Canadian Cities
Have a clear understanding of economic growth in Canadian cities to reinforce or shift your business decisions.
Airbnb Activity and Rental Markets in Canada
Canadian Economics July 26, 2024
This research is the first to empirically evaluate the effect of Airbnb activity on housing affordability, and specifically rents, in a Canada-wide context. It is also the first piece of research to use actual Airbnb booking data, rather than using listings data scraped by third parties from the Airbnb website.
Primer • 44-min read
From Pause in 2024 to Propel in 2025: Major City Insights
Canadian Economics July 23, 2024
As interest rates loosen their grip and demand picks up, which sectors of local economies are poised for stronger growth? How much will the gradual easing in interest rates help to bolster consumer spending, job gains, and housing markets in cities across Canada? We share our urban economic outlook, including local GDP, employment, and population growth.
Online experience • 8-min read
Rate Cut Helps June Resale Market: Housing Market Update
Canadian Economics July 23, 2024
Canadian resale transactions rose in June after four straight monthly declines. The gain was aided by the Bank of Canada’s recent interest rate cut, although the trimming was small. Chances of further interest relief should prompt modest buyer optimism and nudge sales higher in the second half of 2025. These are foreshadowed by easing bond yields, which they often lead to falling fixed mortgage rates.
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
