Podcasts about prec

In this episode of the Do One Better Podcast, Alberto Lidji speaks with David Mozersky, President and Co-Founder of Energy Peace Partners, about the connection between renewable energy and peacebuilding in fragile and conflict-affected countries. David explains how some of the least electrified countries in the world are also among the most affected by conflict and climate vulnerability. From South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo to Somalia and Chad, Energy Peace Partners works to bring renewable energy solutions to communities where electricity access can transform lives, strengthen local economies, improve health and education, enhance security, and support peace. The conversation explores how distributed renewable energy, such as solar mini grids and public lighting, can create shared benefits for communities, open up new economic opportunities, and serve as a practical peacebuilding tool. David also introduces the Peace Renewable Energy Credit, known as a PREC, an innovative financing mechanism that helps channel sustainability funding into renewable energy projects in fragile settings. David discusses the role of major corporate buyers, including Microsoft and Google, and looks at the potential of the new PREC Aggregation Facility, an $11 million initiative designed to unlock far larger investment in renewable energy projects across fragile states in Africa. He also considers the role of philanthropy, the challenges of building a new field at the intersection of peace and renewable energy, and the importance of collaboration among funders, developers, policymakers, researchers, and peacebuilding organizations. This is a thoughtful and timely conversation about how clean energy can do more than reduce emissions. It can improve lives, create new forms of cooperation, and contribute to peace and stability in some of the world's most challenging contexts. Visit our Knowledge Hub at Lidji.org for information on 350+ case studies and interviews with remarkable leaders in philanthropy, sustainability and social entrepreneurship. 

Canada's housing market continues to defy the narrative of a nationwide downturn. While British Columbia and Ontario have experienced meaningful price declines since the market peak in 2022, the rest of the country has largely moved in the opposite direction. Home prices have risen across every other province, with New Brunswick leading the way at more than 40% growth. The data serves as a reminder that there is no singular Canadian housing market—only a collection of regional markets moving at very different speeds.Recent national housing data paints a picture of cautious stabilization. Sales activity has improved from the sluggish pace seen earlier in the year, inventory levels have returned closer to long-term averages, and average sale prices have posted modest gains. Yet beneath the surface, transaction volumes remain well below the extraordinary levels recorded during the pandemic-era boom. Prices may be holding in many regions, but activity remains subdued, suggesting buyers and sellers are still adjusting to a higher-rate environment.At the same time, Canada's homeownership rate continues to trend lower, particularly among younger generations. Census data shows substantial declines in ownership among Canadians in their late twenties and early thirties, raising important questions about the country's long-term housing trajectory. While affordability is often cited as the primary culprit, the composition of new housing supply may be playing an equally important role. Detached homes and family-oriented ownership products are becoming increasingly scarce, while condominium construction continues to dominate many urban markets. The result is a housing system that increasingly encourages renting over ownership.The implications extend far beyond housing itself. Homeowners in Canada are significantly wealthier than renters on average, and the gap widens over time. As ownership rates decline, concerns surrounding wealth inequality, social mobility, and economic opportunity continue to grow. If the majority of future housing stock is designed primarily for rental occupancy, Canada may find itself facing broader economic and demographic challenges in the years ahead.Meanwhile, Vancouver is preparing for one of the most significant zoning shifts in recent memory. The City's proposed Village Plan would effectively pre-zone approximately 13,000 properties across 17 neighbourhood hubs, allowing buildings up to six storeys without the lengthy rezoning process that has historically slowed development. Supporters view the initiative as a meaningful step toward increasing housing supply and creating more walkable communities. Critics question whether neighbourhood infrastructure, parking, and community character can absorb such rapid change.Yet the largest question may not be whether these projects can be approved, but whether they can be built. A closer examination of development economics reveals that many proposed projects operate on remarkably thin margins. Rising land costs, elevated construction expenses, financing challenges, and softening demand have left little room for error. Even under optimistic assumptions, many developments appear only marginally viable.That reality was underscored by an unprecedented decision from the Urban Development Institute, which cancelled its 2026 Awards of Excellence. The organization cited worsening development conditions and a growing cost-of-delivery crisis that is making new housing increasingly difficult to build throughout British Columbia. The cancellation serves as a symbolic acknowledgment of the pressures facing an industry that is simultaneously being asked to deliver more housing while confronting some of the most challenging economics in decades.Construction activity reflects a similar tension. Housing starts remain historically elevated thanks to a surge in purpose-built rental construction, but recent data suggests momentum may be slowing. British Columbia posted a significant decline in starts, while performance varied considerably between municipalities. The risk is that today's projects represent the final wave of developments approved under more favourable conditions, with future supply potentially constrained by worsening project economics.Beyond housing, global events are beginning to influence the outlook for inflation and interest rates. As tensions in the Middle East appear to ease, oil prices have retreated sharply, helping lower inflation expectations and bond yields. For borrowers, this represents a welcome development, as lower bond yields typically support lower fixed mortgage rates. However, central banks remain cautious. Stronger economic data in the United States and a resilient labour market have increased expectations that interest rates could remain elevated longer than previously anticipated.At the household level, financial stress continues to build. Consumer insolvencies are rising across Canada, with particularly sharp increases in British Columbia and Ontario. Bankruptcy filings have accelerated as declining home prices reduce homeowners' ability to refinance debt or access home equity. Yet paradoxically, Canadian household net worth continues to reach record highs. The result is a growing disconnect between balance-sheet wealth and day-to-day affordability.That contradiction may ultimately define the current economic cycle. On paper, Canadians remain extraordinarily wealthy. In practice, many households are feeling increasing financial pressure from higher borrowing costs, elevated living expenses, and slower economic growth. The gap between what the data says and what Canadians experience in everyday life continues to widen, creating one of the most important economic stories facing the country today._________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

No 1. jūlija par precēm, kas iegādātas interneta veikalos un tirdzniecības platformās ārpus Eiropas Savienības, būs jāmaksā muitas nodoklis – trīs eiro par katru preču pozīciju sūtījumos, kuru vērtība ir līdz 150 eiro. Vai lēto sīkpaku ēra tuvojas beigām? Raidījumā Kā labāk dzīvot skaidro "Venipak Latvija" izpilddirektore Sanita Bērziņa, Patentu valdes pārstāve Ella Niedra un Valsts ieņēmumu dienesta Muitas pārvaldes Muitošanas metodikas daļas vadītāja Irēna Knoka. Pirmās izmaiņas sīkpaku izmaksās būs jau no jūnija, bet no 1. novembra būs vēl papildus maksa par paciņas apstrādi. Tā divus eiro liela apstrādes maksa par katru sūtījuma preču pozīciju.

Canada's real estate market may finally be approaching a turning point—but not in the way many expected. After four years of falling sales, declining prices, stalled development, and investor retreat, subtle signs of stabilization are beginning to emerge. Yet beneath the surface, the market remains deeply divided between sectors showing resilience and others still under immense pressure. The focus now turns to the forces quietly reshaping housing in Vancouver and across Canada—and what they reveal about the next phase of the cycle.One of the most fascinating developments is where capital is now flowing. For years, office towers symbolized the strength of downtown business districts. But Vancouver's changing economic landscape is rewriting that narrative. A 13-storey office building in the heart of downtown is being converted into a boutique hotel, signaling a major shift in investor priorities. While other cities have transformed struggling office space into residential housing, Vancouver's comparatively resilient office market is taking a different route. With tourism surging, hotel occupancy rates leading the nation, and global events on the horizon, developers are increasingly betting on hospitality over traditional office demand. It is a subtle but meaningful signal of where confidence in Vancouver's long-term economy still exists.At the same time, the Bank of Canada finds itself balancing a fragile economy against renewed inflation risk. After five consecutive rate holds, policymakers are increasingly confronting an uncomfortable possibility: rate hikes may not be over. Escalating geopolitical tensions, rising oil prices, and concerns about inflation spilling into broader consumer costs have shifted the conversation dramatically. Markets that once anticipated cuts are now cautiously pricing in potential increases later this year. For housing, this creates an unusual dynamic—variable-rate borrowers receive short-term stability, while fixed-rate mortgages remain exposed to rising bond yields and inflation concerns.Meanwhile, Vancouver's rental market continues its reset. Rents have now declined for nearly three consecutive years, with one-bedroom and family-sized units experiencing some of the sharpest drops. Investors who once viewed condominiums as reliable income-producing assets are increasingly pulling back, while developers who pivoted from end-user ownership projects toward rentals are beginning to face new economic realities. The irony is difficult to ignore: record levels of rental construction arriving at the same time population growth slows and affordability challenges persist. The likely outcome? A near-term softening in rental economics followed by an eventual tightening of housing supply as projects inevitably slow.Labour market data adds another layer of complexity. Canada unexpectedly posted a strong employment report, significantly outperforming forecasts and showing meaningful gains in full-time work, particularly in construction. Yet beneath the headline strength, important cracks remain. Employment growth for the year remains subdued, wage gains are slowing, and unemployment still sits at elevated levels. In short, the economy is showing resilience without yet signaling robust expansion.Perhaps nowhere is the tension within the market more visible than in the growing wave of developer insolvencies. A major Burnaby townhouse project has entered creditor proceedings despite already being under construction, a trend that would have been nearly unthinkable during the boom years. Rising financing costs, weaker pre-sale demand, and mounting construction expenses are exposing vulnerabilities across the development landscape. Each stalled project represents more than a financial setback; it also removes future housing supply from the pipeline, quietly planting the seeds for tomorrow's shortages.Yet amid the uncertainty, early signals of stabilization are beginning to surface. Sales activity is improving, median prices have climbed steadily for months, and average prices are quietly trending upward. After more than a year of persistent declines, the market may finally be transitioning into a phase of cautious equilibrium.The defining question now is whether this stability represents a temporary pause, or the early stages of the next chapter in Canada's housing story. For now, the data suggests the era of relentless declines may finally be giving way to something far more nuanced: a market learning how to find its footing again._________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

Este boletim traz um resumo das principais notícias do dia na análise de Samuel Possebon, editor chefe da TELETIME.TELETIME é a publicação de referência para quem acompanha o mercado de telecomunicações, tecnologia e Internet no Brasil. Uma publicação independente dedicada ao debate aprofundado e criterioso das questões econômicas, regulatórias, tecnológicas, operacionais e estratégicas das empresas do setor. Se você ainda não acompanha a newsletter TELETIME, inscreva-se no nosso site www.teletime.com.br e fique ligado no dia a dia do mercado de telecom. É simples e é gratuito.Você ainda pode acompanhar TELETIME nas redes sociais:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/teletimenews/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/teletimenews/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Teletime/ Ou entre em nosso canal no Whatsapp: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbAulbCADTOEwFog2l1J Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Canada's housing market may finally be showing early signs of stabilization — but is this the beginning of a long-awaited recovery, or merely a pause before another downturn? In this week's episode of The Vancouver Life Podcast, we unpack the latest housing data, economic signals, and market shifts that could reshape real estate in Vancouver and across Canada.After more than three years of declining prices, sluggish sales, and buyers remaining firmly on the sidelines, several indicators are beginning to point toward something different. Listings are easing, prices are flattening, buyer sentiment is quietly improving, and institutional investors are once again making bold bets on housing. While uncertainty remains, the data is beginning to tell a more nuanced story than the headlines suggest.One of the most notable developments comes from Berkshire Hathaway, the investment giant built by Warren Buffett and now led by Greg Abel, which has made a stunning $6.8 billion all-cash acquisition of U.S. homebuilder Taylor Morrison. While the story is south of the border, the implications may reach far beyond the United States. Berkshire is famous for making long-term investments during periods of uncertainty — not when optimism is already priced in. The move raises an important question: does one of the world's smartest capital allocators believe housing weakness is temporary and that long-term demand fundamentals remain intact?There is another major shift poised to transform real estate: artificial intelligence in mortgage lending. TD Bank has introduced agentic AI into mortgage and HELOC underwriting, reducing application review times from approximately 15 hours to under three minutes. The implications are substantial. Faster approvals could reduce financing friction, speed up transactions, and ultimately change how buyers experience one of the largest purchases of their lives. While human oversight remains in place, this episode explores how AI is rapidly moving from novelty to necessity in housing finance.Closer to home, Metro Vancouver's presale condo market is sending what may be one of the strongest warning signals in years. In a stunning statistic, zero concrete high-rise presale projects launched in Q1 2026 — an almost complete freeze in one of the region's most important housing categories. Developers are struggling to secure financing as investor demand weakens, affordability deteriorates, and nearly 4,000 completed condos remain unsold. Yet paradoxically, today's slowdown could plant the seeds for tomorrow's supply shortage, potentially creating renewed upward pressure on pricing by 2028 and beyond.The latest market statistics for Metro Vancouver and reveals a market caught between weakness and resilience. Sales remain historically low — with May 2026 ranking effectively as the weakest May on record outside of the COVID lockdown period — yet prices are no longer falling meaningfully. Benchmark pricing rose modestly again in May, marking the second increase in three months, while median prices have climbed for five consecutive months and now sit just 2.5% below all-time highs.At the same time, inventory levels are beginning to ease, new listings have declined year-over-year for three straight months, and expectations for further Bank of Canada tightening have softened considerably. Markets are now pricing in an overwhelming likelihood of a rate hold, adding another layer of potential stability.The overarching question explored throughout the episode is simple, yet critically important: Are we witnessing the early formation of a housing market bottom — or simply a temporary stabilization before another leg lower?For buyers, sellers, developers, and investors alike, this episode offers a data-driven look at the signals that matter most — and what they could mean for the future of Canadian real estate._________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

