From Olympic champions to prime economists, this yr’s MPC Nationwide Mortgage Convention delivered two packed days of insights and connection at Ottawa’s Rogers Centre.
“This yr’s convention mirrored the power and flexibility of Canada’s mortgage neighborhood,” mentioned MPC CEO Lauren van den Berg. “Our aim is at all times to create area for significant dialogue, new concepts, and collaboration that continues lengthy after the periods finish — and none of it might be potential with out the dedication and onerous work of the rockstar MPC crew who convey all of it collectively behind the scenes.”
Held final week in Ottawa, the convention introduced collectively greater than 1,400 mortgage professionals for 2 days of studying and inspiration, that includes keynote audio system, packed panels and a bustling expo ground.
Shawn Kanungo opened the mainstage with a jolt of vitality, urging brokers to lean into the approaching “agentic” AI period whereas doubling down on human worth. He reminded the room that “belief is the last word forex,” challenged attendees to “work scared till you develop into scary,” and argued that in an AI world, “the in-person expertise is the model”—the guided friction that makes complicated financing really feel clear and private.
He was adopted by luncheon keynote Tessa Advantage, who drew from her Olympic profession to discover management, resilience and performing underneath stress. She spoke concerning the significance of specializing in excellence quite than perfection, connecting effort to objective, and cultivating belief inside groups, concepts that resonated with mortgage professionals navigating fixed change.
The educational continued Monday with an financial outlook from CIBC Deputy Chief Economist Benjamin Tal, who advised attendees that Canada is already in a “per-capita recession” and that the Financial institution of Canada should transfer rapidly to chop charges.
He described the slowdown as “the most important check to your trade because the Nineteen Nineties,” saying policy-makers are actually attempting to “normalize the irregular” after years of extraordinary financial circumstances. Tal warned that the housing market stays “frozen — homes are too costly to purchase and never costly sufficient to construct,” significantly in Ontario and B.C., the place the rental sector is already in recession.
All through the 2 days, there was additionally a full slate of concurrent periods tackling well timed matters like expertise, compliance, and enterprise progress. The lender and dealer panels drew standing-room crowds, whereas the ByWard Market Expo buzzed with 72 exhibitors showcasing merchandise and partnerships that energy the dealer channel.
n the closing session, veteran journalist Lisa LaFlamme, who spoke about management, change and resilience drawn from her many years in broadcasting. She reminded attendees that whereas technical information issues, success finally will depend on emotional intelligence — the power to attach, pay attention and construct belief. LaFlamme urged professionals to “pay attention extra and speak much less,” noting that whereas expertise and AI could remodel processes, “it’ll at all times take a human to clarify why it issues.”
The night concluded with the Canadian Mortgage Corridor of Fame Gala, celebrating this yr’s inductees — Gord Wintrup, Frank Napolitano and Joe Pinheiro — who’ve every helped form the values, requirements and spirit of Canada’s mortgage neighborhood.
Nationwide convention by the numbers
- 72 exhibitors
- 1,425 complete attendees
- 6 main-stage occasions (keynotes + lender & dealer panels)
- 28 concurrent session audio system
- 24 sponsors making it occur
- 1,000+ lunches serves throughout Tessa Advantage’s keynote tackle
- 3: The variety of consecutive years the convention has bought out
- 2026: When the convention heads west to Calgary
Maxime Stencer named new MPC board chair
Mortgage Professionals Canada welcomed Maxime Stencer as its new board chair at this yr’s Nationwide Mortgage Convention in Ottawa, succeeding Barbara Prepare dinner, who now serves as previous chair.
In his tackle to attendees, Stencer emphasised that MPC’s power lies in its folks, describing the affiliation as “a wealthy, vibrant, and passionate community of greater than 15,000 professionals.” He added that as chair, his dedication is to make sure “our members might be on the coronary heart of each resolution we make — your voice will information us.”
Stencer advised members that what unites the mortgage neighborhood is a shared objective and the impression brokers have day by day. “Due to your work, a younger couple proudly opens the door to their first residence. Due to your experience, retirees can restructure their funds with confidence. And due to your steerage, households can step into the following chapter of their lives with peace in thoughts,” he mentioned. “That doesn’t simply occur. It takes lengthy hours, sharp judgment, and a drive to ship one of the best service that retains Canadians assured in our trade.”
To strengthen that message, he introduced a symbolic new custom: an empty chair might be positioned at each board assembly to symbolize MPC’s members and function a visible reminder of the affiliation’s mission to serve the dealer neighborhood and advance homeownership in Canada.
Outgoing chair Barbara Prepare dinner mirrored on a yr marked by progress in advocacy and member engagement. She mentioned the trade’s collective voice “has by no means been stronger,” pointing to advances on bringing digital revenue verification to the forefront coverage conversations in Ottawa, expanded 30-year amortizations, and efforts to maintain housing affordability entrance and centre in authorities coverage discussions. “It takes all 15,000 of us to construct a robust affiliation,” Prepare dinner mentioned. “If we wish to hold transferring our trade ahead, we now have to do it collectively.”
Lender panel: debtors are proving resilient as renewals roll in
At Mortgage Professionals Canada’s Nationwide Convention, senior executives from main lenders mentioned the housing market has confirmed far stronger than many anticipated this yr, with arrears nonetheless close to document lows and debtors adjusting to increased charges.
“There’s been no renewals cliff,” mentioned Jason Ellis, President and CEO of First Nationwide. “None of us up right here have seen any proof of a collapse. The housing market has held collectively, and arrears are lower than 15 foundation factors.”
