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GTA & Vancouver Home Sales Fell Again in August — What RBC's "Recovery" Call Actually Means for You

  September 6, 2026  •  Canadian Money Brief Fresh numbers out this week from the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) and Greater Vancouver Realtors (GVR) confirm what a lot of GTA and Metro Vancouver households already feel in their bones: the country's two biggest, most expensive housing markets are still shrinking on paper, even as the Bank of Canada holds rates and the trade war eats into everyone's confidence. At the same time, RBC Economics dropped a report calling this a market that's "finally taking steps" toward recovery. Those two things sound contradictory. They're not — but the gap between them is exactly where you need to be paying attention, whether you're a first-time buyer, a seller sitting on a listing, or a landlord watching your renewal math. What It Means for You: Prices are still down year-over-year in both cities, but the underlying supply picture — fewer new listings, tighter inventory — is the thing actually shifting. That...

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Sparklers Blamed for Blaze at Swiss Alpine Resort

People gather by a makeshift memorial in front of the "Le Constellation" bar, after a deadly fire and explosion during a New Year's Eve party in the upscale ski resort of Crans-Montana in southwestern Switzerland.

Investigators in Switzerland say sparklers attached to champagne bottles were the likely trigger of the catastrophic fire that swept through a popular bar in the ski resort town of Crans-Montana during New Year’s celebrations. The blaze erupted shortly after midnight, rapidly engulfing the venue as guests rang in the new year.

Early findings suggest the sparklers—often used as festive bottle toppers—were held too close to the ceiling, igniting flammable materials and causing flames to spread with alarming speed. Videos from the night show partygoers carrying champagne bottles adorned with bright, crackling sparklers moments before the fire took hold.

Authorities are now examining the bar’s fire‑safety measures, building materials, and crowd capacity to determine whether negligence contributed to the tragedy. Officials have indicated that criminal charges may follow depending on the outcome of the investigation.

The incident has left the upscale mountain community in shock. Vigils have been held as families and visitors mourn the victims and await updates on those injured. The fire is now considered one of the deadliest in Switzerland in recent decades.


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