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Democrats Win U.S. Congress: What It Means for Canadian Tariffs and Your Wallet

  Canadian Money Brief • Wednesday, November 4, 2026 Democrats have won control of both the U.S. House and Senate, including seats in states Donald Trump carried by double digits two years ago. For Canadians, the big question is simple: does this end the tariffs? The short answer is not yet. What happened The Associated Press and major U.S. networks called the Senate for Democrats late Tuesday night and the House early Wednesday. Democrats flipped seven Republican-held Senate seats, according to Forbes’ tally of AP calls, including Maine, North Carolina, Iowa, Ohio and Texas. In the House, roughly 75 races were still undecided at last report, and the new Congress does not take over until 2027. Democratic leaders framed the result as a call for change, while news outlets widely described it as a rebuke of President Trump. Trump told the New York Times he was “absolutely willing” to accept the results and said Republicans would work with Democrats. Why it matters in Canada Democrati...

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Toronto’s Condo Crisis: A Dire Signal for Housing Affordability and Rental Market

 

The Greater Toronto Area (GTA) is facing a condo crisis that has significant implications for housing affordability and rental supply. According to a recent report by CIBC and Urbanation, the GTA’s condo market is “clearly in recessionary territory,” and the nationwide housing crisis is at a level not seen in over 30 years. Here are the key points:

  1. Condo Pre-Sales at a 20-Year Low: Toronto-area condo pre-sales are below 50%, marking a more than 20-year low. High costs, high interest rates, and poor investment prospects have left the market in a challenging situation.

  2. Investor Dilemma: Condo investors play a crucial role in rental supply and overall housing affordability. However, recent investors are mostly losing money, and prospective investors are avoiding new projects due to uncertainty.

  3. Developers Struggle: Developers face rising construction costs due to inflation, coupled with dwindling interest in future projects. This slowdown in future supply exacerbates the crisis.

  4. Limited Relief: Falling interest rates, projected population growth slowdown, and stabilized construction costs provide some relief. However, it’s not a magic solution, and a more comprehensive policy response is needed.

  5. Record-High Inventory: Unsold condo inventory in the second quarter of 2024 reached a record high of 25,893 units, more than 60% higher than the 10- and 20-year averages. Sales were the lowest in 20 years outside of the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In summary, Toronto’s condo market woes underscore the urgent need for housing policy reforms and creative solutions to address affordability and rental challenges.


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