This week's real estate and economic headlines reveal a country standing at a major inflection point — and nowhere is that more evident than in housing.At the center of the conversation is one of the most consequential private property disputes in modern Canadian history. The Supreme Court of Canada's refusal to hear a New Brunswick Indigenous title appeal may have major implications for British Columbia's controversial Cowichan land claim case. Why does this matter? Because for the first time, courts are grappling with whether Aboriginal title claims could extend over privately owned “fee simple” land, the foundation of how most Canadians understand homeownership. For homeowners, developers, lenders, and municipalities, the outcome could reshape the legal certainty underpinning real estate itself.At the same time, Canada's economy appears to be losing momentum. With real GDP declining for a second consecutive quarter, economists are increasingly referring to the country's slowdown as a “technical recession.” Yet the picture is far from simple. While housing activity, construction, and business investment continue to soften, certain sectors remain resilient, raising an important question: is Canada entering a genuine downturn, or simply navigating a temporary reset?Housing sits directly in the middle of that uncertainty.Buyer confidence remains cautious, resale activity is subdued, and population growth, long the engine of housing demand, has begun slowing. As inventory rises in some markets, particularly condos and rentals, the assumption that housing demand will endlessly accelerate is facing fresh scrutiny.The labour market is sending warning signals too. Job vacancies across Canada have fallen nearly 50% from their 2022 peak, reaching their weakest levels in almost a decade. Fewer openings, weaker hiring, and slowing payroll growth are often early indicators of broader economic softness, and for a highly leveraged housing market, employment confidence may matter more than interest rates.Meanwhile, mortgage stress continues to quietly build. While national arrears rates remained stable in March, foreclosures in British Columbia have climbed to record levels, highlighting a growing divide between headline stability and financial strain beneath the surface.Governments, however, are beginning to intervene. Surrey's decision to reduce development fees for new housing marks one of the boldest affordability experiments by a Canadian municipality this year. The move aims to lower construction costs and revive stalled projects, though new amenity charges raise questions about whether affordability gains will truly materialize.Elsewhere, Toronto's pre-construction market is showing signs of life — but perhaps not for the reasons headlines suggest. Sales have surged from historic lows, yet rising prices may be driven less by stronger demand and more by government rebate programs unintentionally flowing back to developers.And finally, Vancouver's future economy may soon be shaped by artificial intelligence. Proposed AI data centres promise billions in economic investment and thousands of jobs, but critics warn the city may already be stretched beyond its infrastructure limits. The debate raises a familiar question in Canadian housing: how do cities balance growth, affordability, and livability?Canada's housing market is no longer just a story about rates and prices. It's increasingly a story about law, jobs, infrastructure, demographics, and government policy, all colliding at once. The decisions made today could shape housing outcomes for years to come._________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

Canada's economy may appear stable on the surface, but beneath the headlines, a far more concerning story is unfolding — one built on record debt, rising financial pressure, and a housing market increasingly dependent on conditions staying just right. In this episode of The Vancouver Life Podcast, we unpack one of the biggest economic questions facing Canadians today: what happens when a country becomes so indebted that more income goes toward repayments than future growth?At the center of this conversation is a staggering statistic: Canadian household debt has reached an all-time high of $3.24 trillion — effectively equal to the country's annual economic output. Mortgage debt alone now sits at a record $2.42 trillion, growing faster than consumer debt and increasingly dominating household balance sheets. The result? Canadians are becoming increasingly “house rich and cash poor,” with less disposable income, reduced spending flexibility, and growing dependence on low interest rates to maintain financial stability.But debt rarely becomes a problem in isolation.Inflation remains an ongoing challenge, rising to 2.8% in April and pushing against the upper limits of the Bank of Canada's comfort zone. While headline inflation was driven largely by energy costs — with gas prices surging nearly 29% year-over-year — the implications for housing are significant. Bond yields continue climbing, fixed mortgage rates are facing upward pressure, and markets are increasingly pricing in the possibility of future rate hikes. Although core inflation appears contained for now, uncertainty surrounding global conflict and energy markets could quickly change the outlook.As financial strain builds, insolvencies continue to rise. Canada recorded more than 13,400 insolvency filings in March, the highest level since 2009, with liabilities growing dramatically year-over-year. For lenders and policymakers alike, this trend serves as an early warning sign of households reaching their financial limits.Yet amid these pressures, there are early signs of stabilization within housing itself.Affordability — when measured by mortgage payments relative to income — has improved meaningfully over the past year, returning closer to ranges seen between 2016 and 2022. Real estate sentiment is also showing signs of life, with outlook indexes improving and detached home prices nationally inching slightly higher month-over-month. Condos continue to soften, but some segments of the market may be approaching firmer footing. Importantly, this is not yet evidence of a bottom — but perhaps the earliest signs that conditions are becoming less challenging than they were just months ago.Meanwhile, Canada's development pipeline tells a very different story.Housing starts unexpectedly surged in April, led almost entirely by purpose-built rental projects, which accounted for nearly two-thirds of all new starts — a record share. Yet this surge comes at a curious moment: population growth has turned negative, rental rates have been declining for years, and many developers are now forced to build projects under rental assumptions far weaker than when those projects were conceived. At the same time, new homeowner-focused developments are slowing dramatically, with ownership housing starts falling to levels not seen since 2009.The pre-sale market paints an even more sobering picture. Across Canada, newly completed but unsold inventory — often called “shadow inventory” — has climbed to record highs. In Metro Vancouver and the Fraser Valley, only three projects totaling 35 units launched in April, with May expected to be even quieter. Historically, spring markets would bring hundreds, if not thousands, of new units to market. Today, developers are increasingly choosing to wait rather than risk launching into uncertain demand.The broader takeaway from this episode is clear: Canada's housing market is no longer being shaped by prices alone. Debt burdens, inflation risks, insolvencies, affordability, shrinking consumer resilience, and constrained future supply are all colliding at once. The question now is whether today's pressures represent the painful reset before stability — or simply the beginning of a much larger economic reckoning._________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

Stāsta komponiste, literāte, Jāzepa Vītola Latvijas Mūzikas akadēmijas docētāja Gundega Šmite. Pārraides producente: Rūta Paula. Vai tev ir nācies doties pilsētā ar ausīm, ne tikai kājām? Saklausīt, kā pavisam nejauši saspēlējas auto signāli divās paralēlās ielās, kā attāli asfaltu sāk tricināt ceļa urbis, kā skan soļi uz ietves – sporta kurpju mīkstie, teju nedzirdamie pakšķi, kurus spēji pārmāc augstpapēžu kurpju āmuriņi. Iekāpjot tramvajā, mūs var nepatīkami satrūcināt durvju caururbjoši pīkstieni, tām atveroties un aizveroties. Tad vēl neprognozējamie biļešu reģistrēšanas signāli. Un labi, ja izdevies apsēsties blakus kādam pasažierim, kurš telefona saturu klausās austiņās, nevis pilnā skanējumā. Trokšņu simfonija pilsētās var reizēm veidot daudzslāņu skaņu avotu polifoniju. Vai tā var būt baudāma? Piekrītu itāļu dižgaram Lučāno Berio, ka mūzika ir viss, ko mēs uztveram kā mūziku. Kaut vai tās būtu atsperīga lietus lāšu tokāta pa skārda palodzi vai auto signalizēšanas aktīvie dialogi un kontrapunkti. Lieliskais komponists un domātājs Džons Keidžs, piemēram, klausījās Ņujorkas intensīvo satiksmes troksni ar baudu un ar patiesu aizrautību runāja par skaņas aktivitāti. Tā viņam šķita pavisam pašpietiekošs, baudāms skanisks plūdums ar augstākām un zemākām, skaļākām un klusākām, garākām un īsākām skaņām. Un viņam nepietrūka vēstījuma vai kā tāda, ko, piemēram, kāds komponists būtu iekodējis un vēlējies skaņu valodā nodot klausītājiem. Klausītājs-uztvērējs pats kļūst quasi muzikālās, vai būsim precīzi – skaniskās pieredzes radītājs. Keidža un Berio paustais rosina saklausīt pilsētas trokšņus kā iedvesmojošu skaņu paleti. Precīzāk – skaņainavu ar muzikālām kvalitātēm. Taču kurā brīdī šī skaņainava ir baudāma un kurā – pat kaitīga un varam jau to sākt izjust kā akustisko jeb trokšņa piesārņojumu? Rīga pilnīgi noteikti nav pasaules skaļāko galvaspilsētu desmitniekā, lai arī tā tiek uzskatīta par salīdzinoši skaļāko Baltijas galvaspilsētu vidū. Klusākā ir Tallina. Par pašu trokšņaināko tiek uzskatīta Bangladešas galvaspilsēta Daka. Pasaules veselības organizācija kā pieļaujamo vidējo trokšņu līmeni pilsētā ir uzstādījusi 55 decibelus. Dakā tie ir vairāk kā divreiz augsti – ap 119 decibeliem vidēji un ar "pīķiem" līdz pat 132 decibeliem. Viens no galvenajiem skaņas avotiem ir 800 000 motociklu, kuru motoru tarkšķi nudien ir jaudīgs skaņas avots. Citu trokšņaināko pilsētu vidū jāmin Mumbaja, Kaira, Deli, Šanhaja, Buonosairesa, Ņujorka. Keidža apdzejotā Ņujorka ir viena no blīvāk apdzīvotajām pilsētām. Tās iedzīvotāji ir pakļauti nepārtrauktam satiksmes un celšanas darbu troksnim. Taimskvēra apvidū vidējais trokšņa līmenis ir 70–80 dB. Arī Tokija, kurā iespējams ar ausīm izdzīvot galvenās ielas šķērsošanas troksni – vienā zaļās gaismas periodā galvenās ielas krustojumu var šķērsot līdz pat 3000 cilvēku, kuru čalas, kurpju klaudzieni ar crescendo efektu līdzinās jaudīga motorzāģa rūkšanai. Vai tā ir tikai unikāla dzirdes pieredze? Īstermiņā noteikti sliecos piekrist. Sajust pilsētas pulsu tik jaudīgu un dzīves sparā mutuļojošu. Cits jautājums ir par to, kā ilgtermiņā mūs ietekmē pilsētas dzīves trokšņu intensitāte? Zinātniski pētījumi liecina, ka dzīvošana pilsētā spēcīgi ietekmē smadzeņu darbību. Pastāv pārstimulācijas risks, kas var novest pie noguruma, koncentrēšanās trūkuma, izdegšanas un arī depresijas. Piemēram, 65 % Dakas ielu policisti cieš no dzirdes traucējumiem un bezmiega, turklāt trokšņu piesārņojums ir nopietns risks paaugstinātam asinsspiedienam, hormonālam disbalansam un attīstības traucējumiem bērniem. Negatīvas sekas var atstāt pat klusināts, bet pastāvīgs troksnis, kas jaudas ziņā ir zemāks par 55 decibeliem – lai gan pie monotona trokšņa cilvēks pierod, ilgtermiņā tas var pazemināt darba spējas ietekmēt miega kvalitāti, radīt galvas sāpes un citus veselības traucējumus. Ko darīt? Vai no pilsētām jābēg? Jāteic, ka pēdējo desmitu gadu laikā dažādās pasaules lielpilsētās speciālisti ir raduši risinājumus, kas mazina kaitīgo trokšņa piesārņojumu. Minēšu pāris piemērus – Singapūrā urbānais dizains iekļauj zaļas bufezonas – blīvu augu valstību parkos, kā arī tā sauktos vertikālos dārzus, kas absorbē un šķīdina trokšņainību.  Kopenhāgenā tiek būvēti klusi pagalmi. Pašas celtnes darbojas kā skaņas vairogi. Jau minētajā Tokijā arhitekti ceļ caurspīdīgas skaņas barjeras un dažādu līmeņu ceļus, kas balansē trokšņu līmeni. Un labi, ka par to tiek domāts. Jo mūsdienu intensīvajā dzīves ritmā visapkārt dārdošais troksnis var radīt stresu atbalstošu ritma mašīnu. Pilsētai vajadzētu tapt par ne tikai stimulējošu, kultūras pieredžu bagātu vidi, bet par vietu, kurā iespējama garīgā atjaunošanās un kvalitatīva atpūta.

This week's Canadian real estate story is no longer just about home prices — it's about financial pressure, shifting behaviour, and whether sophisticated investors are quietly positioning for the next cycle. National home prices are now down more than 25% from peak levels — the largest decline in Canadian history — yet affordability still feels out of reach for many Canadians. Why? Because falling prices alone don't solve weakening finances. This episode explores the growing cracks in Canada's financial foundation. Credit card net loss rates have climbed to their highest level in a decade, consumer insolvencies are approaching levels last seen during the 2009 financial crisis, and British Columbia just recorded its highest number of insolvencies ever for the month of March. Searches for “bankruptcy” have also hit all-time highs, underscoring mounting financial stress across the country. The pressure extends far beyond households. In Vancouver, prominent developer Westbank's Joyce 2 rental tower has entered receivership despite being substantially complete and leasing units. Once considered nearly risk-free, purpose-built rental housing is now showing signs of distress as projects financed during the low-rate era collide with today's much higher borrowing costs and weaker economics. With more than $109 million reportedly owed and financing costs surging, the story highlights just how difficult development has become — even for institutional-quality projects in prime locations. Meanwhile, Canada's labour market is softening. The country lost 18,000 jobs in April, unemployment climbed to 6.9%, and full-time employment is experiencing one of its sharpest declines since the pandemic. Combined with rising debt loads, many Canadians are finding it increasingly difficult to qualify for — or feel comfortable taking on — homeownership. Younger Canadians are adapting accordingly. More adults aged 25 to 39 are living at home than ever before, while homeownership rates among Millennials lag behind previous generations. In cities like Vancouver, the traditional starter home has effectively disappeared, pushing many would-be buyers to rent longer instead. And renting is becoming increasingly attractive. Vancouver is seeing some of the largest rent declines in Canada, with average asking rents trending lower year-over-year. For many, renting now offers greater flexibility and lower monthly costs than buying into an uncertain market. Yet amid the pessimism, one development stands out: Montreal-based Jesta Group has launched a $500 million plan to acquire more than 1,000 condo units in Toronto. Institutional investors rarely buy aggressively when sentiment is strong — they buy when fear is elevated, inventory is high, and developers are under pressure. The move suggests some major players may see today's weakness as tomorrow's opportunity. The big question: are we nearing the beginning of recovery — or simply entering the next phase of Canada's housing reset? _________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

STF manda prender Ricardo Magro e incluir nome do empresário na lista vermelha da Interpol. Mesmo com investimento de R$ 61 milhões de Vorcaro, filme sobre Bolsonaro foi denunciado por condições precárias. Rubio nega que se inspirou em Maduro na roupa que viralizou. Virginia Fonseca anuncia fim de relacionamento com Vini Jr. Nova massa de ar frio chega ao Sul do Brasil a partir de domingo e derruba temperaturas na próxima semana.

