
Market Outlook: Housing demand weakens as population growth stalls
BNN Bloomberg
Canada’s population decline is easing rental demand and weighing on housing as interest rates remain elevated and activity stays subdued.
BNN Bloomberg spoke with Robert Kavcic, senior economist at BMO Capital Markets, who says the adjustment is already feeding through the economy, with housing expected to remain subdued as interest rates stay elevated and demand normalizes.
Read the full transcript below:
ROGER: Canada’s population shrank again. It’s another headwind for an already soft housing market and a broader economy now facing higher uncertainty after the Bank of Canada held rates and warned about fallout from the Iran war. Let’s bring in Robert Kavcic, senior economist at BMO Capital Markets. Robert, thanks very much for joining us.
ROBERT: Of course. Thanks for having me.
ROGER: Two quarters in a row — I want to make sure I’m reading this right — the last two quarters of 2025, Canada’s population declined?

A key question hangs over the Federal Reserve’s two-day meeting that ends Wednesday: Will central bank policymakers still reduce short-term interest rates this year, now that the Iran war has sent oil prices higher and gas prices spiking? Or will they have to stand pat for months to see how the conflict plays out?

Oil tankers are crossing the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s actions to choke traffic through the shipping route have not hurt the U.S. economy, White House economic adviser Kevin Hassett told CNBC on Tuesday, reiterating the Trump administration’s position that the war should be over in weeks, not months.











