For the 11th straight Bank of Canada meeting the key interest rate has been kept at 1%. Below is a story from the Financial Post:
 
Best be getting used to this: Mark Carney, governor of the Bank of Canada, has again maintained interest rates at 1% and remains on track to not budge from that position any time soon as upside and downside risks remain balanced amid moderating growth.

It’s time for Stewart Mortgage Corp.’s update on what’s going on at the BC Wildlife Park. We are so fortunate to have this wonderful park in Kamloops.

You may be surprised to know the park has been open since January 1st thru February 28th on weekends only.

Now that we are hopefully into good weather, and with Spring just around the corner, as of March 1st thru April 30th they are open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. with a later closing  from May 1st thru September 30th at 5:00 p.m.

TORONTO - The Canadian dollar gave up early gains and moved lower after the Bank of Canada's announced it was leaving interest rates unchanged and warned of the negative effects of a rising currency.
The loonie was 0.12 of a cent lower to 102.82 cents US after the central bank announced its decision to keep the key interest rate at one per cent.
 

By The Canadian Press
OTTAWA - Canada's national housing agency says the pace of new-home construction will stabilize in 2011 and 2012 after trending lower at the end of last year.
 
Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp.'s predicts between 157,000 and 192,000 new housing units will be built this year, with the number remaining virtually the same in 2012. In its first quarter housing market outlook, released Thursday, it said economic growth and lower unemployment will prop up the need for new homes.
 

For a limited time Stewart Mortgage Corp. is offering a Free* trip for 2 to Las Vegas with every Mortgage that is Approved and Funded. 

Stewart Mortgage Corp. has been in business in Kamloops for over 28 years and we strive to provide you the best service and get you the best rates, we work for you not the Banks. 

Some of our specialties are: 

Despite robust building statistics, the city’s population didn’t grow last year.

The latest numbers from B.C. Stats peg the city’s population at about 87,000 people, virtually unchanged from 2009.

Randy Lambright, community development supervisor at the City of Kamloops, questioned the numbers from B.C. Stats, which, unlike the federal census every five years, are not based on head counts. “I think it’s a bit misleading based on our building stats. We’ve had 500 to 600 units.”

As expected, the Bank of Canada announced today that they are maintaining its target for the overnight rate at one per cent. This is great news for Variable rate borrowers:

 
Here is an article with more info from CMP:
 

For the second time in the last twelve months Finance Minister Jim Flaherty has announced that the Federal Government is tightening mortgage rules.

There are three main changes in the new rules announced today, amortizations on insured loans will be lowered from 35 years down to 30 years; the amount you can refinance your home for has come down to 85% from 90%; and the government will no longer insure home equity lines of credit (HELOC’s).

We at Stewart Mortgage hope everyone had a safe and happy holiday.

We were fortunate enough to be able to take time off between Christmas and New Years. It was awesome being able to stay in town, spend lots of quality time with family, and relax. 

Now that the holidays are over, we are rejuvenated and ready to go. According to  the media, the prediction is good for another strong year in real estate.

I couldn’t believe my eyes when I read the Life section of The Globe and Mail recently.
 
The heading “Teen Plastic” stopped me right in my tracks.

Not quite debit cards and not quite credit cards, prepaid credit cards were originally designed for consumers who couldn’t qualify for credit cards or didn’t have bank accounts. You upload money to the card and then use it for purchases like you would with a credit card - except there’s no line of credit attached to it.