An Afternoon with Filipino Women Entrepreneurs
  
In celebration of National Women's Month, the Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver hosted a special event highlighting the inspiring stories of Filipino women entrepreneurs in British Columbia. I had the honor of serving as the moderator for the panel discussion, a role that allowed me to help bring their powerful voices and journeys to the forefront.
Understanding Fixed and Variable Mortgage Rates: What’s Right for You in Today’s Market?
When choosing a mortgage, one key decision is whether to go with a fixed-rate or variable-rate option.
A fixed-rate mortgage keeps the same interest rate and monthly payments for the full term, usually 1 to 5 years. This offers stability and makes budgeting easier, especially if you plan to stay in your home long-term. This may also prove beneficial when faced with economic and political instability. Fixed-rate mortgages are based on bond yields, especially for Bank of Canada bond yields for similar terms (like 5-year bonds for a 5-year fixed mortgage).
A variable-rate mortgage changes based on your lender’s prime rate, which is influenced by the Bank of Canada's policy interest rate (also called the overnight rate). Currently, variable rate mortgages are higher than fixed rates, but these mortgages also often have lower penalties if you need to break your term early.
Your best choice depends on your financial goals and comfort with risk. Let’s chat and find the right fit for
Canadian Housing Demand and Prices Slide Further in March
On April 15, 2025, it was reported that home sales in Canada dropped again in March. Sales fell by 4.8% from February, and overall sales are now 20% lower than they were in November 2024. Experts believe this drop is mostly due to concerns about new tariffs and the uncertainty they bring. The biggest declines were seen in Ontario and British Columbia, but almost every region in Canada has been affected. People are becoming more cautious about buying homes, unsure of what will happen with the economy.
Compared to March 2024, home sales were down 9.3%, making it the lowest March total since 2009. Even though the number of newly listed homes went up by 3%, prices continued to fall. The MLS® Home Price Index dropped by 1% from the previous month and was 2.1% lower than a year ago. The actual average home price also dropped 3.7% compared to March last year, showing that the market is clearly slowing down.
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