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.
For professionals tracking national opportunities, the Altus commercial transactions database remains one of the most powerful tools available for due diligence and investment research.
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.
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.
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.
Explore More Insights
Continue exploring weekly updates and market intelligence from Altus Group:
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The current state of the mortgage market has presented prospective homebuyers with a significant challenge – surging mortgage rates. These rates have reached a 20-year high, hovering around 7.7%, making it increasingly difficult for borrowers to secure affordable loans. As a result, borrowers are actively seeking support from their family members to overcome this hurdle. To combat the impact of surging mortgage rates, borrowers are turning to their parents for financial assistance. This can take the form of gifted funds or by having parents become non-occupant co-borrowers. By involving family members in the mortgage process, borrowers can increase their chances of securing loans and achieving their homeownership goals.
In a surprising turn of events, Inga Dow, a prominent Keller Williams franchisee and CEO of multiple Texas-based Keller Williams offices, has withdrawn her sexual misconduct lawsuit against the real estate giant. While Dow's claims against Keller Williams and its co-founder, Gary Keller, have been dropped, the lawsuit against former CEO John Davis remains ongoing. The outcome of this legal battle is still uncertain, and further details may emerge as the case progresses. Stay informed with Cameron Academy's online courses tailored to your needs and goals in the real estate industry.
The recent approval of Remote Online Notarization (RON) legislation in California is a significant development that Cameron Academy is thrilled to discuss. This progressive bill, signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom, enables individuals to notarize their documents remotely using advanced audiovisual technology. The introduction of RON legislation in California brings about numerous advantages that revolutionize the notarization process. By embracing digital advancements, California is empowering individuals and businesses with enhanced convenience and accessibility, significant time and cost savings, improved security, and streamlined workflow.
"Even though mortgage origination volumes are down, we’re experiencing a highly competitive purchase market. That means a number of businesses, seeking to grow their revenue, will likely look to expand their reach to the default and REO space. However, venturing into this industry without proper knowledge and preparation can lead to serious consequences. By understanding the lessons learned from the past foreclosure wave and staying current with the changing environment, businesses can navigate the challenges and seize the opportunities presented by the default and REO market."
In the ongoing legal battle involving the National Association of Realtors (NAR), Keller Williams, and HomeServices of America, a recent development has emerged. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit, known as the Sitzer/Burnett plaintiffs, have filed a notice to withdraw three named plaintiffs. This move is seen by the defendants as an attempt to avoid cross-examination. The lawsuit, initially filed in April 2019, challenges NAR's Participation Rule, which requires listing agents to offer compensation to buyers' agents in order to list a property on a Realtor-affiliated multiple listing service (MLS). The plaintiffs argue that this commission sharing inflates costs for consumers, in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act. With the trial scheduled to start on October 16, the potential damages in this suit are estimated to be up to $4 billion.
