Dedicated to providing leadership and vision to support strategic economic growth within our community

February 2, 2026

February Notes

As the year gets underway, we are enjoying reconnecting with members, welcoming new faces, and continuing conversations that support a strong and collaborative local business community.

Our next opportunity to gather is Business After Business on Tuesday, February 10, hosted by Castanet and JobWorks at the Innovation Centre Powered by SASCU. These events continue to be an engaging and informal way to build relationships across our business and non-profit community, and I hope you’ll join us.

I’d also encourage you to save the date for the Mayoral Luncheon and State of the City Address on May 27. This annual event is a great opportunity to hear directly from Mayor Alan Harrison and engage in dialogue on issues that matter to our region.

We are currently gauging interest in our upcoming Empowering Non-Profits Workshop Series, a free five-session series designed specifically for non-profit boards and executive directors. The series will focus on practical governance, fiduciary responsibility, financial reporting, and grant writing. If you, your board, or an organization you support would like to be included, please email admin@sachamber.bc.ca to be added to the list.

I’d also like to extend another thank you to SASCU for their grant support, which is making this expanded workshop series possible and ensuring it can be offered at no cost to participating organizations.

Thank you for staying engaged and connected. I look forward to seeing many of you at an upcoming event.

Sincerely,

Christine Jontz-Barbour

Executive Director

New Members in January

Welcome to our new members!

Upcoming Events

2026 Partners and Sponsors

Bank of Canada Rate Announcement

Bank of Canda - 

As expected, a hold for the January 28th BoC rate announcement. Many sources sighting holds throughout 2026, and then possible rate increases at the beginning of 2027.

OSFI- 

As mortgage brokers, Thursday’s OSFI Quarterly Release reinforces a familiar theme: protecting the stability of Canada’s financial system remains the top priority. That’s important and necessary.

Tools like the mortgage stress test play a valuable role. A stress test of some kind helps ensure borrowers can handle future rate increases and protects households from taking on more risk than they can reasonably manage. In practice, it has prevented many Canadians from becoming over-leveraged. OSFI started a pilot project in early 2025 where they looked at a loan-to-income qualifier instead. Roughly 4.5x a borrower’s income, while still taking into consideration existing liability payments. OSFI has decided to leave in place the existing B-20 guidelines and current stress test of 5.25% or 2% above contract, whichever is higher. 

At the same time, the housing and rate environment has changed since many of the B-20 guidelines were first introduced. Prices have cooled a bit, borrowing costs have reset higher, and many households are now focused on managing upcoming renewals. That shift matters; however, we do not believe the stress-test should be totally abolished. 

In our community we see borrowers making careful, informed decisions, not chasing excess. As OSFI continues to refine its frameworks, the opportunity is to ensure existing safeguards remain well calibrated and responsive to today’s conditions. Strong regulation and accessible homeownership don’t have to be at odds. A stress test that evolves with the market can continue to protect borrowers while supporting a stable, functioning housing system. OSFI has not stated whether they will re-look at the pilot project or reconsider changing guidelines in the future.

For more information, contact Tekamar Mortgages 250-832-8766 or info@tekamar.ca