The Best Mortgage Rates in Canada
 Lender highlights Strong mortgage features.Very good monthly pre-payment.Skip payment not available.Very good annual pre-payment. Best rate from Marathon Mortgage 3.50%5 yearvariable $3,880monthly payment Other rates from Marathon Mortgage4.34% 5 year fixed $4,238 per month 4.54% 3 year fixed $4,325 per month 5.19% 4 year fixed $4,617 per month 5.64% 2 year fixed $4,824 per month |
 Lender highlights Strong mortgage features.Very good monthly pre-payment.Skip payment not available.Very good annual pre-payment. Best rate from Meridian 3.59%5 yearvariable $3,917monthly payment Other rates from Meridian3.99% 3 year fixed $4,086 per month 4.24% 5 year fixed $4,194 per month |
 Lender highlights Strong mortgage features.Very good monthly pre-payment.Skip payment not available.Very good annual pre-payment. Best rate from Pine Financial 3.60%5 yearvariable $3,922monthly payment Other rates from Pine Financial4.29% 3 year fixed $4,216 per month 4.29% 4 year fixed $4,216 per month 4.34% 5 year fixed $4,238 per month |
 Lender highlights Strong mortgage features.Very good monthly pre-payment.Skip payment not available.Very good annual pre-payment. Best rate from Radius Financial 3.60%5 yearvariable $3,922monthly payment Other rates from Radius Financial4.39% 5 year fixed $4,259 per month 4.44% 3 year fixed $4,281 per month 4.69% 2 year fixed $4,392 per month 4.69% 4 year fixed $4,392 per month 4.89% 1 year fixed $4,481 per month |
 Lender highlights Some mortgage features.Good monthly pre-payment.Skip a payment.Good annual pre-payment. Best rate from Scotia Bank 3.65%5 yearvariable $3,942monthly payment Other rates from Scotia Bank3.65% 5 year variable $3,942 per month 3.99% 2 year fixed $4,086 per month 4.04% 3 year fixed $4,108 per month 4.19% 4 year fixed $4,172 per month 4.24% 5 year fixed $4,194 per month 4.59% 1 year fixed $4,347 per month |
What are the best mortgage rates in Canada right now?
As of September 3, 2026, the lowest fixed mortgage rates in Canada are around 3.9%, while the lowest variable rates are just shy of 3.4%. These rates are available at select brokerages and direct lenders. Rates at Canada's Big Six banks are generally much higher.
The rate you’re offered will ultimately depend on factors like your credit score, how much debt you have, how much income you earn, and whether you apply for your mortgage with a Big Six bank or through a broker.
Popular mortgage rates at Canada's biggest banks
3-Year Fixed | 3-Year Variable | 5-Year Fixed | 5-Year Variable | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
4.67% | 7.78% (open) | 4.76% (insured) 4.86% (uninsured) | 4.12% | |
4.76% | 4.07% | 4.61% (insured) 4.96% (uninsured) | 4.12% | |
4.69% | -- | 4.73% (insured) 4.88% (uninsured) | 4.14% | |
4.53% | -- | 4.62% (insured) 4.92% (uninsured) | 3.68% (insured) 3.98% (uninsured) | |
5.95% | 5.95% | 6.09% | 4.90% | |
4.67% | -- | 4.861% (insured) 4.861% (uninsured) | 4.26% |
Rates in bold are discounted, annual percentage rates (APR), which include additional fees.
Canadian mortgage rate update: September 2026
After the Bank of Canada held its overnight rate at 2.25% on September 2, 2026, we know that variable mortgage rates in Canada will hover around their current levels until at least the end of October.
The mystery is where fixed rates will go. Unfortunately, the most likely direction is up.
That’s because bond yields, which lenders use to price their fixed mortgage rates, started the month by reaching heights they haven't hit in over two years. The global bond sell-off you may have heard about created lower bond prices, which triggered higher yields. Worries around oil prices, inflation and weakening economic growth are forcing yields higher, too.
That could mean higher fixed rates for Canadian home buyers. If you have your sights set on a fixed-rate mortgage, consider getting pre-approved before rates start rising.
Mortgage rate forecast
Variable rates
Variable mortgage rates weren't forecasted to move in 2026, but the war in Iran has changed the game.
By driving up oil prices and inflation expectations, the Bank of Canada has warned that higher rates may be needed to keep inflation near its 2% target.
If the Bank increases its overnight rate, variable mortgage rates will follow suit. That could happen as early as this summer.
If the Canadian economy falters, the Bank may be compelled to deliver a rate cut at some point. But it's hard to picture a rate cut coming just as inflation's about to spike.
Fixed rates
As of September 2026, fixed mortgage rates are higher than they were a few months ago thanks to rapid increases in government bond yields, which lenders use to price their fixed rates. Yields skyrocketed after the war in Iran caused oil prices to spike, and they rose higher in September after the Bank of Canada called out rising inflation and reduced economic growth as threats facing the Canadian economy.
