Macklem says loss of CUSMA would mean recession for the Canadian economy
But that’s not the Bank of Canada’s base-case scenario, despite a recent flare up in trade tensions By Jordan Gowling Published Feb 06, 2026 The Canadian economy would likely fall into recession if the country loses preferential trade access to the United States under the Canada-United-States-Mexico Agreement (CUSMA), but that is not the Bank of Canada‘s base-case scenario despite a recent flare up in trade tensions, governor Tiff Macklem said this week. In an interview with the...
read moreQuebec City might be Canada’s most successful city
Among the country’s eleven biggest urban areas, Quebec City boasts the fastest economic growth, the lowest crime rate, lowest unemployment rate and least income inequality. Eric Andrew-Gee, Quebec city February 7, 2026 Forget ice sculptures, the Château Frontenac and Bonhomme. Set aside the cobblestone streets and antique cannons. Quebec City has long been seen as a sleepy government town at worst and a tourist destination at best, the latter never more so than during Carnaval, the winter...
read moreHow the other half rents: taking stock of Canada’s high-end rental market
Despite evident demand, the supply of exclusive, high-end rental units remains limited By Murtaza Haider and Stephen Moranis Published Feb 02, 2026 Do luxury and rental housing meet? Of course they do. Luxury rental housing is a relatively small yet critical segment of the purpose-built rental market, serving high-net-worth individuals who seek the quality of dwellings they once owned, or could easily own, without the burdens of homeownership. However, surprisingly little is known about the...
read moreOntario’s housing slowdown is a full-blown economic emergency
Ontario’s housing slowdown is a full-blown economic emergency According to the latest data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, housing starts in Ontario declined sharply in 2025 By Dave Wilkes , Special to National Post Published Feb 04, 2026 New home construction has long been a cornerstone of Ontario’s economy, supporting hundreds of thousands of jobs, generating billions in economic activity and tax revenue, and playing a central role in meeting the housing needs of a growing...
read moreWEEK OF February 9, EVENTS WITH JILLIAN KATZENBACK
Events for the week of February 9, 2026 2026 RHC Conference – PM Springfest – BILD Committee cocktail reception – 2026 CMHC Rental Market Survey Breakfast – ARLA General Meeting Luncheon – LandPRO Conference – 2026 BILD Awards Entries Now Open – BILD Economic Update Webinar – 2026 RHPNS Awards Gala, Dinner and...
read more‘Bad news’ GDP puts Bank of Canada’s growth estimates in the crosshairs, economists say
‘The monthly data for November is grimmer than it first appears’ By Gigi Suhanic Published Jan 30, 2026 The Canadian economy could struggle to meet the Bank of Canada‘s latest predictions for growth after gross domestic product (GDP) for November undershot estimates, say economists. Economic growth was flat in November, slightly undershooting estimates for GDP to rise 0.1 per cent, but better than the 0.3 per cent contraction in October. Statistics Canada estimates the economy...
read moreFaced with surging demand, Alberta broke housing construction records. Is there a lesson there?
Edmonton, Calgary ranked in top five of national homebuilders’ list Paula Duhatschek · CBC News Posted: Jan 29, 2026 Alberta broke housing construction records in 2025 and led the country in housing starts per capita — a massive upswing in homebuilding that comes after a period of similarly massive population growth. Some experts say there are lessons other Canadian cities could learn about how to ramp up housing supply to meet demand. First, the numbers. In 2025, there were about 54,900...
read moreMaking sense of the Bank of Canada interest rate decision on January 28, 2026
Penelope Graham January 30, 2026 The Bank of Canada holds its benchmark rate at 2.25%, impacting variable mortgages, fixed rates, and savings as economic risks persist in 2026. The first central bank announcement of the year is upon us—and the Bank of Canada kicked it off with a rate hold, keeping the benchmark cost of borrowing in Canada at 2.25%, where it has remained since last October. This rate is used by lenders when setting their prime rates and, by extension, floating-rate borrowing...
read moreWEEK OF February 2, EVENTS WITH JILLIAN KATZENBACK
Events for the week of February 2, 2026 2026 RHC Conference – PM Springfest – NAIOP Breakfast Event – Buildex Vancouvery – BILD Committee cocktail reception – 2026 CMHC Rental Market Survey Breakfast – ARLA General Meeting Luncheon – LPMA Dinner Meeting – LandPRO Conference – 2026 BILD Awards Entries Now Open – 2026 RHPNS Awards Gala, Dinner and...
read moreOttawa wants to get banks, pension funds involved in affordable housing: minister
Nine months into his mandate, Robertson said he is focusing his efforts on the lowest rungs of the housing ladder, where people are most vulnerable. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 1, 2026. Craig Lord, The Canadian Press OTTAWA — The federal housing minister says he wants to ramp up the lagging pace of homebuilding in some provinces by bringing developers off the sidelines and into Ottawa’s affordable housing projects. Gregor Robertson also said in an interview that...
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