Oct 15, 2026
Court-ordered home listings in Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley have reached a 10-year high, while mortgage delinquencies are rising in Ontario and B.C. as some homeowners struggle with higher borrowing costs.
There were 946 court-ordered property listings across Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley between January and September 2026, according to CBC News. Meanwhile, Equifax Canada’s first-quarter report found that Ontario’s mortgage balance delinquency rate rose 52% year over year.
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While these figures are distinct measurements, both point to mounting financial pressure in some of Canada’s most expensive housing markets.
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B.C. court-ordered listings reach a decade high
The 946 listings recorded in the Lower Mainland during the first nine months of 2026 exceeded the annual totals for each of the previous 10 years, CBC reported.
The listings include more than foreclosures. Some stem from estate disputes, family-law cases or bankruptcies, rather than homeowners falling behind on their mortgage payments.
Still, the increase comes as Canadians renew mortgages originally taken out when interest rates were near historic lows during the pandemic. For homeowners renewing five-year fixed-rate mortgages, monthly payments can rise substantially, depending on their original rate, outstanding balance and remaining amortization.
CBC spoke to one B.C. homeowner whose mortgage renewal is expected to increase his monthly costs by between $600 and $1,200.
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Ontario mortgage delinquencies jump 52%
Equifax Canada reported that Ontario’s mortgage balance delinquency rate rose from 0.24% in the first quarter of 2025 to 0.36% in the first quarter of 2026. That’s a 52% relative increase.
The measure tracks the share of outstanding mortgage balances that are at least 90 days past due. It doesn’t mean 52% more homeowners have defaulted, or that 52% of Ontario mortgages are delinquent.
The rate remains below 1%, but the increase suggests more mortgage debt is falling seriously behind. B.C. also saw a rise: its mortgage balance delinquency rate increased 36% year over year to 0.25%.
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Rebecca Oakes, vice-president of advanced analytics at Equifax Canada, told Global News that mortgage delinquency trends offer “a really good indication of the severity of financial stress that’s happening in a region.”
Oakes also noted that homeowners often prioritize mortgage payments while falling behind on other debts, meaning rising mortgage delinquencies can be a lagging indicator of broader household financial stress.
Equifax Canada was contacted for further comment but did not respond before publication.
What homeowners can do if payments are becoming difficult
Homeowners worried about their ability to manage a renewal should review their budget before the new payment takes effect and contact their lender early if they anticipate trouble.
Depending on the circumstances, options may include extending the amortization or discussing alternative payment arrangements. These measures can reduce immediate pressure, but may increase total interest costs or extend the time it takes to repay the mortgage.
Anyone already falling behind should seek advice promptly rather than wait for the situation to escalate. A credit counsellor or qualified mortgage professional can help assess the available options.
Rising court-ordered listings and mortgage delinquencies are warning signs, but neither figure tells the whole story on its own. For homeowners, the priority is to understand how renewal costs will affect their finances and address potential shortfalls before missed payments accumulate.
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Steven Brennan is a freelance finance writer based in Vancouver, BC. He holds a BA and an MA from Maynooth University, Ireland. His work regularly appears at Canadian Mortgage Trends, Lowest Rates, Loans Canada and other Canadian and U.S. brands.
