BILD: The City of Vaughan is leading by example on development charges
The City of Vaughan’s decision to cut development charges paves the way for further growth opportunities and an example for other municipalities to draw from. Author of the article: Dave Wilkes, Published May 15, 2026 The City of Vaughan made a historic move on April 28 – one that has never occurred in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) as long as development charges have been in use and, to my knowledge, has only occurred in North Bay and for a period of time in St. Catharines. With respect...
read moreCanada’s mid-size cities are growing like big ones — and running into the same fights
From Halifax to Kelowna, denser housing is reshaping mid-size cities to grow up, instead of out Colin Butler · CBC News · Posted: May 06, 2026 For generations, growth in many Canadian cities meant the same thing: new subdivisions at the edge of town, detached homes, longer roads and outward expansion. Now, rising land costs, changing affordability pressures, population growth and public policies have pushed builders to add more multi-unit housing, not just newer subdivisions at the edges of...
read moreMarket Factors: M&A activity and better returns ahead for the REIT sector
Scott Barlow, Market Strategist, Published April 29, 2026 This Market Factors starts by making income investors happy with a bullish, M&A-focused bull case for REITs and moves on to a bear case for developing world equities. The diversion covers a terrifying list of painful surgeries and there’s Quick Hits as always. Income investing Scarce REITs make takeout prices higher CIBC analyst Dean Wilkinson thinks investors should brace for more merger and acquisition activity in the REIT sector...
read moreCanadian Businesses Brace For 5 Years of High Inflation: BoC Survey
Daniel Wong, April 22, 2026 Canadian businesses were bracing for elevated inflation—then the Iran War broke out. Now they’re doubting the Bank of Canada’s (BoC) ability to contain inflation, according to the Q1 2026 Business Outlook Survey. The central bank’s survey reveals firms are preparing for 5 years of elevated inflation. Canadian Businesses Expected Inflation To Surge Before Latest War The initial survey was conducted in the relative calm of February, pre-Iran War. It showed improving...
read moreThe price of Calgary ignoring supply and demand
The Editorial Board, Published April 17, 2026 Something interesting is happening in the Calgary real estate market: The median price of apartments is falling amid a relative glut of listings. That wouldn’t normally be all that interesting – the relationship of supply and demand is, in fact, basic economics – but when it comes to housing a lot of people claim such a link doesn’t exist. The argument that more housing doesn’t help make housing more affordable is voiced by think tanks, professors...
read moreCarney government rolls out $51B infrastructure program
By Horizon Media, April 09, 2026 The Canadian government has formally launched a major national infrastructure program aimed at boosting housing supply and modernizing public services, with Prime Minister Mark Carney announcing the first funded project in Ontario. The Build Communities Strong Fund, first outlined in Budget 2025, will invest $51 billion over the next decade to accelerate construction of key infrastructure across the country. The program targets projects tied to housing growth...
read moreFord, Carney announce $8.8B to help cut development charges, spur housing builds in Ontario
The deal will cut development charges in half for three years, Carney said Ethan Lang Posted: Mar 30, 202 Ontario and Ottawa will spend billions to help cut municipal housing development charges in an effort to spur new builds across the province, Prime Minister Mark Carney and Premier Doug Ford announced Monday. The federal and provincial governments will each spend $4.4 billion on housing-related infrastructure over the next 10 years, Carney announced alongside Ford and Toronto Mayor Olivia...
read moreOttawa plans $1.7-billion boost in housing transfers to provinces, territories
Bill Curry, Deputy Ottawa Bureau Chief, Ottawa, Published March 26, 2026 Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne tabled new housing legislation Thursday that proposes providing an additional $1.7-billion in immediate funding to provinces and territories. Bill C-26, the Improving Housing Supply Act, is a very short bill that simply authorizes a one-time payment of $1.713-billion to increase new housing supply. There are no other provisions in the legislation. Provinces could spend the...
read moreCan Canadian apartment rents keep falling?
Real estate analyst breaks down outlook for multifamily as population growth reverses and new supply comes online By David Kitai, Mar 19, 2026 Rents for housing of all kinds have been falling for 17 consecutive months, news that should make renters celebrate and investors worry. The apparent investment case of a constantly growing population, steady GDP growth, and a serious lack of supply have all been undone by curbs to immigration rates, US trade uncertainty, and the completion of a new...
read moreCanadian Building Intentions Surge, Mostly Government Spending
Daniel Wong, March 12, 2026 Canadian headline building intentions are still coming in strong, but details are less flattering. Statistics Canada (StatCan) data show building permit values climbed in January, but remain weaker than pre-2023 levels once inflation-adjusted. A non-residential surge was behind most of the improvement, but it was taxpayer-funded, cementing Canada’s dependence on borrowed growth. Building permit values climbed 4.8% to $13.3 billion in January, one of the highest...
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