Chapman’s Ice Cream has been a staple in grocers’ freezers for almost a half a century and the Ontario-based creamery has stayed proud of and true to their origins as one of the favourite ice creams of Canadian families. The recent trade war with the U.S. is no exception.
In response to U.S. tariffs on Canadian dairy products, Chapman’s Ice Cream has chosen to absorb the increased costs rather than pass on potential extra costs to their loyal consumers, underscoring the company’s dedication to providing affordable products despite economic challenges.
A history of resilience
Founded in 1973 by David and Penny Chapman in Markdale, Ontario, Chapman’s began with just four employees and two trucks. Over the decades, it has grown into Canada’s largest independent ice cream manufacturer, offering over 280 frozen treats, including premium ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet and novelties, like ice cream cones and sandwiches.
Though the company has never left Markdale, Chapman’s faced a real threat to his future in 2009 when a fire destroyed its production facility. In response, Chapman’s opted to rebuild in Markdale with a state-of-the-art facility, aptly named Phoenix. The new facility is nearly double the size of the original plant, and still serving the community in which Chapman’s was founded.
Supporting employees during COVID-19
The trade war facing Canada isn’t the first giant hurdle the Chapman’s business has had to navigate. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Chapman’s prioritized employee well-being over their bottom line. In March 2020, they implemented a $2 per hour pandemic pay increase for production and distribution workers. This increase was meant to be temporary but in true Chapman’s form, they once again chose their employees over money.
By October 2020, the temporary pay boost became permanent, setting the starting wage for production employees at $18 per hour. Additional benefits included a comprehensive health package, a company-sponsored pension plan and a subsidized cafeteria.
While the private company doesn’t report earnings, it’s fair to assume that, given that they are still a staple in the grocery store and are opting to absorb the hits they are expecting to come from the tariffs, clearly prioritizing employees didn’t translate to bad business news for the company.
Celebrating 50 years
In 2023, Chapman’s marked its 50th anniversary by launching the Super Premium Plus line, the world’s first allergy-friendly super premium ice cream. This new product line is peanut-free, nut-free, and egg-free, reflecting the company’s ongoing commitment to innovation and inclusivity.
Indeed, Chapman’s has a lot to celebrate. Much more than putting smiles on Canadians’ faces with their ice cream, Chapman’s has always been deeply involved in community initiatives. They donated $1 million towards the construction of a new hospital in Markdale and contributed to various local infrastructure projects, showcasing their dedication to giving back to the community that supported their growth.
They are a truly Canadian company, who loves their community and loves their country and all of the people in it. That they have chosen to forgo passing on the tariffs to Canadians is, for lack of a better phrase, on brand.
Looking ahead
As Chapman’s continues to navigate economic challenges and industry changes, their focus remains on remaining in Canadians’ freezers. By absorbing tariff-related costs, they once again show their commitment to affordability and customer satisfaction, ensuring that their ice cream remains a staple in households across the country.
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
It’s shaping up to be a painful year for Canadian homeowners. Amid ongoing economic uncertainty and interest rates still far from their pre-2022 lows, many are now staring down a grim reality knowing that their next mortgage renewal could hit harder than expected.
A recent TD Bank survey reveals that nearly half of Canadians with an upcoming renewal anticipate higher monthly payments — and the majority are already preparing to slash their spending just to stay afloat. From pausing home upgrades, considering downsizing options or even cohabiting to manage costs, a wave of financial anxiety is rippling through the housing market.
Cutting back to keep up
More than half of surveyed homeowners expect their living situation to change in the face of rising costs. A striking 73% say they’ll need to cut back on spending to keep up with higher mortgage payments. Despite some recent downward trends in interest rates, they remain well above the historic lows that defined Canadian mortgages for over a decade.
With nearly a quarter of respondents set to renew their mortgage within the next year, belt-tightening is becoming a necessity rather than a choice:
43% will delay renovations
29% may sell their home or move to something more affordable
15% are considering taking on a roommate to share expenses
15% might move to a different neighbourhood altogether
The pressure isn’t just on current homeowners. Among prospective buyers, 55% are already slashing non-essential spending, while 31% say they plan to cash out existing investments in order to secure a property. The fear of being locked out of homeownership entirely is forcing tough decisions well before keys are even in hand.
Seeking safety in certainty
With uncertainty dominating economic headlines, it’s no surprise that 75% of those nearing a mortgage renewal are choosing fixed rates over variable. Locking in a predictable payment provides a sense of control in a market that feels anything but stable.
"While our survey found that 75% of those preparing to renew their mortgage this year are leaning towards a fixed instead of a variable rate mortgage, it’s important to remember that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to choosing what will work for you," Patrick Smith, TD’s vice-president, product management, real estate secured lending, said in a statement.
Urgency meets uncertainty
Buying or renewing a mortgage has always been a major life decision. But today, the stakes feel higher than ever. Nearly 40% of prospective buyers say that fast access to professional advice would make them feel more confident navigating this volatile housing market.
“As Canadians navigate a dynamic economy that seems to be evolving daily, we understand how challenging it can be for them to know if they’re making the right decision when it comes to real estate,” Smith said. “Different factors can impact each individual’s home buying decisions in unique ways.”
Bottom line
The Canadian dream of homeownership is under pressure. Whether renewing or buying, many Canadians now find themselves calculating more than just square footage and location — they’re calculating how much financial risk they can tolerate. And in a time of soaring costs and shifting markets, that calculation is only getting more fraught.
