MY TORONTO

SPEECH FROM THE THRONE The Speech from the Throne  opens every new session of Parliament. The Speech introduces the government’s direction and goals, and outlines how it will work to achieve them. On September 23, 2020, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada, delivered the Speech from the Throne to open the second session of the 43 rd  Parliament and outline the government’s agenda. Full text of the Speech from the Throne Download the Speech from the Throne   Play Mute Current position: 00:00:00 Total time: 00:54:53 Show closed captioning Transcript A stronger and more resilient Canada Protecting Canadians from COVID-19 It is the job of the federal government to look out for all Canadians and especially our most vulnerable. We need to work together. Helping Canadians through the pandemic The Government is using its fiscal firepower so that Canadians, businesses, and our entire economy have the support needed to weather the storm. Bui...

THINGS HAVE CHANGED The soothsayer in Shakespeare's Julius Caesar issued his famous warning "Beware the Ides of March."    Who knew that in 2020, around the middle of March, the world, as we knew it, would force such dramatic changes on us from the Coronavirus. In America, it has brought our economy to its knees as we sheltered in place for over four months.    During this time, changes have affected our lives and many of those changes could be permanent. Previously, smaller homes were becoming the trend for not only efficiency but upkeep so owners would have more time to do things including travel.    Now, travel is minimal and our world, in some respects, is reduced to our home. For families with children, their home has become a school.    With so many people working from home, it has become our office or store or studio.    If there is more than one working adult in a home, it needs to have space for each party to work.    ...

MOVING OUT OF TORONTO! Our lives may have changed considerably in the past few months, but that has not stopped people from enjoying the summer! In fact, as more and more employers are encouraging their employees to work from home, many Torontonians are reconsidering what working from home really looks like. If you are thinking about moving out of Toronto and into cottage country, here is what you need to know. Is It For You? For some, we have grown up going to the cottage and identifying it with the achievement of a lifelong dream. Sitting out on a Muskoka chair, staring out onto a pristine lake – what more reason could you want for moving out of Toronto? However, the country lifestyle has rewards as well as challenges. If you are seeking life at a slower pace, if you are looking for more acreage to enjoy that is fully yours, moving out of Toronto into cottage country may be the right choice for you. However, if you are someone who wants to have easy access to your social network and ...

DOES THE CMHC HATE REAL ESTATE? If you were review the statements and reports and press releases being issued by the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation lately, you might easily come to that very conclusion. On Tuesday 19th May 2020, Mr. Evan Siddall, President & CEO of the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) addressed the Federal Government's Standing Committee on Finance in a virtual meeting conducted by Zoom and recorded for posterity by ParlVU. Here is a clip from the over 3.5 hour meeting that took place that day. Among the many things that Mr. Siddall states at this moment in the meeting are as follows: Canadians are among world leaders in household debt. Pre-COVID, the ratio of gross debt to GDP for Canada was at 99%.  Due in part to increased borrowing but even more so to declines in GDP, we estimate it will increase to above 115% in Q2 2020 and reach 130% in Q3, before declining. These ratios are well in excess of the 80% threshold above whic...

HOME INSPECTIONS With PHASE ONE of Ontario's " A Framework For Reopening Our Province " about to launch on Monday 4th May 2020 and the real estate market starting to grumble awake, many Buyers will be buying homes once again. With that in mind, here is some sage advice on the importance of having a home inspection as well as some tips on what to ask and what to look for - both in the house and in your Inspector. NOTE : This is particularly important if you are buying a property sight-unseen. It may be wise for Buyers to insist on conducting their own, independent Home Inspection rather than solely relying upon the Home Inspection Report provided by the Sellers. Firstly, this creates a direct agency relationship between you, the Inspector and their Report -- whereas relying on the Sellers' Report does not. ( Just make sure that the Home Inspector & their company are insured -- and specifically for what and for how much. ) Secondly, since you will not be ...

WHAT'S HAPPENING TO CANADA'S REAL ESTATE MARKETS DURING COVID-19?