Canadian households are once again piling on debt faster than their incomes can keep up. Statistics Canada (Stat Can) data shows the household debt-to-income ratio rose in Q1 2025, eroding some of the progress made in previous quarters. While rate cuts initially offered relief, they’ve begun to backfire—fueling borrowing and increasing household vulnerability to economic […]
Canada’s job market just lost one of its biggest crutches: public sector hiring. After years of driving job growth—expanding at twice the pace of the private sector—the public workforce abruptly contracted in May. New data from Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey (LFS) shows a sharp pullback, raising questions about recent job gains. While the hiring […]
Canadian policymakers are helicoptering money to stimulate building, but it doesn’t appear to be working. Statistics Canada (Stat Can) data shows the total value of building permits fell sharply in April, dropping to the lowest monthly volume in nearly a year. The annual decline was so large it was amongst the largest since 2020. Canadian […]
Canadian real estate doesn’t just feel out of reach—there’s quantitative evidence. A new Statistics Canada (Stat Can) study shows that real wages have only seen modest growth from 1981 to 2024. When compared to the surge in real home prices, it becomes clear this generation isn’t just exaggerating—home prices have grown nearly 7x faster than […]
Canadian unemployment is rising, and the country’s largest province is leading the trend. Ontario’s unemployment rate climbed to 7.9% in May—nearly a full point above the national average. A new report from BMO warns the province’s unemployment rate is now at a level not seen outside of the worst recessions. The problem is set to […]
Canadian rental prices have shown modest affordability gains, but the relief is already ending. A new report from rentals.ca shows the average asking rent fell in May compared to last year, with the largest and most expensive cities seeing the steepest declines. However, recent months show rent growth is re-accelerating—signaling the window for relief could […]
Time for your cheat sheet on this week’s top stories. Canadian Real Estate Canadian Unemployment Soars, Driven By Immigration More Than Tariffs Canadian unemployment climbed but it wasn’t due to tariffs as expected. The unemployment rate hit 7.0% in May, with the unemployed population hitting 1.6 million. The employed population grew as well—the problem is […]
Canada’s economy was dealt another blow last month, and it wasn’t due to tariffs. Statistics Canada (Stat Can) data shows the unemployment rate climbed aggressively in May, hitting a new multi-year high. Despite the narrative of tariff-induced job losses, the country managed to add a few thousand jobs. Rising unemployment continues to be driven by […]
Canadian real estate markets aren’t a buying opportunity—yet, according to BMO. In a research note to investors, the bank warned major cities are reporting home sales cooled further in May. These markets are also seeing inventory accumulate, leading to a demand balance that typically sees prices fall. Sellers resisting price cuts in hopes rate cut […]
Greater Toronto real estate just had the worst May on record—but you wouldn’t know it from prices. TRREB’s composite benchmark price (i.e. a typical home) climbed in May. Yes, climbed. The increase was unexpected, given that record-high inventory and weak sales made it the worst-performing May market in history. Toronto Real Estate Prices Climb Despite […]