Survey methodology
The TD Bank Group survey was conducted by The Harris Poll Canada from April 10 to 18, 2025, with 890 randomly selected Canadian homeowners and 881 randomly selected Canadians planning to buy a home within the next five years. A minimum of n100 respondents were surveyed in B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan & Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada for each audience (homeowners and prospective buyers) to allow for comparisons between the regions. The data has also been weighted on age, gender and region to match the 2024 instance of this study to allow for year-on-year comparisons.
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Chances are, you’ve heard a relative or friend say you should “get a job in tech.” Of course, that’s not always feasible or of interest, but if you’re someone with an aptitude for and interest in a career in tech, you may want to look to Quebec. A new report from the Information Communications and Technology Council (ICTC) suggests Quebec’s digital economy could employ a quarter of Canada’s technology workers by 2030.
The report provides a six-year outlook on Quebec’s digital economy, predicting substantial growth in the information, communications and technology sector, along with the creation of approximately 196,400 new jobs, bringing total employment to more than 700,000 workers — 25% of Canada’s total tech workforce.
“Quebec plays a vital role in Canada’s digital economy and is a hub for artificial intelligence, interactive digital media and innovation,” a release on the report reads.
Quebec’s growing tech sector
Montreal and Québec City accounted for 61% and 6% of the province’s information and communications technology (ICT) job postings, respectively, from January to December last year. Quebec’s digital economy is bolstered by foreign direct investment and its innovation hubs.
The report stresses it will be important to strengthen the province’s ICT talent pipeline to ensure businesses have a skilled workforce that can achieve innovation, commercialization and productivity objectives. It points to work-integrated learning programs, such as co-ops and internships as the solution.
However, while 74% of employers who hired students through work-integrated learning programs reported that it helped them find the right talent, ICTC’s research found that many employers in Quebec are unaware of wage subsidy programs that can subsidize student hiring.
Challenges for Quebec’s tech sector
Despite the province’s strengths, it faces a cooling ICT job market marked by declining research and development spending, increasing ICT unemployment rates and reductions in the number of ICT job postings.
While demand for tech talent surged early in the post-pandemic period, according to the report Québec’s ICT labour market has transitioned from favouring job seekers to favouring employers.
It’s due to this that a pessimistic projection suggests a potential annual decline of 0.4% in the digital economy.
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Legal loophole or bad-faith eviction? A recent BC Supreme Court ruling suggests some landlords may be skating dangerously close to “renoviction” territory — using family as the excuse.
A landlord in Coquitlam, BC, has been ordered to pay over $36,000 in damages to a pair of evicted tenants after a failed attempt to reclaim their unit for “family use” took too long. The court found the landlord didn’t move in within a reasonable time and failed to justify the delay.
This case is raising alarm bells for Canadian renters and real estate investors alike — especially in cities like Vancouver, where low vacancy rates and rising rents have intensified tenant-landlord disputes.
‘Renoviction’ in disguise?
On December 31, 2021, Louis and Mary DeSousa received an eviction noticd from their landlord, Harjinder Bhangal. In the eviction notice, Bhangal stated that his son intended to move into the unit and that upgrades needed to be completed before his son moved in.
The eviction notice offered by Bhangal isn’t unusual. Landlords can cite the family-use provision of BC’s Residential Tenancy Act as a legimate reason to evict a tenant. Under this rule, landlords can evict tenants if either the landlord or an immediate family member plans to live in the unit for at least six months.
The tenants were stunned and, as the eviction stated, vacated the property by April 30, 2022. But 75-days after vacating the property and Bhangal’s son was still not living in the upper floor unit. And the case quickly took on the appearance of a renoviction-by-proxy — when a landlord evicts a tenant under the guise of renovations and updates, only to dramatically increase the rental rate for the new tenant.
Angry at the possibility of being falsely forced from their home, the DeSousa’s sought legal action.
But the case quickly veered into what tenant advocates might call a renoviction-by-proxy.
Despite stating that he and his son intended to move in, Bhangal waited more than 75 days to take possession—citing the need to replace carpets before moving in. The DeSousas, who had lived in the upper floor of the home, vacated the property by April 30, 2022, but Bhangal and his son didn’t move in until mid-July.
By then, the delay had triggered suspicion—and legal action.
Court calls landlord’s excuses “too vague”
The DeSousas brought the case to the BC Residential Tenancy Branch (RTB), arguing that the eviction lacked urgency and failed to meet the legal threshold of “good faith.”
The RTB agreed and ordered Bhangal to pay 12 months’ rent ($36,000) plus $100 in filing fees.
Bhangal appealed, claiming the 75+ delay from vacancy of the unit to when his son moved in was due to installing the carpet himself, while juggling other work obligations combined with pandemic-related labour and material shortages.
But Justice Sheila Tucker of the BC Supreme Court wasn’t convinced. She described Bhangal’s justifications as “too vague and non-specific” to explain the delay, and upheld the RTB’s decision.
“It is plainly evident that the arbitrator considered a period of two and a half months … to generally be too long to be explained by carpet replacement per se,” Justice Tucker wrote in her ruling.
What Canadian landlords need to know
This case is a reminder and a warning to landlords who may consider using “family use” as a workaround to remove tenants from rent-controlled or below-market units.