Canada's housing market is undergoing a profound shift — one that increasingly reflects the broader vulnerabilities developing within the Canadian economy itself. What was once viewed as a seemingly unstoppable engine of national growth is now revealing the risks of a country that has become deeply dependent on real estate activity to drive wealth creation, economic stability, and consumer confidence.Through the first four months of 2026, home sales across the Lower Mainland are down 10% compared to last year, despite 2025 already being the slowest market this century. Prices have now fallen to nearly five-year lows, inventory remains elevated, and foreclosure activity continues climbing at an increasingly concerning pace. Yet beneath the headline market statistics lies a much larger story — one about productivity, capital allocation, wealth inequality, and the growing fragility of Canada's economic model.At the same time, investment into productive sectors such as machinery, equipment, innovation, and business development has steadily weakened. Canadian workers now receive dramatically less capital investment than their American counterparts, while productivity growth continues to stagnate. The result is an economy increasingly reliant on debt expansion and rising asset values rather than true economic output.The consequences of that imbalance are becoming more visible. Wealth inequality continues widening as higher-income households with greater exposure to financial markets benefit from rising stock portfolios, while middle-class Canadians — whose wealth is often concentrated in housing — face softer home values, higher debt burdens, and worsening affordability challenges. The top 20% of Canadians now control nearly two-thirds of the nation's wealth, highlighting a growing divide between those benefiting from capital appreciation and those being left behind.Nowhere is the strain more evident than in the pre-sale housing market. New project launches have collapsed far below historical norms, major towers have largely disappeared from the pipeline, and developers are increasingly unable or unwilling to bring large-scale projects to market amid weak demand, financing pressure, and uncertain economic conditions. Low-rise wood-frame projects and townhomes are among the few developments still attempting to move forward.Outside of real estate, additional warning signs are emerging throughout the broader economy. Business closures are accelerating nationwide, with tens of thousands of companies shutting down in a single month. While new businesses continue to open, the growing instability signals weakening confidence, softer employment conditions, and mounting pressure on both commercial and residential real estate demand moving forward.The broader message is clear: Canada's challenge is no longer simply about home prices. It is about productivity, economic diversification, and whether the country can rebalance itself away from an overreliance on housing-driven growth. Temporary policy measures, buyer incentives, and debt expansion may provide short-term relief, but they do little to address the structural issues beneath the surface. Long-term stability will require faster housing delivery, streamlined development processes, stronger business investment, and a renewed focus on productive economic growth rather than asset inflation alone._________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

In a market defined by uncertainty, this episode captures a pivotal moment for Canadian real estate—where economic pressure, policy intervention, and shifting demand are colliding in real time.At the center of the conversation is a clear and somewhat unsettling trend: stress is beginning to surface in the housing system. Mortgage arrears have now risen for three consecutive months, reaching levels not seen in years, while consumer insolvencies in British Columbia have doubled from post-pandemic lows and are now sitting at historic highs. While still modest in absolute terms, the rate of change is what demands attention—signaling that financial strain is building beneath the surface as households face higher borrowing costs and tighter budgets.Layered on top of this is a critical message from the Bank of Canada: stability in interest rates should not be mistaken for relief. The central bank is navigating a narrow path, warning that rates could move in either direction depending on inflation pressures and global economic risks. More importantly, it has acknowledged a fundamental shift—housing is no longer a driver of economic growth, but a drag on it. This marks a significant departure from the narrative that has defined the past decade.The underlying causes extend beyond interest rates alone. Slowing population growth, weakened investor demand, and declining affordability are all converging at once. Nowhere is this more evident than in the oversupply of small, investor-oriented condos in major markets—units that once thrived in a low-rate environment but are now struggling to attract both investors and end users. In response, governments are beginning to step in. The latest Spring Economic Update introduces a series of initiatives aimed at improving housing affordability and supply—from reducing regulatory barriers and expanding mortgage insurance options for multi-unit housing, to accelerating billions in low-cost construction financing. While promising in theory, the effectiveness of these measures remains an open question, particularly as rental markets begin to soften under the weight of record supply.Taken together, the episode paints a picture of a housing market in transition—moving away from the speculative, demand-driven surge of the past decade toward a more constrained, policy-influenced future. For buyers, investors, and developers alike, the message is nuanced but decisive: this is no longer a market that will be shaped by interest rates alone.It is a market being redefined by fundamentals.NEW HOMES COMING TO MARKET:EDWYNhttps://www.lightwellhomes.ca/edwynCOLDICUTThttps://7609coldicutt.com/ _________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

Nas últimas semanas, foi discutido se é legítimo comparar o número dos presos políticos do Estado Novo e dos presos políticos entre o 28 de Setembro e o 25 de Novembro de 1975. Esta é a nossa respostaSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

veryone is asking the same question right now: how long will this last? Because the housing market doesn't just feel slow—it feels stuck. Prices in many Canadian markets are still down meaningfully from their peak, sales activity is hovering near multi-decade lows, and key indicators like the sales-to-new-listings ratio remain in soft territory. But what makes this cycle different is that inventory hasn't exploded in the way most people would expect during a downturn, and underlying demand hasn't disappeared. Instead, it's been suppressed. On a per-capita basis, housing demand is sitting near levels we haven't seen in decades, not because people don't want to buy, but because they can't. Higher interest rates have pushed mortgage payments up dramatically, affordability hasn't improved enough, and household balance sheets are under pressure.We're seeing rising insolvencies, increasing mortgage delinquencies, and a sharp drop in consumer confidence. When you combine those factors, you don't get a traditional crash it looks more like a freeze. Buyers step back, sellers hold firm, and transaction volumes collapse. At the same time, the supply story is more nuanced than the headlines suggest. In the short term, there is pressure.Vacancy rates have increased in several major markets, rents have softened, and a large pipeline of units that began construction during the peak is now completing. But beneath that, future supply is being quietly constrained. Housing starts are trending lower, building permits have fallen sharply, and developers are delaying or cancelling projects due to financing challenges and weak pre-sale absorption. In many segments, particularly ground-oriented housing, new supply is approaching multi-decade lows.This creates a disconnect between today's conditions and tomorrow's reality. While the market works through elevated inventory and weak sales in the near term, it is simultaneously setting up a future supply shortage. But before that imbalance becomes evident, there is still pressure to work through. A significant portion of Canadian mortgages will reset over the next few years at higher rates, which is likely to introduce incremental forced selling and continue to weigh on pricing. We are already starting to see transactions occurring below previous purchase prices, gradually resetting market expectations. This is typically the final phase of a downturn. Housing markets don't bottom when the data looks strong—they bottom when the data stops deteriorating.That inflection point is usually driven by stabilization in interest rates, a recovery in consumer confidence, and the release of pent-up demand. Because current sales levels are unsustainably low relative to population growth, it's not a question of if demand returns, but when. When it does, it won't be entering a market with abundant supply. It will be entering a market where construction slowed, listings declined, and new inventory failed to keep pace. That's why housing recoveries tend to feel abrupt rather than gradual. The shift isn't always obvious in real time, but once it begins, momentum could build quickly._________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

Estamos a poucos dias de um novo aniversário da revolução do 25 de Abril em Portugal, uma ocasião para recordarmos uma das suas figuras cimeiras, Otelo Saraiva de Carvalho, que é o objecto de uma biografia elaborada por Yves Léonard, historiador que nestas últimas três décadas publicou inúmeros livros sobre a História de Portugal. "Otelo, la voix de la révolution des œillets", "Otelo, a voz da Revolução dos Cravos" é o nome da nova obra publicada pela Chandeigne & Lima, que Yves Léonard lançou no passado dia 15 de Abril em Paris. Neste livro, o historiador recorda esta figura controversa do passado recente de Portugal, um capitão de Abril que, no decurso dos anos 80, foi acusado de ter ligações com grupos armados em Portugal. Nascido a 31 de Agosto de 1936 em Maputo, Otelo Nuno Romão Saraiva de Carvalho é filho de um funcionário dos Correios e cresce no seio de uma família ligada, pelo avô, ao mundo do teatro. Depois de frequentar o ensino secundário público de Maputo, ele destina-se a uma carreira de actor, o jovem Otelo tendo veleidades de ir para o "Actor's Studio" em Nova Iorque. O destino -e sobretudo o pai- vão encarregar-se de o fazer ingressar na Academia Militar aos 19 anos. Ele estará em serviço activo durante as guerras de libertação de Angola e na Guiné-Bissau, nos anos 60 e início de 70 Será durante os derradeiros anos desses conflitos, que vai crescer dentro dele e de outros militares o projecto de derrubar o regime fascista português. De regresso a Portugal em 1973, envolve-se no Movimento das Forças Armadas e, juntamente com outros capitães, assume a liderança da Revolução dos Cravos a 25 de Abril de 1974. Uma caminhada sobre a qual Yves Léonard destaca que "antes de tudo, Otelo é o homem de África" e que "isto é muito importante para compreender o personagem". "Otelo é um militar, mas não por convicção. Penso que, antes de tudo, Otelo é um actor. Gostava muito do teatro. Otelo tem um avô que é um antigo oficial do Exército português. Portanto, tem uma grande admiração pelo avô. É importante na hora de tomar a decisão de entrar na Academia Militar e depois, nos anos 60, obviamente, é o tempo das guerras coloniais e para Otelo é um momento muito importante. Porque Otelo é um oficial intermédio, isto é, um capitão", começa por dizer o estudioso. "Em África, durante as guerras coloniais, há uma tomada de consciência em torno do sistema salazarista com o papel muito importante das colonias. E para Otelo, há a consciência de que a guerra é o problema maior de Portugal e que a violência não é a resposta", diz o historiador. Ao destacar o papel de Otelo durante o 25 de Abril, Yves Léonard também recorda que, depois, "durante o PREC, Processo Revolucionário em Curso, Otelo tinha um papel muito importante, porque era o chefe do COPCON e o chefe da Região Militar de Lisboa. Tem um papel muito importante durante a crise do fim de Setembro de 1974, durante a crise do 11 de Março de 1975, e depois, durante o 'Verão quente' e no mês de Novembro de 1975. Mas aí já não tinha o controlo da situação política em Portugal". Entrevistado pela radiodifusão portuguesa precisamente um ano após a revolução, Otelo Saraiva de Carvalho não esconde a alegria e o orgulho que continua a sentir depois do 25 de Abril de 1974. Mas efectivamente, neste período em que ele assume um papel preponderante no PREC, começam a surgir as primeiras divisões entre as correntes mais reformistas e as franjas mais à esquerda da revolução. Estas dissensões vão culminar com a desestabilização do 25 de Novembro de 1975. A partir daí, Portugal marca uma viragem mais à direita e em 1976, o general Ramalho Eanes torna-se o primeiro Presidente eleito depois da revolução de Abril, com um pouco mais de 61% dos votos face a Otelo, cuja candidatura recolhe cerca de 16% dos votos. Na primeira metade dos anos 80, Otelo está em ruptura total com o rumo seguido por Portugal na altura. Ele lidera um movimento, o chamado "Projecto Global", que será acusado de ter elos com grupos armados de extrema-esquerda como as FP 25, Forças Populares do 25 de Abril, que cometem ataques semelhantes àqueles que acontecem na mesma altura na Itália ou em França. "É difícil de dizer exactamente o que se passou, porque, por um lado, Otelo tinha vontade de fazer um projecto político com o poder popular que se chama ‘Projecto global'. É um projecto muito ambicioso. No fim dos anos 70, no início dos anos 80 e no mesmo tempo, aparece um grupo muito violento, com atentados terroristas que se chamam FP 25, Forças Populares do 25 de Abril. O problema é fazer uma ligação entre o ‘projecto global' de Otelo e as FP 25. É muito difícil saber exactamente qual é a natureza dessa relação. Mas em Junho de 84, o poder político, o Ministério da Justiça e a polícia têm a convicção de que Otelo é o chefe, senão o inspirador das FP 25", recorda Yves Léonard. Em 1987, Otelo é condenado a 15 anos de prisão por ser considerado responsável das actividades das FP 25. As circunstâncias em que Otelo é condenado geram um debate de largos anos em Portugal, ao ponto que sob o impulso dos socialistas então no poder, uma maioria de parlamentares amnistia Otelo em 1996. Esta medida não deixa de gerar polémica no seio da direita que acusa a esquerda de querer "apagar" a História. A seguir à amnistia, virá mais tarde um novo processo em 2001 durante o qual a justiça vai considerar que não existiam elementos suficientes para estabelecer que Otelo tivesse um qualquer elo com as FP 25. "Temos um julgamento no Tribunal da Boa-Hora no início de 2001 para dizer que Otelo não é responsável, não é o inspirador, não é o chefe das FP 25. É uma decisão de Justiça. Isto é uma forma de verdade. O problema é que depois da amnistia, depois o julgamento da Boa-Hora, muitas pessoas em Portugal continuam a pensar que Otelo é o responsável das FP 25, é uma terrorista. E a imagem de Otelo é péssima", constata o universitário. Apesar de uma decisão favorável da justiça, o nome de Otelo passou a ter um rasto de pólvora de forma duradoira. Paradoxalmente, ele continua a ser acarinhado no exterior, nomeadamente em França, onde várias personalidades do mundo político, nomeadamente o próprio Presidente François Mitterrand, ou artistas como o cantor popular Renaud, não escondem a sua admiração pelo militar que tem uma aura romântica. Para Yves Léonard, este fenómeno explica-se pelo facto de "a Revolução dos Cravos ter sido a última revolução do século XIX, isto é, uma revolução romântica". A aura de Otelo e dos restantes capitães de Abril vai inspirar vários filmes, documentários e reportagens. No ano 2000, estreia o filme 'Capitães de Abril' da actriz e realizadora portuguesa Maria de Medeiros. Presente na apresentação do livro de Yves Léonard, ela recorda a figura de Otelo que conheceu quando era criança. "Realmente eu conheci-o. Eu era muito novinha, adolescente, e lembro-me de ter dançado um rock and roll com o Otelo e era a primeira vez que eu dançava assim com os movimentos do rock and roll em Lisboa, num restaurante que é o ‘Brazuca', que era um lugar muito importante para os capitães de Abril, onde eles se reuniam muito. Depois, quando preparei o meu filme Capitães de Abril. Obviamente, falei muito com o Otelo, também com o Salgueiro Maia e, sobretudo, passei realmente 13 anos da minha vida a fazer pesquisa e a ler tudo o que eu conseguia encontrar nessa época publicado e às vezes sem estar publicado do que eles escreveram. É um privilégio extraordinário da nossa geração, da nossa infância, de miúdos lisboetas, de muitos de nós, termos coincidido com essas figuras importantes da nossa história", diz a cineasta que lamenta a actual tentativa de minimizar o legado do 25 de Abril no espaço público em Portugal. "Infelizmente, eu acho que estes movimentos revisionistas de extrema-direita que alastram não é uma coisa que seja, nem é nada português. Na verdade, acho que é uma importação. É como uma marca importada de outros países, porque está a acontecer por toda a parte. Os discursos são os mesmos. O descrédito atirado para cima da honra não é de quem de facto lutou. É vergonhoso", denuncia Maria de Medeiros. Volvidos 52 anos, o campo conservador está no poder em Portugal e a extrema-direita, em posição de força na Assembleia da República, tenta corroer a herança do 25 de Abril. A questão da memória torna-se tanto mais premente que as testemunhas directas da revolução dos cravos vão partindo. Otelo faleceu a 25 de Julho de 2021, num relativo esquecimento e sem grandes homenagens nacionais. "O que é muito importante, com o 25 de Abril é o papel dos capitães. Os grandes testemunhos da época, obviamente, 50 anos depois, os heróis desaparecem. Por exemplo, Otelo morreu cinco anos atrás, em 2021. E é difícil falar desse período sem os grandes actores do 25 de Abril. É um problema clássico na disciplina da História, a memória, os testemunhos e a história. É importante fazer e dizer a História. É um período complexo porque estamos entre a época da memória, com a presença dos grandes actores do 25 de Abril e o período da História. O problema hoje, é a tentação de dizer que o período antes do 25 de Abril não foi um período tão difícil. É um grande perigo para a democracia portuguesa", considera Yves Léonard para quem "é muito importante hoje sublinhar o papel fundamental da ruptura do 25 de Abril" que marcou "um novo tempo para Portugal, para a democracia em Portugal e para a democracia na Europa". "Otelo, obviamente, é o homem do 25 de Abril, o instigador que simboliza os Cravos de Abril", conclui o historiador.

