Few Canadian mortgages fall seriously behind, but the share has changed over time and differs by province. This page shows the latest figures from the Canadian Bankers Association (CBA) and what help is available if you’re struggling. What happens after a default, province by province, is on the foreclosure and power of sale page.
Arrears by province
The CBA counts a mortgage as in arrears when payments are three or more months behind. The table is sorted from the highest share to the lowest.
| Region | Mortgages | In arrears (3+ months) | Share in arrears |
|---|---|---|---|
| Saskatchewan | 119,291 | 547 | 0.46% |
| Manitoba | 114,378 | 393 | 0.34% |
| Ontario | 2,145,993 | 7,268 | 0.34% |
| Atlantic provinces | 334,712 | 1,006 | 0.30% |
| Alberta | 567,717 | 1,567 | 0.28% |
| British Columbia | 686,228 | 1,761 | 0.26% |
| Quebec | 932,926 | 1,728 | 0.19% |
| Canada | 4,911,806 | 14,270 | 0.29% |
Month ended July 31, 2026. Source: Canadian Bankers Association; covers the six largest banks and several others. Yukon is counted in BC, and the Northwest Territories and Nunavut in Alberta.
Nationally that’s 14,270 mortgages, or about 1 in 345.
Arrears over time
| December | Share of mortgages in arrears |
|---|---|
| 2005 | 0.27% |
| 2006 | 0.25% |
| 2007 | 0.26% |
| 2008 | 0.33% |
| 2009 | 0.45% |
| 2010 | 0.43% |
| 2011 | 0.38% |
| 2012 | 0.33% |
| 2013 | 0.32% |
| 2014 | 0.29% |
| 2015 | 0.27% |
| 2016 | 0.28% |
| 2017 | 0.24% |
| 2018 | 0.24% |
| 2019 | 0.24% |
| 2020 | 0.23% |
| 2021 | 0.17% |
| 2022 | 0.15% |
| 2023 | 0.18% |
| 2024 | 0.22% |
| 2025 | 0.26% |
The national share was 0.26% at the end of 2025, compared with 0.15% at the end of 2022 and 0.45% at the end of 2009.
If you're struggling to pay
The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada says federally regulated lenders are expected to offer mortgage relief measures suited to your circumstances if you’re at risk of default. Contact your lender as soon as you can. Options include:
- A payment deferral: you delay payments for a set period, usually up to 4 months, and repay them later.
- A longer amortization, which lowers the payment but adds interest over time.
- Converting a variable rate to fixed, or a blended rate, where your lender offers it.
- Selling the home before the lender takes steps to enforce the mortgage.
FCAC notes that relief measures “may end up increasing the total cost owing”. The Canadian Mortgage Charter sets out what lenders are expected to do, and what happens when you miss a mortgage payment walks through the first steps.
Related pages
Sources
The figures and rules on this page come from these sources, last checked against them on September 25, 2026. How we check facts.
- Canadian Bankers Association: Number of Residential Mortgages in Arrears, month ended July 31, 2026
- Financial Consumer Agency of Canada: Mortgage relief options