Specifically, landlords need to remember:
Good faith is critical: The intent to occupy must be real and prompt. Delays longer than a few weeks may not hold up in court.
Evidence matters: Renovation delays must be clearly documented. Vague claims won’t protect you.
The price of failure is high: Missteps can lead to mandatory payouts of up to 12 months’ rent—and possibly reputational damage or further legal scrutiny.
What renters should watch for
If you are a renter and you receive an eviction notice for “family use,” be cautious. While the law does allow it, you have rights. To help, here are three factors to consider:
You can challenge it: If move-in doesn’t happen in a reasonable timeframe, the eviction could be overturned or you may be eligible for compensation.
Watch the timeline: Delays longer than a few weeks after your move-out date are suspect.
Collect evidence: Note move-out dates, photos, communications, and whether the unit is actually being occupied.
Renovictions and renter uncertainty is a growing crisis
Tenant advocates in BC and across Canada have long warned that “renovictions” and “family-use evictions” are sometimes used to skirt rent controls and reset leases at higher market rates.
This case is a stark reminder that evictions must be more than just procedural — they must be principled. And as this judgment shows, the courts are increasingly willing to call out landlords who cross the line.
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
As the trade war between the United States and Canada escalates, both Canadians and sympathetic Americans are searching for ways to support Canadian sovereignty with credit cards in hand.
One of the best ways to do so is by buying Canadian — something we’ve covered before — and rebooking vacations in the US to Canadian alternatives.
Fortunately, our nation has more than enough to offer anyone looking to support local tourism. Whether you’re partial to snow-capped mountains, ancient forests, sprawling beaches or rural skylines, Canada has it all and more, not to mention world-class shopping and cultural hot spots.
Check out our breakdown of some of the best spots to vacation in Canada.
Sample gold medal wine in Ontario and British Columbia
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Napa Valley? Think again!
Canada is known for beautiful forests, deep wilderness and unrivalled natural beauty, but is also a rising north star when it comes to wine and spirits.
British Columbia and Ontario are the two provinces best known for their devotion to the grape. These twin heartlands produce Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon, among others.
What’s more, Canada’s reputation as a great place to not only dine, but wine, has been steadily building for decades with more and more gold medal wins each year from globally recognized wine tasting bodies.
In Ontario some great options for wine country tourism include:
Niagara-on-the-Lake and the Niagara Peninsula
Prince Edward County
Lake Erie North Shore
The Niagara Escarpment and surrounding area
Meanwhile, BC offers a raft of other tasting opportunities, including:
The Okanagan Valley
The Similkameen Valley
Fraser Valley
The Kootenays
For wine connoisseurs, Niagara-on-the-Lake and the Okangan Valley are two of the best wine spots in the country. Both regions have produced gold medal quality wines, according to the International Wine & Spirits Competition and beautiful wineries to visit. Since 1969, the IWSC has been a world leader in wine and spirits tasting.
Shopping north of the border: alternatives to buying US
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The threat of on-going US tariffs and an evolving trade war have led Canadians to fight back by changing our travel destinations and our buying habits.
Canada’s big three shopping hubs are Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver, all of which offer unique shopping experiences that can satisfy even the most curious tourist.
Taking in Toronto: markets and more
Toronto’s St. Lawrence Market is perfect for anyone looking for the feeling of a European style marketplace with the culinary variety to match.
Meanwhile, a fantastic spot for a more original Toronto vibe is Kensington Market with its combination of walkable, pedestrian-friendly streets, and tiny shops. Unlike St. Lawrence Market Kensington is part of a residential neighbourhood so you’ll be shoulder-to-shoulder with Torontonians going about their day.
Your last stop could be the delightfully retro Distillery District east of the downtown core, which sports a heady mix of high-end shopping, restaurants and art galleries.
True to the name, the Distillery District was re-developed from an old distilling and shipping area. This makes for picturesque, cobblestone streets perfectly suited for a social media post or two.
Making it in Montreal: Canada’s nightlife capital
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Montreal has long been considered one of the biggest hubs for Canadian culture in the country, both in terms of nightlife and shopping. Part of this is thanks to the mixing of French and English that combines the best of North America and Europe.
If you’re taking in the city during the day, Bonescours Market is a fantastic spot to shop for produce or made-in-Canada jewellery, crafts and art. The market also offers a range of exhibitions and events.
One of Montreal’s most vibrant neighbourhoods is the Plateau. Mont-Royal Avenue cuts right through this student hub and showcases the city’s character with second-hand shops, great restaurants and bars.
Québec City is also worth a mention while we’re on the topic of francophone Canada. Québec City is one of the oldest cities in Canada and is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site due to its melding of French and English colonial architecture.
Canada’s Disney World
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One of the best alternatives for Canadians and Americans looking to swap out a Mickey Mouse vacation is a visit to Canada’s Wonderland.
The theme park opened in 1981 and has long been a destination for Ontarians looking to brave roller coasters, catch the classic Halloween Haunt, or ward off the winter blues with WinterFest. Aside from these special events Canada’s Wonderland includes over 200 attractions and a 20-acre water park.
Snowcapped mountains and skiing: alternatives to Colorado
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Canada is already known for a wintery climate perfectly suited for winter sports of all stripes, including skiing and snowboarding.
One of the best-known ski resorts in the world is British Columbia’s very own Whistler-Blackcomb. This mammoth pair of mountains offer 8,171 acres of terrain, 200 plus marked runs, 16 alpine bowls and even three glaciers.
