The latest news from Moving2Canada, in case you missed it, plus can't-miss resources with timeless information and tips.
This week’s newsletter is brought to you by our trusted partner, Rentals.ca
Canada’s Rents Fell Again, Hitting Their Lowest Level in Almost 3 Years
The Rentals.ca February 2026 Rent Report shows average asking rent fell to $2,057 in January, down 2.0% year over year (YoY), marking 16 straight months of annual declines. The pace of drops is easing a bit, but rents are now at their lowest level in nearly three years.
That slowdown is also showing up in the big cities. Vancouver apartment rents fell 9.2% YoY to $2,630 (their lowest since early 2022), while Toronto dropped 4.6% to $2,495 (a 44-month low). Calgary also softened, down 5.7% to $1,815. And it’s not just those few pockets, provincially the steepest declines were in B.C. (-4.7%), Alberta (-4.3%), and Ontario (-3.3%).
One key trend is that listings are getting smaller, with the average apartment size at 857 sq. ft., down from 885 last year. Which helps pull overall rents down even as rent per square foot rose 1.4%.
Another upside for renters is that affordability has improved, with the rent-to-income ratio at 29.5%, its best level in six years.
Looking for a deal? Rentals.ca now has a move-in incentives filter, so you can quickly spot listings that include discounts or perks without digging through every description.
Our Video Update This Week
In our recent live webinar, we talked about how newcomers can build financial stability in Canada, from “surviving” to “thriving.”
With guest speaker Sajedeh Eskandari, a Senior Financial Advisor at Scotiabank, we shared practical money steps for each stage of the newcomer journey and answered questions in a live Q&A.
Most Read News This Week
IRCC’s open work permit for vulnerable workers is being used much more than before, and IRCC updated its guidance on February 6, 2026.
This article explains what’s new and why these changes matter if you’re trying to leave an unsafe job without needing a new employer or an LMIA.
This week’s newsletter is brought to you by our partner, Rentals.ca.
Helping newcomers find verified rental listings across Canada, making it easier to search by city, budget, and housing type. Rental search simplified so you can settle in with confidence!
News This Week, In Case You Missed It
New IRCC approval rate data through July 2025 show how decisions are shifting across programs as scrutiny tightens in some categories.
With over 300,000 work permits expiring by March, this guide explains your main options to stay in Canada legally.
A new report shows international students don’t get the same healthcare access across Canada, and costs vary by province.
Several provinces have now released their 2026 PNP nomination allocations, shaping how many candidates they can invite this year.
North Bay has released new intake dates and added a priority sector under the Rural Community Immigration Pilot.
Our latest Express Entry pool breakdown shows how many active candidates are in the pool at each CRS score range.
We also saw Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draws from both British Columbia and New Brunswick.
Latest IRCC Updates’
IRCC updated its program delivery instructions on February 10, 2026, extending the process that lets IEC participants in Canada apply for a subsequent IEC permit and request in-Canada work permit issuance. It will remain in place until further notice. Read more.
IRCC updated its program delivery instructions on February 13, 2026, for the TR to PR pathway open work permit public policy. The update added a new refusals section and clarified that family members applying from outside Canada don’t need to hold temporary resident status at the time of submission. Read more.
