Latest from Toronto Sun
Toronto Sun
25 minutes ago
- Lifestyle
- Toronto Sun
Appealing to the senses
Bouclair recommends refreshing the kitchen with Lemon Verde. Its citrusy profile neutralizes cooking odours and gives a fresh aroma. Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Scent-scaping finds a place in the home This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Scent-scaping is a hot new interior trend but it's hardly a new practice. 'In recent years, a growing number of people have begun to understand what we in the field of aromatherapy have long known: that scent is not a luxury; it's a vital sensory tool for creating balance, intention and harmony in our lives,' says certified aromatherapy health professional Iris Dowling of Bronte Creek Natural Wellness in Oakville. 'This is the essence of scent-scaping, or as we often call it in therapeutic circles, fragrance layering.' Dowling defines scent-scaping as the 'art and science of curating specific aromatic experiences throughout your home or workspace. It involves pairing scents with the purpose of the room: diffusing invigorating essential oils in your office to foster focus or layering calming floral and wood notes in the bedroom to support restful sleep,' she says. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Unlike randomly placing candles or spritzing room spray, scent-scaping is deeply intentional. It's about choosing aromas that speak to the energy of a space and – more importantly – support the people within it. This alignment of purpose and scent is foundational in aromatherapy, where we see each aroma as a tool for emotional and physical alignment.' BENEFITS OF SCENT-SCAPING Bouclair's Sonia Crete created the store's Aroma Lab collection of candles, diffusers and soon sprays. 'Fragrance has an impact on how we feel in our spaces. Scent-scaping can reduce stress, improve focus, lift your mood and create a welcoming ambiance,' she says. 'When we layer fragrance with thought and care, we activate the limbic system – an ancient part of the brain responsible for emotion, memory and behaviour,' says Dowling. 'That's why a certain scent can make your heart swell, calm your nerves or instantly lift your mood.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. She offers advice on how scent-scaping supports wellness: Stress reduction. Lavender, Roman chamomile and frankincense are revered for their grounding and soothing qualities. When diffused in bedrooms or quiet spaces, they can help lower cortisol levels and encourage deep relaxation. Improved focus. Rosemary, peppermint and lemon are perfect for home offices or study zones where mental agility is needed most. Mood regulation. Bright, citrusy oils like bergamot, sweet orange and grapefruit help lift low moods, especially during darker months, and are ideal for kitchens and communal areas. Odour neutralization. Essential oils like eucalyptus, lemon and tea tree offer powerful deodorizing properties. When integrated into laundry rooms, kitchens and bathrooms, they refresh the air while supporting respiratory wellness. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. SCENT-SCAPING YOUR HOME Crete suggests defining the mood you'd like to evoke in each room – such as calm, energized, cozy or refreshed – then pair that with your personal style and fragrance preferences. 'Layering complementary products from the Aroma Lab collection, such as soy-based candles and reed diffusers, allows you to create atmosphere tailored to each space,' she says. 'Our reed diffusers offer a subtle, refined scent experience. Unlike many plug-in options that can be too intense, these provide a delicate aroma that gently enhances the room without overwhelming it. Personally, I love placing reed diffusers near room entrances so that as you walk in, you're immediately greeted by a soft, welcoming fragrance that sets the tone. Candles, on the other hand, work beautifully in corners or at the centre of a room, where they can amplify the mood – perfect for entertaining or simply unwinding.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Dowling recommends a mindful, layered approach: Set your intention for each room. Ask yourself: What is this space for and how to I want to feel in it? Is it a sanctuary for sleep, a hub of focus or a place of gathering? Choose the right scent delivery method: Ultrasonic diffusers. A go-to for essential oil dispersal. Scented candles. These provide ambient light and aroma but ensure they're made with natural wax and essential oils, not synthetic fragrance. Reed diffusers. Ideal for hallways or guest bathrooms where you want continuous low-level scent. Fresh herbs and flowers. Examples include lavender sprigs in a linen drawer or a eucalyptus bundle in the shower. Incense and resins. Great for ritual and spiritual practice, frankincense, palo santo or myrrh invite grounding and clarity. Blend with intention: Avoid mixing too many conflicting notes. Instead, build your space with complementary fragrance families. Think citrus with florals, woods with resins, or herbs with spices. For open-concept spaces, keep scents unified or transition gently. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Subtlety is sacred. Less is more,' she says. 'A scent should support and not overpower your space. Aim for an aromatic presence that you notice with pleasure, not distraction.' Room-by-room recommendations Certified aromatherapy health professional Iris Dowling offers her room-by-room recommendations and why: Living room. Sandalwood, vanilla, bergamot, patchouli. These grounding yet warm oils create a welcoming energy that invites relaxation and connection. Bedroom. Lavender, Roman chamomile, vetiver, rose. These oils calm the nervous system, support deep sleep, and cultivate intimacy and peace. Kitchen. Lemon, basil, lemongrass, peppermint. These oils cut through food odours and promote clarity and digestion. Bathroom. Eucalyptus, tea tree, lavender, neroli. These purifying oils cleanse the air and encourage a spa-like atmosphere. Home office. Rosemary, peppermint, lemon, frankincense. This blend supports cognitive function, memory and sustained focus without overstimulation. Entryway. Citrus blends, fire needle, geranium. A light, fresh fragrance creates a joyful and inviting welcome. NHL Columnists Sunshine Girls Toronto Raptors Sunshine Girls
Toronto Sun
28 minutes ago
- Business
- Toronto Sun
Home design is in the details
Large front-facing triple-paned windows are designed not only to look good and let in more light, but have a number of energy-saving and environmentally friendly features. Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. At Kylemore's Angus Glen South community, features such as large windows and comfortable spaces show how new home building design evolves over time This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account They don't build houses like they used to, and that's a good thing. Just ask Frank Spaziani, president Kylemore. Take for example, the basic window and how it has evolved and improved over time. It may even be the first thing you notice as you drive up to a new home site now under construction at Kylemore's Angus Glen South Village in Markham, Ont. — oversized windows are a distinguishing feature of every house. One consideration is esthetics: large windows, in combination with increased ceiling heights, let more light in and give new homebuyers the feeling of an open and airy space. The other consideration is comfort: new windows are Energy Star-compliant, maintenance-free, feature vinyl triple-pane construction, and are foam-insulated for additional draft protection. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. According to Spaziani, due to the window's refractive properties, it won't heat up a house as much up in the summer, or cool down as quickly in the winter. And while conceding it is more expensive to do it this way — you literally need a crane to install the windows and the windows have to be structurally sound to support load requirements — he says, it's all worth it in the end. It's just one example, but typical, new home designs aren't just about a simple architectural detail, they come with huge design consideration that requires a lot of thought and planning. 'A proper window can make a total difference in a home. It may not be the first thing on the home buyer's list, so we have to sell it a bit, but later on people will understand that,' says Spaziani. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Another example of home design driven by what the home buyer wants are high ceilings — particularly large-vaulted ceiling in the primary bedroom. 'You can't just find them anywhere,' says Spaziani. 'But one hundred per cent yes, homebuyers want the high ceilings. We tried to pull away from that and they said 'no, we really want that.' Now it's a signature of our new homes, it's our brand and who we are.' And the list goes on. Other new design features now in demand include home offices, yoga studios, separate nanny/in-law suites, meditation and music rooms, even an elevator or a separate coach house for added living space. Mariam Aboutaam, Kylemore's director of sales and marketing, and interior design says it was really during COVID-19 that builders re-thought how homeowners were utilizing their space. 'There was an emphasis on utility spaces in our homes,' says Aboutaam, 'and so we thought about the laundry room and other spaces where people spend a lot of time.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. One outcome of all that thinking is that laundry room is no longer just an afterthought. They are made as large as is practically possible, are often integrated with a mudroom and now come with a window. Other changes have to do with lifestyle. Kylemore is now promoting its WellGen Design, featuring layouts that will enable families to be flexible with their choices and to grow into the spaces provided. It's in response to the trend towards multigenerational living where grandparents, parents and children may choose to live together under one roof, sharing space, resources, responsibilities and experiences. 