CalcNorth Editorial
Canadian personal finance, explained
Plain-language walkthroughs of the rules and trade-offs behind Canadian personal-finance decisions. Each post links back to the CalcNorth calculator that runs the math.
CMHC mortgage rules in Canada for 2026: tier rates, the $1.5M cap, and the PST trap
What CMHC mortgage default insurance actually costs in 2026: the premium tier ladder, the 30-year amortization rules, the $1.5M insured-price cap, and the provincial sales tax payable at closing in Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan.
Fixed vs variable mortgage rates in Canada for 2026: which wins, and when
A 2026 decision framework for fixed vs variable Canadian mortgages: the current rate spread, the historical record, the trigger-rate trap, prepayment penalties, and when each option wins.
How much house can I afford on $100,000 in Ontario in 2026? A city-by-city worked answer
A 2026 affordability walkthrough for a single Ontario buyer earning $100,000: the 39% GDS limit, the $443K Toronto and $452K Ottawa numbers, the cash needed at closing, and the four levers that move the answer.
The Canadian mortgage stress test in 2026: what it is, the math, and who is still subject to it
How the 2026 mortgage stress test actually works: the minimum qualifying rate (the greater of your contract rate plus 2% or 5.25%), the November 2024 renewal-switch exemption, and a worked example showing how much income the test asks for.
RRSP vs TFSA: which to max out first in 2026
Compare 2026 RRSP and TFSA contribution rules, tax treatment, and withdrawal flexibility, and use a simple marginal-rate test to decide which to fund first.
Welcome to the CalcNorth blog
Plain-language explanations of Canadian personal-finance topics, paired with the CalcNorth calculator that runs the math. Here is what the blog will cover.