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Big Six Banks Raise Fixed Mortgage Rates: What Your Renewal Costs Now

  Canadian Money Brief • Mortgages Updated Saturday, October 17, 2026 If your mortgage term ends this winter, the rate you saw advertised in August is probably gone. All six of Canada’s big banks have raised fixed rates since early September, and the Bank of Canada hasn’t touched its policy rate in almost a year. That disconnect catches a lot of homeowners off guard. Your fixed mortgage rate doesn’t follow the Bank of Canada. It follows the bond market. And bond yields have been climbing on oil-driven inflation worries, which means the people feeling it first right now are the ones opening a renewal letter. The numbers at a glance Up to 0.50 pt in fixed-rate increases at the big banks in about five weeks • BoC policy rate still 2.25% • Big bank prime still 4.45% • About $110 a month more on a $400,000 balance from a half-point jump How far have the big banks moved? Depending on the term, some big bank fixed rates are up by as much as half a percentage point in roughly five week...

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Centrist Benny Gantz Resigns from Israeli War Cabinet Amid Frustrations with Netanyahu

 

Benny Gantz, a centrist member of Israel’s three-man war Cabinet, announced his resignation on Sunday, citing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s mismanagement of the war effort and prioritization of his own “political survival” over the country’s security needs. Gantz’s departure does not immediately threaten Netanyahu’s majority coalition in parliament, but it leaves the Israeli leader more reliant on far-right allies who oppose the latest U.S.-backed cease-fire proposal and advocate for continued military action.

Gantz, a popular former military chief, had joined Netanyahu’s government shortly after the Hamas attack in a show of unity. His presence bolstered Israel’s credibility with international partners, particularly the United States. However, his frustration with Netanyahu’s lack of a new plan for postwar Gaza led to his decision to step down. Gantz called for elections in the fall and encouraged Defense Minister Yoav Gallant to follow suit and resign from the government as well.

The move highlights the ongoing tensions within the Israeli government and underscores the challenges of managing the conflict in Gaza. As Netanyahu faces increased reliance on right-wing members of his government, the international community watches closely, concerned about the impact on stability and prospects for peace in the region.

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