How much credit card debt does the average Canadian have? + MORE Sep 23rd

As the country re-opens after COVID-related restrictions, Canadians are faced with a worrying financial picture. Many have moved, others are looking to travel, and the cost of living is ballooning with unusual rates of inflation. Meanwhile, the Bank of Canada (BoC) rate hikes designed to curb these forces are adding pressure to those with variable-rate loans and mortgages. Unsurprisingly, many Canadians are using their credit cards to charge their expenses.

How much debt does the average Canadian carry? 

According to a new report by Equifax, Canadian consumer debt has risen to $2.32 trillion, with an average debt load of approximately $21,000—excluding mortgages. These numbers represent an increase of 8.2% over last year, and 6.4% between the first and second quarters of 2022. And Canadians are using credit cards more, as there was a 6.4% increase in credit balances from the first quarter to the second. 

This news, though unwelcome, is not unexpected according to some experts…

Canadians have many different reasons to hunt for a second property. Some want the source of income that an investment property can provide; others want to secure housing for a child during post-secondary education. There are those who simply want a rural retreat, like a country home or cottage.

Whatever the reason for having a second property, there are in fact many multiple-property owners in Canada. In British Columbia and Nova Scotia, for instance, owners with multiple properties represent 15% and 22% of all home owners, respectively, according to Statistics Canada. That’s more than one in 10 home owners in British Columbia, and almost one in five in Nova Scotia.

If you’re hoping to be among the growing number of Canadians who own a second property, or if you want to add a third or fourth, it’s essential that you become familiar with the mortgage rules.

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