'Where we pride ourselves is building a community that is multi-generational, and has a mix of housing types,' says Spaziani. 'The townhome might be for first time homebuyers, but we also have 40-ft. lots, 50; and even 70-ft. lots for the larger family.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Also important to Angus Glen South Village, now home to more than 1,100 families, is being close to nature. The neighbourhood is in harmony with its natural landscapes and has a walkable focus; trails and pathways wind through preserved valley lands, connecting to the Rouge Valley trail network. The approach to neighbourhood development is winning plaudits, the community was recently nominated as Best New Community, Planned/Under Development award as presented by BILD at its annual award ceremony in May 2025. Angus Glen South Village includes a planned mixed-use Village Centre at its southern entrance, near 16th Avenue. Designed as a community hub, this neighbourhood destination will feature a selection of retail, including a specialty grocer, daycare, medical office and cafes. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The nearby Angus Glen Community Centre further enriches the lifestyle by offering a library, swimming pool, ice rinks, basketball courts. And each home purchase includes a three-year family membership to Angus Glen emphasis on an active lifestyle. 'People actually use it, it's nice to see,' says Spaziani. 'They get dinners, special prices on golf and it's open to the whole family including their golf academy for juniors. Detached homes range from 2,530 sq. ft. up to 3,260 sq. ft. with pricing from $2,260,000 and townhomes range from 2,050 sq. ft. to 2,780 sq. ft. with pricing from $1,825,000. \Also available are rear lane detached homes on 30-, 31- and 35-ft. lots with homes ranging in size from 2,500 sq. ft. to 3,260 sq. ft. (with coach house, and 70-ft. lots with homes ranging in size from 3,390 sq. ft. to 6,010 sq. ft., including some with five-bedroom designs. For further information, visit NHL Columnists Sunshine Girls Toronto Raptors Sunshine Girls
Toronto Sun
30 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
SALTZMAN: Stream for less
Five ways to save on popular video services like Netflix and Apple TV+ Many Canadians have cut the cable TV cord in recent years and turned to streaming services such as Amazon Prime. Photo by Supplied Many Canadians have 'cut the cord' over the years by replacing a bloated cable TV service with less expensive streaming options. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Ironically, it could now cost you just as much, if not more, to go with streaming services, as there are so many to choose from today – Netflix, Amazon's Prime Video, Crave, Disney+, and Apple TV+, to name a few – and many have upped their rates while clamping down on password sharing. So, what to do? Fortunately, you have options. The following are five ways to save on streaming services. Read More CONSIDER A LOWER TIER In some cases, stay with your preferred paid streaming service, but drop down to a less expensive plan. For example, Netflix Premium now costs $23.99 a month and lets you watch unlimited ad-free movies and TV shows (and play mobile games), watch on four supported devices at a time in up to 4K quality (and with spatial audio), download to watch later on up to six devices, and more. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. But if you go with Netflix's $7.99 'Standard with ads' plan – yes, a third of the price of the premium one – you can still access most of the content (and even unlimited mobile games), but there will be short advertisements. You can watch on two supported devices at a time, in Full HD (instead of 4K) and download on two supported devices at a time. Not bad for just $8/month, if you don't mind advertisements. Or look for ad-free streaming services that charge less, like Apple TV+, which costs $12.99/month and has seriously good television shows. Many Canadians have cut the cable TV cord in recent years and turned to streaming services such as Amazon Prime. Photo by Supplied LOOK FOR PROMOS, BUNDLES There are often promotions and bundles to take advantage of, so it's worth looking into before you commit to a service. For example, at the time of writing this, PC Optimum customers can get three months of Apple TV+ for free in the Optimum app. Or, if you buy an Apple device, Apple TV+ is included free for three months. Air Canada is offering one free month. