Why Private Mortgages Can Trap Investors for Years

The three amigos reunite for the 2025 year-in-review and break down the biggest market takeaways of the year. Dan explains how the TSX delivered rare outperformance versus U.S. markets, powered by financials and a major run in precious metals—while telecoms slid out of Canada’s top market-cap ranks. The crew then dives into AI’s public-market ripple effects: the data center CapEx boom, who’s winning across chips, infrastructure, and power, and why data center REITs may not be the pure-play many investors expect. Simon recaps “Liberation Day” and the tariff-driven selloff that rattled markets, before they close on gold and silver’s breakout, banks leaning on capital markets, Bitcoin’s volatility (and the MicroStrategy trade), and a quiet three-year stretch of weakness in Canadian railways. Tickers of Stocks discussed: BCE.TO , ZBK, AXP, CLS, EQIX, DLR, ORCL, NVDA, AVGO, ASML, TSM, SMH, WSP.TO , ADBE, CRM, NOW, CSU.TO, GOOG, MSTR, CP.TO, CNR.TO   Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Our New Youtube Channel! Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Simon Belanger is joined by Dan Foch to demystify Canada’s private mortgage landscape from MICs (Mortgage Investment Corporations), to mortgage finance companies, and why syndicated mortgages. They break down how these funds generate eye-catching yields, where the real fees live, why first vs. second-position lending matters, and the biggest risk most investors underestimate: liquidity. The conversation also covers gated redemptions, conflicts of interest in vertically integrated lending, and the key questions investors should ask before allocating registered-account money to private mortgage products. Tickers of Stocks Discussed:  Our New Youtube Channel! Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, we’re joined by Bipen Rai, Managing Director and Head of ETF and Alternatives Strategy at BMO Global Asset Management. We discuss the current macro environment, the outlook for interest rates, and how investors should think about portfolio construction as markets move further away from the post-GFC playbook. Bipen shares his perspective on gold and why it continues to play an important role in portfolios, how macro risks are evolving, and what signals investors should be paying attention to as we move forward. We also touch on the broader investing landscape, risk management, and how investors can think more deliberately about diversification in an increasingly uncertain environment. BMO ETFs is a sponsor of The Canadian Investor Podcast. This episode is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Our New Youtube Channel! Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canadian CPI surprised slightly to the downside, but food inflation is still biting, with big moves in staples like beef and coffee. We also break down the shakeup at Lululemon as the CEO steps down, and why investors appear to be welcoming change. On the Canadian side, we dig into Group Dynamite’s eye-popping results and what’s behind the momentum. Finally, we tackle the name that’s been weighing on markets. We wrap with WSP’s latest acquisition and why grid modernization could be one of the more compelling “picks and shovels” angles to the broader AI buildout. Tickers of Stocks Discussed: LULU, ORCL, WSP.TO, GRGD.TO Our New Youtube Channel! Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Canadian Investor Podcast, we discuss a viral tweet about paying off a low-rate mortgage sparked a familiar debate — invest or kill the mortgage? For Canadians, the answer isn’t nearly as simple. With higher renewal rates, stretched market valuations, and taxes in the mix, the math has quietly shifted. We break down when investing still makes sense, when paying down a mortgage becomes a compelling risk-free return, and why today’s market environment looks very different from the last decade. We also dig into where value can still exist in an expensive market — including a deep dive into a Canadian apartment REIT that’s been hit hard despite strong fundamentals. Is this a classic “blood in the streets” setup, or a value trap? Tickers of stocks discussed: CAR-UN.TO Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Our New Youtube Channel! Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of the Canadian Investor Podcast, EQ Bank announced a major acquisition on the same day as earnings — buying PC Financial and locking in an exclusive partnership with PC Optimum. We break down what the deal really means, why Loblaw becoming a major shareholder matters, and how this positions EQ Bank against Canada’s much larger incumbents. We also dig into earnings from TD and Royal Bank, where strong capital markets are masking softer lending conditions — and why 2026 could look very different for Canadian banks. Are we nearing a reset year? Finally, we cover BRP’s latest results and what looks like a classic cyclical recovery: improving margins, inventory normalization, rising market share, and upgraded guidance — even as the broader consumer picture remains uneven. Tickers of stocks discussed: EQB.TO, TD.TO, RY.TO, DOO.TO  Our New Youtube Channel! Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Simon and Dan kick off this episode with a clear, beginner-friendly walkthrough of the main Canadian investment accounts. If you’re not sure which account to pick or you need a refresher, the first half of this episode is for you. TFSA, RRSP, FHSA, RESP, taxable and locked-in accounts, Simon and Dan go over how they work, when they make the most sense, and the biggest pitfalls to avoid (like TFSA over-contributions and RRSP withholding tax surprises). It’s a perfect primer to share with friends and family who want to start investing but aren’t sure which account to use.  If you’re already familiar with these accounts, in the 2nd half of the episode Simon and Dan go over 5 stocks on their radar. Tickers of stocks discussed: WSP.TO, TIH.TO, PD.TO, TECK-B.TO, TSM   Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Our New Youtube Channel! Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of The Canadian Investor Podcast, Simon and Dan cover a packed slate of major Canadian market moves — from dividend shocks to CEO shakeups and a long-awaited bank sale. We break down Telus’ dividend growth pause and DRIP phase-out, why the company says the payout is safe, and what 2026 free cash flow could mean for investors. Then we look at Goeasy, where CEO Dan Rees is stepping down amid rising provisions, a short report, and widespread management turnover. Simon also explains Allied Properties’ 60% distribution cut, highlighting the three warning signs that dividend investors should always watch for. Then we dive into Laurentian Bank’s split sale to Fairstone and National, and what this means for Quebec’s banking landscape. Finally, we review Scotiabank’s strong quarter and whether the bank is starting to pull off a real turnaround. Tickers Discussed: T, BCE, GSY, AP.UN, NA, LB, BNS Our New Youtube Channel! Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Before you start investing, there are a few fundamentals every Canadian needs to get right — but most people skip straight past them. In this episode, Simon and Dan lay out a simple framework to follow before you consider investing a single dollar in the markets. Then, Simon sits down with Dan Broten, Senior Vice President and Head of EQ Bank, for a deep dive into the state of Canadian banking. They discuss EQ’s new survey on solopreneurs and micro-businesses, why small operators feel overlooked by traditional banks, and how outdated, branch-era systems still shape the experience for business owners today. Dan also shares insights on regulatory change, pro-competition momentum in Ottawa, and why Canada might finally be at a turning point in modernizing its financial infrastructure. Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Our New Youtube Channel! Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Couche-Tard may finally be showing early signs of a long-awaited turnaround with improving U.S. trends, stronger margins, and surprising strength in food and nicotine alternatives. Home Depot delivered solid operations but once again cut guidance as the renovation cycle continues to stall. And then there’s Nvidia another monster quarter… paired with a surprisingly cold market reaction. We dig into what’s driving the pullback, the emerging threat from in-house AI chips, and why Michael Burry believes Nvidia today mirrors Cisco in 2000. Tickers of Stocks Discussed: ATD, HD, NVDA, META, ORCL, MSFT, GOOGL, AMZN, CSCO Check out our portfolio by going to Jointci.com Our Website Our New Youtube Channel! Canadian Investor Podcast Network Twitter: @cdn_investing Simon’s twitter: @Fiat_Iceberg Braden’s twitter: @BradoCapital Dan’s Twitter: @stocktrades_ca Want to learn more about Real Estate Investing? Check out the Canadian Real Estate Investor Podcast! Apple Podcast - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Spotify - The Canadian Real Estate Investor  Web player - The Canadian Real Estate Investor Asset Allocation ETFs | BMO Global Asset Management Sign up for Fiscal.ai for free to get easy access to global stock coverage and powerful AI investing tools. Register for EQ Bank, the seamless digital banking experience with better rates and no nonsense.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.