Good morning from Pharma Daily: the podcast that brings you the most important developments in the pharmaceutical and biotech world. Today, we're diving into a series of pivotal advancements and strategic moves that are reshaping the landscape of drug development and patient care. In vaccine development, Sanofi has recently reported promising results from a comparative trial of its protein-based COVID-19 vaccine, Nuvaxovid, against Moderna's latest mRNA vaccine, MNEXspike. The focus here was primarily on tolerability, and Sanofi's candidate demonstrated a superior safety profile. This marks a significant moment in the ongoing evolution of vaccine technology, underscoring the importance of diversifying vaccine platforms to effectively address global public health challenges. Shifting to regulatory landscapes, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been tasked with expediting the review process for psychedelic drugs under a directive from former President Donald Trump. This move aims to enhance access to novel treatments for serious mental health conditions, reflecting a broader trend in medicine towards exploring therapeutic avenues beyond traditional pharmaceuticals. It highlights an increasing openness to alternative therapies that could potentially transform mental health care. Strategic acquisitions continue to fuel innovation within the sector. Eli Lilly's acquisition of Kelonia Therapeutics for up to $7 billion is particularly noteworthy. This investment marks Lilly's second venture into in vivo CAR-T technology this year, emphasizing its commitment to advancing cell-based therapies. Kelonia's work on phase 1-stage myeloma therapy showcases the potential of CAR-T modalities in treating complex diseases, promising expanded treatment options for patients. Globally, infrastructure development is gaining momentum with Biovac securing a $108 million finance package to establish Africa's first fully integrated vaccine production facility. This initiative is crucial for enhancing regional healthcare autonomy by addressing local health needs and reducing reliance on external supply chains—a step forward in building resilient healthcare systems. In oncology, Merck & Co. has unveiled clinical data for its PD-1xVEGF bispecific antibody in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The results reveal similar efficacy and safety profiles compared to existing treatments, suggesting promising prospects for this bispecific approach in oncology therapeutics. Bispecific antibodies are engineered to engage two different targets simultaneously, potentially enhancing anti-tumor efficacy by not only stimulating immune responses but also disrupting angiogenesis. This innovation represents a continued focus on targeted cancer therapies that enhance treatment precision. Similarly, AstraZeneca's IL-33 inhibitor has achieved another phase 3 success in treating chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This reinforces the therapeutic potential of targeting interleukin pathways in inflammatory diseases and reflects AstraZeneca's strategic focus on respiratory conditions. Such successes highlight the promise of precision medicine in improving patient outcomes. On the topic of market expansion, GlaxoSmithKline's multiple myeloma treatment Blenrep has entered the Chinese market. This move exemplifies the growing importance of global market access strategies, ensuring that patients worldwide can benefit from cutting-edge therapies. Now let's turn our attention to some intriguing scientific developments. A former Genentech leader has launched a synthetic design lab focused on adaptive "smart" antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) for cancer therapy. ADCs represent a significant leap forward in precision medicine by offering targeted cancer treatments that minimize damage to healthy cells. These "smart" ADCs could provide more effective and less toxic options for cancer patients. Support the show

In a market defined by hesitation, policy is beginning to take center stage—and in this episode, the conversation cuts straight to the core of what may become one of the most consequential turning points in Canadian real estate: the era of housing bailouts.Across both Vancouver and Toronto, governments are no longer operating on the sidelines. They are stepping in—decisively—to stabilize a development sector under mounting pressure. As outlined, Metro Vancouver is now actively considering meaningful reductions to Development Cost Charges (DCCs).  The implications are significant. Whether through rolling back rates or freezing future increases, the goal is clear: restore feasibility, revive construction, and ultimately bring relief to buyers through lower end prices.But policy alone does not emerge in a vacuum—it responds to stress. And that stress is becoming increasingly visible.The episode highlights a growing wave of project insolvencies, including two major developments in the Fraser Valley totaling 680 homes that will now never be built. Behind those numbers lies a deeper economic ripple: approximately 1,500 jobs erased, millions of labor hours lost, and an estimated $75 million in wages removed from the local economy. This is not just a housing story—it's a full-scale economic contraction unfolding in real time, affecting everyone from tradespeople and architects to future homeowners and investors.And yet, amid the disruption, there are early signs that intervention may be working.Ontario's recent HST rebate—offering up to $130,000 in savings on new homes—has triggered an immediate surge in demand. Builders report sales volumes increasing as much as tenfold in some cases, with projects that once struggled now regaining momentum almost overnight. The critical question, however, is whether this represents a sustainable recovery or simply a short-term spike fueled by incentive-driven urgency.This hesitation is mirrored in the commercial real estate sector, where transaction volumes and dollar values have both declined significantly, with land sales—often the clearest indicator of future development confidence—falling nearly 50%.Meanwhile, national housing data paints a picture of stagnation. Sales remain flat, prices are trending downward, and inventory—while slightly elevated—is still below long-term averages. In British Columbia specifically, sales volumes sit 35% below the 10-year average, reinforcing just how subdued this market has become.Yet within this complexity lies opportunity.For buyers and investors willing to act strategically, this environment presents a rare alignment: soft pricing, rising incentives, and increasing government support. The advice is clear—focus on projects with strong completion certainty, layer developer incentives with government rebates, and position ahead of further policy shifts that may drive the next wave of demand.Because while the headlines focus on slowdown, the underlying story is far more nuanced.This is not simply a downturn—it is a recalibration. A market being reshaped by policy, constrained by economics, and ultimately setting the stage for those who can read between the lines and move before the momentum returns._________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

This week on This Week in Radio Tech, we’re coming to you live from the Public Radio Engineering Conference (PREC) at the Tuscany Hotel in Las Vegas, just ahead of NAB. We’re talking with leading technology suppliers about practical solutions for terrestrial distribution of both long-form and short-form programming—tools that are already making their way into public radio operations. We’ll also explore emerging captioning technologies designed to help stations meet upcoming regulatory requirements for captioning of both live broadcasts and on-demand content like podcasts. Plus, we sit down with the president of the Association of Public Radio Engineers for insight into where the industry is headed. Join us for a fast-moving, on-the-ground look at the ideas and innovations shaping public radio’s future. Guests:Bill Bennett - Product Design & Solutions Manager at ENCO SystemsMike Pilone - Senior Software Architect at NPRScott Fybush - All-Purpose Broadcast ConsultantScott Hanley - President, Association of Public Radio EngineersAlex Hartman - Broadcast Equipment Designer and Partner at OMGDan Merwin - Owner at Broadcast TelecomMichael Chase - SVP, Technology at SpectroteldHost:Kirk Harnack, The Telos Alliance, Delta Radio, Star94.3, South Seas, & Akamai BroadcastingFollow TWiRT on Twitter and on Facebook - and see all the videos on YouTube.TWiRT is brought to you by:Broadcasters General Store, with outstanding service, saving, and support. Online at BGS.cc. Broadcast Bionics - making radio smarter with Bionic Studio, visual radio, and social media tools at Bionic.radio.Aiir, providing PlayoutONE radio automation, and other advanced solutions for audience engagement.Angry Audio and the new USB Phone Gizmo - Put VoIP callers on-the-air The new MaxxKonnect RMT416 Multi Tuner - 4 to 16 AM/FM/WB/HD web-connected tuners in 1 RU Subscribe to Audio:iTunesRSSStitcherTuneInSubscribe to Video:iTunesRSSYouTube

This week on This Week in Radio Tech, we're coming to you live from the Public Radio Engineering Conference (PREC) at the Tuscany Hotel in Las Vegas, just ahead of NAB. We're talking with leading technology suppliers about practical solutions for terrestrial distribution of both long-form and short-form programming—tools that are already making their way into public radio operations. We'll also explore emerging captioning technologies designed to help stations meet upcoming regulatory requirements for captioning of both live broadcasts and on-demand content like podcasts. Plus, we sit down with the president of the Association of Public Radio Engineers for insight into where the industry is headed. Join us for a fast-moving, on-the-ground look at the ideas and innovations shaping public radio's future.

Alberto Gonçalves comenta o debate entre Pacheco Pereira e André Ventura.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Canada's rental market—often the earliest signal of stress or recovery in real estate—is undergoing a meaningful and potentially structural shift. In this episode, insights from frontline operator Keaton Bessey reveal a market that is not simply cooling, but recalibrating under the weight of supply, policy, and changing demand dynamics.After more than two years of consecutive rent declines in Metro Vancouver, the data points to a clear trend: this is no short-term correction. Rents began falling in early 2024 and have continued to slide, with expectations of further year-over-year declines through 2026. While this may appear to improve affordability on the surface, the reality is more complex. Lower rents are not being driven by rising incomes or increased prosperity, but rather by weakening demand, population stagnation, and a surge of new supply entering the market. As Bessey aptly frames it, affordability is improving “for all the wrong reasons.”At the core of this shift is an unprecedented wave of construction. Nearly 16% of Metro Vancouver's existing rental stock is currently under development, with tens of thousands of purpose-built rental units and investor-owned condos set to complete over the next several years. This influx is already reshaping landlord and tenant behavior. Investors—once a dominant force—have largely stepped back, while existing owners are being forced to accept market rents that often fall short of their financial expectations.For many landlords, the decision is no longer about maximizing returns, but minimizing losses. Some are holding properties with negative cash flow, unwilling or unable to sell at current prices. Others are exiting the rental market altogether, particularly owners of lower-quality or “accidental” rental units such as basement suites, which are increasingly becoming economically unviable. The result is a subtle but important transformation: while supply is rising, the overall quality of rental stock is improving as weaker assets are removed from circulation.Institutional players, meanwhile, are facing a different set of challenges. Highly leveraged purpose-built rental projects—many financed under aggressive lending programs—are struggling to achieve lease-up targets. Incentives like free rent have become widespread, but often fail to solve the underlying issue: rents are simply too high relative to market demand. In some cases, even newly completed buildings are facing distress, with low occupancy and insufficient income to service debt.Looking ahead, the trajectory of the rental market will hinge on two critical forces: population growth and supply absorption. With immigration currently subdued and construction pipelines still active, downward pressure on rents is likely to persist in the near term. However, Vancouver's enduring global appeal—its geography, lifestyle, and economic positioning—continues to act as a long-term stabilizer.The conclusion is clear: Vancouver's rental market is not collapsing, but evolving. What emerges on the other side will likely be a more professionalized, quality-driven, and institutionally influenced landscape—one that reflects not just the realities of today's market, but the foundations of tomorrow's recovery._________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

 This week's RE/MAX Magnolia Real Estate Show dives into the latest Fraser Valley stats, giving you a clear snapshot of today's market. Michele Cummins is joined by one of our newest agents, Faeine Grant, who brings 16 years of experience to the conversation—offering valuable insights into what the numbers really mean for buyers and sellers right now. Michele CumminsPersonal Real Estate CorporationRealtor®RE/MAX MagnoliaPhone:  778-885-4659Email: mcummins@remax.netLet's connect.✅ Instagram: @michelecumminsrealtor✅ Facebook: Michele Cummins - RE/MAX Magnolia Faeine GrantPersonal Real Estate CorporationRealtor®RE/MAX MagnoliaPhone:   (778) 347-4663 Email:  themodernrealtorsells@gmail.com  Let's connect.✅ Instagram: @faeine_themodernrealtor✅ Facebook: Faeine Grant-Hamel