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Amazon's Prime Day Deals (July 8-11) include subscriptions – for streaming services such as Crave, STACKTV, Citytv+, and TSN – for 75% off per month for two months. Exclusively for TELUS customers, a bundle called Stream+ gives you access to three of the most popular paid streaming services in Canada – Netflix, Disney+ and Amazon Prime – for just $23 a month (with ads) or $43 a month (for Netflix Premium, Disney+ Premium, Amazon Prime membership and more). You get the idea. On a related note, take advantage of the free one-month trial with Amazon Prime ($9.99/month or $99/year), which gives you free shipping on millions of items – depending on where you live, even same day – plus unlimited access to Prime Video TV shows and movies, Amazon Music and free books via Prime Reading. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. (Unfortunately, Prime Video added commercials to shows and movies last year, so it now costs $2.99 per month to watch without ads.) Also look for student and senior discounts. Students can get a discounted Amazon Prime rate of $4.99 per month or $49 per year. Many Canadians have cut the cable TV cord in recent years and turned to streaming services such as Apple TV+. Photo by Supplied PAY BY MONTH – AND MAYBE CANCEL, TOO While you often save by committing to a paid service annually opposed to monthly, a pragmatic way to save money is to pay by month and binge everything that service has to offer within that period (even if it's two or three months, it'll be cheaper than the entire year). Then, leave the service and try another one for a month. This may be smarter than signing up for four or five paid services and not getting the most out of one in particular. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In fact, like the abovementioned Amazon Prime, most services will give you a free trial period (a week or a month), so take advantage of that and cancel before the time's up – and do that with every service. Be aware these services are usually set to auto-renew, so be sure to put a reminder in your phone to cancel a couple of days before the month ends. Many Canadians have cut the cable TV cord in recent years and turned to streaming services such as Tubi. Photo by Supplied SPLIT SERVICES UP WITH FAMILY, FRIENDS Since many services have stopped Canadians from sharing passwords with others (across different households) it's still a smart idea to buy one service and your best friend subscribes to another, and you take advantage of each other's membership to watch content together. In other words, binge every episode of The Waterfront on Netflix at your place, then hang out together at a friend's place or family member's home the following week or two to catch up on Stick on Apple TV+. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. After all, sharing is caring! And it's cheaper than both of you buying the same service and watching separately. Many Canadians have cut the cable TV cord in recent years and turned to streaming services such as Pluto TV. Photo by Supplied CONSIDER FREE STREAMING SERVICES Finally, budget-conscious consumers are discovering completely free, ad-supported streaming solutions, which includes both on-demand content as well as live TV channels (complete with on-screen guide). Okay, so it won't be the latest Hollywood blockbusters or the kinds of TV series people are buzzing about at the office watercooler – but hey, free is free. Popular services include Tubi, Pluto TV, YouTube, and The Roku Channel. (Pluto is especially good for classic TV shows.) If you've got an Internet connection and a screen, you can watch most of these services on just about anything. That is, you can access most on its website, such as or (and no registration is necessary), or by downloading a free app (iOS or Android) for viewing on a smartphone or tablet. Television networks like Global TV, CTV, CityTV and CBC also offer free apps to stream free content – with ads. – Marc Saltzman is the host of the Tech It Out podcast and author of 17 books, including Apple Watch For Dummies (Wiley) NHL Columnists Sunshine Girls Toronto Raptors Sunshine Girls
Toronto Sun
30 minutes ago
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Fans celebrate 'Squid Game' finale with Seoul parade
Jung Yeon-je/AFP Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Seoul (AFP) — Thousands of fans gathered in Seoul on Saturday to celebrate the final 'Squid Game' season, ending a global Netflix hit that is seen as a symbol of South Korea's cultural clout. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The third and final season was released Friday, concluding the series that sees desperate people compete in deadly versions of traditional children's games for a massive cash prize. Director Hwang Dong-hyuk said he had 'poured everything' into the series, which launched nearly four years ago. 'So while it's sentimental to see it end,' he said, 'there's also a sense of relief'. Fans gathered near Seoul's Gyeongbokgung Palace, led by marchers dressed in the bright pink uniforms worn by the show's mysterious masked agents. They were followed by others carrying oversize toys from one of the games featured in the series, along with the show's flag. Park Sang-gyu, a fan who stayed up all night watching the final season, said the dystopian drama was 'ultimately a story about people'. