One of the prime minister’s stated priorities is that his minister must “review and consider recommendations from financial agencies related to making the borrower stress test more dynamic.”
Read Here: https://pm.gc.ca/en/mandate-letters/minister-finance-mandate-letter
As the Globe and Mail’s Janet McFarland put it, since 2018 Mortgage Professionals Canada (MPC) has been meeting policymakers at a record pace to “lead the charge for relaxing the government’s mandated mortgage qualifying stress test, arguing it is shutting too many buyers out of the market, particularly first-time buyers.” (G&M, page B1, February 25, 2019).
Our board, staff, and a roster of members who joined us in Ottawa for our meetings have spoken, and been heard. Indeed, this month in Ottawa, members of MPC’s senior staff met with policymakers to discuss housing policies under a new minority government situation. All were receptive to reviewing the stress test mechanism based on recommendations and testimony MPC presented through 2019; today’s announcement by Prime Minister Trudeau is proof positive of our efforts.
We look forward to speaking to parliamentary committees in the coming months, and to having our team of MPC staff and members meet with Members of Parliament in February, as part of our latest successful Ottawa “Hill Day”. To round out 2019 on this news is a positive for our 11,500 members, Canada's mortgage brokering community, and for existing and aspiring Canadian homeowners.
