Saad Ullah
● Canada's rental market is showing serious strain. New Statistics Canada figures reveal that rent prices climbed 4.8% in September 2025 compared to the previous year, up from 4.5% in August. Quebec is leading this upward trend with a staggering 9.6% year-over-year increase, particularly concentrated in Montreal.
● Eric Duhaime highlighted these numbers in a recent post, referencing political commentator Eric Duhaime's analysis. According to the data, "The acceleration of rent price growth is largely attributable to the increase observed in Quebec (+9.6%), particularly in Montreal," as noted by Statistics Canada. Duhaime argued this should be a central issue in public discussion, stating, "The priority must be the purchasing power of Quebecers — not a third losing referendum."
● The numbers paint a worrying picture of Canada's affordability crisis. Rapid rent increases are eating into household budgets and putting serious financial pressure on renters, especially in major cities. Economists warn that without meaningful intervention, we could see more tenant displacement, rising bankruptcies, and an exodus of skilled workers from expensive markets like Montreal and Toronto.
● These rent hikes are also pushing up the Consumer Price Index and forcing governments to spend more on housing subsidies and income support. Some experts are calling for smarter solutions: reforming property taxes, fast-tracking housing approvals, and creating public-private partnerships to increase affordable housing supply without draining public coffers.
● The problem isn't limited to Quebec. New Brunswick saw 7.5% growth, Saskatchewan 7.3%, and Nova Scotia 6.9%. Only Prince Edward Island bucked the trend with just 0.5% growth after actually declining in August. Political figures like Duhaime are framing the debate around economic relief and purchasing power, emphasizing that keeping more money in people's pockets should be the priority as inflation pressures persist across the country.
Saad Ullah