Canada's housing market is once again at a critical inflection point—where early signs of stabilization are colliding head-on with mounting economic pressure and unprecedented government intervention. In this episode, the spotlight turns to a pivotal question: is the recent uptick in home prices the beginning of a recovery, or simply a temporary pause before deeper challenges emerge?For the first time in 12 months, Vancouver home prices have ticked higher. On the surface, this signals a potential shift in momentum. But beneath that headline lies a far more complex story. Inventory levels remain elevated—sitting nearly 40% above long-term averages—while sales activity continues to trail historical norms. The result is a market that appears to be stabilizing on the surface, yet remains fundamentally imbalanced.At the same time, governments are stepping in with increasing urgency. In what can only be described as a coordinated effort to revive the pre-construction sector, a fourth major stimulus measure has been introduced in as many weeks. The latest initiative—an $8.8 billion infrastructure investment—effectively shifts development costs away from builders and onto taxpayers, reducing upfront costs and potentially lowering new home prices by as much as 20%. Combined with recent tax rebates, these measures could put substantial savings back into buyers' pockets. Yet the broader implication is clear: such aggressive intervention typically signals a market under strain, not one operating from a position of strength.Meanwhile, financial stress is quietly building within the system. Mortgage arrears have climbed to their highest level in nearly a decade, with multiple consecutive months of increases—a trend not seen since the early days of the pandemic. As a record number of mortgages reset in 2026 at higher rates, the risk of further strain is rising. This is already beginning to surface in the form of increasing foreclosure activity, which has accelerated sharply in recent months.Yet despite these headwinds, pockets of resilience remain. Sales activity has shown modest improvement month-over-month, and the sales-to-active listings ratio has edged higher, suggesting that demand, while subdued, has not disappeared entirely. Even broader economic data offers mixed signals, with GDP growth exceeding expectations in early 2026 despite weakening employment trends.Taken together, the current landscape reveals a market caught between opposing forces. On one side, government stimulus, improving affordability, and modest demand are attempting to stabilize conditions. On the other, rising inventory, increasing financial distress, and inflation-driven rate risks continue to weigh heavily on the outlook.The central question now is not whether the market is changing—it clearly is—but in which direction it will ultimately break. Whether this recent price increase marks the beginning of a new cycle or simply a temporary reprieve will depend on how these competing forces resolve in the months ahead.For now, one thing is certain: the next phase of Canada's housing market will be shaped not by a single trend, but by the tension between policy support and economic reality—and that balance has rarely been more uncertain._________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

Canada's housing market is entering a phase defined not by a single trend, but by a collision of forces—policy intervention, economic pressure, and shifting investor behavior—all unfolding at once. In this episode, the focus turns to a pivotal question: can government stimulus reignite a market that is increasingly showing signs of structural fatigue?Over the past several weeks, policymakers have moved aggressively to support housing demand. A series of new measures—now the third announced in a single month—signal a clear shift toward stimulus. Most notably, expanded tax relief on newly built homes now extends beyond first-time buyers to include all purchasers, with rebates reaching as high as $130,000 on qualifying properties. These interventions are designed to stabilize a weakening pre-sale market and provide relief to developers facing mounting financial strain.Yet while policy is attempting to pull the market forward, underlying fundamentals are moving in the opposite direction. Rental markets, long considered a pillar of investor demand, are softening rapidly. In Vancouver, rents have declined materially year-over-year, driven by a rare combination of out-migration and a record wave of new rental supply. With fewer tenants and more units available, downward pressure on rents is expected to persist—undermining the very investment case that once fueled condominium development.At the same time, distress within the development sector is intensifying. Foreclosures are no longer isolated events but are becoming increasingly routine, with large-scale projects now entering insolvency proceedings. The ripple effects extend beyond developers themselves, impacting lenders, investors, and even new financial models such as fractional real estate platforms, which are now facing significant losses as projects stall or collapse.Perhaps most striking is the state of the pre-sale market—the traditional engine of new housing supply in Canada's largest cities. Recent data reveals an almost complete standstill. New project launches have fallen dramatically compared to peak years, with sales absorption rates at critically low levels. Developers, unable to secure sufficient pre-sales to justify construction financing, are choosing to delay or cancel projects altogether. The consequence is clear: a shrinking pipeline of future housing supply.Layered onto these dynamics is a growing level of geopolitical and regulatory complexity. Discussions around land rights, resource control, and international investment are beginning to intersect with housing in unexpected ways, adding another dimension of uncertainty to an already fragile environment.Taken together, the picture that emerges is one of a market at an inflection point. Government intervention is accelerating, but it is being deployed into a landscape shaped by declining rents, weakening demand, and a development sector under significant stress.The central tension is clear: stimulus can support demand in the short term, but it cannot easily resolve the deeper structural challenges now facing Canada's housing system.As these forces continue to unfold, the path forward remains uncertain—but one thing is increasingly evident: the next phase of the housing cycle will be defined not by a single catalyst, but by how these competing pressures ultimately resolve._________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

Canada's housing market is entering a phase defined not by a single trend, but by a collision of powerful and often opposing forces. In this episode, a rapidly shifting landscape is unpacked—one where governments are beginning to intervene with stimulative measures just as macroeconomic headwinds intensify, creating a market caught between support and suppression.On one side of the equation, policymakers are stepping in to stabilize a development sector that has been under mounting pressure for nearly two years. In Ontario, a joint initiative between private capital and government-backed funds has committed $1.3 billion to acquire over 2,200 unsold condominium units, converting them into long-term rental housing. While this move provides immediate relief to developers struggling with unsold inventory, it also introduces complex ripple effects: taxpayer-supported intervention, an influx of rental supply into an already softening market, and a further reduction in ownership opportunities for end users. In parallel, the federal government has advanced a meaningful affordability measure by introducing a GST rebate for first-time buyers on new homes up to $1 million, with partial relief extending to $1.5 million. Together, these actions signal a clear shift—governments are once again pulling levers to stimulate housing demand and support construction.Yet these policy efforts are unfolding against a backdrop of increasingly challenging economic realities. Most notably, Canada's population growth has turned negative on a year-over-year basis for the first time in its history. This unprecedented shift strikes at the core of the country's housing model, which has long relied on strong immigration-driven demand. A shrinking population means fewer renters, fewer new households, and ultimately less pressure on both rents and home prices—particularly in markets like Toronto and Vancouver that have depended heavily on demographic growth.At the same time, the labour market is showing clear signs of strain. Canada has lost over 100,000 jobs in just two months, with unemployment rising to 6.7% and youth unemployment reaching levels not seen in over a decade. Economic uncertainty, compounded by global trade tensions and geopolitical instability, is weighing on consumer confidence and delaying major financial decisions—including home purchases.Adding further complexity is the evolving outlook for interest rates. While the Bank of Canada has held rates steady, the global environment has shifted rapidly. Escalating conflict in the Middle East has driven oil prices higher, raising the specter of renewed inflation. Markets are now pricing in the possibility of multiple rate hikes before the end of 2026, a sharp reversal from earlier expectations of stability or even cuts. This creates a difficult balancing act for policymakers: support a slowing economy while containing inflationary pressures.Taken together, the current environment is defined by contradiction. Government stimulus is attempting to reignite momentum, while demographic shifts, job losses, and inflation risks apply downward pressure. In a cycle where clarity is scarce and volatility is rising, understanding the interplay between policy, economics, and sentiment has never been more critical._________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

In an environment where uncertainty increasingly shapes economic behavior, the forces influencing Canada's housing market have rarely been more complex—or more consequential. In this episode, attention turns to the global and domestic economic pressures now driving real estate decisions across the country through a conversation with Doug Porter, Chief Economist at BMO Financial Group.With more than three decades of experience analyzing global economies and financial markets, Porter has long been a prominent voice in Canadian economic commentary. As author of the widely followed “Talking Points” and co-writer of BMO's flagship publication Focus, his analysis frequently shapes how investors, businesses, and policymakers interpret shifts in the broader economy. The discussion provides insight into the current economic landscape and what it may mean for homeowners, buyers, and investors navigating one of the most uncertain housing environments in recent memory.The conversation begins with the rapidly evolving geopolitical landscape. Escalating tensions in the Middle East have pushed oil prices above the $90–$100 range in recent trading sessions, raising concerns about a renewed inflationary cycle. Porter examines whether current market conditions are drifting toward the stagflation scenario previously modeled by BMO analysts. Oil shocks historically ripple through inflation, bond yields, and mortgage markets, and the potential implications for both fixed and variable mortgage rates are explored in detail.Attention then turns to what was once described as the “mortgage renewal cliff,” a period that will see the largest volume of mortgages renewing in Canadian history throughout 2026. While Canada's financial system appears structurally resilient, questions remain about the financial health of households themselves. Rising balances on lines of credit and credit cards, combined with a declining savings rate, suggest that many Canadians may already be reallocating income toward higher housing costs and everyday expenses. Porter shares his perspective on household balance sheets and whether these pressures could translate into broader economic risks.Beyond short-term financial strain, the discussion explores a deeper structural issue within the Canadian economy: its heavy reliance on housing and population growth as primary drivers of expansion. As productivity growth lags and demographic momentum begins to slow, questions emerge about the long-term sustainability of housing demand relative to incomes. Porter outlines what genuine economic tailwinds might look like over the next decade—from expanded trade and energy exports to renewed investment in manufacturing and productivity-enhancing sectors—and why those developments could be critical for Canada's long-term growth trajectory.Taken together, the conversation offers a high-level examination of the economic forces shaping Canadian real estate at a pivotal moment. With geopolitical tensions, financial pressures, and structural economic shifts unfolding simultaneously, housing sits squarely at the intersection of global economics and personal financial decision-making.Understanding those forces may ultimately determine whether market participants are reacting to events—or anticipating the next phase of Canada's housing cycle._________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

The Vancouver housing market has always been shaped by powerful forces — interest rates, government policy, global economics, and human psychology. But in early 2026, those forces appear to be colliding all at once, creating one of the most uncertain real estate environments the city has faced in decades.In this episode, we unpack the latest data revealing how dramatically the market has shifted. Sales in February fell another 10% year over year, following the lowest annual sales volumes in a quarter century. At the same time, home prices have now declined for 11 consecutive months — marking the second-longest price downturn in the region's modern history. For homeowners, investors, and prospective buyers alike, the central question is becoming unavoidable: how much further can the market adjust?Part of the answer lies in the broader economic backdrop. The market that once surged during the stimulus-driven boom of 2021 — fueled by ultra-low interest rates and unprecedented liquidity — is now navigating a dramatically different landscape. Today's environment is defined by global conflict, trade tensions, job insecurity, rapid technological disruption from artificial intelligence, and ongoing legal and political developments around land claims. The result is a level of uncertainty that has effectively frozen large segments of the housing market.At the same time, government policy is once again stepping into the spotlight. With transactions slowing and tax revenues under pressure, policymakers are beginning to introduce measures designed to stimulate activity. One of the most notable is the federal government's proposed housing affordability legislation, Bill C-4. If finalized, the measure would eliminate the federal GST on qualifying new homes for first-time buyers, potentially saving purchasers up to $50,000. While supporters argue this could meaningfully improve affordability, critics question whether demand-side incentives will meaningfully address supply shortages or simply inflate prices once again.Mortgage stress is also beginning to appear in the data. Canada's mortgage arrears rate has climbed to a five-and-a-half-year high, while British Columbia's arrears rate has reached its highest level in nearly a decade. Although the numbers remain low historically, the trend is notable — particularly as 2026 represents the largest mortgage renewal year in Canadian history. With millions of borrowers transitioning from ultra-low pandemic-era rates to significantly higher borrowing costs, economists are watching closely to see whether arrears continue to rise.Interest rate expectations remain relatively stable for now. Bond yields have recently moved higher following geopolitical tensions, pushing fixed mortgage rates upward as well. The Bank of Canada is widely expected to hold rates steady through most of 2026, leaving borrowers with little - further -  relief in the near term.And yet, not all signals point to collapse. Days on market have recently shortened, suggesting some buyers are beginning to re-enter the market as prices soften. Meanwhile, the sales-to-active listings ratio has moved out of deep buyer-market territory — a reminder that Vancouver's market rarely stays in extreme conditions for long.The coming months will determine whether this downturn becomes the longest in Vancouver's modern housing history — or whether the marke _________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

Recent developments around Indigenous land rights have quickly become one of the most consequential—and least understood—policy discussions unfolding in British Columbia today. At the center of the debate is a newly announced “Rights Recognition” agreement between the federal government and the Musqueam Nation, a framework that signals a shift in how Canada acknowledges Indigenous authority within traditional territories across the Lower Mainland.For decades, governments typically treated Indigenous claims as unresolved legal disputes to be negotiated or settled through treaties. This agreement marks a notable evolution. Instead of simply acknowledging that claims exist, the federal government is formally recognizing that the Musqueam possess Aboriginal title within their traditional territory—an area that includes large portions of Metro Vancouver. While the agreement does not immediately alter land titles or the land registry, it establishes a framework for what officials describe as “incremental implementation,” meaning changes could unfold gradually through policy, negotiations, and future legal interpretations.For many residents, the implications are difficult to interpret. Nearly two million homeowners live within the broader area referenced in Musqueam traditional territory, and questions have emerged about how this recognition might intersect with long-standing concepts of private property ownership. Legal experts emphasize that the agreement is not a treaty and does not directly override existing property rights. However, it acknowledges a legal “burden” on Crown sovereignty—essentially recognizing an underlying Indigenous interest in the land that could shape future governance, land management, and resource decisions.Adding to the complexity is the broader legal context. Canada's commitment to aligning policy with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) establishes new standards for how governments consult and collaborate with Indigenous nations. To explore the issue in greater depth, this episode features Dallas Brodie, MLA for Vancouver-Quilchena and interim leader of OneBC. A former defence lawyer and broadcaster, Brodie has been one of the most outspoken political figures commenting on the implications of Indigenous rights frameworks and land-title recognition. Her perspective reflects a growing conversation taking place across the province about how reconciliation, economic development, and private property rights intersect in the years ahead.Throughout the discussion, we examine the legal mechanics of the Musqueam agreement, the role of federal and provincial governments, and how emerging court decisions recognizing Aboriginal title may influence future policy. We also explore questions surrounding transparency, the relationship between reconciliation initiatives and economic investment, and how governments can provide clarity for residents navigating these complex developments.As British Columbia continues to evolve its approach to Indigenous relations and land governance, one thing is clear: the conversation around land rights, shared authority, and reconciliation is entering a new and pivotal phase. Understanding the legal, economic, and political dimensions of these changes will be essential for policymakers, homeowners, and investors alike. _________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

Alimentos saudáveis são mais caros na região latino-americana e caribenha do que em qualquer outra parte do globo; 29,9% dos adultos estão acima do peso, quase o dobro da média mundial que é de 15,8%.