Whistler-Blackcomb is open daily and a truly unique experience. You can book tickets here.16
For those planning a trip to Canada’s east your best options for skiing are either Mont Tremblant if you’re keen for the night life, or Le Massif de Charlevoix for straight skiing.
Exploring the Canadian Rockies in Alberta and BC
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Naturally, no post about Canadian tourism would be complete without mentioning the Rockies.
After all, Canada’s wilderness, rugged landscape and pristine forests are a huge draw for the adventurous — whether you’re keen to ski or hit the backcountry with bag in hand.
The Canadian Rockies stretch all the way from BC to Alberta. Unlike the American Rockies, our national geological fixture was shaped by the retreat of glaciers, which led to the formation of dramatic peaks, valleys and basins.
Today, the Canadian Rockies are both a haven for dedicated trail blazers and the perfect resort side attraction.
Alberta’s Rockies: mountainside resorts
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One of Alberta’s crown jewels is the resort town of Banff, located right in Banff National Park.
Banff is one of the most beautiful resort towns in Canada. Take in the iconic twin turquoise waters of Lake Louise or Moraine Lake. Explore icefields, ride a gondola up Sulphur Mountain and end the day with a soak in a natural hot spring.
Travellers on a budget should check out the Banff Legacy Trail, which was built for Banff National Park’s 125th anniversary and offers 22.3km of paved paths reaching from the Bow Valley Parkway to the Banff Park East Gate.
Last, but not least, we suggest checking out some of the nearby ski resorts.
Sunshine Meadows
Lake Louise Ski Resort
Mt. Norquay Ski Resort
If travelling to Banff in the off season some of these resorts also offer summer activities, often with a focus on local wildlife viewing.
British Columbia’s Rockies: rugged wilderness
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The Canadian Rockies also stretch into BC, including the picturesque Kooteneys and Yoho National Park of Canada.
Both regions have less tourist and resort infrastructure compared to Banff. This makes for a more rugged, less crowded opportunity to explore Canada’s rich landscape.
The Kootenays span over 200km of trails, scenic driving in a landscape shaped by glaciers, and plenty of backpacking for those looking to dig deep into the park.
Another highlight for archaeologists, amateur or otherwise, are the park’s deposits of Burgess Shale. Over 500 million years ago, the Kootenays were covered by a shallow sea, which means the very peaks of the mountains are rich with perfectly preserved fossils of marine life.
Meanwhile, Yoho National Park is also only 17 miles, or a 45-minute drive, from Lake Louise in Alberta, making it a great day tripping option. Some great spots to visit include the stunning Wapta Falls, Emerald Lake and the picturesque village of Field in the centre of the park.
Stargazing and camping in the prairies and New Brunswick
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Due to our sparse population, Canada is also the perfect place to stargaze while camping, whether beneath the prairie sky or nestled among ancient trees.
The Canadian government is committed to carving out spots to take in the cosmos through its Dark-Sky Preserves program. These areas are far from the lights and sounds of a city and provide some of clearest views of the night sky around.
The program includes 13 viewing areas split across national parks like Saskatchewan’s Grasslands National Park and New Brunswick’s Fundy National Park.
Saskatchewan is perfect for certified star chasers thanks to the province’s endless horizon — the Grasslands National Park is no exception. This also makes it the perfect place for astrophotographers to observe once-in-a-lifetime cosmological events.
Manitoba is another great option for those in search of a return to nature. For example, the Wapusk National Park marks the shift from boreal forest to arctic tundra. During February and March, curious visitors can observe polar bears through Wat’chee Expedition.
Meanwhile, Fundy National Park trades prairie vistas for a dense Acadian forest, remote tidal pools and the ocean floor at low tide.
Aside from star-gazing in an ancient forest, you can hike, bike, golf, swim, paddle and even fish depending on your interests. For a more settled experience, visitors can rent cabins. Thrill seekers on the other hand might be more interested in backcountry camping.
Atlantic Canada: whale watching and the sea
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Canada’s trinity of Atlantic provinces also offer plenty to see and do.
For instance, Newfoundland and Labrador includes St. John’s on the east coast of the island, which has stood by the sea for 500-years. For those looking to get off the beaten path you could instead book a tour to see icebergs, puffins and perhaps even a whale cruising around a glacier. On the west side of the island, you can visit Gros Morne National Park, a recognized UNESCO heritage site, and the Tableland mountains.
On the other hand, Nova Scotia serves up 13,300km of coastline ideal for seaside hiking from lighthouse to lighthouse. The region also sports its fair share of award-winning wineries.
Lastly, Prince Edward Island offers one of the most compact tourist destinations in the country. Driving across the island only takes between three to four hours on a direct route so planning an idyllic day of travel is best. PEI is known for its red-sand beaches, seafood — especially oysters — and coastal views.
The Canadian territories: strong, wild and free
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Canada’s northern territories are just as spectacular, but often come with a higher barrier of entry due to their isolation.
The Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut are all ideal places to take in a wintery night sky, but they also offer unique chances to explore Canada’s frigid climates.
Nunavut is perfectly suited for learning about northern wildlife, including at bird sanctuaries. The Yukon offers hiking far away from the comfort of a city, including the Chilkoot Trail and the Tombstone Mountains.
Finally the Northwest Territories is one of the best places in Canada to take in the Aurora Borealis (commonly referred to as the Northern Lights) or plan a hunting trip, provided you have the appropriate licenses.
