The March 19 gathering at the Vancouver Convention Centre brought hundreds of brokers, lenders and executives together
Western Canada’s mortgage community turned out in force for the Canadian Mortgage Summit Vancouver in March, with about 15% more registrations and a 21% jump in actual attendance compared with last year’s event.
The March 19 gathering at the Vancouver Convention Centre brought hundreds of brokers, lenders and executives together as the spring market approached.
The Vancouver summit, CMP’s annual anchor event for Western Canada, followed in the footsteps of prior national gatherings that have rapidly grown into some of the biggest dates on the broker calendar, drawing participants from across the country for in‑depth market discussions and networking.
Past editions of the Canadian Mortgage Summit were described as events that “once again attracted brokers and lenders from across the country for a series of interactive discussions, presentations, and a lot of socialising.”
Attendance surges in a softer rate and housing cycle
This year’s larger crowd arrived amid eventful times for the mortgage market.
The Bank of Canada kept its policy rate at 2.25% the day before the Summit, holding the line on variable mortgage costs as it weighed easing inflation against a softer labour market and elevated global risks, including conflict in the Middle East.
Fixed mortgage rates moved higher into March as bond yields climbed, even with most forecasters expecting policy to stay on hold through much of 2026.
That left many summit conversations focused on how to protect volumes and margins in a market where originations remain under pressure and borrowers face payment shock on renewal.
Millions of Canadian mortgages are set to renew through 2025–26, often at higher payments, underscoring the importance of detailed guidance for borrowers.
Brokers pressed lenders on products and local risk
For front‑line brokers, the Vancouver summit provided a rare chance to put those questions directly to decision‑makers.
“A lot of lenders are pushing back on certain things, so it’s good to know if they’re doing construction mortgages, mobile homes, farms,” said Rhea Virk, founder and chief executive officer of West Capital Mortgage.
“We come from Abbotsford, so there are a lot of farms there and a lot of condos, townhomes. Many lenders are pushing back in terms of their LTVs [loan‑to‑value] on those things. It’s not 70%, 75% anymore. It’s down to 65%. So it’s just good to get feedback on those things,” she said.
Spring expected to improve – but not a 2022 repeat
With Western Canada’s housing market still struggling to find momentum in early 2026, Virk said the toughest task remains simply generating business.
“It’s hard to get clients in the first place in this type of market,” she said.
“They’re not selling. There are a lot of homes up for sale. But we’re not seeing a lot of investors. We’re seeing a lot of first‑time buyers, a lot of refinances.
“But again, there’s an issue with appraisals when it comes to refinances. The appraisals are not there and the rates are high.”
Expectations for the spring market are cautious rather than euphoric – a sentiment that echoes wider forecasts calling for only modest price gains nationally through 2026 and a continued divergence between single‑family and condo segments in major centres such as Vancouver.
“Towards spring, I know for sure that it’s not going to be the same as it was back in 2022 or 2023,” Virk said, “but it’s going to be better than what it is right now. I’m just doing what I’ve been doing: cold calling, reaching out to my existing clients.
“It’s slow right now, but that doesn’t stop us from doing anything. It’s not that we just sit back and there’s nothing to do. I keep doing what I do every day and that discipline needs to be there.”
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