Canada's housing market is no longer simply cooling — it's restructuring in real time.This episode opens with a staggering statistic: Toronto new home sales have collapsed to just 269 units in January 2026 — the lowest level ever recorded. That's 36% below last year, 80% below the 10-year average, and an extraordinary 91% beneath the 2022 peak. Meanwhile, more than 20,500 unsold condo units sit on the market — representing 76 months of inventory. At today's absorption pace, it would take over six years to clear what's already built.The implications are enormous. Residential investment has historically accounted for 7–9% of Canada's GDP. Developers don't build because demand exists — they build because forward sales unlock financing. And right now, forward sales have stalled. Vancouver mirrors this slowdown: just 73 units were released in January, compared to over 700 two years ago. The construction pipeline is shrinking fast.But this story extends beyond condos.British Columbia's newly released $13 billion deficit budget introduces additional taxation at a time when affordability is already strained. A new 7% PST on rental property and strata management services will raise operating costs for condo owners. Commercial real estate commissions are now subject to PST, potentially dampening investment flows. The school tax has increased for higher-value homes. The speculation tax is rising for non-residents. Together, these measures reinforce a broader fiscal shift: structurally higher deficits and growing reliance on public spending to stabilize a slowing economy.National resale data reinforces the recalibration. Sales are down 16.2% year-over-year. Home prices nationally have fallen 23% from peak levels, with Ontario leading the downturn at a 26% decline. Yet inventory remains below long-term averages, suggesting stabilization may eventually emerge from constrained supply rather than revived demand.Meanwhile, consumer insolvencies are climbing. Over 140,000 Canadians filed in 2025 — the highest since 2009. Notably, more homeowners are seeking insolvency protection, a signal that mortgage renewals at higher rates are beginning to bite. Fixed mortgage rates have drifted lower toward 3.79%, but households appear focused on balance sheet repair rather than renewed leverage.Rental markets are softening as well. Vancouver one-bedroom rents are down 11% year-over-year. With population growth flattening and a wave of purpose-built rental completing, further declines remain possible.The through-line is clear: Canada's growth model — heavily reliant on housing, debt expansion, and rising land values — is under pressure. Developers are pulling back. Households are deleveraging. Governments are running larger deficits. The adjustment is cyclical on the surface, but structural underneath.The deeper question is whether Canada can evolve its economic model toward productivity, investment, and sustainable growth — or whether housing will remain both the engine and the vulnerability of the nation's balance sheet.2026 may be remembered as the year the market stopped pretending — and started adjusting. _________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

Few legal decisions in British Columbia have unsettled homeowners, investors, and policymakers quite like the recent Cowichan land claim ruling. What began as a courtroom examination of Aboriginal title in Richmond has quickly evolved into a province-wide conversation about property rights, constitutional law, and the future of land ownership in Canada.In this episode, we move beyond the headlines and into substance, joined by one of the country's leading voices in Aboriginal law, Anita Boscariol, Associate Counsel at Watson Goepel. With deep expertise in UNDRIP and British Columbia's DRIPA legislation, Anita brings clarity to a topic that has generated more heat than light.At the center of the discussion is a question many British Columbians never expected to ask: can Aboriginal title and private fee simple ownership legally coexist?Anita begins by unpacking the legal architecture that led us here. Section 35 of Canada's Constitution recognizes and affirms existing Aboriginal and treaty rights. UNDRIP, adopted federally and provincially through DRIPA, did not create new rights but reframed how governments must approach decision-making — shifting from simple consultation toward alignment with Indigenous rights and title. In effect, the legal environment has matured. Courts are now applying principles that have existed constitutionally for decades with greater rigor.The Cowichan ruling raised eyebrows because it discussed Aboriginal title over lands currently held in private fee simple. The court described Aboriginal title as a “prior and senior right” — language that sparked anxiety among homeowners. Anita explains that this does not automatically invalidate private ownership, nor does it signal immediate land transfers. Rather, it forces courts and governments to confront how overlapping legal interests can be reconciled.The episode explores whether historical use — such as fishing or seasonal occupation — could support future claims, and whether 95% of British Columbia being unceded territory places the entire province at risk. Anita clarifies that while most of BC lacks historic treaties, successful title claims require strict legal tests, including exclusive occupation at the time of Crown sovereignty. The bar remains high.For homeowners, the message is measured: avoid panic-driven decisions. Stay informed. Understand the distinction between legal theory and practical outcome. The Cowichan case signals a continued evolution in Indigenous-Crown relations — not the erasure of private ownership.As British Columbia navigates reconciliation within a modern economic framework, the balance between constitutional recognition and property certainty will define the next chapter.And in a province where real estate underpins both household wealth and public finance, that chapter matters profoundly.To reach us with inquiries, email marketing@watsongoepel.com https://www.youtube.com/@WatsonGoepelLLP https://www.instagram.com/watsongoepel/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/watson-goepel-llp https://www.watsongoepel.com/ _________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

É uma das mulheres de armas que ajudaram a deitar abaixo o antigo regime. Participou nas revoltas estudantis de 62 e, em 1970, fundou as Brigadas Revolucionárias com o companheiro Carlos Antunes. Viveu na clandestinidade, esteve presa duas vezes antes do 25 de Abril e, na fase do PREC, esteve 4 anos em prisão preventiva, o que a levou a fazer uma longa greve de fome. Em 2004, recebeu das mãos do Presidente Jorge Sampaio o grau de grande oficial da Ordem da Liberdade. Isabel do Carmo, que é também uma das mais notáveis médicas especialistas na área de “endocrinologia, diabetes e nutrição”, revela-se optimista, mas preocupada com o futuro e considera que a ideia de liberdade ainda não serve a uma boa parte da população. Ouçam-na nesta conversa em podcast com Bernardo Mendonça..See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Affordability in Vancouver has improved by roughly 37% from its 2023 peak. Monthly mortgage payments on an average home have fallen by about $1,500, dropping from roughly $5,600 to $4,100. That's a material shift, bringing affordability back to early-2022 levels. Historically, when affordability sat here, transaction volumes were meaningfully higher. While payments remain well above pre-pandemic norms, the direction of travel matters—and for buyers watching the market closely, this is the most constructive affordability backdrop in years.But beneath that surface improvement, cracks are forming. Developers—arguably the most forward-looking participants in housing—are pulling back sharply. Land sales, an early indicator of future housing supply, have collapsed well below historical norms. When developers stop buying land, it's rarely about today's headlines; it's a judgment call on whether prices, financing, and demand will justify risk years down the road. The implication is uncomfortable: fewer projects today guarantees tighter supply later, particularly as population growth and confidence eventually normalize.Employment data adds another layer of complexity. Canada's labor market is cooling, but not in the way past downturns looked. Job losses are emerging in traditional sectors, yet unemployment hasn't spiked because the workforce itself is shrinking—driven by retirements and slower population growth. That structural shift matters. Slower labor growth caps wage growth, which in turn limits housing demand over the long run. At the same time, uneven job creation across provinces may quietly redirect housing and rental demand to where employment is strongest.On the rental front, the story is finally turning for tenants. Asking rents have fallen for more than a year and recently hit multi-year lows, with Vancouver among the steepest declines. Yet even here, the rate of decline is slowing—hinting that rental markets may be approaching stabilization.Governments, facing slowing activity, are stepping in with incentives. Programs like Nova Scotia's ultra-low down payment initiative underscore a key theme of the episode: these policies are less a sign of strength than a response to economic fragility. They don't solve affordability at its root; they increase leverage in an already indebted system.Add rising home insurance costs—driven by aging housing stock and extreme weather—and the cost pressures on ownership and rental housing continue to build, even as headline prices soften.The takeaway is clear: today's market is defined by contradictions. Affordability is improving, but demand remains hesitant. Supply is being quietly choked off. Costs are shifting rather than disappearing. And interest rates, once the dominant force, may now be the least volatile variable.This episode isn't about calling a top or a bottom. It's about understanding where the next pressure points are forming—and why the decisions being made today may shape Canada's housing landscape for the next decade. _________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

January delivered a sobering wake-up call for Greater Vancouver real estate. Sales volumes collapsed 29% year over year—on top of 2025 already being the weakest sales year in a quarter century. That makes this not just a slow start to the year, but one of the most severe demand contractions the market has faced in decades. Against that backdrop, this episode dives into the newly released February data to answer the question on everyone's mind: how close are we to the bottom—and could 2026 actually be worse than 2025?The discussion begins with a critical stabilizing metric: mortgage arrears. Despite mounting pressure elsewhere, Canada's arrears rate remains flat at 0.25%, with just over 12,000 mortgages delinquent out of nearly five million. By global standards, this is extraordinarily low—especially compared to the U.S., where arrears sit more than six times higher. Historically, Canada has never experienced sustained spikes in this metric, suggesting that while prices are falling, systemic mortgage distress has not yet materialized.From there, attention shifts to a growing concern for long-term growth: British Columbia's rising perception as “uninvestable.” Recent legal developments surrounding the Prince Rupert Port Authority underscore a broader risk narrative—projects approved at every level can still face years of legal uncertainty. As foreign capital grows more cautious, the downstream consequences become clear: fewer housing starts, tighter supply down the road, and higher costs borne by everyday Canadians.The episode then tackles a powerful and timely issue—seller psychology. In one of the most competitive markets in over a decade, many sellers are attempting to cut commissions in an effort to preserve net proceeds. The irony is stark. With inventory at multi-year highs, days on market stretching to seven-year peaks, and price cuts routinely reaching $100,000–$150,000, execution matters more than ever. In a 9% sales-to-active ratio environment—the lowest in 13 years—pricing mistakes aren't corrected, they're punished. The takeaway is clear: this is the kind of market where experience, exposure, and strategy matter most.Zooming out, Toronto provides a cautionary parallel. GTA prices are now down 27% from their 2022 peak, sales are at post-financial-crisis lows, and inventory has surged to record January levels. Vancouver's February data shows similar stress. Sales fell to just 1,104 transactions—down 38% month over month and 29% year over year—ranking among the weakest months in two decades. Inventory now sits 38% above long-term averages, while prices continue their steady descent. The benchmark HPI has dropped for ten consecutive months, pulling values back to late-2021 levels.The episode closes with a crucial reminder: housing downturns don't stay contained within housing. Falling prices ripple outward—reducing government revenues, slowing construction, tightening credit, and ultimately weighing on employment and consumer spending. Some price correction is healthy. Prolonged, disorderly declines are not. The risk ahead isn't that the market is adjusting—but that we underestimate how deeply housing is embedded in Canada's entire economic system.This episode offers a clear, data-driven look at where we stand, why the bottom isn't in yet, and why the next phase of this cycle will demand far more discipline. _________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

The Canadian real estate market is currently trapped in a fascinating, if not harrowing, contradiction. On one hand, we are witnessing a 35-year high in completed but unsold inventory, with 19,000 units sitting vacant as of last month—a staggering 52% above the long-term average. On the other, the British Columbia Real Estate Association (BCREA) is sounding the alarm on a 27% price surge by 2032. To the casual observer, this looks like a market in collapse; to the seasoned analyst, it looks like a massive supply-side vacuum in the making. The reality is that developers have effectively "penciled down," with virtually zero new projects slated for completion in 2029 or 2030. We are currently gorging on a surplus of "tiny condos" that the modern Canadian family cannot—or will not—occupy, while the pipeline for functional, family-sized housing has run dry.This paralysis is being compounded by a Bank of Canada (BoC) that has opted for a "wait and see" approach, holding rates at 2.25% for the second consecutive meeting. The Governor's pivot toward "uncertainty" suggests that growth concerns are finally outweighing inflation fears. However, this lack of forward guidance is a double-edged sword. When a central bank claims the climate is "too uncertain," it is a tacit admission that they no longer trust their own data models. This caution is reflected in the mortgage market: while 43% of new borrowers are still gambling on variable rates, the smart money is beginning to eye five-year fixed products. With projections suggesting the overnight rate could climb another 100 basis points to 3.25% by 2031, the era of "cheap money" is not coming back, making "locking in" a prudent defensive maneuver for the household balance sheet.The human cost of this economic friction is becoming impossible to ignore. In 2025, Canada saw a record 120,016 people emigrate—the fourth consecutive year of growth in departures. Most alarming is that 54% of those leaving are aged 25 to 49. This is not just a "brain drain"; it is an "equity drain." When your core tax base and household-forming demographic flee for more affordable jurisdictions, it signals a systemic failure in the Canadian dream. This exodus is mirrored by a collapse in homeownership rates across every age group under 75. For the first time in modern history, young Canadians are being forced into long-term tenancy, not by choice, but by a market that has prioritized 500-square-foot investment vehicles over livable family homes.Looking ahead to the remainder of 2026, the labor market may be the catalyst for the next shift. With 21% of businesses planning staff cuts—the highest level since 2016—and EI recipients up 16% year-over-year, the pressure on the BoC to cut rates may become irresistible. Yet, retail sales paradoxically hit all-time highs last month, driven by spending on "self-care" items like clothing and jewelry rather than building materials. This suggests a consumer base that has given up on the "big" dreams of renovation and ownership, choosing instead to spend their dwindling disposable income on immediate gratification. We are in a volatile transition period where sentiment is negative, but the underlying data suggests that once today's inventory is absorbed, we will wake up to a market with no new supply to meet the next cycle of demand. _________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

The Canadian real estate landscape in early 2026 has officially entered a period of historic structural decoupling. As we analyze the data from the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) to Vancouver, the "demise of the pre-sale condo" is no longer a hyperbolic headline—it is a statistical reality. In the GTA, new condo sales have plummeted a staggering 95% from their 2021 peak, reaching a quarterly volume not seen since the third quarter of 1990. This 35-year low has triggered a wave of "capital flight" from traditional development; a record 28 active projects were cancelled in 2025 alone, representing over 7,200 units that will never hit the skyline.This inventory vacuum creates a "supply cliff" that market participants must brace for. While current completions remain high due to the lag in construction cycles—nearly matching the 2024 record—starts have cratered by 88% over the last three years. By 2029, the industry is projecting a "zero-delivery" year for new condos. However, as the pre-sale model falters, a new titan is emerging: purpose-built rentals. Driven by federal tax incentives and a desperate need for stable housing stock, rental starts hit a multi-decade high in 2025. Yet, there is a paradox in the West; Vancouver is simultaneously grappling with a 30-year high vacancy rate of 3.7%, proving that even in a supply-starved nation, price and demand have a ceiling.The macro-economic backdrop further complicates the recovery. Canada's GDP shrank by 0.3% in late 2025, the sharpest non-pandemic decline in nearly a decade. While headline inflation has seen a "ghost" uptick to 2.4%—largely due to year-over-year tax distortions—core inflation is actually cooling. This puts the Bank of Canada in a delicate holding pattern. As they head into the January 28th meeting, the consensus is a rate hold at 2.25%. For investors, the era of "easy gains" through pre-sale appreciation is over; the new game is "gentle density."North Vancouver's recent adoption of Zoning Amendment Bylaw 9137 is the "first-mover" opportunity of 2026. By legalizing multiplexes across nearly 4,900 lots, the city has fired the starting gun for small-scale developers to convert single-family lots into three-to-six unit "AAA" assets.  _________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

