For those of us who have kept a close eye on forecasts for the impact of COVID-19 on the global and Canadian economy, it is instructive to watch how much the outlook keeps changing. Just over a month ago, many economists were anticipating the brunt of the disease would fall on Chinese commerce and that the global effect would be...

ADVISORY FROM TARION TO HOMEOWNERS AND BUILDERS ON COVID-19 PANDEMIC: PRE-DELIVERY INSPECTIONS AND DELAYED CLOSINGS FOR THE PERIOD OF MARCH 16 TO APRIL 13 The health and safety of our people, homeowners, builders, and others is a top priority for Tarion. At the present time, health authorities are encouraging individuals and businesses to take measures to reduce interactions to help...

Ontario’s ban on disconnecting electricity during the COVID-19 pandemic does not apply to roughly 325,000 residential and small business customers in the province. The Ontario Energy Board (OEB) recently prohibited all electricity distributors in the province from disconnecting power because of non-payment until at least July 31. But anyone who receives an electricity bill from a submetering company — such...

The waves of catastrophic economic news have been relentless and staggering. More than $1 trillion wiped from Canadian stocks in a month. A record 500,000 workers applying for employment insurance in a single week. Businesses abruptly shuttered. Airlines suspended. Factories closed. The largest autoworker mass layoff ever. Whole sections of the economy ground to a halt and a global recession...

The Government of Ontario released the list of essential workplaces and services on Monday night. Premier Doug Ford announced on Monday afternoon the shutdown of all non-essential services across the province in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19. Ford has ordered that all non-essential businesses shut their doors starting at 11:59 p.m. Tuesday. The closures will last for at least...

Dropping interest rates could provide a small dash of consolation for some consumers sitting in isolation watching their retirement plans plummet with the markets. For those with variable loans, renewing mortgages or considering refinancing, interest rates could indeed offer a measure of good news, according to mortgage specialist James Laird, co-founder of RateHub.ca and president of CanWise Financial. “If you’re...