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Is Now a Good Time to Rent vs. Buy in Canada?

After years of brutal rent hikes that left many Canadians feeling priced out of their own cities, something has quietly shifted: rents are finally falling. But does that mean you should lock in a lease and wait out the housing market — or is this actually the window you've been waiting for to buy? The answer, as always, depends on your city, your finances, and your plans. Here's a clear-eyed breakdown of where things stand in 2026. What's Happening With Rents Right Now The Canadian rental market has undergone a dramatic reversal. After vacancy rates hit record lows in 2023 and rents surged by as much as 8% nationally in a single year, the tide has turned. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the national vacancy rate for purpose-built rental apartments rose to 3.1% in October 2025 — up from 2.2% in 2024 and a record low of just 1.5% in 2023. That 3.1% figure now sits above the 10-year historical average , marking a meaningful shift in the bal...
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How inflation affects your taxes in 2024



If you are a Canadian taxpayer, you may want to know how inflation will impact your taxes in 2024. The Canada Revenue Agency has announced that most income tax and benefit amounts will be indexed to inflation using a 4.7 per cent rate, which is higher than the previous years. This means that the tax brackets, the basic personal amount, and some tax credits will increase to reflect the rising cost of living. Here are some of the key changes you need to know:

  • Tax brackets: The federal income tax brackets for 2024 have been adjusted to account for inflation. The new thresholds are: $55,867 for the 15 per cent bracket, $111,733 for the 20.5 per cent bracket, $173,205 for the 26 per cent bracket, $246,752 for the 29 per cent bracket, and above that for the 33 per cent bracket. The provincial tax brackets have also been indexed to inflation, but using different rates depending on the province.
  • Basic personal amount: The basic personal amount (BPA) is the amount of income you can earn without paying any federal tax. The BPA for 2024 is $15,705, which is higher than the 2023 amount of $15,000. However, the BPA is gradually reduced for taxpayers with net income above $173,205, until it reaches $14,156 for net income of $246,752 or more. The BPA is worth 15 per cent of its value as a non-refundable tax credit.
  • Non-refundable tax credits: Some non-refundable tax credits, such as the age amount, the spouse or common-law partner amount, and the eligible dependant amount, have also been increased for 2024 to reflect inflation. These credits are calculated by multiplying the amount by 15 per cent, the lowest federal tax rate. For example, the age amount for 2024 is $8,421, which means you can claim a credit of $1,263 if you are 65 or older.
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