Economic Insights.

Dr. Cooper is Dominion Lending Centre's Chief Economist who helps Canadians understand the issues surrounding their most important financial decision – buying a home.

Canadian home sales activity little changed in March as the number of newly listed properties fell 0.2% m/m and home prices fell once again.

April 16, 2026

Housing Activity Remains Weak in March The number of home sales recorded over Canadian MLS® Systems was virtually unchanged (-0.1%) on a month-over-month basis in March 2026. “Home sales activity remained at lower levels in March, as rising global economic uncertainty, along with a mid-month jump in fixed mortgage rates tied to incoming higher inflation, piled on to an already […]

The Canadian Labour Force Survey for March showed a small uptick in employment on the heels of a two-month decline earlier this year.

April 10, 2026

The Canadian Jobs Report Showed a Small Gain in Net New Employment with the Unemployment Rate Steady at 6.7% Confusion over a fragile ceasefire continued yesterday as Israel ramped up attacks on Lebanon. The Strait of Hormuz–a key oil shipping route whose closure has sent oil prices skyrocketing in recent weeks–reportedly remained closed. Normally, the Strait accommodates roughly 130 ships […]

In Conversation with Dr. Sherry Cooper (March 2026)

March 18, 2026

Dr. Sherry Cooper joined Dominion Lending Centres and DLCG Mortgage Group President, Eddy Cocciollo, for In Conversation to discuss the latest updates from the Bank of Canada as of March 18, 2026.

The Bank of Canada held rates steady on March 18 As Expected

March 18, 2026

Bank of Canada Holds Policy Rate Steady Today, the Bank of Canada once again held the policy rate steady at 2.25%. This is the bottom of the Bank’s estimate of the neutral overnight rate, where monetary policy is neither expansionary nor contractionary. With inflation hovering just under 2% and core inflation falling to 2.3%, the Governing Council sees the current […]

Housing Activity Remained Weak in February Reflecting a Weather-Related Slowdown

March 17, 2026

Housing Activity Fell Again in Early February–Depressed by Record Winter Storm–Before Picking Up in Late February Today’s release of February housing data by the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) showed the housing market slowed further at the start of the month, reflecting the lingering effect of January’s snowstorm. Activity picked up in the second half of the month, a positive […]