Skip to main content

Featured

5 Things to Know Today: Key Money Stories Canadians Are Watching

  1. Fintrac Warns of Rising Extortion‑Linked Transactions Canada’s financial intelligence agency says criminal networks are increasingly using young international students to move money tied to extortion schemes, with over 63,000 suspicious transactions flagged so far in 2026 . This highlights growing fraud exposure for small businesses and households. 2. Spring Economic Update Coming April 28 The federal government will release its Spring Economic Update next week, outlining new measures aimed at strengthening Canada’s economy. Markets will be watching closely for signals on spending, deficits, and consumer‑focused affordability measures. 3. Ottawa to Announce New Homebuilding Measures The Prime Minister is set to unveil new policies to accelerate home construction in Ottawa. Any supply‑boosting measures could influence housing affordability, construction sector activity, and mortgage‑market expectations. 4. Alberta Referendum Update Expected Today Alberta Premier Danielle Smith...

article

Canadian Rent Market Cools: Average Asking Rent Hits 18-Month Low

Canada’s rental market is showing signs of relief for tenants as average asking rents fell to $2,100 in January 2025—an 18‐month low that represents a 4.4% year-over-year decline.

This marks the fourth consecutive month of annual decreases following 38 straight months of rising rents, indicating a potential turning point in the market.

The drop was most pronounced in the secondary rental market, with condo apartments decreasing by 6.5% and houses and townhomes by 8.9%, while purpose-built rental apartments experienced a modest decline of just 1.7%.

Urbanation President Shaun Hildebrand attributed the downward trend to heightened economic risks, a slowdown in international population inflows, and multi-decade highs in apartment completions, all of which are contributing to improved affordability for renters.

Regional differences remain notable: Ontario recorded the steepest decline, with apartment rents dropping 5.2% to an average of $2,329, whereas British Columbia—despite a 2.6% decrease—remains the priciest rental market at $2,463.

Despite these declines, current rental prices are still 5.2% higher than they were two years ago and 16.4% above rates from three years ago, underscoring persistent pressures in the market.

Comments