Vacation in Canada
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All in all, there’s never been a better time to explore Canada’s extensive wilderness and tourism hot spots — especially if it means supporting local businesses.
This guide only scratches the surface of what Canada has various natural splendours and attractions. Every province and territory has something special to offer an inquisitive mind, whether arriving from near or far.
We’ve scoured the Internet and found some of the best revenue-generating apps and sites that can pack some extra bucks in your wallet. Some have big payouts, while others offer smaller incentives that, if you’re patient, can add up over time. If you have access to a computer, tablet, or smart phone, here’s how to make money fast online.
Best ways to make money online fast
#1. Shop with Rakuten
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Got an online shopping habit? Rakuten.ca will literally pay you to shop on their website. After setting up an account, all you have to do is go to the Rakuten site, click on one of the 750+ partner retail sites (ranging from Amazon.ca to Sephora), and make a purchase. You’ll get a percentage of cash back by cheque, PayPal payment, or Amazon.ca gift card every three months. There’s some good money to be made through this site: Rakuten.ca has more than 7 million members across Canada and has paid out over $140 million in cash back.
#2. Become an Airbnb host
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Got a cool pad or spare room in a high-demand location? Rent it out on Airbnb. It’s estimated that Airbnb hosts earn an average of US$4,300 a month. That’s crazy-good money that you can sock away for a rainy day. A word to the wise: check your municipal laws, rental agreement and/or condo board rules to ensure short-term rentals/subletting are A-OK.
#3. Rent your parking space
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Got an empty parking spot in a prime location? There’s an app for that. Known as the “Airbnb of parking,” SpotHero matches drivers looking for parking with owners of unused parking spots. It’s really easy to get started: just type in your address, add a photo of your parking spot, and add a brief description. Then, set dates and times when your spot is available and you’re ready to go. Once your ad is posted, you’ll be notified if a SpotHero user parks in your space.
It’s also a quick and easy payout: Earnings are directly deposited into your bank account, and some owners of top spots are reportedly earning $400 to $500/month – enough to bankroll your monthly car payments.
#4. Participate in online surveys or virtual focus groups
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Want to sell your two cents? Sign up to complete online surveys or join a virtual focus group. It’s simple: Register with a reputable company, like i-Say,Maru Voice Canada, or Angus Reid Forum, and then get paid to share your views and opinions on a variety of topics, products, and services. But keep in mind that the chances of becoming a zillionaire this way are virtually zilch, with the payouts being pretty meagre, ranging from $0.50 to $5.00 per survey. Plus, some sites pay in points, not cash. But the dough does add up over time, and the more you participate, the more money you make. A few hundred bucks earned can go toward paying your rent or phone bill.
#5. Open a new bank account
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Canadian banks are hungry for your balance, and some will reward you handsomely for switching over from a competitor to their account. For example, if you sign up for Tangerine’s No-Fee Daily Chequing Account and switch your payroll deposits, you could get $250.
#6. Sell your extra stuff
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Got stuff cluttering your closets, drawers, and cupboards? Consider selling gently used items with online marketplaces such as Facebook Marketplace. There are also some phone apps such as VarageSale or Karrot that make selling stuff a cinch. For speedy sales, cross-post your items on multiple platforms and remember to include eye-catching photos with your advert. Pro-tip: Clean items posed in an immaculate-looking space tend to sell faster and get top dollar.
#7. Collect your (virtual) change
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Forget rooting around under the couch cushions for loose coins. Instead, download Moka, a Canadian budgeting and savings app. Here’s how it works: Install the app on your phone, and for every purchase you make, it rounds up to the nearest dollar and invests the spare change. Then, sit back and watch your savings and investments grow.
#8. Open an Etsy store
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Consider yourself artsy? Open a shop with Etsy – a virtual marketplace for unique and creative artisan goods. It’s a great way to turn your passion into profit: The website had nearly 95.5 million active buyers and almost $12 billion in gross merchandise sales. Once your shop is open, you can list handmade items for sale — everything from photography and paintings to jewelry and knickknacks to embroidery and pottery. Your earning potential is limitless and payment is seamless, with earnings from sales deposited directly into your bank account.
#9. Report gas prices
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Getting gouged at the pump? Get GasBuddy, an ingenious app that helps you find the cheapest gas prices in your area. The app’s map lists real-time pump prices at more than 150,000 gas stations, based on reports from over 30 million users who are constantly updating fuel prices across North America. Using this app could save you as much as 10 cents or more per litre. Plus, you can earn points and achievements just for reporting fuel prices.
#10. Sell your photos
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Turn your pics into dollars with Foap, an app that lets you upload your photos and sell ‘em to big-time brands all over the world, like Nivea, Bank of America, Absolut Vodka, Air Asia, and Pepsi.
The app also distributes your snapshots through partners such as Getty Images, which will boost your sales even more. Aside from posting random pics, Foap also recruits photographers for “missions”– assignments seeking specific images for clients. Foap is free to download, and for every photo sold, you get 50% of the commission. Cash-outs are easy too, thanks to PayPal integration.
#11. Freelance writing
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Tap into various platforms that connect them with businesses, publications, and organizations seeking high-quality written content across multiple niches — from business and technology to lifestyle and entertainment. Popular freelance marketplaces such as Upwork, Fiverr and Freelancer serve as valuable intermediaries, helping writers establish professional relationships and secure consistent work. While the field is competitive, dedicated writers who build strong portfolios and maintain positive client relationships can develop sustainable, lucrative careers.