Predicting where fixed rates head in the coming months depends heavily on the war in Iran. If it wraps up without further damage to oil and food supplies, bond yields should recede and take fixed mortgage rates with them. If the war escalates and worsens the global financial outlook, yields and fixed rates could increase even further.
What are the pros and cons of choosing a fixed vs. variable rate?
In a nutshell | Benefits | Risks | |
|---|---|---|---|
Fixed-rate mortgage | You pay the same interest rate for the entire length of your mortgage term. | Predictable payments can be easier to plan for. | High prepayment penalties if you break your mortgage early. |
Variable-rate mortgages | Your interest rate rises or falls along with your bank’s prime rate. | If rates decrease, your mortgage gets cheaper. Can be switched to a fixed-rate at any time. | If mortgage rates rise and stay elevated, your mortgage could cost you significantly more than you budgeted for. |
Hybrid mortgages | Part of your mortgage is subject to a fixed rate of interest and the rest to a variable rate. | Can help you navigate a volatile rate environment. | Complicated; requires a good understanding of mortgage rate dynamics. |
Read more about the Bank of Canada's latest rate announcement.
The BoC makes policy interest rate announcements eight times a year. Find out how its latest decision might impact Canada's housing market.
5 ways to get the best mortgage rate
Improve your credit score 📈 Borrowers with a credit score of 680 or higher tend to get the best mortgage rates. Lower credit scores may mean working with an alternative lender that offers higher rates.
Tackle your debt 🏦 Paying off debt improves your credit score and increases cash flow. Debt payments, including your mortgage, should total less than 44% of your household income.
Boost your down payment 💰 Making a larger down payment and borrowing less reduces a lender's risk. They may reward you with a lower interest rate.
Compare multiple offers ⚖️ Don't limit yourself to one option when looking for a mortgage; get offers from a few lenders. A few minutes of your time could result in thousands in savings.
Negotiate 💪 Always ask lenders if they can improve on their rate offers. If this makes you feel uncomfortable, use a mortgage broker, who will negotiate for you.
Is now a good time for me to get a mortgage?
You’re ready to get a mortgage if:
You’ve built up your down payment savings.
Your credit score is in good shape.
You know what you’re looking for in a home.
You've accounted for all the costs associated with homeownership — mortgage payments, household expenses, closing costs and ongoing taxes/utilities.
The next step is to talk to a mortgage lender or mortgage broker. Already found a rate you like? You’re definitely ready to start a conversation.
A mortgage lender represents a single institution or business that sells mortgages, like a bank. A mortgage broker has access to rates from many lenders. Working with a broker can be a more efficient way of comparing many options, but some buyers may prefer to negotiate directly with lenders.
What to expect when you talk to a mortgage professional
If you haven’t done this before, here’s what you can expect the first time you talk with a mortgage lender or mortgage broker:
Providing information about your current living and employment situations.
Talking about the type of home you’re looking for and where you’d like to buy.
Clarifying whether you’re applying for the mortgage alone or with a co-borrower.
The initial conversation is usually a fact-finding call for the mortgage provider. It's also a chance for you to ask any questions you have about the application process and what it will be like to work with them.
Your initial conversation with a mortgage provider might also include pre-qualification, a non-binding, rough estimate of what you might be able to borrow.
Getting quotes from lenders should be a straightforward, low pressure process. It won't commit you to a rate, a lender or a mortgage broker. No reputable lender or broker will offer you a rate until you go through the full pre-approval process, and you won’t start that until you’re ready.
Frequently asked questions
How can I get a lower mortgage rate?
You might be offered a lower mortgage rate if you provide a larger down payment or pay down your debts to lower your debt ratios and improve your credit score. It can also be worthwhile to compare rates among different lenders and negotiate the best rate possible with the one you decide to work with.
Will I get a lower mortgage rate from a mortgage broker?
Possibly. Unlike a bank’s mortgage advisor, a mortgage broker has relationships with multiple lenders. That allows them to shop around for the mortgage product that best suits your needs. Mortgage brokers can negotiate on your behalf and provide alternative paths to homeownership if your application is turned down.
What happens at the end of a mortgage term?
When your mortgage term ends you’ll have a few options to choose from. You can either:
Pay off your mortgage in full.
Renew your mortgage with either your current lender or a new lender.
What's the lowest mortgage rate in Canadian history?
From January to March 2021, it was possible to get a five-year fixed mortgage rate of 1.39%. From November 2021 to January 2022, you could find variable mortgage rates as low as 0.85%.
What are mortgage prepayment penalties?
Prepayment penalties are fees that may be incurred if you pay off too much of your mortgage before the end of its term. If you have a closed variable-rate mortgage, your prepayment charge will be three months’ interest on the prepayment amount. For fixed-rate mortgages, the penalty is generally calculated using an interest rate differential (IRD), which varies by lender.
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Clay Jarvis
Clay Jarvis
Clay Jarvis
Clay Jarvis