But now, the whole project is under receivership, putting that vision in doubt.

On Victoria Day, Liberty Development hosted a celebration at its new Canopy Towers project in Mississauga, inviting local partners, new homeowners, and community members. The day marked important milestones: Phase 1 is underway, units are being occupied daily, and construction has already begun on the underground parking garage for Phase 2.