Canadian Incomes Improved, But Most Households Expect Life to Get Worse in 2026: MNP
January 19, 2026 Despite recent gains in income, Canadians are entering 2026 with growing pessimism about their financial future. New survey data from MNP’s Consumer Debt Index shows that most households expect rising costs, worsening housing affordability, and mounting economic pressure in the year ahead. While some Canadians are actively adjusting their finances, a large…
Canadian Rents Just Fell at the Fastest Pace in Four Years
January 18, 2026 Canada’s housing slowdown is now clearly spilling into the rental market. New data from Rentals.ca shows average asking rents fell again in December, marking the steepest annual decline in four years and pushing national rents to their lowest level since mid-2023. However, the pullback is far from uniform. Nearly all of the…
Canadian Rental Vacancies Are Rising, But Rents Still Outpace Wages: CMHC
Canada’s rental market is showing early signs of relief on supply, but affordability remains firmly out of reach for many tenants. New data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) shows rental vacancy rates climbed sharply in 2025, reaching their highest level in four years. Despite this increase, rents continue to rise faster than…
Canadian Mortgage Arrears Hit a 5-Year High
Canadian mortgage arrears climbed to their highest level in five years in October 2025, according to new data from the Canadian Bankers Association (CBA). At the same time, Canada’s largest banks are holding fewer mortgages overall, a rare contraction that suggests lenders are actively reducing exposure as borrower stress builds. While headline arrears rates remain…
Some Canadian Snowbirds Want Out of Florida, But a Weak Housing Market Is Making It Hard to Leave
For decades, Florida has been the winter refuge of choice for Canadian snowbirds. But as 2026 begins, a growing number of Canadians are rethinking their relationship with the Sunshine State. Political tensions, trade disputes, and shifting sentiment toward Canada are prompting some snowbirds to consider selling their U.S. properties, just as Florida’s housing market turns…
Canadians Just Pushed HELOC Debt to $179B – Highest Since 2019
Canadians may not be buying as much real estate right now, but they are borrowing against the homes they already own. New Statistics Canada credit data shows home equity line of credit (HELOC) balances rose again in October 2025, pushing total outstanding HELOC debt to roughly $179.5 billion – the highest level since 2019. The…
Canadian Housing Market Update – December 2025: Rate Cuts Fail to Revive Home Sales
November was widely expected to be a turning point for Canada’s housing market. After two consecutive interest rate cuts from the Bank of Canada, borrowing costs fell to levels many buyers had been waiting for. Instead, new data shows home sales declined across most of the country, reinforcing the idea that lower rates alone are…
The 2026 Inflation Reality: Food Prices Are Rising Again – What That Means for Housing Affordability
Inflation may be cooling on paper, but for many Canadians, the cost of living is rising again where it hurts most – food, rent, and housing costs. As Canada heads into 2026, new forecasts show food prices increasing once again, adding pressure to households already stretched by high rents and elevated mortgage payments. While inflation…
Canada Housing Market 