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Is It Still Worth Buying a Rental Property in Ontario in 2026?

  Published: April 2026 | Reading time: 12 min | Category: Real Estate, Investing, Personal Finance A few years ago the answer seemed obvious. Ontario real estate only went up, rents kept climbing, and landlords looked like geniuses. Then interest rates spiked, prices corrected, rent growth slowed in some markets, and suddenly the question got a lot more complicated. So is buying a rental property in Ontario still a good investment in 2026? The honest answer is: it depends entirely on the numbers, the market, and your personal financial situation. This article gives you the full picture — the real math, the real risks, and a clear framework for deciding whether it makes sense for you. The Case For Rental Property in Ontario in 2026 Before diving into the challenges, here is why real estate remains compelling for long-term investors. Ontario's population is still growing fast Ontario added over 500,000 people in 2023 alone — one of the fastest population growth rates in ...

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Investors Shift Focus: Canadian Mutual Funds and ETFs in the High-Interest Rate Era

 

Amid high interest rates and market volatility, Canadian investors have made significant adjustments to their investment portfolios. The spotlight is on both mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) as they navigate this challenging landscape.

Over the past year, Canadian mutual funds experienced a rollercoaster of net redemptions. Investors pulled billions of dollars out, creating a trend that persisted for 11 consecutive months. The pattern began when the Bank of Canada initiated a series of interest rate hikes in March 2022. With short-term product rates reaching nearly six percent, many investors shifted toward more conservative investments. Additionally, market volatility played a role, affecting their willingness to invest in stock and bond funds.

Some notable net outflows from mutual funds include:

  • June 2022: A net withdrawal of $10.4 billion
  • September 2022: A net withdrawal of $9 billion
  • October 2023: A net withdrawal of $12.5 billion

In contrast to mutual funds, Canadian ETFs have maintained a more stable trajectory. While sales of ETFs have also slowed during this interest rate cycle, they have remained net positive. In 2023, ETFs saw net sales of $37.6 billion, slightly up from 2022 but down from their peak of $58.3 billion in 2021. These figures come from the Investment Funds Institute of Canada’s 2023 investment funds report.

The move from mutual funds to ETFs reflects a broader trend seen not only in Canada but also in the United States. Investors are shifting from more expensive mutual funds to the cost-effective alternative of ETFs. The appeal lies in the efficiency and flexibility of ETFs, which offer exposure to a diversified portfolio of assets at a lower cost.

As the high-interest rate era continues, investors will likely keep adjusting their strategies. The rise of ETFs and their ability to provide cost-effective diversification will remain a key factor in shaping the investment landscape.


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