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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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GST Holiday Brings Mixed Reactions from Retailers

 

Retail organizations are welcoming the federal government’s decision to temporarily suspend the Goods and Services Tax (GST) on a wide range of items from December 14 to February 15. This move is expected to boost consumer spending during the typically slow post-holiday period. However, industry observers warn that the implementation could pose significant logistical challenges for many retailers.

The Retail Council of Canada has highlighted that while the GST break will be straightforward for some businesses, others may face a laborious process. Retailers will need to identify which products qualify for the tax exemption, reprogram their point-of-sale systems, and prepare to reverse these changes once the holiday ends.

Small and medium-sized businesses, in particular, may struggle with the short notice and the administrative burden. Despite these challenges, the retail sector remains optimistic that the GST holiday will drive increased traffic and sales, providing a much-needed boost during a period of economic uncertainty.


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