Still rather busy to do much in the way of updates, but Mike F has good data and articles on his blog as always.
http://calgaryrealestatereview.com/
Nothing really new or really surprising, the banks keep putting out research notes (warnings?) of "flattening" and "moderation". Not sure they can say much otherwise to be honest. Interestingly, TD uses some stronger wording:
Given the fact that Canadians are increasingly viewing the prevailing level of interest rates as normal, there is an extremely high probability that it will be very unsettling to Canadians when interest rates do rise, even if they do so gradually.
TD also recommends that the government take action to temper personal debt growth by tightening mortgage insurance rules further whether it be by lowering the maximum amortization to 25 years or testing all mortgage loans at the 5-year posted rate, among other options.
The report concludes:Make no mistake, the economy will take a hit when it has to be weaned off the drug of exceedingly low interest rates. The goal should be to limit the effects of withdrawal as much as possible.