The Canadian mortgage market has experienced a dramatic reversal, with banks now suggesting rate hikes are back on the table instead of the expected rate cuts, driven by core inflation hitting 3.4% - well above the Bank of Canada's 2% target. This shift is particularly concerning given that 2026 will see record-high mortgage renewals, meaning millions of Canadians could face significantly higher payments than anticipated. The housing market remains in limbo with regional variations (some areas up 10-15%, condos down 5.2%), creating what may be a brief window of opportunity for buyers before costs potentially increase further.