Effective February 15, 2016, the minimum down payment for new mortgages have been modified. The new breakdown is as follows: For homes with a purchase price less than or equal to $500,000 the minimum down payment is 5% For homes with a purchase price greater than $500,000 and less than $1 million, the minimum down payment is 5% of the first $500,000 plus 10% of the remaining balance For homes with a purchase price of $1 million or more, the minimum down payment is 20% In addition to the down payment, you must also be able to show that you can cover the applicable closing costs (i.e. legal fees and disbursements, appraisal fees and a survey certificate, where applicable). Regardless of the amount of your down payment, it must be from your own cash resources or a gift from a family member. It cannot be borrowed. Lenders will generally accept a gift from a family member as an acceptable down payment provided a letter stating it is a true gift, not a loan, is signed by the donor. Where the mortgage loan insurance is provided by Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the gift money must be in your possession before the application is sent in to CMHC for approval. Mortgages with less than 20% down payment must have mortgage loan insurance provided by CMHC, Genworth Financial Canada or Canada Guaranty