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CMHC Just Cut Its Housing Forecast — What It Means If You're Buying, Selling, or Renewing

  Published July 28, 2026 Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation quietly downgraded its outlook for the rest of 2026 last week, and the new numbers are worth a look no matter which side of the housing market you're standing on. The federal housing agency's Summer 2026 update now calls for slower growth, softer home prices, fewer new builds and continued easing in rental markets right through the end of the year — with a split that leaves Ontario and B.C. looking a lot different from the Prairies and Quebec. Here's what's actually in the update, and what it means for your specific situation. What CMHC changed The agency's baseline call for 2026 is a Canadian economy growing at just 0.7%, with high borrowing costs, weak population growth and cautious buyers keeping a lid on demand even as affordability has technically improved. The practical result, nationally: Housing starts are expected to fall to about 241,400 units this year, down from 259,028 in 2025 Resale acti...
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Trudeau Unveils Renter-Focused Reforms in Anticipation of 2024 Budget

 

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced a series of measures aimed at supporting renters in the country. These initiatives, set to be part of the upcoming 2024 budget, address critical issues faced by tenants and aim to create a fairer rental landscape.

Key Measures:

  1. Tenant Protection Fund: The government will allocate $15 million to establish a tenant protection fund. This fund will empower provincial legal aid organizations to better safeguard renters against unfair rent increases, renovictions, and problematic landlords.

  2. Canadian Renters’ Bill of Rights: Ottawa pledges to collaborate with provinces and territories to develop a comprehensive renters’ bill of rights. This legislation will require landlords to provide a transparent history of apartment pricing and establish a standardized nationwide lease agreement.

  3. Inclusion of Rental History in Credit Assessment: The Canadian Mortgage Charter will be amended to incorporate rental history when assessing creditworthiness. Landlords, banks, credit bureaus, and fintech companies will be encouraged to consider tenants’ on-time rent payments.

Targeting Young Canadians:

The government’s rhetoric emphasizes appealing to younger generations, specifically millennials and Gen Z. Prime Minister Trudeau and Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland recognize the urgency of addressing housing affordability and protecting renters.

Strategic Communication:

In a departure from past practices, the government is strategically releasing budget details ahead of time. By doing so, they hope to generate more focused attention on individual measures rather than having them buried in the broader budget announcement. This approach contrasts with the days when budget contents were closely guarded secrets, even leading to criminal charges for reporting on leaks.

As the Liberal government balances competing pressures to spend and exercise fiscal restraint, the 2024 budget aims to keep the deficit below $40.1 billion while addressing critical social and economic challenges.

Stay tuned for further announcements as the government continues to unveil specific elements of the April 16 budget. Renters across Canada eagerly await these reforms, hoping for a fairer and more secure housing market.


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