Morningstar DBRS says mortgage portfolios should hold up in 2026 despite a soft housing market, while warning that rising variable-rate use and Alt-A exposure are key areas to watch.

Canada’s economy looked to have stalled heading into year‑end, and that has forecasters leaning harder toward a Bank of Canada rate freeze that could stretch through 2026.

OSFI offered no new direction on the qualifying rate, but reiterated that loan-to-income caps for uninsured mortgages remain in place and opened a new six-month consultation tied to its broader guidance review.