Commercial real estate market data background

CRE This Week: The Trends Shaping Canada’s Commercial Real Estate Landscape

Canada’s commercial real estate (CRE) market is moving fast — and every week brings a new wave of data, transactions, and strategic insights that professionals can use to stay competitive. Thanks to Altus Group’s Canada Research Team, we now have a fresh snapshot of how the markets are shifting nationwide as we head toward the close of 2025.

If you work in real estate, mortgage, appraisal, development, or any related licensed profession, this week’s market pulse offers signals worth watching while you enjoy your morning coffee.

Market Movers: Notable Transactions Across Canada

Activity continues across major regions, with apartments, industrial properties, hotels, and retail assets trading hands at significant valuations.

Greater Toronto Area — Apartment

100 Tyndall Avenue, Old Toronto
$14,531,750

More regional transactions

Greater Vancouver Area — Industrial

7531 134A Street, Surrey
$10,988,000 — $443 per sq. ft.

More regional transactions

Greater Ottawa Area — Hotel

100 & 200 Coventry Road, Ottawa
$86,000,000 — $150,087 per room

More regional transactions

Greater Golden Horseshoe — Industrial

160 McGovern Drive, Cambridge
$6,000,000

More regional transactions

For professionals tracking national opportunities, the Altus commercial transactions database remains one of the most powerful tools available for due diligence and investment research.

Access Altus Group’s Commercial Transactions Database

Key Indicators: What’s Driving Canadian CRE?

Retail Spending Remains Surprisingly Resilient

Despite a softer national economy, retail sales are up 4.7% year‑to‑date. Winnipeg and Vancouver lead the pack, while Toronto and Calgary stay stable after inflation adjustments. This strength supports the rising appeal of grocery‑anchored and open‑format retail assets.

Toronto CRE Feels the Brake Pressure

Investment volume in Toronto sits 13% below last year’s levels. Economic uncertainty and post‑2024 slowdown effects have cooled activity. Altus Group’s Q3 Toronto update dives deeper into performance indicators.

Read the full Toronto market update

Construction Cools After a Hot Start

Construction investment eased in September, with residential leading but slowing. The Prairies and Quebec show the strongest momentum, while other regions soften. With population growth also tapering, construction activity nationwide may remain subdued into 2026.

Research Spotlights: Insights Worth Bookmarking

Montreal CRE Update — Q3 2025

Montreal’s multifamily sector stays strong while other asset classes shift. A must‑read for investors recalibrating strategy.

Read the full market update

Canadian CRE Valuation Analysis — Q3 2025

Retail edges upward, office remains pressured, and national valuations stabilize. This report helps investors anticipate 2026 positioning.

Explore the analysis

Industry Event: AI Meets Real Estate

Applying AI Functions and Technology in Real Estate

Speaker: Rich Sarkis, President, ARGUS Software & Data
Event: Toronto Real Estate Forum
Date: December 4, 2025 — 11:30 AM ET

Learn more

Meet the Altus Research Leaders

The insights above are brought to life by the Altus Data Solutions team — a group of analysts and strategists laser‑focused on understanding national CRE conditions.

  • Ray Wong — Vice President, Data Solutions
  • Peter Norman — Vice President & Economic Strategist
  • Edward Jegg — Research Manager
  • Jennifer Nhieu — Senior Research Analyst

Why This Matters for Real Estate Professionals

Whether you’re investing, brokering, valuing, or developing, keeping up with weekly CRE movements is now a core competitive advantage. Staying informed helps guide smarter decisions, sharper timing, and stronger long‑term positioning.

For aspiring and current professionals aiming to build credibility and earn their license, Cameron Academy continues to help bridge the gap between market knowledge and formal education — offering real estate, mortgage, insurance, and professional licensing pathways nationwide.

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Continue exploring weekly updates and market intelligence from Altus Group:

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Getting licensed or staying ahead in your career can be a journey—but it doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Grab your favorite coffee or tea, take a moment to relax, and browse through our articles. Whether you’re just starting out or renewing your expertise, we’ve got tips, insights, and advice to keep you moving forward. Here’s to your success—one sip and one step at a time!

A Time of Reckoning for Commercial Real Estate: What Professionals Need to Know in 2026

The commercial real estate industry is finally confronting years of delayed financial reality as banks begin calling in billions in troubled loans, pushing office loan delinquencies to record highs. With more than 12 percent of office loans now delinquent and nearly a trillion dollars in commercial and multifamily debt maturing this year, lenders are tightening standards and forcing borrowers to present real data, stronger strategies, and actionable plans. Regional banks face the most risk, while real estate professionals who master data literacy and investment analysis will be best positioned to thrive in this new era.

12 States Leading the Surge in CFP Growth for 2026

CFP professionals are in higher demand than ever, and new data from SmartAsset and the CFP Board shows that some states are becoming hotspots for this booming field. California leads the nation, now home to nearly one in every ten Certified Financial Planners. As Americans seek deeper financial guidance, states with strong economies and growing populations are seeing the fastest rise in licensed advisors—signaling major opportunity for both new and seasoned professionals.

Commercial Real Estate Poised for a Full Recovery in 2026 as Investment Activity Surges

After years of market disruption, commercial real estate is finally showing strong signs of a comeback, with major investment firms projecting 2026 as the year the sector fully stabilizes. New reports from Hines, CBRE, and Colliers point to rising leasing activity, renewed buyer appetite, and a rebound toward pre‑pandemic investment levels. Manhattan is leading the recovery, premium office spaces are dominating demand, and suburban markets are gaining traction—setting the stage for significant opportunities for real estate professionals, investors, and brokers preparing for the next market cycle.

The 2026 Job Market Freeze: Why Hiring Is Stuck and Where the Real Opportunities Are

The 2026 labor market is entering a “low‑hire, low‑fire” freeze—job openings remain above pre‑pandemic levels, yet companies are delaying hiring decisions as they navigate economic uncertainty, tariffs, and shifting immigration policies. Despite the slowdown, major pockets of growth remain, especially in healthcare, construction, civil engineering, and Sunbelt regions. AI is reshaping some industries but replacing very few jobs, with less than 1% of skills at high risk of automation. For professionals willing to adapt, upskill, or shift industries, 2026 offers strategic opportunities—particularly in licensed fields like real estate, mortgage, insurance, and finance, where education and credentials can unlock stability and upward mobility.

Mortgage Rates Hit Three‑Year Low at 6.09%, Opening a Rare Window for Buyers

Mortgage rates slipped to 6.09% this week, marking their lowest point in three years and surprising analysts after strong job numbers. The drop improves affordability for many families and signals a pivotal moment for buyers, investors, and real estate professionals as market conditions cool and stabilization continues into 2026.

AI Proptech Unicorns: How $1B+ Startups Are Transforming Commercial Real Estate in 2026

Artificial intelligence is now the driving force behind the fastest‑growing proptech companies, with AI-native startups claiming the majority of the $16.7 billion invested in real estate technology last year. From tenant communication automation to self‑navigating construction vehicles and AI-powered investor management systems, four new unicorns—EliseAI, Bedrock Robotics, Juniper Square, and Vantaca—are leading a sweeping shift across commercial real estate. Their rise signals a new era where professionals must embrace automation, data skills, and continuous education to stay competitive in an industry evolving at record speed.