The emergence of artificial intelligence has transformed the content creation landscape, streamlining certain aspects of the writing process. However, while AI tools can assist with initial drafts and basic research, they currently require substantial human oversight.
Sources
1. AirDNA: How Much Can You Really Make on Airbnb?
Canada faced one of its most expensive years for insured losses in 2024, with severe weather wreaking havoc on both homes and businesses. While homeowners bore the brunt of the damage, commercial properties also suffered massive losses, pushing the total insured damages to over $1.7 billion — the second-highest in the country’s history.
"Thousands of businesses felt the impacts of severe weather last year. The historic amount of damage in 2024 underscores the escalating financial risks Canadian businesses face from catastrophic weather events," Liam McGuinty, vice-president of strategy at the Insurance Bureau of Canada (IBC), said in a statement.
"Canada’s insurers have been on the ground since these events took place and continue to assist businesses across the country with financial support and navigating the recovery process. These severe weather events have caused not only physical damage, but have also disrupted business operations, supply chains and the flow of goods and services in the Canadian economy.”
The vast majority of commercial losses in 2024 occurred over the course of 24 days during the summer, when wildfires, floods and hail storms ravaged communities across the country.
The costliest events of 2024
The costliest weather event in 2024 for commercial insurance was the wildfires in Jasper, Alta., standing at $650 million. The municipality was hit the hardest and accounted for nearly 40% of extreme weather losses to commercial property in 2024.
Next was the remnants of Hurricane Debby across Eastern Canada at $360 million, the Calgary hail storm at $280 million and the Ontario and Greater Toronto Area flash floods at $190 million.
Since 2010, over 132,000 businesses in Canada have suffered damage and filed insurance claims due to extreme weather events, according to Catastrophe Indices and Quantification.
History of commercial insurance losses in Canada
Last year, 2024, is only behind 2016 as the costliest year for commercial insurance, thanks to the Fort McMurray wildfires in Alberta which totalled $1,918,420 in losses. 2013 is third, with $1,720,028 in losses primarily thanks to the Southern Alberta floods and GTA floods.
Rounding out the top five is 2022, with $945,632 in damages attributed to Hurricane Fiona and the derecho in Ontario and Quebec; and 2020, in which Prairie hail storms caused $782,183 in commercial losses.
"Canadian governments must move swiftly to make targeted investments in infrastructure that defends against floods, improve land-use planning rules that ensure homes and businesses are not built on flood plains and that FireSmart best practices are followed in communities in high-risk wildfire zones,” said McGuinty.
“These actions would not only protect the physical assets of the businesses that are at highest risk, but would also safeguard the broader community, contributing to a competitive, responsive and resilient commercial insurance market that provides solutions for businesses.”
Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) has been one of the best-performing stocks of the last decade, benefiting from advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and gaming. However, its high price and volatility make it a challenging stock for Canadian investors to buy.
One way to manage risk and build a long-term position in Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) is through dollar-cost averaging (DCA ) — a strategy where investors buy a fixed dollar amount of stock at regular intervals instead of making a lump-sum purchase.
To use DCA effectively, Canadian investors need to learn which accounts to use (either TFSA, RRSP, or taxable), and which trading platforms to use, such as Wealthsimple or Questrade among others.
What is dollar-cost averaging (DCA)?
DCA is an investment strategy where you invest a fixed amount of money at regular intervals, regardless of the stock’s price. Over time, this smooths out the impact of market volatility and can reduce the risk of buying at a peak.
Example of DCA with Nvidia for a Canadian investor
Instead of buying $12,000 worth of Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) all at once, you decide to invest $1,000 per month for 12 months.
Some months, Nvidia may be expensive; other months, it may be cheaper.
This strategy reduces the impact of market swings and ensures you don’t buy at a short-term high.
Why DCA works well for Canadian investors buying Nvidia
1. Reduces risk of market timing
Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) is highly volatile, and its price can swing 5% to 10% in a single day.
By investing consistently, you avoid making emotional decisions based on short-term price movements.
2. Helps manage currency risk for Canadians
Nvidia (NASDAQ:NVDA) trades in U.S. dollars, meaning Canadian investors face currency fluctuations and withholding tax when trading this stock.
DCA helps average out currency exchange rates over time, reducing the risk of buying when the Canadian dollar is weak against the U.S. dollar.
3. Easy to automate with Canadian brokerages
Some platforms like Wealthsimple Trade and Questrade allow investors to set up recurring stock purchases, making DCA fully automated.
Even if you use a brokerage that doesn’t offer automated DCA, you can still manually buy a fixed amount each month.
Which Canadian accounts are best for Nvidia DCA?
1. TFSA (Tax-Free Savings Account) ✅ Best for long-term growth because all gains are tax-free. ✅ No taxes on capital gains or dividends. 🚨 Downside: Nvidia doesn’t pay a dividend, so this is only useful for long-term capital gains.
2. RRSP (Registered Retirement Savings Plan) ✅ Contributions are tax-deductible, reducing taxable income. ✅ Great for Nvidia because there are no withholding taxes on U.S. stocks inside an RRSP. 🚨 Downside: Withdrawals in retirement are taxed as income.
