The Canadian housing market, particularly in major urban centers, has experienced a prolonged period of rapid price appreciation, driven by factors such as low interest rates, strong population growth, and limited supply. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the national average house price rose by more than 50% between 2020 and 2022, with prices in some major cities, such as Toronto and Vancouver, increasing by even more. This rapid price growth has made it increasingly difficult for many Canadians to afford a home, especially in the country's most desirable markets. However, the Canadian housing market is starting to show signs of cooling in 2023, as rising interest rates and stricter mortgage lending rules from the government begin to take effect. The CMHC predicts that the national average house price will decline by 7.6% in 2023, with prices in some markets, such as Toronto and Vancouver, expected to fall by even more. This cooling is expected to continue in 2024, with the CMHC predicting a further decline in the national average house price of 3.2%. The long-term outlook for the Canadian housing market is more uncertain, but the CMHC expects that prices will continue to rise, albeit at a more moderate pace. The Canadian housing market is one of the most expensive in the world, with prices in major cities like Toronto and Vancouver soaring to record highs in recent years. This has led to a growing concern about affordability, as many Canadians are being priced out of the market. Key drivers for this market are: Increasing Adoption of Remote and Hybrid Work Model. Potential restraints include: Lack of Privacy. Notable trends are: Pandemic Accelerated Luxury Home Sales in Major Canadian Markets.

Overview with Chart & Report: Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Housing Starts show the number of new housing projects that started during the reported month. The Housing Starts index characterizes the activity in

Housing Starts in Canada decreased to 232.80 Thousand units in October from 279.20 Thousand units in September of 2025. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Canada Housing Starts - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

The data on this dashboard is divided into seven sections: demographics, housing pressures, housing supply, experiences of homelessness, shelter demand and occupancy, housing solutions, and the Centralized Wait List. Data for this dashboard was collected from a number of sources, including administrative data from the City of Ottawa, and publicly available data from Statistics Canada and the Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corporation, among other public data sources.Date Created: June 27th 2025 Update Frequency: Annually Last Reviewed: June 27th 2025Accuracy, Completeness, and Known Issues: The Housing Needs Assessment dashboard relies on data from Statistics Canada (Census), Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), municipal administrative datasets, and local housing market information. Many data points include disaggregation by various demographic characteristics, including household characteristics, housing core need, the Point-in-Time count of people experiencing homelessness, shelter system capacity and demand sourced from the Homeless Individuals and Families Information System (HIFIS), and the Centralized Wait List. Some data points, such as average rent prices and housing stock amounts cannot be further aggregated using demographic characteristics. More information regarding data quality and methodology can be found within the full Housing Needs Assessment report.Attributes: The following data tables have been provided for the dataset, and are organized into themes.Demographics:Population by Age GroupHouseholdsImmigrant PopulationIncomeHousing Pressures:Housing CostsConsumer Price IndexVacancy RateHousing Supply:Housing DevelopmentHousing StockExperiences of Homelessness:Experiences of HomelessnessShelter Demand and Occupancy:Shelter Demand and CapacityShelter Average Length of StayHousing Solutions:Affordable and Supportive Units BuiltRent-Geared-to-Income and Housing BenefitsCentralized Wait List:Clients on Centralized Wait ListNew Centralized Wait List ApplicationsHoused from Centralized WaitlistData Steward: Liam McGuireData Steward Email: liam.mcguire@ottawa.caDepartment or Agency: Community and Social ServicesBranch/Unit: Housing Data, Research and Analytics Unit

This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Geography (13 items: Canada; Newfoundland and Labrador; Prince Edward Island; Atlantic provinces ...), Housing estimates (3 items: Housing starts; Housing under construction; Housing completions ...), Type of unit (6 items: Total units; Multiples; Single-detached; Semi-detached ...), Seasonal adjustment (2 items: Unadjusted; Seasonally adjusted at annual rates ...).

This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Geography (247 items: Carbonear; Newfoundland and Labrador; Corner Brook; Newfoundland and Labrador; Grand Falls-Windsor; Newfoundland and Labrador; Gander; Newfoundland and Labrador ...), Type of structure (4 items: Apartment structures of three units and over; Apartment structures of six units and over; Row and apartment structures of three units and over; Row structures of three units and over ...), Type of unit (4 items: Two bedroom units; Three bedroom units; One bedroom units; Bachelor units ...).

