10/15/2026
Today, October 14, 2026, I had the opportunity to attend the Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) event, “Commercial Horizons: Planning, Growth & Development in the GTA.”
It was a great learning experience, and I really appreciated hearing different perspectives on the future of real estate, urban development, and the Greater Toronto Area.
Grateful for the opportunity to hear insights from:
Jason Mercer – Chief Information Officer at TRREB
Naama Blonder – Architect and Urban Planner
Michael Brooks – Lawyer and CEO of the Real Property Association of Canada (REALPAC)
Karen Chapple, Ph.D. – Director of the School of Cities and Professor of Geography and Planning at the University of Toronto
A few interesting takeaways from today's presentations:
📊 Commercial real estate activity: GTA commercial and retail leasing activity increased in 2025, while office leasing remained relatively strong.
🏢 Office and industrial markets: Availability rates vary significantly across Canadian cities, highlighting how different local markets are responding to economic conditions.
🏠 Housing affordability: A survey found that prospective buyers could afford an average monthly mortgage payment of $2,673, compared with $3,262 for their ideal home — a gap of approximately $589 per month.
🏙️ Condo rental market: After significant rent increases in 2022–2023, GTA condo rental growth has turned negative, providing some relief for renters.
📈 The broader economy: Despite challenges facing the manufacturing sector, Canada's overall economy has shown resilience, supported by the service sector.
Real estate is constantly evolving, and there's always something new to learn. I believe staying informed about market trends, economic conditions, and future developments is an important part of helping my clients make better real estate decisions.
Thank you to TRREB and all the speakers for sharing their knowledge and perspectives. Grateful for opportunities like these to keep learning and improving!