Canadian Real Estate Update - March 9, 2026

Real Estate & Housing Update: March 9, 2026

Market Outlook

The Canadian real estate market is entering a phase of cautious recovery in 2026, supported by interest rate stabilization. Key projections include:

• Sales Volume: National residential sales are forecasted to reach ~494,512, a 5.1% increase over 2025. Ontario and British Columbia are projected to lead, with growth exceeding 8%.
• Pricing: The national average home price is expected to rise by 2.8% to approximately $698,881.
• Policy Environment: The Bank of Canada policy rate is holding steady at 2.25%.
• Supply: New housing starts remain a primary concern, with Ontario seeing near two-decade lows in new construction activity, particularly in the pre-construction condo market.

Ontario Regulatory Updates

• 2026 Rent Increase Guideline: Set at 2.1% for applicable rent-controlled units.
• Bill 60 (Fighting Delays, Building Faster Act, 2025): Significant changes aimed at streamlining Landlord and Tenant Board (LTB) processes:
  • Non-payment (N4) notice period reduced to 7 days (from 14).
  • Appeal windows for LTB decisions shortened to 15 days (from 30).
  • New requirements for tenants to pay 50% of claimed arrears before raising maintenance-related issues in non-payment hearings.
• Safety Mandates: New 2026 requirements state that carbon monoxide (CO) alarms must be installed adjacent to every sleeping area and on every storey of homes featuring fuel-burning appliances, fireplaces, or attached garages.

This is a summary of real estate and regulatory intelligence for March 9, 2026.