Brian Carey, Govt Vice-President and COO of MCAP, famous that general mortgage exercise stays strong, supported by long-term progress in Canada’s market. “The residential mortgage market in Canada is $2.7 trillion right this moment,” he mentioned. “If we return 10 years, it was about $1.7 trillion — it’s grown fairly properly.”
Tracy Gomes, Senior Vice-President of Actual Property Secured Lending at Scotiabank, added that debtors have proven self-discipline by the renewal cycle. “Apart from housing itself, the mortgage market was nice,” she mentioned. “We had a variety of renewals developing for our debtors this yr, and in order that was a really wholesome change and refinance marketplace for anyone who’s within the mortgage lending enterprise.”
Andrew Gilmour, Govt Vice-President at CMLS Monetary, mentioned even debtors renewing from ultra-low pandemic charges are managing the transition. “With the renewal wave… purchasers that had been at 1.5%, 2%, 2.5%, going into stuff that’s 250 foundation factors increased… the Canadian client continues to fulfill their debt obligations.”
General, panelists agreed 2025 has been “a yr of resilience, not retreat,” with debtors adapting and confidence returning as coverage modifications enhance affordability.
Learn the total CMT article for extra highlights from MPC’s lender panel.
30-year amortizations serving to extra patrons qualify, says Canada Warranty
New federal mortgage guidelines are giving first-time patrons extra flexibility and bettering affordability. Mary Putnam, Senior Vice-President of Gross sales and Advertising and marketing at Canada Warranty, shared the replace throughout MPC’s Nationwide Mortgage Convention.
She mentioned 56% of recent high-ratio originations this yr used a 30-year amortization, and 46% of these debtors wouldn’t have certified underneath a 25-year time period. The brand new $1.5-million cap has additionally expanded entry, with 3.5% of insured quantity now exceeding $1 million, and 64% of recent insured enterprise coming by brokers.
“These modifications gave first-time homebuyers a possibility to purchase in a rational course of the place for a few years it was very onerous,” Putnam mentioned. “It’s made an enormous, large distinction.”
Habitat for Humanity and MPC partnership serving to extra Canadians into properties
A rising partnership between Habitat for Humanity Canada and Mortgage Professionals Canada helps extra households achieve entry to homeownership.
MPC has pledged $200,000 and volunteer assist to assist construct properties throughout the nation, providing mortgage professionals a hands-on approach to give again to their communities.
“The assist of MPC and our different companions make an actual distinction within the lives of Canadian households who would in any other case haven’t any alternative to personal their residence,” mentioned Alana Lavoie, Nationwide Senior Director of Public Coverage at Habitat for Humanity Canada.
She added that Habitat can also be increasing past conventional indifferent properties to incorporate townhomes, stacked models and modular builds, new fashions designed to fulfill affordability challenges and make higher use of restricted land.
Subsequent Steps: Mortgage trade profession strikes
Gord Dahlen joins Highclere Capital as director of gross sales, Canada West
Highclere Capital has welcomed Gord Dahlen as director of gross sales for Canada West.
With over three many years of expertise throughout the Canadian mortgage and monetary companies trade, Dahlen brings a wealth of management in gross sales, enterprise growth, and dealer relations. He’s constructed his profession at organizations comparable to Axiom Improvements, MCAN Monetary Group, Equitable Financial institution, Bridgewater Financial institution, and First Nationwide, the place he’s identified for empowering groups, fostering dealer success, and serving to drive sustained progress.
Highclere mentioned Dahlen’s concentrate on constructing robust relationships and driving significant outcomes makes him a pure match for the corporate as they broaden their presence into Western Canada.
Cara Shulman joins Neighborhood Belief as supervisor of nationwide gross sales assist and occasions
Neighborhood Belief has appointed Cara Shulman as supervisor of nationwide gross sales assist and occasions. An award-winning govt with greater than 25 years of expertise in occasion administration and sponsorship progress, Shulman has led large-scale conferences, commerce reveals, and company packages throughout the mortgage and monetary sectors.
She beforehand served as vice-president of membership and occasions at Mortgage Professionals Canada and, extra lately, as vice-president of packages and partnerships on the Resort Affiliation of Canada. Shulman has earned a number of nationwide awards for convention and occasion excellence, together with recognition from BizBash and the Canadian Occasion Business Awards.
Sébastien Bonnerot named senior vice-president of strategic progress at Century 21 Canada
Century 21 Canada has promoted Sébastien Bonnerot to senior vice-president of strategic progress. With greater than 15 years within the Century 21 system, Bonnerot has held roles as agent, crew chief, and broker-owner of Century 21 Élite, one of many community’s top-performing workplaces.
In his new function, Bonnerot will concentrate on increasing Century 21’s business actual property providing and supporting brokers in growing new income streams by instruments comparable to Mortgage Monitor and House Hub. His appointment displays the model’s broader progress technique and dedication to strengthening its presence throughout Canada, significantly in Quebec.
Ali Nihal joins CIBC as director of funding and liquidity administration
Ali Nihal has joined CIBC as director of funding and liquidity administration. He brings greater than 15 years of expertise in treasury, funding technique, and capital markets, with prior roles at Wealthsimple, George Weston Restricted, Road Capital Financial institution of Canada, and Laurentian Financial institution.
Nihal has intensive experience in securitization, liquidity threat administration, and regulatory reporting, having led funding packages and relationships with ranking businesses, traders, and OSFI.
“Subsequent Steps” is a function in our Mortgage Digests that highlights notable job modifications and profession developments throughout the mortgage trade. When you’ve got a job replace to share, we welcome your submissions to maintain the neighborhood within the loop.
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Final modified: October 28, 2025
