About this episode

The episode discusses the slow start of Toronto and Vancouver's housing markets in 2026 amid interest rate uncertainty and economic challenges.

Toronto and Vancouver's housing markets are off to a very slow start in 2026. Sales activity in both cities has come in well below last year's levels as buyers remain cautious amid broader economic uncertainty. In this month's Real Estate Roundtable, John Pasalis, Steve Saretsky, and David Larock discuss what's keeping buyers on the sidelines and what it might take for confidence to return. One of the biggest questions right now is the outlook for interest rates. While many economists had expected modest rate cuts this year, the war in the Middle East has added a new layer of uncertainty that could complicate the Bank of Canada's path forward. We also discuss a major policy development on the West Coast: the Musqueam Nation's agreement with the federal government, which could reshape how land is developed in Vancouver and raise important questions about governance, planning, and housing supply. Finally, we look at how multiplex policies are beginning to influence housing markets in both Vancouver and Toronto. While still early, these changes are starting to affect land values, redevelopment decisions, and the types of housing being built across both cities. Contact & Follow…

People in this episode

Guests: John Pasalis, Steve Saretsky, David Larock

Topics covered

• real estate
• interest rates
• housing market
• economic uncertainty
• land development
• policy changes

Keywords

• Toronto housing market
• Vancouver housing market
• interest rates
• economic uncertainty
• land development
• Musqueam Nation
• policy changes

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Musqueam Nation, Bank of Canada

Places: Toronto, Vancouver

More episodes of Move Smartly: The Podcast

• Builder Bailout or Buyer Boost? The Truth About Canada's Housing Market Right Now · May 1, 2026 · 33 min
• Unlocking Multiplex Housing in Toronto · April 24, 2026 · 48 min
• No Market Comeback Yet — But a Tax Change That Impacts Buyers · April 17, 2026 · 51 min
• Anemic Housing in Toronto & Vancouver — And a Quiet Builder Bailout · April 10, 2026 · 50 min
• Bold Plans and Broken Systems: A Conversation with Gregg Lintern · April 3, 2026 · 1h 2m
• Should Buyers Wait or Jump In? And How AI Is Changing Real Estate · March 27, 2026 · 37 min

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