Canadian Cities

Have a clear understanding of economic growth in Canadian cities to reinforce or shift your business decisions.

Canadian Economics    February 22, 2024

Canada’s resale market strengthened slightly in January, although year-over-year comparisons are flattered by a weak year-earlier figure. Markets are tough to read in mid-winter when volumes are low and frequently volatile. Despite a recent run-up in bond yields, expectations of falling mortgage rates, pent-up demand and signals of homebuyer optimism point to a year of eventual resale recovery.

Online experience  •  8-min read

Growth Falters but Pickup Ahead: Major City Insights

Canadian Economics    February 22, 2024

How are higher interest rates weighing on spending behaviour, employment growth, and housing markets in cities across Canada? Despite this pressure, which sectors of local economies keep adding jobs? We share our urban economic outlook, including local GDP, employment, and population growth.

Online experience  •  8-min read

How Generative AI Could Close Canada’s Productivity Gap and Reshape the Workplace

Innovation & Technology    February 20, 2024

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is upending work as we know it. Though these tools are still in their infancy, they can already summarize documents, analyze reams of data, forecast trends, and support code development.

Impact paper  •  30-min read

Aerial view of a Canadian town

Airbnb Activity and Rental Markets in Canada

Canadian Economics    October 11, 2023

Rents across Canadian cities have increased since 2016, alongside an increase in Airbnb activity. At the same time, cities and provinces across Canada have implemented regulations for short-term rentals, including restrictions limiting short-term rentals to a host’s principal place of residence in some locations.

Data briefing  •  25-min read

Halifax Shipyard Ship

Value for Money: Economic Impact of the Halifax Shipyard Under the National Shipbuilding Strategy, 2023

Canadian Economics    May 29, 2023

The National Shipbuilding Strategy is generating significant economic impact across Canada. The Halifax Shipyard adheres to the ITB Policy and invests across Canada to compensate for 100 per cent of the value of work done abroad.

Data briefing  •  6-min read

a close-up of hands holding a steering wheel, driving down the highway

Governing Disruption: Toward Canada’s New Mobility Future

Sustainability    May 18, 2023

Technologies like vehicle automation, ride-hailing, and micromobility suggest many opportunities for improving local transportation systems. Automated vehicles, for example, can make transportation safer and more accessible. Ride-sharing can reduce rates of car ownership, and micromobility can provide a “last-mile” connection to public transit.

Issue briefing  •  17-min read

Vaughan, Vaughan Ontario, Canadian city, city horizon

Positive Expectations Continue to Dwindle: Metropolitan Housing Starts

Canadian Economics    January 27, 2023

Only two CMAs remain in the Up-Up quadrant this month, two fewer than last month. Negative expectations now outweigh positives for the short term.

Online experience  •  5-min read

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The Resale Market Stabilizes: Metropolitan Resale Snapshot

Canadian Economics    December 1, 2022

National existing home sales inched higher in October as an increase of 1.3 per cent interrupted a string of seven straight declines. Buyers continue to be wary against a backdrop of high interest rates and uncertain economic prospects.

Online experience  •  8-min read

Paving the Way to an Election

Canadian Economics    April 29, 2022

Seemingly taking a page from the federal budget’s playbook, this provincial fiscal plan echoed the increased spending and infrastructure themes of its federal counterparts. This de-emphasis on a balanced budget as the critical fiscal target over the next few years allows the province the flexibility to present a more realistic—though still challenging—spending plan that will not detract from the economic recovery.

Quick take  •  5-min read

Delivery Notice: Sustainable Urban Freight Solutions for the Last Mile

Sustainability    April 28, 2022

E-commerce growth is being fuelled by retail innovation and shifting consumer behaviour. Consumers and businesses are increasingly comfortable with digital purchasing and attracted to the convenience and choice provided by digital shopping environments. Retailers are improving the quality of the online storefront experience and increasing the efficiency of logistics operations.

Issue briefing  •  14-min read

Making Rural Immigration Work: Settlement Services in Small and Rural Communities

Immigration    March 31, 2022

In Canada, immigrants disproportionately settle in urban areas. The three largest cities—Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver—are home to 35 per cent of Canada’s population but receive more than half of all arriving immigrants. Canada needs a strategy to establish and fund settlement services in small and rural communities.

Impact paper  •  46-min read

Back view of student wearing backpack at school

Essential Skills for Learning and Working: Perspectives From Education and Employment Leaders Across Canada

Education & Skills    March 10, 2022

How can workers be sure they have the skills they will need to succeed? How we learn and demonstrate skills through qualifications is also changing. For example, while there is much uncertainty around the future of microcredentials, these new, short-term offerings are becoming increasingly common.

Impact paper  •  16-min read
Partner: Future Skills Centre

Wellbeing by Design: Lessons from the Pandemic on Canadian Communities and the Built Environment

Sustainability    February 8, 2022

Changing our built environment has tremendous potential to help Canadians live healthier lives. Throughout the pandemic of 2020–22 we are learning lessons that can advance the thought process. But reflection is key to this advancement. Through a series of interviews and assessment, this report gathers new insights that inform: how the design of the built environment can contribute to community wellbeing and the research and editing of the Community Wellbeing Framework, version 2.

Impact paper  •  22-min read