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'As you watch, you realise it's not just about the games — it reflects many aspects of real life.' The walls of the Seoul Metropolitan Library were lit up with key scenes, including Young-hee — the giant motion-sensing animatronic doll featured in one of its brutal games. Lee Byung-hun, who played the masked Front Man overseeing the competition, said the show had become 'something of a cultural phenomenon'. 'One that has drawn one of the boldest lines in the history of Korean content,' he said. The first two seasons of the series are among Netflix's most-watched shows, and in 2022, Hwang and the show's leading actor, Lee Jung-jae, became the first Asian men to win Emmy Awards. The final season follows its hero Gi-hun, played by Lee, as he returns to the ultra-violent games to dismantle them from within after surviving the first round. Along with filmmaker Bong Joon-ho's Oscar-winning 2019 thriller 'Parasite' and K-pop sensation BTS, 'Squid Game' is considered one of the most powerful examples of South Korea's rise as a global cultural force. © 2025 AFP NHL Columnists Sunshine Girls Toronto Raptors Sunshine Girls
Toronto Sun
an hour ago
- Business
- Toronto Sun
More homeowners retiring with a mortgage
Royal LePage president and CEO Phil Soper Reviews and recommendations are unbiased and products are independently selected. Postmedia may earn an affiliate commission from purchases made through links on this page. Home price appreciation over the past 25 years described as a 'double-edged sword' for today's retirees This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Three in 10 Canadians who plan to retire this year or next will carry a mortgage on their primary residence into retirement, while 47 per cent of those nearing retirement don't plan to downsize within two years of ending full-time employment. Those findings of a recent Royal LePage survey conducted by Leger paint a picture that's starkly different from previous generations. For starters, the trend of carrying a mortgage into retirement appears to be growing, with just half as many senior households carrying mortgage debt compared to a decade ago. According to Statistics Canada, 14 per cent of households with income earners aged 65 and over had a mortgage in 2016, up substantially from eight per cent in 1999. Meanwhile, 45 per cent of survey respondents say their mortgage is currently paid off, while another six per cent say their mortgage will be paid off before retirement. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Royal LePage President and CEO Phil Soper describes home price appreciation over the past 25 years as a 'double-edged sword' for today's retirees. ' On one hand, it has delivered unprecedented financial gains,' he says. 'On the other, this generation is far more likely to have carried mortgage balances that would have been unimaginable to their parents or grandparents.' According to Royal LePage research, they're also more likely to have provided financial assistance to their children to help them buy a home. While previous generations may have viewed mortgage-free retirement as the 'only option,' today's retirees tend to be more 'open-minded,' Soper notes. 'Traditional employment income may have dried up, but many are still comfortably managing their expenses and servicing mortgage payments with income from investments, part-time work or a working spouse.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. That picture the survey paints is different from previous generations in other ways as well. For one, the average age of retirees in Canada has been increasing gradually, from 64.3 in 2020 to 65.3 in 2024. At the same time, Canadians are entering the housing market later, increasing the odds of future generations of retirees carrying a mortgage further into retirement. 'Compared to their grandparents, today's retirees are enjoying about fifty per cent more years after turning 65,' Soper says. 'They're working longer, staying active and in many ways, continuing the lives they led during their working years – just without the job. It's no surprise their attitudes toward home ownership have evolved with the times. With people buying their first homes later and working longer, it's increasingly common for Canadians to carry a mortgage well into retirement, often by choice rather than necessity.' Of those Royal LePage experts who say a majority of people nearing or entering retirement are downsizing, 43 per cent say that standard condominiums are the most popular property type among this cohort, followed by adult living communities that cater to those aged 55 and up (25 per cent) and detached properties (16 per cent). NHL Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Toronto Raptors Columnists
