New data show Alberta's household interest burden eased in 2025

How the provinces compare

The provincial and territorial accounts release says Ontario and British Columbia had the country's highest debt service ratios in 2025, while interest payments on mortgage and non-mortgage loans declined across all jurisdictions. The release adds 2025 estimates and revises 2023 and 2024.

The accompanying household indicators table reports 2025 interest-only ratios of 10.35% for Ontario, 9.67% for British Columbia and 8.65% for Canada, compared with Alberta's 7.05%. These are provincial and national household-sector measures; they do not measure Edmonton, Vancouver or Toronto separately.

Interest costs are only part of the payment

The table divides mortgage and non-mortgage interest paid by household disposable income, adjusted for interest on consumer credit. It explicitly labels the result an interest-only ratio. Principal repayments are outside that measure, so it is not the share of income needed to cover a household's complete loan payments.

Our interpretation: a lower provincial ratio can help describe the broader financial backdrop, but it cannot establish how much room a particular borrower has in their budget. It is also not a lender's mortgage qualification limit. Your current balance, payment schedule, income and other commitments need their own review.

Bring current cash flow to the conversation

FCAC's existing budget guidance recommends gathering recent pay stubs, bills and account statements, listing income, savings and expenses, and checking the plan against actual spending. That provides a more useful starting point for a household discussion than treating a provincial percentage as a personal target.

For an Edmonton household preparing to renew, a practical question is whether the full proposed payment fits alongside property costs, other debt payments and regular savings. For borrowers in B.C. and Ontario, the same review matters: the higher provincial figures do not tell you what your own renewal will cost.

Compare renewal terms using your own numbers

FCAC's renewal guidance encourages shopping around a few months before the term ends and reviewing mortgage needs. Switching lenders requires the new lender's approval and may involve fees. Ask for the payment, remaining amortization, term and applicable costs in each offer.

Our mortgage renewal guide and Edmonton mortgage page can help prepare that conversation with a broker. Keep the newly released 2025 statistics separate from the current figures used to assess your options.