With millions of mortgages coming due, finance minister expects banks 'to work with' Canadians

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland expects banks will follow a new series of rules and guidelines designed to protect Canadian homeowners, millions of whom are set to renegotiate loans at potentially higher rates.

"The thing that I hear the most right now is people are concerned about interest rates, especially people who have mortgages and are concerned about the renewal of their mortgages," Freeland said in an interview airing Sunday onRosemary Barton Live.

"And I think that is very understandable," she told CBC's chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton.

A reportreleased by Royal LePagesuggests over three million Canadians are facing mortgagerenewals in the next 18 months. Many can expect significantly higher monthly payments as a result.

That's causing anxiety among homeowners, some of whom told CBC News they expect to make significant lifestyle changes to accommodate the higher cost.

WATCH | Rosemary Barton's interview with Chrystia Freeland:

Despite gloomy fall economic update, Freeland has a 'glass-half-full perspective'

9 months ago

Duration 8:58

CBC's chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton speaks with Chrystia Freeland, Canada's deputy prime minister and minister of finance, about the new Canada Mortgage Charter and whether it will help Canadians in need.

Bikramdeep Singh toldCBC News in Vancouver that he expects his mortgage payments to rise by 30 to 40 per cent when it is renewed next year.

"That's going to be a significant chunk of money I'm spending every month," the homeowner said earlier this week. "That's going to affect definitely my lifestyle. I'm going to make adjustments."

In Surrey, B.C., Kevin Larkin is facing renewal in January.

"I've been running the numbers, and I don't see how I'm going to be able to renew and afford this," he said."And it's unfortunate. I'm a professional. I work. I'm trying to support a family."

As part of the fall economic statement released on Tuesday, Freeland introduced a Canadian Mortgage Charter, a non-binding set of guidance and expectations Ottawa has laid out for the banks in relation to mortgages.

The charter which does not have the force of law includes measures including the ability to temporarily extend amortization periods, ending a stress test when switching lenders at the time of renewal, and waiving some fees.

Asked whether banks could be trusted to follow the guidelines without a clear enforcement mechanism, Freeland said she believed the interests of the government,banks and everyday Canadians are aligned on this issue.

"It is my hope but also really my belief that the banks are going to work with us, the government, and work with Canadians to act on these commitments."

WATCH | Interest rates might not go down as fast as they went up:

New mortgage charter may not be enough to protect homeowners

9 months ago

Duration 1:54

As millions of mortgages are set to be renewed at much higher interest rates, new guidelines are meant to help protect homeowners, but some say the measures dont go far enough.

"It's a serious thing for the finance minister to publish in black-and-white, in both official languagesour expectations for how the banks will be supporting their customers. That in and of itself is a big deal," she said.

Freeland noted that it was important for Canadian homeowners to be aware of the rules and know what to expect when they speak to their banks.

"Canadians need to know about it, that's why I emphasize it so much," she said.

Focus on interest rates

Freeland also didn't rule out additional measures in a spring budget.

"We're going to watch it like a hawk like a bunch of hawks, at finance and definitely, we're prepared to do more as needed."

Freeland, who is also deputy prime minister, said her other focus is for broad improvement of the state of the economy, such that the Bank of Canada feels comfortable lowering rates without fear of renewed inflation.

"Because that really is the best outcome for everybody," she said.

Inflation has fallen in Canada from a high of 8.1 per cent in June 2022 to 3.1 per cent last month.

Meanwhile, the Bank of Canada's benchmark interest rate has risen to five per cent, and bank governor Tiff Macklem hinted this week that might be enough to wrangle rising prices.

Freeland emphasized that it was important Canada has so far been able to pull off a "soft landing" from the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic and avoid an intense recession.

WATCH | The federal government's fall fiscal update:

How much federal debt is too much for Canada? | About That

9 months ago

Duration 8:34

Canada's deficit is expected to grow to $1.4 trillion in the next five years. Andrew Chang explains that, while high national debt differs from personal debt, experts say it does come with a price.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre harshly criticized the government's approach when it was released earlier in the week.

"With this $20 billion of costly new spending, this update can be summed up very simply: prices are up, rent up, debt up, taxes up, time's up," he said.

"Common-sense Conservatives will vote no confidence on this disgusting scheme. After eight years of this prime minister, he is not worth the cost. And today he's adding another $20 billion to inflation, which will put pressure on interest rates."

WATCH | The Conservative response to the fall economic update:

Poilievre calls fall economic statement 'disgusting scheme'

9 months ago

Duration 1:32

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticizes the more than $20 billion in new spending promised in the federal government's fall fiscal update.