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Is Now a Good Time to Rent vs. Buy in Canada?

After years of brutal rent hikes that left many Canadians feeling priced out of their own cities, something has quietly shifted: rents are finally falling. But does that mean you should lock in a lease and wait out the housing market — or is this actually the window you've been waiting for to buy? The answer, as always, depends on your city, your finances, and your plans. Here's a clear-eyed breakdown of where things stand in 2026. What's Happening With Rents Right Now The Canadian rental market has undergone a dramatic reversal. After vacancy rates hit record lows in 2023 and rents surged by as much as 8% nationally in a single year, the tide has turned. According to the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the national vacancy rate for purpose-built rental apartments rose to 3.1% in October 2025 — up from 2.2% in 2024 and a record low of just 1.5% in 2023. That 3.1% figure now sits above the 10-year historical average , marking a meaningful shift in the bal...

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Netanyahu Vows to Invade Rafah “With or Without” a Deal

 

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has issued a strong statement regarding the southern Gaza city of Rafah. Despite ongoing truce talks with Hamas, Netanyahu declared that Israel would launch an invasion of Rafah, regardless of any deal. The situation has escalated as attempts continue to reach an agreement for a ceasefire and the release of hostages.

The Stakes

More than half of Gaza’s 2.5 million population resides in Rafah, having fled there to escape fighting in other parts of the territory. Conditions in the overcrowded city are dire, with displaced people facing shortages of food, water, and medication. The West Bank-based Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has warned that an invasion of Rafah would be the “biggest catastrophe in the Palestinian people’s history.”

International Pressure

The United States has also weighed in on the situation. President Joe Biden reiterated his stance against a Rafah invasion unless civilians were properly protected. He previously described such an invasion as a “red line.” Meanwhile, indirect talks between Hamas and Israel have reached an impasse, despite efforts by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken to encourage a truce.

Netanyahu’s Determination

Netanyahu remains resolute. He stated that the war would continue until Israel achieved all its objectives in Rafah. “The idea that we will halt the war before achieving all of its goals is out of the question,” he asserted. “We will enter Rafah and eliminate the Hamas battalions there with or without a deal.”

The families of hostages, who have been kidnapped by Hamas during the conflict, urged Netanyahu and his national security adviser to continue the war, disregarding mounting international pressure. While some hostages have been released or rescued, over 130 remain unaccounted for.

A Looming Crisis

Philippe Lazzarini, head of the UN’s refugee organization, warned that the looming invasion was causing people in Rafah to live in a state of “constant traumatic stress disorder.” The possibility of evacuation hangs in the balance, contingent on whether a deal can be reached this week.

In this tense situation, Netanyahu’s unwavering determination underscores the gravity of the conflict and its impact on civilians caught in the crossfire.

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