🏡 2026 rent increase cap is set

Plus more news from across Canada.

Good morning!☀ Ready to kickstart your day? Take 5 minutes to recap all the major news headlines from this week.

⚡ Top Story

BC sets 2026 rent increase cap at 2.3% | BC

British Columbia’s rent increase cap for 2026 has been tied to inflation at 2.3%, down from 3.0% in 2025. It’s one of the lowest in over 20 years. Landlords must provide three months' notice before implementing increases. A tenant’s rent cannot be raised more than once in any 12-month period. Full Story

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Canadians sell U.S. properties amid political tensions | National

A recent survey by Royal LePage reveals that 54% of Canadians owning U.S. properties plan to sell within the next year, primarily due to concerns over the current U.S. political climate. Additionally, 32% intend to reinvest the proceeds into the Canadian real estate market, reflecting a shift towards domestic investment. Full Story

GTA new home sales plunge to slowest month since 1990s | ON

Greater Toronto Area new home sales in July 2025 plunged to just 359 units, marking a 48% drop year-over-year and an 82% decline from the 10-year July average of 1,941—now the slowest month since the 1990s. Inventory surged to 20 months, a record high. Full Story

Granville and Robson site sold for $140M | BC

Bonnis Properties has sold the 798 Granville Street site to The GJ Group for $140 million. The 23-year-old building offers 90,000 sq. ft. of leasable space, currently housing tenants like Best Buy, Marshalls, and The North Face. Speculation suggests potential redevelopment into a hotel or flagship retail destination, with ground-floor retail likely to remain. Full Story

GTA commercial real estate investment drops 36% | ON

GTA commercial real estate investment dropped 36% year-over-year in Q2 2025—from $4.3 billion to $2.7 billion. Despite the decline, transaction counts rose 14% quarter-over-quarter, driven by smaller deals. Industrial assets led with $1.2 billion (–35%), office investment slid 48%, while multi-residential jumped 18%, supported by rising distress sales. Full Story

Canada’s housing plans fall short by 690K units | National

Canada aims to build 2.5 million new homes by 2035, but the Parliamentary Budget Office warns this falls 690,000 units short of the 3.2 million needed. Even with ambitious plans, achieving 290,000 annual completions would require surpassing 2024's record of 276,000 units for over a decade. Full Story

PCI Developments sells three rental properties to Realstar | BC

PCI Developments sold three East Vancouver rental properties to Toronto’s Realstar Group in a share sale completed on May 16, 2025. The portfolio, valued at $166.28 million, includes two 14-storey towers (Yarrow, Aster) and one 6-storey building (388 Kaslo). Full Story

Burnaby’s Siena the Heights project sold for $12M | BC

The Siena the Heights project at 4451 Hastings Street in Burnaby—a five-storey mixed-use development with 38 condos and ~8,500 sq ft of retail—was placed into receivership in February 2025. Vancouver-based Landa Global has agreed to purchase it for $12 million via a share sale, pending court approval. Full Story

😯 Random Fact of the Day

Did you know that over 90% of the world’s data was created in the last two years? Thanks to the digital world, every TikTok video, selfie, email, and online purchase adds to the exponential growth of data.

Metro Vancouver retail vacancy stays below national average | BC

Metro Vancouver's retail vacancy rate remains low, with shopping centres at 2.4% in Q2 2025, compared to the national average of 4.2%. Demand is driven by anchor tenants, apparel, and quick-service restaurants. However, slower housing construction and economic factors may impact future retail supply. Full Story

Steeles Avenue East tower site listed with approvals | ON

A 2.3-acre site at 36–48 Steeles Avenue East (bordering Toronto and Markham) is listed with approvals for two residential towers—40 and 44 storey. The plan includes 1,060 units, a 19,687 sq ft public park, and a 4,843 sq ft publicly accessible private space. A 23-storey rental tower option (+250 units) is under consideration. Full Story

Amacon proposes two towers with 528 units | BC

Amacon has submitted a rezoning application for 1745 W 8th Avenue, proposing two towers—28 and 29 storeys—with 528 residential units (421 strata, 107 social housing), a 300-ft height, 8.5 FSR, 13,024 sq ft of commercial space, and a 50-space childcare facility with indoor and outdoor areas. Full Story

Onni plans four mixed-use towers in False Creek Flats | BC

Onni Group’s proposal for 375 E 1st Avenue (Lot P) in Vancouver’s False Creek Flats calls for four mixed-use towers built atop a shared six-storey podium. The plan includes 1,156 residential units (639 strata, 485 rentals, 32 social housing), 225 hotel rooms, 74,867 sq ft office, 46,216 sq ft retail, and 12,681 sq ft art production space. Full Story

Richmond Hill proposal plans four towers | ON

In Richmond Hill’s Elgin Mills area, a proposal at 10993–11007 Yonge Street envisions four towers atop six-storey podiums, delivering 1,414 residential units (290 rentals, 342 condos, 782 unspecified), plus retail, daycare, public squares, landscaping, and 619 parking spaces. Full Story

Kelowna townhouses enter receivership over $7.6M Debt | BC

Kelowna’s Promontory townhouse project has entered receivership after Boynton Developments Ltd. failed to settle over $7.6 million in debt. The B.C. Supreme Court appointed MNP as receiver on August 15. The development, 60% complete, is now under court-appointed management. Full Story

📅 Save These Dates

September 5, 2025, 5:30am | Unemployment Rate
September 16, 2025, 5:30am | Inflation Rate
September 17, 2025, 6:45am | BoC Interest Rate Decision

You’re all caught up. Enjoy your long weekend!