The real estate landscape heading into 2026 may be the most uncertain we've seen in decades. Rising unemployment, declining population growth, global trade tensions, expanding land claims, the risk of renewed rate hikes, falling prices, and record levels of completed but unsold inventory have created a fog over Canadian housing—especially in British Columbia. This episode sets out to unpack the economic forces now shaping the year ahead and offer clear-eyed predictions for what lies ahead in 2026. It's a rare moment where even seasoned market observers admit that forecasting feels unusually difficult. That's precisely why this conversation matters—and why we invite viewers to leave their own predictions, so we can revisit them in a year and see who truly had a crystal ball. National sales slipped 2.7% month-over-month, with 2025 closing down 1.9% overall, while Greater Vancouver posted its weakest sales volume year in 25 years. Active inventory fell for a fourth consecutive month, now sitting 10% below the long-term average and roughly half of what it was in 2015. Prices edged down again, with Canada's HPI falling 4% in 2025 and BC's average home price dropping below $1 million for the first time in years. Provincial dollar volume fell more than 8%, unit sales declined, and affordability remains strained. Overlay this with rising unemployment—now at 6.8%, experiencing the second-largest monthly spike since 2020—and a labor market increasingly concentrated in essential services while private-sector industries contract. Youth unemployment has surged past 13%, underscoring a generation facing diminished economic momentum. Add to that the growing presence of land claims across BC, including new frameworks for “Land Back” initiatives, and the result is a market shadowed by questions around long-term confidence and property rights.At the same time, a global shift in capital allocation is underway. In the United States, equities have overtaken real estate as the dominant driver of household wealth for only the second time since the 1980s. Canada remains more heavily concentrated in property—real estate still represents nearly 42% of household assets—but that imbalance raises important questions about diversification, productivity, and long-term resilience. Against this backdrop, the episode moves into bold 2026 forecasts: Will Canada technically enter a recession? Where will population growth land? How high will unemployment rise before stabilizing? Will inflation remain contained? Where will the Bank of Canada take rates—and what will that mean for fixed and variable mortgages? How far will mortgage arrears climb? What new government policies could reshape the housing landscape? And finally, what does all this mean for sales volumes, inventory, absorption rates, rental prices, luxury transactions, and home values across detached homes, townhomes, and condos? This is a year defined by crosscurrents—economic contraction colliding with structural housing shortages, policy ambition clashing with affordability realities. 2026 may not deliver clarity, but it will deliver consequence. And for those watching closely, it may also deliver opportunity—if you understand the cycle you're standing in. _________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

Hay una región clave en nuestro cerebro que nos otorga un poder único en la evolución: la consciencia, nuestra percepción corporal, y, en definitiva, la construcción de nuestro “yo” individual y único. Hablamos del precúneo, y un estudio reciente desvela que se define en la etapa prenatal y termina su crecimiento antes de los 5 años.También otro estudio desvela que es una región compleja vulnerable que se ve afectada en la neurodegeneración y el Alzheimer. Las consecuencias y elementos a investigar y debatir son fascinantes como vas a comprobar… Son dos publicaciones (la primera en Cerebral Cortex, y la segunda en Journal of Anatomy) en las que está implicado uno de nuestros invitados, el Doctor en Biología e investigador del Museo de Ciencias Naturales Emiliano Bruner. Y también nos acompaña el Dr. Pascual Sánchez-Juan, quien lidera en Madrid un modelo científico único que integra una residencia de mayores con el centro de investigación CIEN y donde los datos recogidos pre y post mortem están dando resultados muy valiosos para investigar y diagnosticar precozmente el Alzheimer. Con Don Víctor desde el Planeta Segovia activaremos el conectoma neuronal con buenos cómics, como siempre…Escuchar audio

Vancouver enters 2026 at a rare crossroads. Home prices have slipped to a three-year low, annual sales volumes have fallen to levels not seen in a quarter century, and yet Canadians brought a record number of homes to market in 2025. The disconnect between supply and demand is no longer theoretical—it's visible across prices, borrowing behaviour, and broader economic indicators.Beneath the surface, household balance sheets are doing more of the heavy lifting. While transaction activity remains subdued, borrowing against housing has accelerated. Recent national data shows home equity line of credit (HELOC) balances climbing to nearly $180 billion, the highest level in six years, after a decade-long pullback. Credit itself isn't inherently problematic—many homeowners use it productively to renovate or reinvest—but the concern today is why borrowing is rising while sales slow. When leverage grows to cover higher living costs or to refinance other debt, risk accumulates quietly. The current pattern bears uncomfortable similarities to 2017, when investor-led borrowing rose amid soft resale activity and a wave of new supply.Commercial real estate tells a parallel story of recalibration. Downtown Vancouver office vacancy rose to 12.8% by the end of 2025—the highest level in over twenty years—driven largely by oversupply from recent project deliveries and a continued “flight to quality.” Older Class B and C buildings now sit near 18% vacancy, while top-tier space remains comparatively resilient. Construction has slowed sharply, signalling that the market is adjusting, not collapsing. Even so, Vancouver remains one of Canada's most structurally resilient office markets, with vacancy still below Toronto and Ottawa.Early warning signs are also emerging in household stress metrics. Mortgage arrears in Canada reached a five-year high late last year. British Columbia remains below the national average, but at its highest level in six years. With more than one million mortgages set to renew in 2026—many at higher payments—this pressure is unlikely to ease quickly.A comparison with Toronto underscores Vancouver's uniqueness. GTA sales also fell to a 25-year low, but inventory there has surged to record highs and prices are now down roughly 27% from the 2022 peak. Vancouver's correction has been more measured—but persistent.Locally, December data reinforces the theme. Sales volumes remain well below historical norms, inventory is at a 12-year high for this time of year, and days on market have stretched to levels last seen in 2019. Prices continue to drift lower: the benchmark index is down for the ninth consecutive month, returning values to early-2023 levels, with detached, townhomes, and condos all sharing similar declines.Looking back, 2025 closed with the fewest home sales since 2000—yet also the highest number of listings on record. That imbalance sets the table for 2026: a market with abundant choice for buyers and intensified competition for sellers. What happens next will hinge on confidence—both in household finances and in the broader economic outlook. Next week, we'll outline what this means for sales, supply, and pricing as the year unfolds. _________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

Uz precīzijas medicīnu tiek liktas lielas cerības nākotnē, īpaši onkoloģijā, kur šāda veida terapijas nozīmētu veiksmīgi izārstētu vēzi bez smagām blaknēm veselajām organisma šūnām. Kā dažādas medicīnas procedūras, terapijas metodes un medikamentus ietekmē mūsu katra gēni, vides un dzīvesveida apstākļi? Kādām slimībām jau šobrīd palīdz precīzijas medicīna un ko tā īsti nozīmē? Raidījumā Zināmais nezināmajā skaidro Inese Čakstiņa-Dzērve, bioloģijas doktore, Rīgas Stradiņa universitātes Mikrobioloģijas un virusoloģijas institūta vadošā pētniece, docente Rīgas Stradiņa universitātes Medicīnas fakultātē, un Egija Berga-Švītiņa, Bērnu klīniskās universitātes slimnīcas ģenētiķe. Raidījuma noslēgumā Zinātnes ziņas Kas vieno un atšķir optimistus un pesimistus? Optimistiski cilvēki savā starpā esot līdzīgi – tā pagājušajā gadā publicētā pētījumā žurnālā “PNAS” apgalvojuši zinātnieki no Japānas un Austrālijas. “Zināmais nezināmajā” viedokli par publikāciju vaicājam pašmāju pētniekam, un šoreiz tā ir psiholoģe, kā arī lektore un pētniece Rīgas Tehniskajā universitātē Anete Hofmane. Viņa norāda, ka pēdējo desmit gadu laikā ir ienākusi tendence runāt par pozitīvo psiholoģiju un līdz ar to – arī par optimismu. Saruna par optimismu kā cerību saglabāšanu attiecībā uz nākotni un kā psiholoģisku resursu.

Every year, we make real estate predictions knowing full well they're as much a reflection of the moment as they are a guess about the future—and 2025 proved just how quickly the ground can move beneath your feet. In this episode, we hold ourselves accountable and revisit the bold calls we made last January: what we nailed, what we completely missed, and what actually unfolded in Canada's economy and housing market along the way. We start with the big economic drivers that were supposed to shape the year. We debated recession risk, population growth, unemployment, inflation, interest rates, mortgages, arrears, and government policy. Some calls landed squarely—like inflation finishing near 2.2% and the Bank of Canada settling close to where we thought. Others, like population forecasts and recession timing, were blown apart by an unexpected demographic reversal, stronger-than-anticipated labour resilience, and policy shifts few saw coming. The population story alone flipped every expectation: instead of adding hundreds of thousands, Canada actually started shrinking by Q3—something unprecedented in modern history—and that shock flowed straight into housing demand, pricing power, and sentiment.From there, we turn to housing fundamentals, where reality humbled just about everyone. We recap how sales volumes fell instead of rising, how inventory surged far beyond expectations, how the pre-sale market nearly froze, and how price performance told a very different story than most forecast. Rental markets softened, luxury retreated, and Greater Vancouver's “winner” markets were fewer and far more nuanced than anyone predicted. We didn't shy away from calling our misses what they were—some wildly optimistic, others too conservative—but each reveals something important: this market continues to behave in ways that challenge even the most experienced economists, analysts, and practitioners. Along the way, we contrast our calls with prominent bank forecasts, highlight the global and political developments that no one had on their radar a year ago, and show how quickly “consensus” can turn to fiction.This episode isn't about pretending foresight; it's about learning in hindsight. It's a candid, data-driven reflection on a year where expectations collided with reality, where economic resilience defied narrative, where policy failed to align with planning, and where Canada's housing story took another unexpected turn. If you enjoy a mix of humility, humour, uncomfortable truth, and meaningful takeaways, this is one of those episodes that reminds everyone—industry pros included—that predicting real estate is far from easy.  _________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

As we head into 2026, population is no longer just another economic talking point — it has become one of the single most powerful forces reshaping Canadian real estate & the economy. For the first time in modern history, Canada's population is shrinking, and the effects are immediate and profound. Ontario and British Columbia — the country's largest and most expensive markets — are now posting negative annual population growth for the first time ever. After years of record inflows, the pendulum has swung sharply in the opposite direction. Non-permanent residents are leaving in record numbers, permanent residents are quietly exiting the country at near-historic highs, and government targets suggest this outflow may continue for the next two years. The last time Canada experienced a demographic shock, it was driven by rapid population acceleration — and it rewrote housing dynamics overnight. Now we are watching the same type of historic shift, only in reverse, and the consequences are every bit as significant.Those consequences are already showing up in the housing market. Canada is delivering the largest volume of purpose-built rental construction in history at the exact moment demand is softening. Rental inventory is surging, vacancy rates are climbing, incentives are returning, and the national market is clearly moving toward cheaper, more competitive rents. That may temporarily make renting feel like the smarter financial move, but history is unequivocal: the long-term wealth gap between renters and owners remains enormous, and demographic shifts don't change that reality. Nowhere is this more evident than in Toronto, where the condo market has all but stalled — sales have collapsed from record highs to generational lows, new project launches have effectively halted, and completed but unsold units are stacking up at levels never recorded before. It is the clearest example of what happens when the wrong kind of supply finally outruns broad market demand in an economy built on perpetual growth assumptions. Currently, dwellings under construction is running at 500% more than the population growth rate when the historical average is 50%.And yet, the broader economy still sends mixed signals. Mortgage growth has recently ticked up, supported largely by first-time buyers stepping in where investors and move-up purchasers have stepped back. Retail spending shows households remain cautious. Sentiment readings are improving - considerably in the business sector but insolvencies in places like B.C. are quietly hitting new records. At the same time, household net worth is sitting at all-time highs, driven by financial markets that reward those already positioned at the top. 20% of Canadians own 70% of Canadian Assets! Affordability, meanwhile, has “improved” — but only relative to a crisis peak. Even after seven quarters of easing, ownership costs are still near the worst levels Canada has ever seen, and with rates likely holding into 2026, further progress may need to come from unpopular but necessary price declines rather than overall policy relief. In this weeks podcast, we break down this critical demographic turning point — what a shrinking population truly means for housing demand, pricing power, rental markets, developers, mortgage holders, and anyone trying to make a disciplined real estate decision in the year ahead. _________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

As we close out 2025, the data coming across the wire is some of the most consequential Canada has seen in decades—and it is quietly rewriting the playbook for real estate in 2026. For the first time in modern history, Canada's population is shrinking, not growing. At the same time, rental vacancy rates are climbing to multi-decade highs, rents are falling, developers are pulling back, and interest rates are no longer clearly on a path down. And yet, in what feels like a contradiction, headline employment, GDP, and inflation continue to beat expectations. In this episode, we unpack how these cross-currents collide—and what they mean for housing prices, investors, homeowners, and anyone facing a buy, sell, or mortgage renewal decision in the year ahead.The most important shift begins with population. Canada's population fell by roughly 76,000 people in Q3, a 0.2% quarterly decline and the largest contraction on record outside of pandemic border closures. Annual population growth has slowed to just 0.2%, the lowest level ever recorded. This reversal is almost entirely driven by non-permanent residents—foreign students and temporary workers—who accounted for nearly all population growth between 2022 and 2024. That trend has now flipped. Canada lost 176,000 non-permanent residents in a single quarter, bringing their share of the population down to 6.8%, with federal policy targeting closer to 5% by 2027. For housing, this is seismic. The demand tailwind that drove rents, prices, and pre-sales for years has disappeared just as housing completions and rental construction approach record levels. The result is straightforward: softer rents, rising developer inventory, and growing caution among investors—a dynamic that may not fully bottom out until 2027.Rental data confirms the shift. Vancouver one-bedroom rents are down 8% year-over-year, national rents have fallen to their lowest level since mid-2023, and vacancy rates have surged. Vancouver's purpose-built vacancy rate reached 3.7%, the highest since 1988, while Toronto hit 3% for the first time since the pandemic. Importantly, the largest wave of rental completions is still ahead. While falling rents offer short-term relief, they also widen the monthly gap between renting and owning—pushing some Canadians toward renting longer. Yet the long-term wealth divide remains stark when comparing long term outcomes between homeowners' median net worth (on average 10 to 19 times higher than renters') - depending on age group. Short-term affordability and long-term wealth creation are moving in opposite directions.Housing supply tells a similar story of imbalance. National housing starts are uneven, single-family construction is shrinking, and major B.C. markets—including Vancouver—continue to slow. National home prices have fallen 21% from their 2022 peak, returning to 2017 levels in real terms. In Greater Vancouver, benchmark prices are set to fall for a tenth straight month, ending the year near three-year lows.Taken together, this is not a crisis—but it is a reset. 2026 is shaping up to be a year defined less by momentum and more by discipline, selectivity, and long-term strategy. And for those paying attention, the data isn't just noise—it's a market signal.Join the webinar:  www.laidlercapital.com/emptynesters?ref=thevancouverlife   _________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