The Canadian property insurance market, while exhibiting resilience, is undergoing significant transformation driven by several key factors. The period between 2019 and 2024 showed steady growth, likely influenced by increasing property values, a growing population, and heightened awareness of potential risks like climate change-related events (e.g., wildfires, floods). We estimate the market size in 2025 to be approximately $25 billion CAD, based on observed growth trends and the projected expansion of the Canadian housing market. Looking ahead to 2033, a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) needs to be estimated. Considering economic forecasts and the increasing frequency and severity of insured perils, a conservative CAGR of 4% seems plausible. This would position the market size at roughly $36 billion CAD by 2033. Key drivers for this growth include the continued expansion of urban centers, rising construction activity, and a greater emphasis on comprehensive insurance coverage, driven by both regulatory changes and consumer awareness. However, challenges remain. The market faces increasing pressure from intensifying climate change impacts, requiring insurers to adapt pricing strategies and risk assessment models. Furthermore, technological advancements in areas like data analytics and artificial intelligence are transforming insurance operations, potentially impacting profitability and creating opportunities for new entrants. Competition is also expected to increase, leading to potential pricing pressures and the need for innovative product offerings. Insurers are responding by investing in advanced risk modeling, leveraging technology for improved customer service, and focusing on tailored insurance solutions to meet diverse customer needs and cater to the growing demand for specialized coverage. Ultimately, the Canadian property insurance market’s future trajectory will depend on the interplay between these growth drivers, challenges, and the innovative strategies employed by market players. Recent developments include: P/C Agency Mergers Rise 10% in First Half of 2021 - There were 339 announced property/casualty insurance agency mergers and acquisitions during the first half of 2021, up from 307 in 2020., CMHC Changes Underwriting Practices on Mortgage Loan Insurance - Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. is easing its underwriting criteria for mortgage loan insurance after changes it made last year were not effective and caused it to lose market share. The federal housing agency said that it returned to considering a gross debt service ratio of up to 39 per cent and a total debt service ratio of up to 44 per cent for borrowers who have a strong history of managing payment obligations. Gross debt service refers to the maximum amount of gross annual income that can be used for home-related expenses like mortgages, heat or condo fees, while total debt service is calculated when these expenses are combined with monthly debt payments owed on items such as credit cards or cars.. Notable trends are: CATASTROPHIC LOSSES.

More information is available on Ottawa Public Health's food insecurity webpage.Accuracy:Food affordability monitoring is done in accordance with the Monitoring Food Affordability Reference Document, 2018 and a standardized protocol developed by Public Health Ontario and Ontario Dietitians in Public Health.The local cost of the Nutritious Food Basket and the cost of rent are compared with various individual and family incomes to determine how affordable food is in Ottawa. In 2024, 10 urban/suburban and 2 rural grocery stores were selected in the costing sample across Ottawa to conduct the Nutritious Food Basket survey. A mixture of in-person and online costing was used. The 61 food items comprised in the Nutritious Food Basket is based on Canada’s food guide. Canada’s food guide is not inclusive of all religious and cultural groups, and they do not include traditional Indigenous foods and food procurement practices. OPH acknowledges that this is a significant limitation of the data collection.In 2024, there were 2 sources of housing used. Presented are 1) rental rates from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) Ontario Rental Market Report, providing an average of current rental costs paid by tenants including purpose-built rental apartments and rental townhouses; and 2) rental rates from the 2024 Rentals.ca Annual Report, based on available units from both primary and secondary rental markets including basement apartments, condominiums, townhouses, semi-detached and single houses. The Rentals.ca data are based on the asking rates of available (vacant) units only and reflect ongoing trends in the rental market. Update Frequency: Annual Attributes:Refer to the references found in Document 1 (2024 Income Scenarios using CMHC Housing Cost Data) and Document 2 (2024 Income Scenarios using Rentals.ca Housing Cost Data). Contact: Karina Kwong