3. Taxable Account ✅ Good for flexibility (no withdrawal restrictions). 🚨 Downside: Capital gains are taxable at 50% in Canada. 🚨 Currency conversion fees may apply.
Which Canadian brokerages support DCA for Nvidia?
In Canada, several trading apps and discount brokerages support dollar-cost averaging (DCA) — either directly through automated features or by making it easy to manually implement. Here’s a breakdown by category:
Trading apps and brokerage platforms with DCA support (automated or easy manual execution)
Lower fees than Wealthsimple, but less flexible interface.
CI Direct Investing
Supports DCA?: ✅ Yes
Offers SRI (socially responsible investing) portfolios.
Summary: Best brokerage option based on DCA goal
Money.ca
DCA vs. lump-sum investing: Which is better for Nvidia?
A common question is: “Should I just buy Nvidia all at once instead of using DCA?”
✅ Lump-sum investing is better if the market is in an uptrend, because historically, stocks tend to rise over time.
✅ DCA is better if you’re worried about short-term volatility and want to spread out your risk.
Since Nvidia is highly volatile, DCA can be a smart way to manage risk while still building a position over time.
Final thoughts: Why DCA is a smart strategy for Canadians investing in Nvidia
Dollar-cost averaging is a great way for Canadian investors to buy Nvidia without worrying about short-term price swings or currency fluctuations. By investing consistently over time, you lower the risk of making poor timing decisions while benefiting from long-term market growth.
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
In a province that lost over 8,000 affordable housing units between 2016 and 2021, New Brunswick is turning to modular construction as a fast and scalable solution to a worsening housing crunch.
To change public perceptions about what modular homes can offer, the New Brunswick Housing Corporation recently launched a campaign aimed at challenging outdated assumptions that these builds are low-quality or temporary. With financial backing from both provincial and federal governments, the initiative is part of a wider effort to bring modular housing into the mainstream.
One clear endorsement of the approach comes from Ironwood Manufactured Homes in Woodstock, which received $2.5 million in repayable loans to fund the expansion of its operations into a factory ten times its current size. According to Ironwood owner Mark Gaddas, the new facility will enable the company to move into multi-residential construction and maintain up to 15 homes under construction at any given time.
“We strictly build custom modular houses right now,” Gaddas told CTV News. “The new facility will give us the capacity to get into multi-residential… We’ll have anywhere from ten to fifteen houses under construction at all times.”
The federal government has also thrown its support behind the sector. Prime Minister Mark Carney has pledged $25 billion in financing for prefabricated home builders and plans to bulk-order modular units to stabilize demand. Gaddas sees the value in that strategy, even if modular homes won’t solve everything overnight.
“It’s not the silver bullet to the housing crisis,” he said to CTV. “It’s part of the solution… What we can offer is speed.”
Modular construction gets faster and smarter
What makes modular housing so attractive right now isn’t just speed, though that is a major draw. It’s the entire building process. Instead of waiting on-site for better weather or subcontractors, modular homes are built indoors in a tightly controlled factory environment.
In Ironwood’s current plant, crews are able to complete a home in about a week. During a recent build, drywall was being installed just three days in, a step that would typically take weeks to reach in traditional construction.
“That’s one of the reasons why we can speed things up over time,” said Gaddas.
The company’s future facility will add more automation, from lumber-cutting saws to nail-installing machines. Gaddas said they’ve been studying operations in Sweden, where robots are used to assemble modular housing components with minimal human input.
“The automation that they have is much further ahead than where we are,” he said. “You have robots essentially building all the compartments of the houses that we’re talking about.”
Barriers to scale remain
Despite its advantages, modular housing still represents only a small slice of Canada’s residential construction market.
That may change, but key barriers remain, among them, high upfront capital costs, inconsistent regulations and difficulty securing financing. Building the industry to scale also requires predictable demand, something experts say the government could play a stronger role in fostering.
“Creating that sustainable demand is a role that the government can play,” Brandon Searle, Director of Innovation and Operations at the Off-site Construction Research Centre at the University of New Brunswick told CTV. He notes that the model is often faster, more precise and less wasteful than conventional construction, but rarely cheaper.
That speed advantage, however, may be reason enough to invest. “You build faster, with fewer workers, less waste,” he said.
Local builders already proving the model
In Bouctouche, Kent Homes is also demonstrating how modular can meet real housing needs, quickly. The company recently completed a 10-unit apartment complex and two duplexes in three New Brunswick communities, 14 new affordable homes delivered on time and on budget.
Built indoors in a factory, Kent’s homes avoid weather delays and minimize material waste, helping keep projects on schedule. The assembly-line approach also allows the company to deploy its workforce more efficiently while maintaining consistent quality.
A tiny home community takes shape
In Fredericton, New Brunswick, a transformative housing initiative is redefining the path from homelessness to hope. The 12 Neighbours initiative, founded by former software engineer Marcel LeBrun, has constructed a community of 96 fully equipped tiny homes, each featuring a kitchen, bathroom, and private entrance. Built at a remarkable pace of one home per week, the final unit was completed on April 18, 2024 .
This innovative model offers rent at just 30% of a resident’s income, providing affordability for individuals transitioning out of homelessness. The community extends beyond housing, incorporating a social enterprise hub that includes a café, print shop and construction workshop. These initiatives not only provide employment opportunities but also foster a sense of purpose and belonging among residents.
