Canada’s Real Estate Outlook Heading Into 2026
- ClearView Insider
- Jan 14
- 1 min read
Deloitte’s Future of Real Estate in Canada report suggests a cautious but improving outlook for 2026, with capital slowly returning to the market and leasing decisions becoming more deliberate.
Economists are forecasting stronger residential investment growth and a modest rebound in non-residential investment as borrowing conditions improve. At the same time, performance across asset classes remains uneven. Industrial, multi-family, and data-centre properties continue to lead, while office absorption is still working through structural and workplace shifts, including a gradual return-to-office trend.
A consistent theme throughout the report is rising expectations. Tenants are prioritizing well-managed, sustainable, and digitally connected buildings, while also pushing for flexibility, concessions, and upgraded space. For owners, this is driving a sharper focus on capital efficiency, financing strategy, and alignment with local market conditions.
For Alberta, one notable signal is increasing friction on the development side. More respondents are reporting longer approval and permitting timelines, a trend that has accelerated year-over-year. This adds another layer of complexity for projects already navigating higher construction costs and cautious tenant demand.
Overall, the message is clear: as capital access improves, success will favour assets and strategies that are operationally efficient, regionally informed, and responsive to how occupiers are actually using space.
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Source: Future of Real Estate in Canada | Connecting data, AI, and ESG to drive growth and resilience, Deloitte Canada Real Estate