Canada Co-Working Office Spaces Market size was valued at USD 285 Million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 855.35 Million by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 14.73% from 2026 to 2032.Key Market Drivers:Rapid Growth in Remote and Hybrid Work Models: Canada has experienced a significant shift toward remote and hybrid work arrangements, creating strong demand for flexible co-working spaces that bridge the gap between traditional offices and working from home. According to Canada's Labour Force Survey, the percentage of Canadian employees working remotely at least part-time increased from 16.6% pre-pandemic to 42.8% by late 2023, with 68% of knowledge workers now operating in hybrid arrangements. National employment analysis indicates that the transformation of work arrangements in Canada has become structural rather than temporary. Follow-up surveys reveal that 76% of Canadian businesses have permanently adopted flexible work policies, with 64% reporting direct cost savings from reduced real estate footprints. This fundamental shift has created unprecedented demand for intermediate workspace solutions like co-working environments that support collaboration while maintaining flexibility.Strong Growth in Self-Employment and Entrepreneurship: Canada has witnessed substantial growth in self-employment, freelancing, and entrepreneurial ventures, creating a large pool of professionals seeking flexible workspace solutions. The Canada Business Registry reported that new business registrations increased by 31.2% between 2020-2023, with single-person enterprises and micro-businesses (fewer than 5 employees) accounting for 74% of all new business formations. The entrepreneurial renaissance occurring across Canada's major metropolitan areas has fundamentally altered workspace requirements for a significant portion of the workforce. Our longitudinal business tracking indicates that these new-economy workers demonstrate a 3.7 times higher utilization rate of flexible workspace solutions compared to traditional employment categories. Self-employed professionals citing access to professional work environments and networking opportunities as primary motivators for co-working adoption.Urban Density and Real Estate Cost Pressures: Canada's major urban centers face significant real estate cost pressures, making traditional office leases prohibitively expensive for many businesses and driving demand for more flexible, cost-effective workspace solutions. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) reported that commercial real estate costs in Canada's six largest metropolitan areas increased by an average of 28.4% between 2019 and 2023, with Toronto and Vancouver experiencing increases of 34.7% and 36.1%. The increasing density and corresponding cost pressures in Canada's urban centers have created significant financial barriers to traditional office space acquisition, particularly for small and medium enterprises. Commercial real estate analysis demonstrates that businesses utilizing co-working models realize average cost savings of 32% compared to traditional leasing arrangements when accounting for all-inclusive operational expenses. These economics have proven especially compelling in high-cost markets like Toronto and Vancouver, where co-working adoption rates are 2.3 times higher than the national average

The Alberta Official Statistic describes rental vacancy rates for private structures with 3 or more apartments in Alberta and its major urban centres (Calgary CMA, Edmonton CMA, Red Deer CA, Lethbridge CA, Medicine Hat CA, Wood Buffalo CA and Grande Prairie CA). An analysis was made regarding the change in rental vacancies year over year. Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) conducts the Rental Market Survey (RMS) every year in April and October to estimate the relative strengths in the rental market. The survey is conducted on a sample basis in all urban areas with populations of 10,000 and more. The survey targets only privately initiated structures with at least three rental units, which have been on the market for at least three months. The data collected for a structure depends on whether it is an apartment or a row structure. The survey collects market rent, available and vacant unit data for all sampled structures. Most RMS data contained in this Alberta Official Statistic refer to privately initiated apartment structures. The survey was conducted by a combination of telephone interviews and site visits, and information obtained from the owner, manager, or building superintendent. The survey was conducted during the first two weeks of April/October, and the results reflect market conditions at that time.

This table contains data described by the following dimensions (Not all combinations are available): Geography (37 items: Census metropolitan areas; Saguenay; Quebec; Calgary; Alberta; Edmonton; Alberta ...).

Rates have been trending downward in Canada for the last five years. The ebbs and flows are caused by changes in Canada’s bond yields (driven by Canadians economic developments and international rate movements, particularly U.S. rate fluctuations) and the overnight rate (which is set by the Bank of Canada). As of August 2022, there has been a 225 bps increase in the prime rate, since beginning of year 2022, from 2.45% to 4.70% as of Aug 24th 2022. The following are the historical conventional mortgage rates offered by the 6 major chartered banks in Canada in the past 20 years.

Evaluate Canada’s best mortgage rates in one place. RATESDOTCA’s Rate Matrix lets you compare pricing for all key mortgage types and terms. Rates are based on an average mortgage of $300,000

More information is available on Ottawa Public Health's food insecurity webpage. Accuracy:Food affordability monitoring is done in accordance with the Monitoring Food Affordability Reference Document, 2018 and a standardized protocol developed by Public Health Ontario and Ontario Dietitians in Public Health.The affordability of food in Ottawa is determined by comparing the local cost of a Nutritious Food Basket and average rent prices with different individual and family income levels. Prices from 61 food items are collected from a representative sample of full-selection grocery stores as part of the Nutritious Food Basket survey. Local rental rates are obtained from Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) and Rentals.ca. CMHC data provides the average rent currently paid by tenants for purpose-built rental apartments and townhouses, as well as units in both primary and secondary markets, including basement apartments, condominiums, semi-detached and single-family houses. The Rentals.ca data are based on the asking rates of vacant units only, providing insight into current rental market trends.Update Frequency: AnnualAttributes:Refer to the references found in Document 1 (2024 Income Scenarios using CMHC Housing Cost Data) and Document 2 (2024 Income Scenarios using Rentals.ca Housing Cost Data).Contact: Karina Kwong