The 12 Neighbours community exemplifies how modular construction can be leveraged to create holistic solutions to the housing crisis, particularly for vulnerable populations.
The initiative shows how modular and off-site construction can be part of more holistic responses to the housing crisis, particularly for vulnerable populations.
The challenge of building at scale
While modular housing presents a promising solution to Canada’s housing shortage, scaling these projects faces significant hurdles. Kevin Lee, CEO of the Canadian Home Builders’ Association (CHBA), told CTV that the industry’s reliance on traditional construction methods is partly due to established regulatory and financial systems that favor conventional models. He notes, "At the municipal level, you cannot build the same house from city to city to city. Every city has different bylaws, zoning requirements, and interpretations of the exact same provincial building code."
These inconsistencies create a fragmented landscape that complicates the widespread adoption of modular housing. Despite the technological advancements and capacity available, navigating the complex web of local regulations remains a significant barrier to efficient and scalable implementation.
Could floating homes be next?
While modular housing takes off on land, other housing alternatives are being floated, literally. In our recent feature "Floating homes turn into nightmare for homebuyers", we explored the rising interest in water-based living as a response to land shortages and urban sprawl.
But while the appeal is obvious — no land needed, potential for sustainable energy integration — the reality has proven difficult. Many floating home owners in Ontario, for instance, have run into unclear zoning laws, regulatory crackdowns and logistical challenges around water and sewage infrastructure. For now, the idea remains more curiosity than solution.
Still, it’s a reminder of how broad and creative the housing conversation has become, and why modular solutions that can scale today may deserve the most attention.
Redefining how we house Canadians
Canada’s housing crisis won’t be solved by any one method. But what’s happening in New Brunswick shows how modular housing can make a real, immediate difference when governments, businesses and communities align.
The technology exists. The capacity is growing. And as more builders like Ironwood and Kent Homes scale up, and community-first projects like 12 Neighbours gain momentum, there’s a clear path forward.
Modular homes may not be a silver bullet, but in a housing emergency, speed, flexibility and efficiency count for a lot.
Sources
1. CTV News: ‘What we can offer is speed’: Modular housing business owner on tackling supply (June 5, 2025)
2. Global News: Fredericton tiny home community providing housing, opportunity (April 20, 2024)
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
An Ontario man found out the hard way the responsibilities you take on when you co-sign a loan, and why it’s not a good idea to co-sign a loan for a friend.
“I went in as a co-signer and I had no idea that this could happen,” Mississauga resident Shane Brown told CTV News after learning he is on the hook for $62,000.
“I wanted to help a friend and that’s why I signed the loan. If I would have known what would have happened, I never would have signed it . . . I’m paying for something I’m not even using.”
Hard lesson to learn
For Brown, the predicament began about three years ago when he helped a friend purchase a vehicle because she was having trouble qualifying for a loan. The vehicle was a 2019 Ford Escape and the financing was $62,533.
Brown told CTV News that about a year later he found out that his friend’s ex-boyfriend had vandalized the vehicle to the extent that it was undriveable. So she stopped making the loan payments.
Now, Brown is totally responsible for the $700 monthly payments for a vehicle that has been sitting in an automotive garage for the past year.
“What’s the point of co-signing for somebody,” Brown told CTV. “My friend turned their back against me, how is that supposed to make anyone feel.”
According to MNP, Canada’s largest consumer insolvency firm, the act of co-signing a loan is easy but it’s also very risky.
“If the borrower defaults, the bank will look to you to pay back the loan.”
And this is where it can become tricky for people. MNP says that often people with good credit and little other debt end up filing for bankruptcy because they co-signed a loan and got into financial trouble.
And as Equifax points out: “Co-signing for someone is a significant commitment. So, don’t fill out a credit application without having an in-depth financial discussion with the primary borrower. It’s important to talk to the borrower about their ability to stay on top of their payments and to form a plan in case they fall behind on their financial obligations.”
If faced with a situation like Brown’s, your first step is seeing if you can have your name removed from the loan. But the Financial and Consumer Services Commission of New Brunswick says it can be challenging to remove your name as a co-signer from an existing loan.
“The primary borrower would need to qualify for refinancing or pay off the loan entirely to release you from the loan.”
The issues with co-signing on a loan
Equifax says co-signing a loan may impact a person’s finances in several ways as that person takes on the same financial risk as the primary borrower.
First and foremost, it could increase their debt-to-income ratio which could impact their ability to qualify for their own additional credit. Your credit score could be affected with any late or missed payments.
The biggest impact for a co-signer is being responsible for the payment of a loan if the primary borrower misses a payment.
“Co-signing has the potential to put stress on your relationship with the primary borrower, who is often times a friend or family member. Your finances are tied to theirs for the length of the loan, even if your personal relationship changes,” adds Equifax.
There are several alternatives to taking the step and co-signing a loan for another primary borrower whether it’s for a vehicle or a home. Those include helping out with a downpayment or lending the primary borrower your own money.
So maybe you’d rather not co-sign for someone, but you still want to help. Here are some alternatives to helping someone without agreeing to be responsible for the repayment of a loan.
Fidelity says out that people can help a primary borrower find another loan source.
“Just because one lender requires a co-signer does not mean that all of them will. Each lender will have its own lending requirements. And sometimes it’s worth taking the time to shop around a little.”
Sources
1. CTV News: Ontario man on the hook for $62K after friend stops paying monthly car payments (March 12, 2025)
