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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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Weekly Market Snapshot — May 2, 2026: TSX Slips on Energy & Bank Pressure

Your weekly brief on what moved Canadian markets — and what to watch next.

TSX at a Glance

The S&P/TSX Composite Index ended Friday down 0.2% at 33,891, underperforming its U.S. counterparts as pressure mounted from energy producers and banks amid a busy earnings season.

Energy Sector Under Pressure

Oil prices remained a key headwind for the week. WTI crude stayed volatile as diplomatic efforts between Iran and the U.S. showed limited progress, keeping inflation risks and supply disruptions front of mind for investors.

On the equity side, Canadian Natural Resources and Suncor both dropped around 1.5%, while Imperial Oil sank 4% following its earnings release. TC Energy also fell over 1% after its quarterly report.

Banks Feel the Pinch

Canada's big banks didn't escape the week unscathed. Heavyweight financial names TD and RBC closed in the red, weighed down by pessimistic spending demand signals highlighted in the domestic GDP report released Thursday.

Earnings Misses in Focus

Beyond the banks and energy names, several corporate reports disappointed:

•       Fairfax Financial slumped 7.5% after missing its earnings estimate.

•       Magna International fell 5% on weaker-than-expected orders.

•       Air Canada dropped after abandoning its full-year guidance for 2026 — a notable signal of continued uncertainty in the travel sector.

Economy: Steady but Cautious

On the macroeconomic front, the picture was mixed. Real GDP grew 0.2% in February, with goods-producing industries leading for a second consecutive month. Manufacturing was the standout, rising 1.8% — its biggest monthly gain since January 2023.

However, the labour market showed signs of cooling. The number of employees receiving pay and benefits fell by 60,200 (-0.3%) in February, with retail trade payrolls also declining.

Looking ahead, RBC Economics expects approximately 25,000 jobs were added in April, which could nudge the unemployment rate down to 6.6% from 6.7% — continuing its gradual retreat from the 7.1% peak seen in late 2025.

Bond Market & the BoC

Canadian bond yields edged higher this week, with Middle East tensions keeping inflation risks elevated. Since the onset of the regional conflict, the 10-year bond yield is up roughly 35 basis points.

The Bank of Canada is expected to hold its policy rate in the 2.0%–2.5% range, while the benchmark 10-year Government of Canada yield is projected to stay largely within the 3.0%–3.5% range for the year.

What to Watch Next Week

•       April Labour Force Survey — the key data release of the week

•       Federal Spring Economic Update — the government will release its fiscal update, with last November's budget pegging the FY 2026/27 deficit at 2.0% of GDP

•       CUSMA Trade Negotiations — U.S. and Canadian officials flagged several irritants this week, including tariffs on aluminum, steel, autos, and lumber, with the original July 1 deadline looking increasingly unlikely to be met

 

The Bottom Line

Canadian markets remain in a tug-of-war between solid long-term fundamentals and near-term headwinds — geopolitical uncertainty, earnings misses, and softening consumer demand. Investors should keep a close eye on next week's jobs data and the Spring Economic Update for signals on where fiscal and monetary policy is headed.

Published by MoneySavings.ca / Canadian Money Brief  |  May 2, 2026

This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice.

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