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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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Desperate Gazans Pay Thousands to Escape War-Torn Gaza: A Tale of Survival

 


In the heart of the Gaza Strip, where conflict and hardship have become a way of life, desperate Palestinians are resorting to extraordinary measures to flee the war-ravaged region. With their dreams of a better life hanging in the balance, they turn to private travel companies, paying exorbitant sums ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 US. These “travel coordination fees” serve as their lifelines, enabling them to cross the border into Egypt through the Rafah crossing.

The situation in Gaza has been dire for decades. Israel and Egypt jointly control the movement of goods and people, imposing a tight blockade since Hamas took control of the densely populated strip in 2007. For Gazans seeking an escape, obtaining permits from either country’s government is a labyrinthine process. The Rafah border crossing with Egypt has become their sole viable exit point, but it remains fraught with uncertainty and risk.

Amin, a young man with aspirations of studying business in Ottawa, found himself trapped when the conflict escalated. His Canadian student visa was rendered useless, and evacuation options were limited to Canadian citizens and their immediate families. Faced with no other recourse, he turned to an Egyptian travel company, paying the steep price to cross the border and embark on a perilous journey to safety.

The plight of these desperate souls underscores the harsh reality: survival often comes at a staggering cost. As the war continues to rage, Gazans cling to hope, their futures hanging in the balance, and their dreams of escape fueled by the promise of a better life beyond the border.


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