It has been just 18 months since British Columbia launched Bill 44—the Small-Scale Multi-Unit Housing (SSMUH) initiative—and already the landscape of urban development in the province has shifted in ways few could have predicted. Hundreds of multiplex permit applications have been submitted across B.C., the first wave of completed projects is beginning to emerge, and municipalities that once resisted density are now formally adopting the provincial framework. Just this week, the City of North Vancouver officially passed its zoning amendments, opening the door to multiplex development across one of the most land-constrained communities in the region.On paper, this all signals momentum. But in practice, the path to delivering “Missing Middle” housing has proven far more complex.Nowhere is that tension clearer than in Burnaby—one of the earliest and most enthusiastic adopters of Bill 44, and now one of the loudest voices pushing back. Residents have raised concerns about scale, height, setbacks, and parking. And in response, the city has revised its bylaws, reducing allowable height, shrinking lot coverage, expanding setbacks, and increasing parking requirements. These changes may soothe neighbourhood discomfort, but they also directly affect the number of new homes that can realistically be built. We also get into a new, one of a kind single family project launch in Burnaby that is uniquely suited for downsizers and/or growing families.To help us understand what all of this means—not just for Burnaby, but for housing supply across the entire Lower Mainland—we're joined by someone at the forefront of multiplex development: Bill Laidler. Bill is a leader in the Missing Middle space, with more than 400 homes in development. He is a developer, educator, and one of the most articulate advocates for creating generational housing—helping grandparents live near their grandkids, while unlocking attainable ownership for young families. His previous two appearances on this channel are among our most viewed ever.Today, Bill walks us through the real impacts of Bill 44 so far: what's working, what isn't, and how recent municipal pushback could reshape the next decade of housing supply. We discuss the political friction between provincial goals and municipal authority, examine the Burnaby bylaw changes in detail, and explore whether multiplexes can meaningfully improve affordability—or risk becoming another high-priced, low-yield form of stratified ownership.We also dive into the biggest challenges affecting feasibility today: high construction costs, stricter parking requirements, and the difficulty builders face securing financing for small-scale multi-unit projects. Bill offers candid insight into which barriers matter most—and what practical solutions could unlock real progress.Finally, Bill shares a behind-the-scenes look at some of Laidler's upcoming multiplex communities and how they aim to set a new standard for livability, design, and family-oriented density.If you're wondering where the future of multi-family real estate investment is going and you want to understand where Missing Middle housing is truly headed—this is a conversation you won't want to miss. _________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

Vancouver home prices have fallen for the 8th consecutive month, hitting their lowest level in 33 months. The December data confirms what many have felt for weeks: the market is cooling faster than most anticipated. Sales are slowing, inventory remains elevated, and both developers and institutional investors are feeling the strain. In this week's report, we break down what's driving this latest leg down — from stalled projects and falling rents to REIT dividend cuts, mortgage renewal pressure, and what to expect from the Bank of Canada next week.Let's start with development. One of Vancouver's biggest stories comes from Landa Global Properties, whose two-tower West End project was approved seven years ago but still hasn't broken ground. Originally slated for 129 market rental units and $75 million in community amenity contributions — about $169,000 per home — the proposal has since been reworked to include 51 social housing units, fewer market rentals, and no Passive House certification, in an effort to make the project financially viable. Despite its prime location, the developer says rising costs, high interest rates, and market softness have made the numbers impossible to pencil. It's a stark example of what's happening city-wide: pro-formas no longer work, lenders are pulling back, and the result will be fewer new homes hitting the market in the years ahead.The arrears rate, however, remains surprisingly stable. At 0.24%, it's unchanged month-over-month — meaning 99.76% of mortgages are still being paid on time. Ontario saw a small uptick to 0.25%, but B.C. held steady at 0.21%. Despite six months into the “renewal wall,” Canadians are holding up better than expected. The real stress test arrives in 2026, when nearly one-third of all mortgages will reset at higher rates. Still, arrears remain 32% below their 30-year average, suggesting that for now, borrowers are managing the pressure.An intriguing shift is showing up in the banking data: for the first time in 35 years, the total number of active mortgages is falling — down nearly 2% year-over-year. Normally that number rises 2–5% annually. Some of the decline may stem from mortgage payoffs during the pandemic's liquidity boom, a slowdown in purchases, and the movement of lending to credit unions (which aren't included in the national data). It's another sign that both buyers and lenders are becoming increasingly cautious.Turning to the data, Toronto's prices are down 25% from the 2022 peak, and Vancouver's aren't far behind. December sales in Greater Vancouver fell 22% month-over-month to 1,844 units — the slowest pace in 25 years — and remain 21% below the 10-year average. Inventory dropped 12% from November but still sits 36% above the decade norm. The sales-to-active ratio fell to 13% (9% for detached, 14% for townhomes, 15% for condos).Prices followed suit. The HPI benchmark slipped another 0.3% to $1,123,700 — down 5.5% from  March's annual high — bringing values back to February 2023 levels. Median and average prices also declined, to $950,000 and $1.24 million respectively. _________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

"I made a number of live jams over a couple of weeks, each around an hour long, all manipulating a snippet of the recording, with some added synths; the final piece is an edit and amalgamation of two of these. A selection of others can be found at https://dtyb.bandcamp.com/album/warsaw. St. Martin's church, Warsaw reimagined by dtyb.

Canada is building homes at a record pace, but a closer look reveals a growing disconnect between what's being constructed and what Canadians actually need, want, or can afford. While total units under construction sit at all-time highs, homeowner-oriented housing tells a very different story. Single-family home starts have fallen to levels not seen since 2009, even dipping below those of 25 years ago when adjusted for population growth. Over just three months, single-family starts are down more than 9%, condo starts are down over 11%, and yet purpose-built rental construction is up more than 30%. Building permits, the clearest leading indicator show Ontario and British Columbia at a 40-year low for single-family approvals, all but guaranteeing a future shortage of that housing type. The trajectory is clear: fewer Canadians will live in single-family homes, not by choice, but by supply design.That supply shift is already reshaping the rental market. Canada now has roughly 180,000 purpose-built rental units in the pipeline, including an extraordinary 16% of British Columbia's entire rental stock currently under construction. Contrast that with 2012, when fewer than 2,000 rentals were being built nationwide. Today, that number exceeds 35,000 annually. Vacancy rates, which hit a historic low near 1.5% in 2024, have already climbed to roughly 2.5%, with growing evidence they could push into the 4% range over the coming years. Rents are responding quickly. In Metro Vancouver, average one-bedroom rents fell in November to roughly $2,164 — down 9% year-over-year — with similar declines now seen across 17 of Canada's largest metro areas. For investors, particularly institutions that piled aggressively into rental housing, this is an inflection point worth watching closely.Against this backdrop, Ottawa has rolled out its latest housing intervention: Build Canada Homes, a new federal agency aimed almost entirely at affordable rental and social housing. The program brings long-awaited clarity around income-based definitions of affordability and outlines a three-pillar strategy focused on financing, building, and industrializing housing production. But it also exposes critical blind spots. The program does not target market-rate ownership or middle-class housing. Its standardized design catalogue emphasizes low-rise, low-density buildings, often with small unit sizes, at a time when cities are short family-sized homes and need density. Innovation is championed rhetorically, yet without a clear plan to reconcile higher upfront costs with housing volume or to modernize zoning and building codes that frequently block new construction methods before they scale.Absorbing this supply would normally rely on strong population growth. That engine is stalling. Telecom data tracking mobile phone additions shows population growth slowing sharply, with 2025 on track for one of the weakest increases in over 70 years — and federal policy aimed at slowing it further.Taken together, the picture is sobering. Canada is producing housing but increasingly rentals instead of ownership, volume instead of suitability, optics instead of outcomes. Until supply aligns with real demand, regulations match ambition, and confidence is restored, the housing crisis is unlikely to ease. The question isn't just what Canada is building it's who it's being built for, and whether that answer still works. _________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

Canada's housing market is being pulled in more directions than ever. Court cases, collapsing construction, political battles, and rising costs are all converging at once — and the result is a level of uncertainty we haven't seen in years. This week, we're breaking down what's making headlines, what's just noise, and what could materially reshape housing across B.C.We start in Port Coquitlam, where a decade-long Kwikwetlem land claim has resurfaced, putting major institutional sites from the Riverview lands to Gates Park, back into the legal spotlight. The case is currently paused while provincial negotiations take place, but after the recent Richmond ruling and new cases in Kamloops and Sun Peaks, municipalities are bracing for more challenges. With 95% of B.C. land unceded, these decisions could set the tone for years of litigation.Cross-border tensions are rising too. Several Alaska tribal nations have now petitioned the B.C. Supreme Court, arguing they should have a legal voice in Canadian resource projects including the Red Chris Mine, a federally fast-tracked, nation-building development. Their claim builds on the 2021 Desautel ruling, which recognized U.S.-based tribes as Aboriginal peoples of Canada. If the courts agree again, the implications for Canadian sovereignty, consultation rights, and investor confidence could be enormous.Meanwhile, housing supply is weakening. Starts are falling across B.C., with multi-family projects in larger centres down sharply. Calgary is considering reversing its citywide rezoning, Burnaby has scaled back Bill 44, and pre-sale markets continue to collapse — all of which point to even lower starts ahead. But there is one major outlier: the Heather Lands proposal has returned with towers as tall as 46 storeys, driven by a massive attainable-housing initiative involving the Province and the MST Partnership. If approved, 85% of the 4,200 homes on site would be below-market — a scale almost unprecedented in Vancouver.Demographics are shifting too. The median homebuyer age is rising rapidly, especially in the U.S., where it has surged to 59. Wealthier, older buyers are dominating the market, while first-time buyers shrink to record lows. Canada hasn't seen the same extreme jump yet, but affordability constraints suggest we're heading in that direction.On the financial side, the fallout from “Condo Day” continues as the Belvedere project in Surrey enters creditor protection, revealing just how fragile pre-sale economics have become. Nationally, CREA reports modest price increases and slightly higher sales, but Ontario's downturn continues to drag the national average lower.And finally, inflation cooled to 2.2%, but not for the reasons that matter most to homebuyers. Gas prices did the heavy lifting, while shelter costs — rent, insurance, and mortgage interest — continue pushing inflation higher. Core measures remain sticky, meaning cheaper mortgages aren't coming anytime soon.Policies, courts, construction, demographics, and financing are all colliding at once. Understanding which forces are temporary and which are structural has never been more important. This week, we break it all down — and what it means for your next move in B.C.'s housing market. _________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation:

For years, one of the driving narratives in Canadian real estate was deceptively simple: population growth equals home-price growth. Between 2021-2023, that tailwind was unmistakable — massive immigration, booming temporary residents, and a swelling demand for housing fueled price rises across the country. But that story is now changing. The latest federal budget from Ottawa projects zero population growth for the first time in modern history — a signal that the era of “Demographic Alpha” may be over.In British Columbia, the October numbers underscore the shifting landscape. Home sales across the province dropped by 10% year-over-year, with only 6,370 units sold, yet the average price ticked up to $987,600 (a modest 0.8 % increase). At first glance, that may seem counter-intuitive—especially given the drop in the Greater Vancouver region, where prices actually fell 3.4%. What it reveals is a province where local dynamics are diverging: outside the Lower Mainland some markets are still inching up.Nationally, every province except Ontario is showing year-over-year price increases. Ontario is down about 2.9%, even though pockets within have seen drops of 30 % or more. Two regions — Newfoundland and the Northwest Territories — are up more than 10%. So while the broader narrative remains “prices rising,” it's the hyper-local story that matters.Let's go back to population. For decades, Canadian real estate bulls pointed to one immutable fact: we kept growing. New people meant new renters, new buyers, new demand — the structural scarcity argument. But Ottawa's policy shift is turning the page. Between 2020 and 2024, population growth was arguably the strongest single driver of housing returns: it boosted rentals, shortened vacancy, supported pre-construction profits. Now the federal government's reduced intake of permanent and temporary residents is removing that force. Growth dropping from 3% to near zero rewrites the math of valuations.The consequences are broader than real estate: GDP growth in recent years has largely been powered by population expansion. With shrinking labour-force growth and rising youth and newcomer unemployment already flagged by the Bank of Canada, housing demand will be impacted. In effect, immigration policy is now acting as a rate hike — cooling demand without touching interest rates. For investors and developers, the easy “demographic premium” is gone.Condo starts continue to collapse. New sales of condo units have tanked, and about 18 months later condo starts follow that trajectory. We're seeing new-home construction at 15-year lows, fewer jobs in building trades, fewer units coming to market. And then there's the demographic domino effect.So what does this all mean for you—or for anyone who's betting on real estate? The thesis of perpetual population-driven housing demand is under threat. Scarcity is no longer guaranteed. The fundamentals are shifting: slower growth means slower demand, longer lease-ups, muted appreciation. For developers, investors and agents alike: adaptation is key. The era of demographic tailwinds is fading. The question now is: who will stay ahead in the new chapter? _________________________________ Contact Us To Book Your Private Consultation: