Skip to main content

Featured

5 Things to Know Today: Job Losses, a Sliding Loonie and Budget 2026 (Nov. 7)

  Canadian Money Brief · Saturday, November 7, 2026 Canada’s job losses stretched to a third month, the loonie took its biggest one-day hit since January, and the federal budget landed with a few items for your wallet. Here’s what to know today. 1 Canada’s job market has now lost jobs three months in a row Statistics Canada said the economy shed 4,700 jobs in October, well short of the gain of about 13,600 economists expected. The unemployment rate rose to 6.7% from 6.5%, a six-month high. That follows losses of 42,000 in August and 68,000 in September, and the country has added just 17,000 jobs over the past 12 months. Alberta lost 24,000 jobs, youth unemployment climbed to 13.7%, and average hourly wages were up only 2.2% from a year earlier. What it means for you: Wages are rising 2.2% a year while September inflation was 3.1%, so paycheques are losing ground. If your income feels less certain, this is a good week to check that your emergency fund covers three to six months of ...

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