Canadian Cities
Have a clear understanding of economic growth in Canadian cities to reinforce or shift your business decisions.
Major City Insights
Canadian Economics April 7, 2026
How are ongoing trade tensions, persistent housing unaffordability, and stalled population growth hitting cities across Canada? Despite these headwinds, what are the bright spots supporting growth in local economies? We share our urban economic outlook, including local GDP, employment, and population growth.
Online experience • 8-min read
Housing Market Update for March 2026
Housing Market Performances are Mixed Now. Spring Will be the Test This month, we describe persistent softness of the national resale market but a modest uptick in housing starts. Why…
Major City Insights: Halifax—January 2026
Slowing demand weighs on growth Which sectors of the area’s economy are feeling the worst effects? How are slower population gains affecting the city’s labour and housing markets? We share…
The Cost of Austerity: The impact of announced federal public service cuts on Ottawa-Gatineau’s economy
Français Key insights Mounting fiscal pressures are driving cuts to the public administration sector. Nearly half of all federal employees are based in the Ottawa-Gatineau area, making the region particularly…
The True Cost of Trump Tariffs: City Impacts
In February, we released results of our national and provincial scenarios that assessed the impact of 25 per cent tariffs on all Canadian exports to the U.S., with retaliation from…
Considering Development Charges in Canada’s Housing Market—March 2025
Balancing Growth and Affordability: The Pros and Pitfalls of Development Charges in Canada’s Housing Market This thought leadership piece assesses the benefits and drawbacks of levying development charges on new…
The Leaky Bucket 2024: A Closer Look at Immigrant Onward Migration in Canada
This latest research builds on the 2023 Leaky Bucket report, and finds that onward migration varies across, and within, provinces. It also finds that economic immigrants—those hand-selected for their unique…
Airbnb Activity and Rental Markets in Canada: A Technical Examination
This primer provides a technical examination of whether short-term rentals, like Airbnb, are putting upward pressure on rents across Canadian cities.Has Airbnb activity had a meaningful impact on rents across…
Real Talk: How Generative AI Could Close Canada’s Productivity Gap and Reshape the Workplace—Lessons From the Innovation Economy
In this research, we discuss the results of a survey of 221 Canadian start-ups and 17 interviews with company leaders and experts to understand how ventures are using or exploring…
Value for Money: Economic Impact of the Halifax Shipyard Under the National Shipbuilding Strategy, 2023
In this research, we look at the economic benefits associated with the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS) at the Halifax Shipyard from 2013–25. Will the benefits of building new combat vessels…
Governing Disruption: Toward Canada’s New Mobility Future
In this issue briefing, we look at new mobility technologies in Canada and the role of governance in guiding the evolution of potentially disruptive technologies. Technologies like vehicle automation, ride-hailing,…
Metropolitan Housing Starts: December 2022
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. The CMAs with the biggest year-over-year…
Metropolitan Resale Snapshot: November 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…
